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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 51 - 100 of 588

AC115 Acceptance Criteria for Waterproof Membranes for Flooring and Shower Lining

Author(s)
ICC Evaluation Service
Organization(s)
International Code Council
Publication Date
Acceptance criteria providing guidelines for demonstrating compliance with codes referenced in the criteria related to barriers to water migration in thin-set installations of ceramic tile and stone flooring and shower sub-pan linings.

ACCA Manual J - Residential Load Calculation

Author(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
Standard covering equipment sizing loads for single-family-detached homes, small multi-unit structures, condo­miniums, town houses and manufactured homes.

ACCA Manual S - Residential Equipment Selection

Author(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
Standard covering sizing strategies for all types of cooling and heating equipment, as well as how to use comprehensive manufacturer’s performance data on sensible, latent, or heating capacity for various operating conditions.

Advanced Framing Construction Guide

Author(s)
APA - The Engineered Wood Association
Organization(s)
APA
Publication Date
Detailed guide to advanced framing, a system of construction framing techniques designed to optimize material usage and increase energy efficiency.

Affordable Solid Panel "Perfect Wall" System

Author(s)
Schirber Tom,
Jacobson Rolf,
Handeen Dan,
Mosiman Garrett,
Huelman Patrick
Organization(s)
University of Minnesota,
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Publication Date
Technical report describing the SPS (Structural Panel System), an innovative implementation of the "perfect wall" concept, situating environmental control layers on the exterior side of structural components for improved constructability, cost-effectiveness, and performance, validated through the...

Alliance for Water Efficiency

Author(s)
Alliance for Water Efficiency
Organization(s)
Alliance for Water Efficiency
Publication Date
Alliance for Water Efficiency website homepage.

American Cleaning Institute

Author(s)
American Cleaning Institute
Organization(s)
ACI
Publication Date
American Cleaning Institute website homepage.

American Gas Association White Paper Automatic Shut-off Valves (ASV) And Remote Control Valves (RCV) On Natural Gas Transmission Pipelines

Author(s)
American Gas Association
Organization(s)
AGA
Publication Date
Report providing information regarding the benefits and challenges associated with the installation of earthquake-actuated automatic shut-off valves (ASVs) or remote-control valves (RCVs) to stop the flow of natural gas into buildings in the event of an earthquake or rupture of the gas line.

An Approach to High-Performance Affordable Housing Using Point-Source Space Conditioning

Author(s)
Dentz Jordan,
Zhu Shengming
Organization(s)
Levy Partnership,
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Publication Date
Technical report describing the integration of mini split ductless heat pumps and through-wall transfer fans in small single-story homes, to achieve a 50% reduction in space conditioning energy consumption compared to the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code, while ensuring affordability and...

An Approach to High-Performance Affordable Housing Using Point-Source Space Conditioning

Author(s)
NREL
Organization(s)
NREL,
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing the research on energy-efficient strategies for small single-story homes, including manufactured and Habitat for Humanity-built homes, utilizing mini split ductless heat pumps and through-wall transfer fans to achieve a 50% reduction in energy consumption compared to the 2009...

An Introduction To PSC Motors

Author(s)
R W Beckett Corporation
Organization(s)
Beckett
Publication Date
Webpage that gives an introduction to PSC motors and their operation.

Anchor Tall Bookcases and File Cabinets

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Short guide from FEMA describing how to anchor tall bookcases and file cabinets during seismic events.

ANSI/ASCE/SEI 25-16: Earthquake-Actuated Automatic Gas Shutoff Devices

Author(s)
American Society of Civil Engineers
Organization(s)
ASCE,
Structural Engineering Institute,
SEI,
American National Standards Institute,
ANSI
Publication Date
Standard providing minimum functionality requirements for earthquake-actuated automatic gas shutoff devices. Applicable to systems carrying natural gas and propane, the devices are used in piping, equipment, and appliances typically found in structures of three stories or less. The current version...

ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 52.2-2017 - Method of Testing General Ventilation Air-Cleaning Devices for Removal Efficiency by Particle Size

Author(s)
American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers
Organization(s)
ASHRAE,
American National Standards Institute,
ANSI
Publication Date
Standard establishing a test procedure for evaluating the performance of air-cleaning devices as a function of particle size. This is the current version of the standard, which was published in the year 2017, and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link. The ASHRAE bookstore also...

ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2016 - Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low-Rise Residential Buildings

Author(s)
American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers
Organization(s)
ASHRAE
Publication Date
Standard that defines the roles of and minimum requirements for mechanical and natural ventilation systems and the building envelope intended to provide acceptable indoor air quality in low-rise residential buildings. This version of the standard was published in the year 2016, and is available for...

Are Your Multi-Family Buildings Accessible?

Author(s)
Stratton
Organization(s)
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Document highlighting federal accessibility laws which may apply to a housing development, and common mistakes made in the field which, if avoided, will help to ensure compliance.

Asbestos: Worker and Employer Guide to Hazards and Recommended Controls

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Organization(s)
FEMA,
EPA,
NIH,
OSHA
Publication Date
Guidance from HUD, EPA, NIH, and FEMA for workers who deal directly with asbestos.

Association of Bay Area Governments

Author(s)
Association of Bay Area Governments
Organization(s)
ABAG
Publication Date
A basic guide walking through the various types of valves useful in mitigating the effects of earthquakes and other seismic events on natural gas pipelines for residential use.

ASTM C1363 - 19: Standard Test Method for Thermal Performance of Building Materials and Envelope Assemblies by Means of a Hot Box Apparatus

Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Standard that describes the principles for the design of a hot box apparatus and the minimum requirements for the determination of steady state thermal performance of building assemblies when exposed to controlled laboratory conditions. The current version of the standard was published in 2019, and...

ASTM D6329-98(2023) Standard Guide for Developing Methodology for Evaluating the Ability of Indoor Materials to Support Microbial Growth Using Static Environmental Chambers

Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Standard that describes a simple, relatively cost-effective approach to evaluating the ability of a variety of materials to support microbial growth using a small chamber method. The current version of this standard was published in the year 2023, and a preview of the standard is available at the...

ASTM D7032 - 21 Standard Specification for Establishing Performance Ratings for Wood-Plastic Composite and Plastic Lumber Deck Boards, Stair Treads, Guards, and Handrails

Author(s)
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
ASTM standard for wood-composite decking and guardrail materials under a variety of tests, including fire performance and UV resistance. This standard was produced in the year 2021, and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link. There are also other versions of this standard...

ASTM E1677 - 11: Standard Specification for Air Barrier (AB) Material or System for Low-Rise Framed Building Walls

Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Standard that covers the minimum performance and acceptance criteria for an air barrier (AB) material or system for framed walls of low-rise buildings with the service life of the building wall in mind. This link directs to a preview of the version of the standard that was published in the year 2011...

ASTM E1677 - 19: Standard Specification for Air Barrier (AB) Material or Assemblies for Low-Rise Framed Building Walls

Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Standard that covers the minimum performance and acceptance criteria for an air barrier (AB) material or system for framed walls of low-rise buildings with the service life of the building wall in mind. This link directs to a preview of the current version of the standard, published in the year 2019...

ASTM E2112 - 19c: Standard Practice for Installation of Exterior Windows, Doors and Skylights

Author(s)
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Standard covering the installation of fenestration products in new and existing construction. The current version of the standard was published in the year 2019, and is available for preview and purchase at the referenced link. Previous versions of this standard that are available for preview and...

ASTM E2112 – 07: Standard Practice for Installation of Exterior Windows, Doors and Skylights

Author(s)
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Standard covering the installation of fenestration products in new and existing construction. This version of the standard was published in the year 2007, and is available for preview and purchase at the referenced link. Other versions of this standard that are available for preview and purchase at...

ASTM E2925 – 19a, Standard Specification for Manufactured Polymeric Drainage and Ventilation Materials Used to Provide a Rainscreen Function

Author(s)
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Specification describing criteria for manufactured polymeric materials used to provide a rainscreen function, a means for the drainage of liquid moisture and the ventilation of vapor moisture that enters an above-grade exterior wall assembly. The current version of the standard was published in the...

ASTM E84 - 22 Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials

Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
ASTM standard test method for surface burning response of different building materials. This version of the standard was published in the year 2022 and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link. Other versions of the standard were published in the years 2023, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018...

ASTM E84 - 23 Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials

Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
ASTM standard test method for testing the surface burning response of different building materials. This version of the standard was published in the year 2023 and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link. Other versions of the standard were published in the years 2022, 2021, 2020...

ASTM International - Standards & Publications

Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Webpage for searching all of ASTM's standards, books, journals, and technical articles.

Attic Air Sealing Guide and Details, GM-1001

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Document providing background and approach for the prep work necessary prior to adding attic insulation - focusing on combustion safety, ventilation for indoor air quality, and attic ventilation for durability.

Automatic Seismic Gas Shut-Off Valve

Author(s)
Oscar Castillo
Organization(s)
4 Home Sales Realty
Publication Date
Article describing different types of earthquake shut-off valves for home buyers.

Avoiding Mass Failures, BSI-105

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report covering interior energy retrofits of masonry buildings.

Basement Insulation Systems, BA-0202

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Report describing approaches to insulating basements in homes built to meet Energy Star levels of performance of heat loss reduction.

Be Wildfire Ready

Author(s)
Town of Los Gatos California
Organization(s)
Town of Los Gatos California
Publication Date
A webpage outlining recommendations for creating defensible space.

Brick Masonry Rain Screen Walls

Author(s)
Brick Industry Association
Organization(s)
BIA
Publication Date
Document focusing on the design and wall components that contribute to a pressure equalized rain screen wall, including the frequency of the weep holes and other brick masonry rain screen wall requirements.

Building America Best Practices Series Volume 14: HVAC: A Guide for Contractors to Share with Homeowners

Author(s)
Gilbride Theresa L,
Baechler Michael C,
Hefty Marye G,
Hand James R,
Love Pat M
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL
Publication Date
Report providing information about energy-efficient heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) equipment options to help homeowners cut their energy use, reduce their carbon footprint, and increase their homes comfort, health, and safety.

Building America Best Practices Series Volume 17: Insulation, A Guide for Contractors to Share with Homeowners

Author(s)
Baechler Michael C,
Adams Karen T,
Hefty Marye G,
Gilbride Theresa L,
Love Pat M
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL
Publication Date
Document providing descriptions of the many insulation options available to homeowners, along with guidance on where, when, and how to install insulation throughout your house.

Building America Building Science Advisor

Author(s)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
ORNL,
DOE
Publication Date
Web based tool providing decision-making guidance for selecting wall assembly components.

Building America Expert Meeting: Combustion Safety

Author(s)
Brand Larry
Organization(s)
Partnership for Advanced Residential Retrofit,
PARR,
Gas Technology Institute,
GTI Energy
Publication Date
Expert meeting focusing on identifying gaps and barriers in combustion safety that need to be addressed by future research, and to develop data-driven technical recommendations for code updates so that a common approach for combustion safety can be adopted by all members of the building energy...

Building America Guidance for Identifying and Overcoming Code, Standard, and Rating Method Barriers

Author(s)
Cole Pam C,
Halverson Mark A
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Publication Date
Guidance document providing BA research teams and partners with specific information and approaches to identifying and overcoming potential barriers to Building America (BA) innovations arising in and/or stemming from codes, standards, and rating methods.

Building America Performance Analysis Procedures: Revision 1

Author(s)
Hendron Robert,
Anderson Ren,
Judkoff Ron,
Christensen Craig,
Eastment Mark,
Norton Paul,
Reeves Paul,
Hancock Ed
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Partnership for Resource Conservation,
Mountain Energy Partnership
Publication Date
Document illustrating some analysis concepts that are proven to be effective and reliable in analyzing the transient energy usage of advanced energy systems as well as of entire houses.