Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet providing an overview of the FEMA document Wind Retrofit Guide for Residential Buildings.
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 - 50 of 128
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
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.
Organization(s)
IAPMO
Publication Date
Description
Code set from IAPMO explaining plumbing standards. 2012 Publication.
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
Code describing energy codes for energy-conserving and compliant designs in Florida.
Organization(s)
ICC,
NSSA
Publication Date
Description
The purpose of this standard is to establish minimum requirements to safeguard the public health, safety and general welfare relative to the design, construction and installation of storm shelters constructed for protection from high winds associated with tornadoes and hurricanes.
Organization(s)
IAPMO
Publication Date
Description
Code set from IAPMO explaining plumbing standards. 2018 publication.
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
2019 version of the California Residential Code.
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
Report summarizing the requirements for strenghtening and protecting the roof, openings in the house, and creating a continuous load path to strengthen walls and foundation per the IBHS Fortified Homes Hurricane Standard for New Homes.
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
2020 energy efficiency code for the state of Florida.
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
Guide describing the requirements by FORTIFIED Home™ for improving the home's resistance in severe thunderstorms, straight-line wind events, and high winds at the outer edges of tornadoes.
Organization(s)
BSSC,
NIBS,
FEMA,
NEHRP
Publication Date
Description
Document containing a series of resource papers that describe earthquake design components, including shear walls, resiliency, ground motion, and story drift and deflection, among others.
Organization(s)
SWA
Publication Date
Description
Document describing advancement in factory built housing innovations.
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
Description
Standard outlining industry procedure for sizing residential duct systems.
Organization(s)
American Plywood Association,
APA
Publication Date
Description
Guide describing advanced framing, a system of construction framing techniques designed to optimize material usage and increase energy efficiency.
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
The research report outlines a practical and cost-effective strategy utilizing central HVAC systems to optimize humidity control and ventilation in energy-efficient homes located in hot-humid climates, demonstrating significant improvements without requiring complex equipment upgrades.
Publication Date
Description
YouTube channel featuring 90+ videos to educate Bay Area homeowners and contractors about seismic retrofitting, including information for various home and construction types.
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine,
Taco Comfort
Publication Date
Description
Article describing how demand plumbing systems send cold water back to the water heater until hot water arrives at the sink, shower or other fixture where it is needed.
Organization(s)
BIA
Publication Date
Description
Document focusing on the design and wall components that contribute to a pressure equalized rain screen wall, including the frequency of the weep holes and other brick masonry rain screen wall requirements.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Presentation about advanced framing techniques.
Organization(s)
BPI
Publication Date
Description
A comprehensive list of professional certifications offered by the Building Performance Institute. The webpage includes links to overviews of the different certificates, certification scheme handbooks, and directions for taking certification exams and recertification.
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Description
Website providing CAD files and drawings of advanced framing details.
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE,
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance,
NEEA
Publication Date
Description
Training manual on how to locate ducts within conditioned space and compact design.
Organization(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
FEMA,
Applied Technology Council,
ATC,
URS Group,
DK Low and Associates,
Atkins,
TLSmith Consulting
Publication Date
Description
Volume II of a two-volume report providing a comprehensive approach to design, construction, and renovation of homes located in coastal environments.
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Description
Document containing a 3D drawing (CAD) of advanced framing details.
Organization(s)
CEE
Publication Date
Description
Webpage with instructions for heat pump installers to choose the most suitable type of heat pump system, according to a project’s specific requirements.
Organization(s)
CEE
Publication Date
Description
Document for contractors detailing how to prioritize, control, and configure heat pumps in a residence that uses two heating systems.
Organization(s)
CEE
Publication Date
Description
Document for customers describing the benefits of two-system controls for homes, including information answering how, when, why, and how two-system controls with multiple heating sources are employed.
Organization(s)
FIRESafe Marin
Publication Date
Description
Webpage from FireSafe Marin explaining the different landscaping strategies near homes to lower the risk of a home's ignition from wildfire.
Organization(s)
ASHRAE,
ANSI
Publication Date
Description
Standard describing prediction, mitigation, and reduction of moisture damage to the building envelope, materials, components, systems, and furnishings, depending on climate, construction type, and HVAC system operation; the webstore allows preview or full purchase.
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
This study focuses on the design, construction, and performance of the interior chase approach as implemented by five different builders in Texas, North Carolina, and Florida.
Organization(s)
University of California Los Angeles,
UCLA
Publication Date
Description
Wildfire resistant home checklist from Murray Milne, a professor of architecture at UCLA, who outlines seven steps to take to improve a home's chance of survival during a wildfire.
Organization(s)
MARC
Publication Date
Description
A guide on the use of rain barrels for greater water efficiency and use in gardens and lawns.
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
A research paper exploring the installation and mounting of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on rooftops and the challenges faced by system designers and installers.
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Website for the U.S. DOE Solar Decathlon competition.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
FEMA guide containing recommendations on how to implement cost-effective measures that can help to reduce the potential hazards associated with earthquakes.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
A recovery advisory guide presenting important recommendations to reduce wind and water infiltration damage to new and existing residential buildings.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet discussing safe room and storm shelter door assemblies along with ICC® 500 compliance.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Article explaining what a continuous load path is and the key connection points that make it up.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Guide discussing the siting of residential and community safe rooms at appropriate elevations and locations.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet discussing designs for prefabricated safe rooms built to ICC 500 standards mentioned in FEMA P-361.
FEMA Highlights of ICC 500-2014, ICC/NSSA Standard for the Design and Construction of Storm Shelters
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
ICC 500 provides the minimum requirements to safeguard public health, safety, and general welfare relative to the design, construction, and installation of storm shelters constructed for protection from high winds associated with tornadoes and hurricanes.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Document describing ASCE 24-14 Flood Resistant Design and Construction changes and highlights, on topics including siting, materials, performance, and utilities.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Webpage describing the purpose of safe rooms and criteria necessary to meet FEMA P-361 and P-320 criteria.
Organization(s)
UCANR,
University of California Cooperative Extension
Publication Date
Description
Guidelines from the University of California Cooperative Extension on how fires spread, how homes typically burn, and what homeowners can do to prepare their homes for wildfire season.
Organization(s)
NFPA
Publication Date
Description
Articles, research, case studies, and more outlining considerations for planning and installation of a fire-protection system.
Organization(s)
BSC,
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Description
Article describing five fundamental changes to building construction from the last 50 years and their modern construction consequences.
Organization(s)
UF
Publication Date
Description
Brochure-guide describing swales and their qualities, including objective, maintenance, and design considerations.
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
Checklist providing recommendations for the right tape in order to reduce the risk of leaks during storms with wind-driven rain.
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
Checklist providing prescriptive instructions on how to retrofit ladder framing on gable end overhangs to achieve a maximum depth of 18 in. from the face of the wall.
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
Report summarizing the requirements for strenghtening and protecting the roof, openings in the house, and creating a continuous load path to strengthen walls and foundation per the IBHS Fortified Homes Hurricane Standard for Existing Homes.