Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Report summarizing the wind-resistant provisions of the 2015 edition of the International Building Code.
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
Organization(s)
ICC,
FBC
Publication Date
Description
Florida building code including all the amendments and additions by Florida for the wind-borne debris regions and the high-velocity hurricane zone.
Organization(s)
International Code Council
Publication Date
Description
2018 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.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Document describing portions of the flood provisions from the 2018 editions of the IBC, IRC, IEBC, IMC, IPC, IFGC, IFC, ISPSC, IPSDC, and ICC Performance Code.
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
2018 edition of code for residential buildings that creates minimum regulations for one- and two-family dwellings of three stories or less, bringing together all building, plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas, energy and electrical provisions for one- and two-family residences.
Organization(s)
Sierra Club
Publication Date
Description
Article from the Sierra Club explaining 5 steps to take to ensure your home's resistance to wildfires, including site maintenance and roof construction guidelines.
Organization(s)
National Technical University of Athens
Publication Date
Description
Paper describing a proposed method for quantifying tree and vegetation evapotranspiration effects on city climate
Organization(s)
AIA
Publication Date
Description
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.
Organization(s)
ASCE
Publication Date
Description
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...
Organization(s)
Medeek Design
Publication Date
Description
Webpage providing mapping tool for obtaining ground snow load, based on ASCE 7-10, for any location in the contiguous United States, with the exception of locations requiring a case study due to extreme local variations in ground snow loads. Fee required for some data.
Organization(s)
ASCE,
Structural Engineering Institute,
SEI
Publication Date
Description
Standard using deficiency-based and systematic procedures that use performance-based principles to evaluate and retrofit existing buildings to withstand the effects of earthquakes. The current version of this standard was published in the year 2017, and is available in both digital and print...
Organization(s)
ASCE,
Structural Engineering Institute,
SEI
Publication Date
Description
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...
Organization(s)
4 Home Sales Realty
Publication Date
Description
Article describing different types of earthquake shut-off valves for home buyers.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing how to prepare for hurricane season and mitigate damage from floods and high winds.
Organization(s)
APA
Publication Date
Description
Report providing water management details for roof assemblies.
Organization(s)
IBHS,
NFPA
Publication Date
Description
Factsheet describing research by IBHS into causes of deck ignition in a wildfire and tips for constructing and maintain decks to reduce the risk by ignition by embers and under-deck fires.
Organization(s)
FEMA,
NEHRP
Publication Date
Description
Reference guide helping families prepare for an earthquake and prevent earthquake-related damage.
Organization(s)
Boulder County
Publication Date
Description
A factsheet that provides information and requirements for emergency water supplies for firefighting in Boulder County, Colorado.
Organization(s)
FDOT
Publication Date
Description
Handbook describing the permitting process regulating the transfer of stormwater from private property owners to the State of Florida Department of Transportation stormwater drainage systems.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Guide describing flood protection measures for utility systems, including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fuel.
Organization(s)
University of Zagreb
Publication Date
Description
A guide for designers, architects, engineers, and fire experts on how to design rainscreen and ventilated cavities such that they don’t contribute to the spread of a fire.
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet instructing installers about flashing installed on a FORTIFIED roof and points to roof covering manufacturers for flashing installation instructions.
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
Checklist providing the type of roofing felt recommended by IBHS as a quilified sealed roof deck system for asphalt shingle or metal roofing.
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
Checklist providing additional guidance and options for asphalt shingle installations at roof edges, intersections and valleys.
Organization(s)
U.S. Global Change Research Program
Publication Date
Description
Report assessing the science of climate change with a focus on the U.S.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report covering the fire performance of combustible cladding over combustible insulation.
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction
Publication Date
Description
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.
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing issues with condensation in unvented attics insulated with open-cell spray foam.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article from Building Science Corporation explaining 'wash and wear buildings' that are designed to be flooded and washed out afterwards.
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction
Publication Date
Description
Article describing lessons for builders and changes to local building code in Colorado Springs in response to regional wildfires.
Organization(s)
NIBS
Publication Date
Description
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.
Organization(s)
NFPA
Publication Date
Description
An NFPA Standard that identifies a method for determining the minimum water supply necessary for structural fire-fighting purposes in areas where it has been determined that there is no water or inadequate water for fire fighting.
Organization(s)
HIRL
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing design and construction practices to reduce the likelihood of water intrusion in walls and foundations in residential construction.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report covering the reconstruction of flood damaged homes.
Organization(s)
PG&E
Publication Date
Description
Brochure for utility customers describing installation of an excess flow valve to automatically shut off natural gas flow into a home in the event of a gas line rupture.
Organization(s)
National Institute of Standards and Technology,
NIST
Publication Date
Description
Document describing precast concrete earthquake design considerations including connections, detailing, and forces, among others.
Organization(s)
USFA
Publication Date
Description
Description webpage providing information about home fire safety during sever weather for consumers.
Organization(s)
ASCE
Publication Date
Description
Guide providing detailed explanations of the snow load provisions contained in Standard ASCE/SEI 7-16: Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures.
Organization(s)
Walls & Ceilings
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing the use of rigid foam insulation to meet energy efficiency requirements and minimize fire risks.
Organization(s)
NFPA
Publication Date
Description
Website providing a link for purchasing NFPA 1141, Standard for Fire Protection Infrastructure for Land Development in Wildland, Rural, and Suburban Areas.
Organization(s)
Structural Engineers Association of California
Publication Date
Description
The 2017 publication update to the SEAOC Wind Committee and SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Sub-Committee's 2012 report.
Organization(s)
TU Wien
Publication Date
Description
Paper describing case studies on urban vegetation and greenways and their impacts on city climate and building performance.
Organization(s)
NFPA
Publication Date
Description
A report examining the presence, reliability, effectiveness, and impact of sprinkler systems in structure fires.
Organization(s)
Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety
Publication Date
Description
Report covering the migration of wind-blown embers in roof vents.
Organization(s)
CDC
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing how to identify heat-related illness and what actions to take.
Organization(s)
Polyguard
Publication Date
Description
An article describing a way to protect drain and ventilation holes in brick veneer siding against pests. Selecting a fine screen mesh opening (1/55-inch or 0.5-mm) is important to guard against small insects such as subterranean termites.
Organization(s)
Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics,
International Association for Wind Engineering,
IAWE
Publication Date
Description
Study showcasing the location of the highest uplift force on the hip, ridge, and perimeter regions of roofs, and thus roofing material needs for the most fasteners and adhesive at these locations.
Organization(s)
NIBS
Publication Date
Description
Article discussing structural and nonstructural building components and illustrates a variety of wind-induced damages, including wind-driven rain infiltration.