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Explore this extensive library of building science guidance including research reports from DOE’s Building America program as well as hundreds of other articles, fact sheets, webpages, and reference documents related to constructing and renovating homes.

Showing 1 - 50 of 324 results:

2009 International Fire Code - IFC

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

2009 International Mechanical Code - IMC

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

2009 International Plumbing Code - IPC

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
International Code Council
·
Organization(s)
ICC
Description
2009 edition of code establishing minimum regulations for plumbing facilities, including fixtures, water heaters, water supply and distribution, sanitary drainage, storm drainage, etc.

2012 International Fire Code - IFC

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
International Code Council
·
Organization(s)
ICC
Description
2012 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.

2012 International Mechanical Code - IMC

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
International Code Council
·
Organization(s)
ICC
Description
2012 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.

2012 International Plumbing Code - IPC

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
International Code Council
·
Organization(s)
ICC
Description
2012 edition of code establishing minimum regulations for plumbing facilities, including fixtures, water heaters, water supply and distribution, sanitary drainage, storm drainage, etc.

2015 International Fire Code - IFC

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
International Code Council
·
Organization(s)
ICC
Description
2015 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.

2015 International Fuel Gas Code - IFGC

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
International Code Council
·
Organization(s)
ICC
Description
2015 edition of code establishing a baseline for the design and installation of fuel gas systems and gas fired appliances through performance requirements.

2015 International Plumbing Code - IPC

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
International Code Council
·
Organization(s)
ICC
Description
2015 edition of code establishing minimum regulations for plumbing facilities, including fixtures, water heaters, water supply and distribution, sanitary drainage, storm drainage, etc.

2015 Uniform Plumbing Code - UPC

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials
·
Organization(s)
IAPMO
Description
Code set from IAPMO explaining plumbing standards. 2015 publication.

2018 International Fire Code - IFC

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

2018 International Fuel Gas Code - IFGC

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
International Code Council
·
Organization(s)
ICC
Description
2018 edition of code establishing a baseline for the design and installation of fuel gas systems and gas fired appliances through performance requirements.

2018 International Plumbing Code - IPC

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
International Code Council
·
Organization(s)
ICC
Description
2018 edition of code establishing minimum regulations for plumbing facilities, including fixtures, water heaters, water supply and distribution, sanitary drainage, storm drainage, etc.

2018 Uniform Plumbing Code - UPC

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials
·
Organization(s)
IAPMO
Description
Code set from IAPMO explaining plumbing standards. 2018 publication.

A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
·
Organization(s)
EPA
Description
Guide providing information for homeowners and renters on how to clean up residential mold problems and how to prevent mold growth.

A Guide to Residential Energy Storage and Rooftop Solar: State Net Metering Policies and Utility Rate Tariff Structures

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Kerby Jessica,
Tarekegne Bethel
·
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Description
Article describing utility rates, net metering policies, installation costs, financial incentives, and other info for both consumers who are interested in installing renewable energy systems and for energy justice and clean energy advocates.

ACCA Standard 12 - Home Evaluation and Performance Improvement

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
·
Organization(s)
ACCA
Description
This Standard establishes the minimum requirements to evaluate a residence with regards to energy efficiency, water conservation, occupant comfort, and indoor air quality.

Air Infiltration from Attached Garages in Canadian Houses

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Fugler Don
·
Organization(s)
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation,
CMHC,
Environment Canada,
Health Canada,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
Document reporting results from a study done to evaluate effects of automotive emissions from attached garages on the indoor environment.

Air Infiltration in Coastal Regions - The Paston Effect

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Bailey Ronald B,
Swanson Hollace J
·
Organization(s)
BEC
Description
Case study about high humidity, mold and condensation on surfaces in S. Florida, and how building characteristics cause and amplify these problems.

Air Quality Sensor Performance Evaluation Center

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
·
Organization(s)
U.S. EPA
Description
Website describing indoor air quality, and common indoor pollutants and how to reduce exposure to them.

Air Sensors International Conference

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
University of California
·
Organization(s)
University of California Davis
Description
Website describing archived program inforamtion for the Air Sensors International Conference, hosted by the University of California, Davis.

Alaska Residential Building Manual, 7th Edition

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Deer Charlie,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
University of Alaska,
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation
Description
Manual describing best practices or home construction in Alaska and northern climates.

Alliance for Water Efficiency

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Alliance for Water Efficiency
·
Organization(s)
AWE
Description
Alliance for Water Efficiency website homepage.

American Cleaning Institute

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
American Cleaning Institute
·
Organization(s)
ACI
Description
American Cleaning Institute website homepage.

American National Standard for Hardwood and Decorative Plywood, ANSI/HPVA HP-1-2020

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
American National Standards Institute,
Decorative Hardwoods Association
·
Organization(s)
ANSI,
DHA
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 which was published in 2020, can be acquired through a subscription with the ANSI webstore.

An Update on Formaldehyde

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
·
Organization(s)
USCPSC
Description
Updated detailed information about Formaldehyde.

Are You Ready? An In-Depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness, FEMA P-2064

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
·
Organization(s)
FEMA
Description
Report explaining how to develop, practice, and maintain emergency plans that reflect what must be done before, during, and after a disaster to protect people and their property.

ASHRAE Position Document on Indoor Carbon Dioxide

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers
·
Organization(s)
ASHRAE
Description
Document describing recent discussions on indoor carbon dioxide (CO 2) levels.

Assessment of Literature Related to Combustion Appliance Venting Systems

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Less Brennan,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL
Description
The exhaust from residential combustion appliances contains air pollutants and high levels of moisture that must be conveyed to the outdoors to maintain acceptable indoor quality.

Attached Garages and Indoor Air Quality

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Air Infiltration and Ventilation Centre
·
Organization(s)
AIVC
Description
Report describing information for builders and retrofitters about eliminating hazards and coincidental energy losses that come from attached garages.

Backerboards - Winners against Water

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Yost Peter
·
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor,
GBA
Description
Article describing different kinds of water-resistant backer boards.

Basement Insulation Technology Fact Sheet

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Southface Energy Institute
·
Organization(s)
SEI,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
Fact sheet describing basement insulation considerations.

Basement Insulation, Info 511

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
·
Organization(s)
BSC
Description
Information sheet describing techniques for insulating basements.

Boiler Inspections for Safety, Life and Efficiency

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Kleva Stephen
·
Organization(s)
Contractor Magazine
Description
Article explaining the importance of regular inspections of boiler systems in maintaining their safety, lifespan, and efficiency.

Brick, Stucco, Housewrap and Building Paper, RR-0105

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Research study discussing how housewraps restrict or permit the passage of water molecules based on size, but cannot control the direction in which the water vapor molecules move.