Skip to main content

Library

This library contains research reports produced by the Building America program and other building science resources used to support this Solution Center. The materials cover both new construction and existing homes. Use the search box and/or the filters to explore hundreds of residential building resources. Access to some references not produced by Building America may require purchase from the publisher. Documents are listed alphabetically. While we continually update our database, links may have changed since posting. Please contact our webmaster if you find broken links.

Showing results 1 - 48 of 48

2015 IBC - International Building Code

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
2015 edition of code for commercial buildings that brings together all structural, plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas, energy and electrical provisions for all buildings except detached one- and two-family residences and townhouses up to three stories.

A Practical Guide to Climate-resilient Buildings & Communities

Author(s)
UN Environment Programme
Organization(s)
United Nations
Publication Date
Guidance document from the UN environment programme on climate-resilient buildings and communities practices, including guidance on heat waves, drought, hurricanes, and flooding.

AIA Disaster Assistance Handbook, Third Edition

Author(s)
American Institute of Architects
Organization(s)
AIA
Publication Date
Report describing the experience gained from AIA’s Disaster Assistance Program with first-hand accounts of disaster response and recovery, case studies and other best practices, including approaches to designing buildings to be more adaptable to uncertainty.

ASCE 7 Hazard Tool

Author(s)
American Society of Civil Engineers
Organization(s)
ASCE
Publication Date
Web-based mapping tool offering a fast, reliable way to look up key design parameters specified in Standard ASCE 7-10, 7-16, or 7-22 for a specific address or location. The tool is free to use and can look up data for eight different environmental hazard types: wind, tornado, seismic, ice, rain...

ASCE/SEI 7-10 Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures

Author(s)
American Society of Civil Engineers
Organization(s)
ASCE,
Structural Engineering Institute,
SEI
Publication Date
Standard using performance-based principles to determine dead, live, soil, flood, snow, rain, atmospheric ice, earthquake, and wind loads, and their combinations for general structural design. This version of the standard was published in the year 2010 and is available in both digital and print...

ASCE/SEI 7-16 Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures

Author(s)
American Society of Civil Engineers
Organization(s)
ASCE,
Structural Engineering Institute,
SEI
Publication Date
Standard using performance-based principles to determine dead, live, soil, flood, tsunami, snow, rain, atmospheric ice, earthquake, wind, and fire loads, and their combinations for general structural design. This version of the standard was published in the year 2016 and is available in both digital...

ASCE/SEI 7-22 Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures

Author(s)
American Society of Civil Engineers
Organization(s)
ASCE,
Structural Engineering Institute,
SEI
Publication Date
Standard using performance-based principles to determine dead, live, soil, flood, tsunami, snow, rain, atmospheric ice, seismic, and wind loads, and their combinations for general structural design. The current version of this standard was published in the year 2022 and is available in both digital...

Coastal Climate Resiliency: Retrofitting Buildings for Flood Risk

Author(s)
Frost-Tift,
Mahadevia,
Mills Reeder,
Sheldon,
Squerciati
Organization(s)
Department of City Planning,
New York City
Publication Date
Report describing retrofitting options and methodology for architects, developers, and property owners to use when making decisions about retrofits for common building types in NY.

Digital Coast

Author(s)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Organization(s)
NOAA
Publication Date
Website helping communities address coastal issues with data, tools, and training resources.

Enhancing Community Resilience through Energy Efficiency, ACEEE-U1508

Author(s)
Ribeiro David,
Mackres Eric,
Baatz Brendon,
Cluett Rachel,
Jarrett Michael,
Kelly Meegan,
Vaidyanathan Shruti
Organization(s)
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy,
ACEEE
Publication Date
Report describing the research gap in the connection between resilience and energy efficiency.

FEMA National Risk Index: Tsunamis

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Website describing and providing a map showing the tsunami risk index for the United States, which home owners and builders can use to determine the tsunami risk of their location.

FEMA P-259, Engineering Principles and Practices for Retrofitting Flood-Prone Residential Structures

Author(s)
Conrad David,
Kapur Omar,
Mahadevia Amit,
Maldonado Desi,
Moline Julia,
Overcash Glenn,
Passman Samantha,
Perotin Manuel,
Reeder Adam,
Seitz Laura,
Sheldon Adrienne,
Squerciati John
Organization(s)
FEMA,
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
Atkins Global,
URS Group,
Dewberry
Publication Date
Comprehensive design guide describing the benefits and details of retrofit methods for buildings and equipment in flood-prone areas. Estimated costs are outdated due to publication date.

FEMA P-55, Coastal Construction Manual Volume II

Author(s)
Coulbourne William,
Jones Christopher P,
Kapur Omar,
Koumoudis Vasso,
Line Philip,
Low David K,
Overcash Glenn,
Passman Samantha,
Reeder Adam,
Seitz Laura,
Smith Thomas,
Tezak Scott
Organization(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
FEMA,
Applied Technology Council,
ATC,
URS Group,
DK Low and Associates,
Atkins,
TLSmith Consulting
Publication Date
Volume II of a two-volume report providing a comprehensive approach to design, construction, and renovation of homes located in coastal environments.

FEMA P-550. Recommended Residential Construction for Coastal Areas: Building on Strong and Safe Foundations

Author(s)
Coulbourne Bill,
Haupt Matt,
Sundberg Scott,
Low David K,
Yeung Jimmy,
Squerciati John
Organization(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
FEMA,
URS Corporation,
DK Low and Associates,
Greenhorne and O'Mara,
Dewberry and Davis
Publication Date
Report providing recommended designs and guidance for rebuilding homes destroyed by hurricanes in the Gulf Coast.

FLASH website

Author(s)
Federal Alliance For Safe Homes
Organization(s)
FLASH
Publication Date
Website containing resources from the nonprofit FLASH, which "is the country’s leading consumer advocate for strengthening homes and safeguarding families from natural and manmade disasters."

Flood and Hurricane Resistant Buildings, BSD-111

Author(s)
Joseph Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Guide from Building Science Corporation on how to construct a flood and hurricane resistant home.

Hazard and Risk Assessment Maps

Author(s)
U.S. Geological Survey
Organization(s)
USGS
Publication Date
Webpage providing maps and information to assess the particular hazards and risks for an area.

House Siding Options, Plus Costs, Pros & Cons 2020

Author(s)
Siding Cost Guide
Organization(s)
Siding Cost Guide
Publication Date
A starting point for ballparking and comparing the cost of different siding materials and a brief overview of the pros and cons of different siding materials.

How to Destroy a Wall in Two Easy Steps

Author(s)
Mark Parlee
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction
Publication Date
A story about how omission of two small but critical wall details, a kick-out flashing and a weep screed, lead to extensive water damage to a wall.

Individual and Community Preparedness Activities

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Activity sheets describing questions and preparedness action items for a variety of disasters including floods, fires, earthquakes, and winter weather.

Load Paths, FEMA Technical Fact Sheet No. 4.1 

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Factsheet describing the concept of load paths and the important connections in a wind uplift load path; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact Sheet Series.”

Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Report providing a resource that communities can use to identify and evaluate a range of potential mitigation actions for reducing risk to natural hazards and disasters.

Natural Disasters Association, Natural Hazards

Author(s)
Natural Disasters Association
Organization(s)
NDA
Publication Date
Website providing information on tsunamis, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, thunderstorms and more.

Natural Hazard Mitigation Saves: 2017 Interim Report

Author(s)
Porter,
Scawthorn,
Dash,
Santos,
Eguchi,
Ghosh,
Huyck,
Isteita,
Mickey,
Rashed,
Schneider
Organization(s)
NIBS
Publication Date
Report updating and expanding on a 2005 study that found, among other things, that every $1 of natural hazard mitigation funded by FEMA between 1993 and 2003 saved the American people an average of $4 in avoided future losses.

Natural Hazards

Author(s)
U.S. Geological Survey
Organization(s)
USGS
Publication Date
Website containing USGS-related publications related to natural hazards.

One-Stop Hurricane Resource Guide

Author(s)
Federal Alliance For Safe Homes
Organization(s)
FLASH
Publication Date
Report providing quick reference guide information to help a family prepare for hurricane season, including seven steps to a wind resistant home, a wind inspection checklist, and how to find a contractor.

Preparedness Webinars

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Database describing FEMA preparedness webinars including natural hazard preparedness.

Ready to Respond: Strategies for Multifamily Building Resilience

Author(s)
Enterprise Green Communities
Organization(s)
Enterprise Green Communities
Publication Date
Report providing strategies to support occupant behavior changes for enhancing resilience, and to reduce a building's vulnerability to extreme weather, climate change, and loss of power.

Rehabbing Flooded Houses, A Guide for Builders and Contractors

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Organization(s)
HUD
Publication Date
Guide providing information for professional builders and contractors rehabbing flooded single-family houses with emphasis on safe practices and the most important activities in the rehab process.

Suggested Emergency Food Supplies

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Organization(s)
USDHS
Publication Date
Article describing suggested food supplies, sanitation, safety, and cooking for during and after an emergency.

U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit Case Studies

Author(s)
U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit
Organization(s)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
NOAA
Publication Date
Website providing guidance for people to find and use tools, information, and subject matter expertise to build climate resilience.

Weather Related Fatality and Injury Statistics

Author(s)
National Weather Service
Organization(s)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Publication Date
Web page providing statistics on weather related fatalities and injuries.