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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 57 results:

AIA Disaster Assistance Handbook, Third Edition

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
American Institute of Architects
·
Organization(s)
AIA
Description
Report describing the experience gained from AIA’s Disaster Assistance Program with first-hand accounts of disaster response and recovery, case studies and other best practices, including approaches to designing buildings to be more adaptable to uncertainty.

Air Sealing Colorado Homes – 10.634

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Weiner C.
·
Organization(s)
Colorado State University,
U.S. Department of Agriculture,
USDA
Description
Fact sheet describing air-sealing concerns and remedies, including HRV/ERV installation, caulking, spray foam, and weatherstrip installation.

Air-Seal Windows and Doors

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Sloggatt Mike
·
Organization(s)
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
Description
Article describing how to stop air leaks around the windows and doors of a home.

Assessing the Impact of Thickness of the Performance of Stucco Cladding

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Brown William C,
Dietrich Mike,
Latimer Mark
·
Organization(s)
American Society of Heating,
American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers,
ASHRAE
Description
A report that evaluates the force it takes to crack stucco of various thicknesses.

Be Prepared For Extreme Heat, FEMA V-1004

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
·
Organization(s)
FEMA
Description
Information sheet from FEMA on preparation for extreme heat, including measures for keeping homes cool.

FEMA Safe Room Publications and Resources

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
·
Organization(s)
FEMA
Description
A website containing FEMA publications on safe rooms for both residential and community use.

Floodproofing Non-Residential Buildings, FEMA P-936

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Low David K,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
FEMA
Description
Report describing dry floodproofing technologies for non-residential buildings, including information about regulatory requirements, design considerations, and descriptions of floodproofing methods and equipment.

Food and Water in an Emergency, FEMA 477

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
·
Organization(s)
FEMA,
American Red Cross
Description
A fact sheet on how to prepare for a natural disaster by storing food and water through an emergency food supply.

Grim Lessons from Tornado Alley

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Thompson Boyce
·
Organization(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
FEMA
Description
Website article touring areas hit hardest by tornadoes to see how they are building differently to protect against the next big twister.

Hurricane Shutter Types

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Hurricane Research Division,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
·
Organization(s)
NOAA
Description
NOAA webpage providing images and short descriptions of different types of hurricane shutters.

Impact Resistance of Brick Veneer Structures to Hurricane Debris

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Bennett Richard M,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
Canada Masonry Design Centre,
CMDC
Description
An impact test report from projectile missile tests against brick veneer, verifying that brick veneers perform well to resisting hurricane force wind driven debris.

Indoor Airflow – Perfect Balance vs. Door Undercut

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Guertin Mike
·
Organization(s)
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
Description
Central return designs require an open pathway between the room and the heart of the house where the return grill is located.

Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
·
Organization(s)
FEMA
Description
Report providing a resource that communities can use to identify and evaluate a range of potential mitigation actions for reducing risk to natural hazards and disasters.

Natural Hazards

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Geological Survey
·
Organization(s)
USGS
Description
Website containing USGS-related publications related to natural hazards.

OSHA Fact Sheet: Using Portable Generators Safely

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
·
Organization(s)
OSHA
Description
A fact sheet educating the public on the potential hazards and safe use of portable generators.

Prepare Your Home Ahead of Severe Thunderstorms

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety
·
Organization(s)
IBHS
Description
Website providing guidance on how to reduce the risk of damage to a home from hail.

Preparedness Webinars

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
·
Organization(s)
FEMA
Description
Database describing FEMA preparedness webinars including natural hazard preparedness.

Preparing for Disaster, FEMA P-475

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
American Red Cross
·
Organization(s)
FEMA,
American Red Cross
Description
Fact sheet describing how to prepare for a natural disaster and assemble a disaster supply kit.

Ready.gov: Build A Kit

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
·
Organization(s)
USDHS
Description
A fact sheet providing tips on how to assemble a kit of food, water and other disaster supplies in the event of an emergency.

Residential Tornado Safe Room Doors

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
·
Organization(s)
FEMA
Description
Fact sheet describing residential tornado safe room doors.

Resistance of Exterior Walls to High Velocity Projectiles

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Kashuba Scott D,
Kuzik Mark D,
Hatzinikolas Michael A
·
Organization(s)
Canadian Masonry Research Institute,
CMPA
Description
Report describing the testing of various siding materials for their ability to resist bullets from small firearms.

ReVision Home: Windows and Patio Doors

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
Steven Winter Associates
·
Organization(s)
CARB,
SWA
Description
Information sheet about window retrofit strategies for hot-dry climates.

Safe Room Funding

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
·
Organization(s)
FEMA
Description
FEMA information on safe room funding to regional governments.

Standard for Gasketing, A156.22-2021, ANSI/BHMA

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
American National Standards Institute,
Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association
·
Organization(s)
ANSI,
BHMA
Description
Standard establishing requirements for the performance and installation of gasketing systems including mortised to doors, frames or both which was published in the year 2021 and a can be purchased to be viewed in full from the ANSI webstore in the link.

Standard Test Method for Determining Air Leakage Rate by Fan Pressurization, ASTM E779-19

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
·
Organization(s)
ASTM
Description
Standard describing a test method measuring air-leakage rates through a building envelope under controlled pressurization and de-pressurization which was published in the year 2019 and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link.

Suggested Emergency Food Supplies

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
·
Organization(s)
USDHS
Description
Article describing suggested food supplies, sanitation, safety, and cooking for during and after an emergency.

Tips for Weatherstripping Windows and Doors

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
New York State Homes and Community Renewal
·
Organization(s)
New York State Homes and Community Renewal
Description
Article describing tips for effectively installing weatherstripping on windows and doors.

U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit Case Studies

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit
·
Organization(s)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
NOAA
Description
Website providing guidance for people to find and use tools, information, and subject matter expertise to build climate resilience.

Using Adhesives to Beef Up Houses

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Cushman Ted
·
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction,
JLC
Description
Article describing how adhesives can be used to make homes in high-wind locations stronger and how adhesives could be too effective resulting in overloading foundation anchors under earthquake loads.