Library

Document outlining specifications that were developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to recognize new homes equipped with a comprehensive set of indoor air quality (IAQ) features.

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.

Article from University of Arizona on keeping homes cool during extreme heat, both personal and system changes.

Guide describing landscaping tips for healthy and regionally-based gardens, including maintenance, mulching, water efficiency, and plant resources.

Paper describing vegetation impacts on cooling load for buildings.

Guidance from EPA, HUD, NIH, and OSHA on worker and employer interactions with lead contaminants.

Guide for homeowners describing actions they can take to modify their home and the surrounding site to create a survivable space to reduce the amount of damage a home would likely experience during a wildfire.

Report on the impact of air sealing between the foundation and the living space on radon transport reduction across the foundation and living space floor assembly at fifteen home.

A webpage outlining CAL FIRE’s recommendations for creating defensible space.

Website providing links to the EPA developed map of radon risk in the United States.

Paper describing energy savings in space cooling from shading condenser units.

Website providing medical information about malignant mesothelioma, a cancer related to asbestos exposure.

Brochure discussing specific practices for mitigating moisture and mold during the construction process.

Online course describing mold and mold remediation for environmental and public health professionals.

Online course providing an overview of mold prevention and mold remediation.

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

Article describing mulch requirements and benefits.

Article describing mulching with lawn clippings.

Pamphlet describing different types of mulches and their benefits.

Online geospatial map with interactive viewer showing flood risk areas and base flood elevations

Report for local governments, planners, emergency managers, developers, insurers, and property owners describing ways to improve the wildfire resistance of buildings, infrastructure and communities in the wildland urban interface.

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.

An NFPA standards document that provides minimum requirements for the design, construction, installation, and maintenance of tanks and accessory equipment that supply water for private fire protection.

Standard containing requirements for carbon monoxide (CO) detection and warning equipment intended to protect lives by warning occupants of the presence of CO in sufficient time to allow occupants to escape or take other appropriate action.

Standards for paints and coatings.

American Lung Association web page providing information on particulate matter and indoor air quality.

Article describing particulate matter (PM), what it is, how it can be harmful, and what can be done about it.

Website describing particulate matter (PM) pollution.

Paper describing a study on savings in peak power and cooling energy for homes with shade trees.

Standards for requirements, performance, construction, workmanship and others for structural-use panels.

Brochure describing what permeable pavement is, where to install it, and how to maintain it.

Article describing how to properly manage condensing HVAC equipment.

Pamphlet describing proper mulching around trees and problems and benefits associated with mulching.

Website from the EPA containing information for homeowners and renters about how to identify asbestos in the home and how to deal with it to reduce exposure to it.

Report providing wildfire protection guidance for homeowners in California.

Website with information about radon-resistant construction techniques and other radon resources for builders, contractors and homebuyers.

Worker guidance from EPA, HUD, NIH, and OSHA for radon issues following a natural disaster.

Website providing information about how to keep the properties rat-free and address conditions that can lead to rats.

Website serving as a national public service campaign designed to educate and empower the American people to prepare for, respond to and mitigate emergencies, including natural and man-made disasters.

A website explaining the benefits of recycling compact fluorescent lightbulbs and how the process can prevent the release of mercury into the environment.

Guidance document describing urban heat islands, what they are, how they form, why we care, and including some strategies to reduce them.

Report providing information on mechanical air-cleaning devices for ventilation when conventional methods are not warranted.

Standard covering provisions for electrically operated single- and multiple-station carbon monoxide (CO) alarming devices used in various types of residential occupancies to protect against acute effects of exposure to CO. This version of the standard, originally published in 2001 and revised in...

Standard covering provisions for electrically operated single- and multiple-station carbon monoxide (CO) alarming devices used in various types of residential occupancies to protect against acute effects of exposure to CO. This version of the standard, originally published in 2017 and revised in...

Report providing guidance on indoor air quality in single-family and multifamily housing for designers, builders, property managers, homeowners, buyers, and renters.

Report providing architects, designers, and homeowners with information to make house plans useful for constructing a more wind resilient structure.

Website providing information about how to prevent rodent entry in homes.

Factsheet from HUD describing how homeowners can retrofit homes following natural disasters in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Factsheet from HUD describing how to rebuild following natural disasters in Puerto Rico.

Factsheet for builders from HUD on how to rebuild homes following natural disasters in the U.S. Virgin Islands.