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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 - 34 of 34

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.

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 E2121-21, Standard Practice for Installing Radon Mitigation Systems in Existing Low-Rise Residential Buildings

Author(s)
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Standard describing methods for installing radon mitigation systems in existing residential buildings three stories or less in height. This version of the standard was published in the year 2021 and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link. Other versions of the standard were...

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...

Consumer Tips for a Post-Disaster Home Restoration

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Organization(s)
HUD
Publication Date
Brochure helping homeowners identify hazards, work with contractors to remove the hazards, help ensure the work is done properly, and educate when they can return safely to the home.

EPA Indoor airPLUS Compliant Low Emission Products

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Website helping builders, designers, and home energy raters find products that are compliant with the EPA Indoor airPLUS Construction Specification requirements for low-emission materials.

EPA Indoor airPLUS Construction Specifications, Version 1 (Rev. 04)

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Website providing the technical specifications and related documents for home builders, subcontractors, architects, and other housing professionals interested in certifying a home to the EPA's Indoor airPLUS program requirements.

Greenguard Certification for Paints and Coatings

Organization(s)
GREENGUARD Environmental Institute
Publication Date
Standard describing GREENGUARD Emission Criteria for use with GREENGUARD Certification Program for Low Emitting Products.

GREENGUARD or GREENGUARD GOLD Certification for Paints and Coatings

Author(s)
Greenguard Certification
Organization(s)
Greenguard Certification
Publication Date
Website explaining GREENGUARD Certification, which helps manufacturers create and helps buyers identify interior products and materials that have low chemical emissions, improving the quality of the air in which the products are used.

Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Report about opportunities for ventilation when traditional methods are limited by weather conditions or by contaminants in the outdoor air.

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.

Lead: 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)
EPA,
HUD,
NIH,
OSHA
Publication Date
Guidance from EPA, HUD, NIH, and OSHA on worker and employer interactions with lead contaminants.

Moisture, Mold and Construction Practices

Author(s)
U.S. Gypsum Company
Organization(s)
U.S. Gypsum Company
Publication Date
Brochure discussing specific practices for mitigating moisture and mold during the construction process.

Mold: 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)
EPA,
HUD,
NIH,
OSHA
Publication Date
Worker guidance from EPA, HUD, NIH, and OSHA on how to deal with mold in homes following natural disasters.

Radon: Worker and Employer Guide to Hazards and Recommended Controls

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,
National Institute of Health Division of Technical Resources,
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Organization(s)
EPA,
HUD,
NIH,
OSHA
Publication Date
Worker guidance from EPA, HUD, NIH, and OSHA for radon issues following a natural disaster.

Sealed Combustion, Info-601

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Information sheet about sealing combustion appliances to ensure good indoor air quality.

Take the Mold Course

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Presentation, and online course, that provides an introduction to mold and mold remediation for environmental and public health professionals.

Termites and ICFs

Author(s)
Insulated Concrete Forms Association
Organization(s)
Insulated Concrete Forms Association
Publication Date
Document with information on preventing termites when using ICFs.