Library

A quick guide from the California Division of the State Architect (DSA) explaining the three types of gas shutoff devices to stop the flow of natural gas into buildings in the event of an earthquake or rupture of the gas line.

Designer checklist covering hazards involving ground and surface water, rain and water vapor, HVAC and plumbing, sunlight, insects, decay, and natural hazards, and builder checklist covering all disaster resistance, sorted by building component.

Factsheet describing how to secure refrigerators and other major appliances to wall studs using earthquake appliance straps or angle brackets and bolts.

Factsheet describing how to secure televisions, microwaves, computers, and other electronics to prevent damage during earthquakes.

Factsheet describing how to secure water heaters to resist seismic activity.

FEMA guide containing recommendations on how to implement cost-effective measures that can help to reduce the potential hazards associated with earthquakes.

Poster describing earthquake safety tips and protection measures to take at home.

A book describing how to complete an earthquake retrofit plan for wood-frame residential buildings.

Factsheet describing ways to retrofit a home to make it more earthquake resistant.

Webpage providing earthquake safety tips including proactive home structure and utility action items.

Guide provides homeowners ways to prepare for an earthquake and protect a home against earthquake damage.

Reference guide helping families prepare for an earthquake and prevent earthquake-related damage.

A one-page fact sheet outlining the purpose of an earthquake valve and how the valve can stop gas from flowing into a residence or building.

Standard providing minimum functionality requirements for earthquake-actuated automatic gas shutoff devices; applicable to systems carrying natural gas and propane, the devices are used in piping, equipment, and appliances typically found in structures of three stories or less.

Report providing an introduction to the NEHRP recommended seismic provisions for new buildings and other structures.

Website describing what to do for safety in an earthquake and other types of disasters.

Factsheet describing methods for securing HVAC units to avoid damage during an earthquake.

A map describing the average temperature of shallow groundwater in Fahrenheit across the continental United States.

Powerpoint on attic ventilation developed as training material for the Weatherization Assistance Program.

Article in the SIPA Technical Bulletin (No. 11) comparing the earthquake resistance of light-frame wood shear wall construction to residential construction with structural insulated panels (SIPS).

A publication developed by the U.S. Forest Service for its employees and other federal agency staff describing erosion control methods.

Report evaluating the accuracy of the regression technique used in 2006 by using the same least-squares regression analysis on data created from hourly energy simulation software.

Flyer from the City of Ellensburg WA describing what an excess flow valve is, how they work, and associated costs.

Website for gas utility customers describing the installation of excess flow valves to stop the flow of natural gas into a home in the event of a line rupture.

Webpage describing what excess flow valves are, how they work, and the installation process.

Utility webpage describing the monetary costs associated with excess flow valves for TECO in Florida.

Guidebook meant to provide public officials with information on excessive heat event.

Report presenting the process of a residential retrofit project for houses in the states of Florida and Alabama, including findings at the time of reporting and highlights of the first home to meet the target HERS Index of 70.

Technical report detailing the vulnerabilities of the U.S. electric grid to weather-related failures.

Newsletter reviewing federal disaster policy, the research basis for resilience, and three models of building resilient communities.

Short guide from FEMA describing how to anchor tall bookcases and file cabinets during seismic events.

Document discussing methods to bioengineer stabilization of shorelines using living and non-living plant materials in combination, known as the “Living Shorelines” concept.

Guide providing homeowners tips on how to secure bookcases and other heavy furniture with brackets and child-proof drawer and cabinet locks.

Website providing links to scalable guidance and tools about the importance of earthquake mitiation to the private sector, its owners, managers, and employees.

Activity sheets describing questions and preparedness action items for a variety of disasters including floods, fires, earthquakes, and winter weather.

Website providing maps for natural disaster risk in the United States.

Brochure detailing how to latch and lock cabinets and drawers to prevent injury to residents of the home.

Report on the field evaluation of whole-building approaches and estimation of the relative contributions of select technologies toward reducing energy use related to space conditioning in new manufactured homes.

Report to understand the long-term moisture performance of unvented roof assemblies with fibrous insulation.

Updated wildfire risk assessment, community impacts, and building science measures following the disastrous 2020 wildfire season in the western U.S.

Website containing resources from the nonprofit FLASH, which "is the country’s leading consumer advocate for strengthening homes and safeguarding families from natural and manmade disasters."

This document includes tips for safely and effectively cleaning up a home after a flood. It is available in several languages.

Website providing series of short how-to videos, infographics and more resources on cleaning up a home after a flood.

A fact sheet on how to prepare for a natural disaster by storing food and water through an emergency food supply.

Report analyzing the effect of global climate change on national interests, and providing climate predictions.

Webpage describing the safety hazards associated with natural gas and tips on how to avoid these hazards by a step process of turning off natural gas service to a home and restoring service afterwards.

Brochure for natural gas utility customers describing seismic valves and excess flow valves for homes.

Webpage describing when and how to safely turn off the natural gas to the home during an emergency.

Website providing certifications and codes for automatic gas shut off valves in the state of California.

Webpage with certification requirements for excess flow and earthquake valves from California's Division of the State Architect (DSA).