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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 - 27 of 27

2009 IBC - International Building Code

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
2009 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.

2018 IBC - International Building Code

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
International Code Council
Publication Date
2018 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.

2018 IECC - International Energy Conservation Code

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
2018 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...

2018 IRC - International Residential Code for One and Two Family Dwellings

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
2018 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.

5 Ways to Protect Your Home From Wildfires

Author(s)
McGuigan Connor
Organization(s)
Sierra Club
Publication Date
Article from the Sierra Club explaining 5 steps to take to ensure your home's resistance to wildfires, including site maintenance and roof construction guidelines.

A Plug-and-Play Duct System Evaluation

Author(s)
Beach Robert,
Dickson B,
Grisolia A,
Poerschke A,
Rapport A
Organization(s)
IBACOS
Publication Date
This report describes an air distribution system composed of a series of uniformly-sized ducts that terminate in rooms throughout the home and return to a central manifold, similar in fashion to a “home-run” cross-linked polyethylene plumbing system. With a well-designed manifold, each duct receives...

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...

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.

Decks - Reduce the Vulnerability of Your Deck to Wildfire

Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety,
National Fire Protection Association
Organization(s)
IBHS,
NFPA
Publication Date
Factsheet describing research by IBHS into causes of deck ignition in a wildfire and tips for constructing and maintain decks to reduce the risk by ignition by embers and under-deck fires.

Earthquake Safety Checklist: FEMA B-526

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program
Organization(s)
FEMA,
NEHRP
Publication Date
Reference guide helping families prepare for an earthquake and prevent earthquake-related damage.

Emergency Water Supply for Firefighting

Author(s)
Boulder County Land Use Department,
Boulder County Community Planning & Permitting Department
Organization(s)
Boulder County
Publication Date
A factsheet that provides information and requirements for emergency water supplies for firefighting in Boulder County, Colorado.

Fire Protection of Facades

Author(s)
Marija Jelčić Rukavina,
Milan Carević,
Ivana Banjad Pečur
Organization(s)
University of Zagreb
Publication Date
A guide for designers, architects, engineers, and fire experts on how to design rainscreen and ventilated cavities such that they don’t contribute to the spread of a fire.

Great Fire of London, BSI–098

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report covering the fire performance of combustible cladding over combustible insulation.

How to Destroy a Wall in Two Easy Steps

Author(s)
Mark Parlee
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction
Publication Date
A story about how omission of two small but critical wall details, a kick-out flashing and a weep screed, lead to extensive water damage to a wall.

Inward Drive – Outward Drying, BSI-061

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report covering reservoir claddings, back ventilation and vapor throttles.

NFPA 1142 – Standard on Water Supplies for Suburban and Rural Fire Fighting

Author(s)
National Fire Protection Association
Organization(s)
NFPA
Publication Date
An NFPA Standard that identifies a method for determining the minimum water supply necessary for structural fire-fighting purposes in areas where it has been determined that there is no water or inadequate water for fire fighting.

Rebuilding Houston, BSI–101

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report covering the reconstruction of flood damaged homes.

Safety: Excess Flow Valves

Author(s)
Pacific Gas & Electric
Organization(s)
PG&E
Publication Date
Brochure for utility customers describing installation of an excess flow valve to automatically shut off natural gas flow into a home in the event of a gas line rupture.

Stress Relief, BSI–015

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report covering coating and back venting wood based claddings and trim.

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.

U.S. Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home Implementation

Author(s)
VonThoma E,
Mosiman Garrett
Organization(s)
NorthernSTAR Building America Partnership,
NorthernSTAR,
University of Minnesota
Publication Date
Report documenting the process and outcomes involved in achieving the U.S. Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) program certification standards while helping homebuilders in Climate Zones 5 and 6 in the Upper Midwest achieve ZERH certification.

U.S. Experience with Sprinklers

Author(s)
Marty Ahrens
Organization(s)
NFPA
Publication Date
A report examining the presence, reliability, effectiveness, and impact of sprinkler systems in structure fires.

What Is a Weep Hole and Its Purpose?

Author(s)
Krejci Cassie,
Muncaster John
Organization(s)
Polyguard
Publication Date
An article describing a way to protect drain and ventilation holes in brick veneer siding against pests. Selecting a fine screen mesh opening (1/55-inch or 0.5-mm) is important to guard against small insects such as subterranean termites.