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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 1 - 50 of 252

Author(s)
Strack Terry,
Sager Jeremy
Organization(s)
Strack & Associates,
Natural Resources Canada,
NRCan,
CanmetENERGY
Publication Date
Description
Document providing step-by-step guidance to sizing air-source heat pumps for a cold climate.
Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
Webpage with links for all 2010 Florida building codes.
Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
2018 edition of code establishing a baseline for existing building retrofits to reach appropriate safety levels under new construction requirements covered in other ICC codes.
Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
2018 edition of code establishing regulations involving life and property safety from fires and explosion hazards, including emergency planning, fire department access and water supply, automatic sprinkler systems, fire alarms, and hazardous materials planning and storage.
Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
2018 edition of the code establishing regulations to safeguard life and property from the intrusion of wildland fire and to prevent structure fires from spreading to wildland fuels; regulates defensible space and provides ignition-resistant construction requirements to protect against fire exposure...
Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
Building code for the state of California providing the building rules and regulations as well as disaster resistance tools.
Author(s)
Rosival Chris
Organization(s)
Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry,
MN Department of Labor and Industry
Publication Date
Description
A presentation on the 2020 State Mechanical Code for easier understanding.
Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
2021 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.
Author(s)
Crandell Jay H
Organization(s)
Structural Building Components Association,
SBCA
Publication Date
Description
Article describing vapor retarder requirements in the International Residential Code and International Building Code 2021.
Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
2021 edition of code establishing a baseline for existing building retrofits to reach appropriate safety levels under new construction requirements covered in other ICC codes.
Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
2021 edition of code establishing a baseline for energy efficiency by setting performance standards for the building envelope (defined as the boundary that separates heated/cooled air from unconditioned, outside air), mechanical systems, lighting systems and service water heating systems in homes...
Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
2021 edition of code establishing regulations involving life and property safety from fires and explosion hazards, including emergency planning, fire department access and water supply, automatic sprinkler systems, fire alarms, and hazardous materials planning and storage.
Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
2021 edition of code establishing a baseline for the design and installation of fuel gas systems and gas fired appliances through performance requirements.
Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
2021 edition of code establishing minimum regulations for mechanical systems, including heating, cooling, ventilation, exhaust, ducts, fireplaces, combustion and hydronic systems, using prescriptive and performance-related provisions.
Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
2021 edition of code establishing minimum regulations for plumbing facilities, including fixtures, water heaters, water supply and distribution, sanitary drainage, storm drainage, etc.
Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
2021 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.
Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
2021 edition of the code establishing regulations to safeguard life and property from the intrusion of wildland fire and to prevent structure fires from spreading to wildland fuels; regulates defensible space and provides ignition-resistant construction requirements to protect against fire exposure...
Author(s)
Air Barrier Association of America
Organization(s)
ABAA
Publication Date
Description
Standard outlining materials and installation methods for a liquid-applied vapor permeable air barrier systems located in the non-accessible part of the wall.
Author(s)
Bohac Dave,
Harrington Curtis
Organization(s)
EERE,
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy,
Center for Energy and Environment
Publication Date
Description
Technical report describing the research behind a new aerosol-based sealing method, utilizing pressurization and a dispersed sealant fog, facilitated by a standard blower door, to automatically measure, locate, and seal air leaks in new homes in the United States, providing an efficient solution to...
Author(s)
Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers
Organization(s)
AHAM
Publication Date
Description
Website providing research, efficiency and safety standards development, and advocacy to the home appliance industry to bring efficient, high-performing home appliances to consumers.
Author(s)
Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers
Organization(s)
AHAM
Publication Date
Description
Website reporting efficiencies for dehumidifiers, room air conditioners, and room air cleaners that are tested by independent laboratories and reported by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers.
Author(s)
Alliance for Water Efficiency
Organization(s)
Alliance for Water Efficiency
Publication Date
Description
Alliance for Water Efficiency website homepage.
Author(s)
American Cleaning Institute
Organization(s)
ACI
Publication Date
Description
American Cleaning Institute website homepage.
Author(s)
R W Beckett Corporation
Organization(s)
Beckett
Publication Date
Description
Webpage that gives an introduction to PSC motors and their operation.
Author(s)
American National Standards Institute,
Decorative Hardwoods Association
Organization(s)
ANSI,
DHA
Publication Date
Description
Standard detailing the specific requirements for all face, back, and inner ply grades as well as formaldehyde emissions, moisture content, tolerances, sanding, and grade marking. The current version of the standard, published in 2020, can be acquired through a subscription with the ANSI webstore...
Author(s)
APA - The Engineered Wood Association
Organization(s)
APA
Publication Date
Description
Website homepage of APA – The Engineered Wood Association, a nonprofit trade association combining the research efforts of scientists and engineers, APA promotes new solutions and improved processes that benefit the entire industry.
Author(s)
APA - The Engineered Wood Association
Organization(s)
APA
Publication Date
Description
Wall bracing calculator simplifying the design of residential structures that comply with 2009, 2012, 2015, 2018 or 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) wall bracing requirements.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Website providing a compilation of guidance, case studies, tools, and training to assist local communities as they are in the midst of managing recovery post-disaster.
Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Description
Test method designed to obtain reliable values for the WVTR of plastic film and sheeting. This version of the standard was published in the year 2020 and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link. Other versions of the standard were published in the years 2013, 2011, 2006, 2001...
Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Description
Webpage for searching all of ASTM's standards, books, journals, and technical articles.
Publication Date
Description
YouTube channel featuring 90+ videos to educate Bay Area homeowners and contractors about seismic retrofitting, including information for various home and construction types.
Author(s)
Structural Insulated Panel Association
Organization(s)
Structural Insulated Panel Association
Publication Date
Description
Guide informing builders and developers about efficient building practice for constructing homes with structural insulated panels.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
The EPA Burn Wise program promotes the importance of burning the right wood, the right way, in the right appliance.
Author(s)
California Energy Commission
Organization(s)
CEC
Publication Date
Description
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.