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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 166

FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grant Program

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
A website providing information on funding for mitigation programs to reduce disaster losses under FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

FEMA High Winds Publications

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
A selection of publications and guidance to assist communities in making their buildings more resilient against the impacts of high winds.

FEMA National Risk Index

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Website providing maps for natural disaster risk in the United States.

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-388 CD – Safe Room Resources

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
A CD guide intended to help communities mitigate damage or loss from tornadoes and other extremewind events, and provide public information resources for conveying the importance of safe room construction.

FEMA P-431, Tornado Protection, Selecting Refuge Areas in Buildings

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Report presenting information that aids qualified architects and engineers in the identification of the best available refuge areas in existing buildings for sheltering in place during a tornado.

FEMA P-475: Preparing for Disaster

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
American Red Cross
Organization(s)
FEMA,
Red Cross
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing how to prepare for a natural disaster and assemble a disaster supply kit.

FEMA P-530: Earthquake Safety at Home

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Guide provides homeowners ways to prepare for an earthquake and protect a home against earthquake damage.

FEMA P-762: Local Officials Guide for Coastal Construction

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
A guide aiming to assist local officials and community decision makers in coastal areas in adopting and implementing sound mitigation measures to lower building natural disaster vulnerability.

FEMA P-957, Snow Load Safety Guide

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Report informing building stakeholders about the risks a snow event poses to their buildings, preventative measures to take before the snow season, and actions that should be taken before, during, and after a snow event.

FEMA PR-RA5: Protecting Windows and Openings in Buildings

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Recovery Advisory document provide guidance related to the use and installation of opening protection systems to protect glazed openings (windows) from wind-borne debris during high-wind events.

FEMA Safe Room Resources

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
A website containing FEMA publications on safe rooms for both residential and community use.

FEMA Safe Rooms

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
A website explaining the purpose of safe rooms and criteria necessary to meet FEMA P-361 and P-320 criteria.

FEMA Shelter-in-Place Fact Sheets

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Fact sheets giving steps for residents to shelter in place during several disaster or emergency scenarios, including flash floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, thunderstorms, tornadoes, winter storms, active shooters, chemical hazards, nuclear/radiological events, pandemics, as well as guidance for...

Flood Insurance

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Website describing the national flood insurance program and how to purchase flood insurance.

Flood Resistant Provisions of the 2015 International Codes

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Website containing information about the 2015 edition of the International Codes related to flood-resistant design and construction.

Flood Resistant Provisions of the International Codes

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Documents describing Flood Resistant Provisions of the international codes (including the international building, residential, exiting building, mechanical, plumbing, fuel gas, fire, swimming pool and spa, private sewage disposal, and code council performance codes) and summaries of changes from the...

Flood-Resistant Material

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
A FEMA description of what constitutes a flood-resistant material.

Foundation and Anchoring Criteria for Safe Rooms

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Fact sheet discussing designs for prefabricated safe rooms built to ICC 500 standards mentioned in FEMA P-361.

Foundation Walls, FEMA Technical Fact Sheet No. 3.5

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing the use of foundation walls in coastal buildings, including footing embedment, wall height, materials and workmanship, lateral support, flood openings and ventilation requirements, and interior grade elevations for crawlspaces; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide...

Foundations in Coastal Areas, FEMA Technical Fact Sheet No. 3.1

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing foundation design criteria, foundation types suitable for coastal environments, and addressing foundations for high-elevation coastal areas (e.g., bluff areas); also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact Sheet Series.”

HIGHLIGHTS OF ASCE 24-14 Flood Resistant Design and Construction

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Document describing ASCE 24-14 Flood Resistant Design and Construction changes and highlights, on topics including siting, materials, performance, and utilities.

Home Safe Home: Facilitator Guide

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Guide providing homeowners tips on how to secure bookcases and other heavy furniture with brackets and child-proof drawer and cabinet locks.

Homeowner's and Renter's Guide to Asbestos Cleanup After Disasters

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA,
EPA,
HUD
Publication Date
Guidance from EPA, FEMA, HUD, and NIH on how to deal with asbestos in homes following natural disasters.

Homeowner's and Renter's Guide to Mold Cleanup After Disasters

Author(s)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,
National Institutes of Health,
Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force
Organization(s)
CDC,
EPA,
FEMA,
HUD,
NIH
Publication Date
Homeowner guidance from CDC, EPA, FEMA, HUD, and NIH on how to safely clean up mold issues following flooding from a natural disaster.

Homeowner's and Renter's Guide to Reducing Lead Hazards After Disasters

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,
National Institute of Health Division of Technical Resources
Organization(s)
EPA,
FEMA,
HUD,
NIH
Publication Date
Guidance from EPA, FEMA, HUD, and NIH on homeowner safety dealing with lead contaminants.

Homeowner's and Renter's Guide to Reducing Radon After Disasters

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Organization(s)
EPA,
FEMA,
HUD
Publication Date
Homeowner guidance from EPA, FEMA, HUD, and NIH on dealing with radon following a natural disaster.

Housewrap, FEMA Technical Fact Sheet No. 5.1

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing the function of housewrap, its attributes, and common problems associated with its use, including housewrap vs. building paper and housewrap installation; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact Sheet Series.”

How Do Siting and Design Decisions Affect the Owner’s Costs? FEMA Technical Fact Sheet No. 2.1

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing effects of planning, siting, and design decisions on coastal home costs, including initial, operating, and long-term costs; risk determination; and the effect on costs of meeting and exceeding code and NFIP design and construction requirements; also published in FEMA P-499...

How to Prepare for a Winter Storm

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Fact sheet providing an overview of how to properly prepare for a winter storm and how to protect yourself before, during, and after one.

Important Things to Know Before a Disaster

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Video explaining six things homeowners and renters can do to prepare for a natural disaster.

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.