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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 151 - 200 of 807

Building America System Research Results: Innovations for High Performance Homes

Author(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Organization(s)
NREL
Publication Date
Report providing a summary of key lessons learned from the first ten years of the Building America program and also included a summary of the future challenges that must be met to reach the programs long term performance goals.

Building America Top Innovations 2013: Attic Air Sealing Guidelines

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Factsheet describing research sponsored by DOE's Building America program to research the importance of attic air sealing and best practice attic air sealing techniques for new and existing homes.

Building Materials Listing

Author(s)
Cal Fire Office of the State Fire Marshal
Organization(s)
Cal Fire,
CAL FIRE - OSFM
Publication Date
California Office of the State Fire Marshal's homepage for the Building Materials Listing Program, providing builders, contractors, architects, and others with access to a database of fire alarm systems and fire-resistant construction materials including roof coverings, wall, ceiling, and floor...

Building Materials Listings - Search Listing Services

Author(s)
Cal Fire Office of the State Fire Marshal
Organization(s)
Cal Fire,
CAL FIRE - OSFM
Publication Date
California Office of the State Fire Marshal's compiled and searchable list of different building materials and their test results for fire resistance.

Building Materials Property Table, Info-500

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Document presenting some of the key technical properties of many of the most common building materials.

Building Plans for Advanced Framing

Author(s)
Green Building Advisor
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Website providing CAD files and drawings of advanced framing details.

Building Science Corporation's Building America Quality Control Checklist

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Document with the Quality Control Checklist developed as both a guide to assist in the transition to high performance home building, and as a simplified tool to be used as part of any builder's on-site quality control procedures.

Bulk Water Control Methods for Foundations, BA-1015

Author(s)
Ueno,
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report about the fundamental concepts that must be understood at the planning or initial nspection of existing homes regarding surface and ground water management.

Burn Wise

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
The EPA Burn Wise program promotes the importance of burning the right wood, the right way, in the right appliance.

CA Senate Bill SB-1898 Seismic Safety: Gas Shutoff Devices

Author(s)
California Legislative Information
Organization(s)
California Legislative Information
Publication Date
Description of California Senate Bill SB 1898, which requires the sale of new seismic gas shutoff devices sold in California to be certified by the State Architect.

California Code of Regulations C-36 - Plumbing Contractor

Author(s)
California Contractors State License Board
Organization(s)
CSLB
Publication Date
California State Code of Regulations, Title 16, Division 8, Article 3, listing requirements for plumbing contractors.

California Energy Commission's HVAC Design Guide

Author(s)
California Energy Commission
Organization(s)
CEC
Publication Date
Webpage containing California Energy Commission's HVAC design information, including mandatory and prescriptive HVAC requirements for residential and nonresidential buildings following the California Energy Commission's Building Energy Efficiency Standards.

California Plumbing Code 2019

Author(s)
State of California
Organization(s)
State of California
Publication Date
2019 version of California's plumbing code.

Cantilevers, Technical Bulletin F2

Author(s)
Advanced Energy
Organization(s)
Advanced Energy
Publication Date
Information sheet containing images and descriptions of cantilevers.

Capillarity - Small Sacrifices, BSI-011

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Article describing correct ways to eliminate water damage by incorporating a sacrificial layer to foundation walls and footings.

Capillary Break

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
BSC definition of a capillary break.

Carpet and Rug Institute

Author(s)
Carpet and Rug Institute
Organization(s)
CRI
Publication Date
Carpet and Rug Institute website homepage.

Ceiling Fan Basics

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
ENRGY STAR webpage discussing the basics of certified ceiling fans.

Ceiling Fans Key Product Criteria

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
Website that describes two ceiling fan types and their respective ENERGY STAR eligible product types.

Ceilings and Attics

Author(s)
Southface Energy Institute,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Organization(s)
Southface Energy Institute,
ORNL
Publication Date
Information sheet with information about insulating and ventilating attics.

Central Fan Integrated Ventilation Systems, Info-610

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Report about ventilation system design, including central fan integrated supply (CFIS) system, made up of a 6-inch outdoor air intake duct connected to the return side of the air handler with a fan cycling control to make sure the fan runs a programmed minimum amount of time.

Chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the EPA evaluates potential risks from new and existing chemicals and acts to address any unreasonable risks chemicals may have on human health and the environment. This website explains the implications of such chemicals.

Chimney failure most common damage in an earthquake

Author(s)
Tucker,
Jill
Organization(s)
SFGate
Publication Date
News article from SFGate explaining and giving figures on how chimney failure is the most common type of damage to homes during an earthquake.

Choosing Between Oriented Strandboard and Plywood

Author(s)
Fisette
Organization(s)
University of Massachusetts
Publication Date
Information sheet discussing how OSB will define the future of the structural sheathing market. OSB will define the future of the structural sheathing market. - See more at: http://bct.eco.umass.edu/publications/by-title/choosing-between-oriented-strandboard-and-plywood/#sthash.RilEtDpl.dpuf

Choosing Thermostatic Radiator Valves

Author(s)
Gifford
Organization(s)
American Boiler Manufacturers Association
Publication Date
Part 2 of an article discussing how to maximize two-pipe steam systems for resident space heating.

Choosing Wood-Burning Appliances

Author(s)
EPA
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
A list of EPA-certified wood-burning appliances for home heating for a range of budgets.

Classic Rib® Install Guide

Author(s)
Metal Sales Manufacturing Corporation
Organization(s)
Metal Sales Manufacturing Corporation
Publication Date
Installation manual for installing metal panel siding.

Climate Change and Extreme Heat Events

Author(s)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Organization(s)
CDC
Publication Date
Report describing extreme heat events, how an extreme heat event threatens public health, and how to prepare for and respond to such an event.

Closed Crawlspaces Do Double Duty

Author(s)
Dastur,
Davis
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Publication Date
Article describing how closed crawlspaces can do "double duty" by controlling moisture and providing energy savings.

Code Notes: Residential Fan Efficiency

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
IECC code note explaining new fan efficacy requirements, along with how to determine which fans are affected by the new fan requirements.

Combined Space and Water Heating: Next Steps to Improved Performance

Author(s)
Schoenbauer B,
Bohac D,
Huelman Patrick
Organization(s)
NorthernSTAR Building America Partnership,
NorthernSTAR,
University of Minnesota
Publication Date
Report describing combined space- and water-heating (combi) systems using a high-efficiency direct-vent burner.

Common Advanced Framing Details

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Brochure explaining the essential basis for advanced framing and some of the more common advanced framing details.

Common Flashing Details

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Brochure providing information about flashing.

Common Siding Failures

Author(s)
Mark Parlee
Organization(s)
The Building Consultant
Publication Date
An article illustrating common errors found in fiber cement siding installations. Many of these errors and poor flashing examples apply to siding materials beyond fiber cement siding.

Community-Scale Evaluation Results, BA-0405

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Report investigating the nature, strength, and durability of connections between high performance dwellings and developments.

Comparison of Advanced Residential Water Heating Technologies in the United States

Author(s)
Maguire,
Fang,
Wilson
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Publication Date
Research report providing a comparison of the most common residential water heating technologies to determine energy-efficient and cost-effective water heating technologies are when subjected to a variety of typical operating conditions.

Conceptual 3D Advanced Framing Drawing

Author(s)
Green Building Advisor
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Document containing a 3D drawing (CAD) of advanced framing details.

Concrete Floors and Moisture

Author(s)
Portland Cement Association
Organization(s)
Portland Cement Association
Publication Date
Document discussing moisture considerations and testing techniques for concrete floors.

Concrete Homes

Author(s)
Portland Cement Association
Organization(s)
Portland Cement Association
Publication Date
Information sheet discussing the properties and benefits of insulating concrete forms.