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Library

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 112 results:

2015 International Building Code - IBC

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

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.

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 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.

American Cleaning Institute

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
American Cleaning Institute
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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
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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.

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.

Carbon Monoxide - Environmental Health Effects Research Series

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
National Service Center for Environmental Publications
·
Organization(s)
EPA,
NSCEP
Description
Source for information about Carbon Monoxide including health effects and measures to reduce exposure.

Change Is In the Air

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
The Cadmus Group
·
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,
HUD
Description
This is a guide for establishing smoke-free policies in public housing and multifamily properties.

Combustion Appliance Safety & Efficiency Testing

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
·
Organization(s)
DOE
Description
Information sheet summarizing inspection and testing of combustion appliances taught during the 2006 Florida whole-house weatherization training as part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hot Climate Initiative.

Consumer Tips for a Post-Disaster Home Restoration

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
·
Organization(s)
HUD
Description
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.

Decay of Wood

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Baker Maurice C
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Organization(s)
National Research Council Canada,
NRC
Description
Article describing the causes of wood decay and moisture issues.

Energy Savings Plus Health: Indoor Air Quality Guidelines

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
·
Organization(s)
EPA
Description
This publication provides a set of best practices for improving indoor air quality in conjunction with energy upgrade work in homes.

Factsheet: What is Indoor Air Quality?

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
·
Organization(s)
U.S. EPA
Description
Fact sheet describing indoor air quality (IAQ), including information on common sources of indoor air pollutants and best practices for improving IAQ.

Field Trial of an Aerosol-Based Enclosure Sealing Technology

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Springer David,
Harrington Curtis
·
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Description
Report presenting the results from several demonstrations of a new method for sealing building envelop air leaks.

Filtration and Disinfection FAQ

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers
·
Organization(s)
ASHRAE
Description
ASHRAE Q&A addressing HVAC filtration and disinfection for reducing the spread of COVID-19.

Formaldehyde

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
·
Organization(s)
EPA
Description
Detailed information about Formaldehyde including health effects and strategies to reduce exposure.

Garage Performance Testing

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Health Canada,
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
·
Organization(s)
CMHC,
Environment Canada
Description
Results from a research program testing airtightness, implications of air leakage and contaminant reduction over the garage-to-house interface.

Get Rid of Rats and Mice

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
King County Washington
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Organization(s)
King County WA
Description
Article describing a 9-step process to getting rid of rats and mice, and some preventative actions to take.

GLP Emissions Criteria

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Carpet and Rug Institute
·
Organization(s)
CRI
Description
Document describing the emissions criteria for carpets, cushions, and adhesives to qualify as those with low volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions under the Carpet and Rug Institute's Green Label Plus Indoor Air Quality Testing Program.

GREENGUARD Certification for Paints and Coatings

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

Hazard and Risk Assessment Maps

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Geological Survey
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Organization(s)
USGS
Description
Webpage providing maps and information to assess the particular hazards and risks for an area.

Health Problems Caused by Secondhand Smoke

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Office on Smoking and Health,
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
·
Organization(s)
OSH,
NCCDPHP,
CDC
Description
Webpage that describes health problems that can be caused by secondhand smoke.

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

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
et al.
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Organization(s)
CDC,
EPA,
FEMA,
HUD,
NIH
Description
Homeowner guidance from CDC, EPA, FEMA, HUD, and NIH on how to safely clean up mold issues following flooding from a natural disaster.

How to Choose a Room Air Cleaner

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Park Ga-Young
·
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR,
U.S. EPA,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Description
Article describing considerations for choosing a room-level air cleaner to improve indoor air quality.

How to Find Indoor airPLUS Compliant Low Emission Products

Publication Date
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Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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Organization(s)
EPA
Description
Companion document to the Indoor airPLUS Construction Specifications, providing guidance on identifying compliant products, including industry databases and examples of product labeling.

How to Seal Up to Prevent Rodent Infestations

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Organization(s)
CDC
Description
A website providing a checklist of important areas to check when sealing holes inside and outside of the home to prevent entry by rodents and other outside pests.

IAQ Guidelines for Occupied Buildings under Construction

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association
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Organization(s)
SMACNA
Description
Book providing project management guidance in maintaining satisfactory indoor air quality (IAQ) of occupied buildings undergoing renovation or construction.