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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 51 - 100 of 165 results:

Fire Network: Windows Vulnerabilities

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources
·
Organization(s)
UCANR,
University of California Cooperative Extension
Description
A report showing what happens when windows break as a result of temperature differences between the inside and outside of the home, as well as code standards for the State of California regarding window exposure to wildfires.

Fire Protection of Facades

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Marija Jelčić Rukavina,
Milan Carević,
Ivana Banjad Pečur
·
Organization(s)
University of Zagreb
Description
A guide for designers, architects, engineers, and fire experts on how to design rainscreen and ventilated cavities such that they don’t contribute to the spread of a fire.

Fire Protection Systems

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
National Fire Protection Association
·
Organization(s)
NFPA
Description
Articles, research, case studies, and more outlining considerations for planning and installation of a fire-protection system.

Fire Pump Basics Fact Sheet

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety,
National Fire Protection Association
·
Organization(s)
IBHS,
NFPA
Description
Fact sheet providing a reference for the different types of fire pumps and fire pump drivers.

Fire Ratings for Construction Materials

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Quarles Stephen L
·
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Agriculture,
USDA,
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Description
Article defining terms and testing requirements for fire-resistant construction materials including combustible, noncombustible, fire-resistant or fire-resistance, and ignition-resistant.

Fire Resistant Decks, Patios, and Porches

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
FIRESafe Marin
·
Organization(s)
FIRESafe Marin
Description
Webpage from FireSafe Marin explaining the vulnerability of different deck setups and materials.

Fire Spread on Ember-Ignited Decks

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety,
National Fire Protection Association
·
Organization(s)
IBHS,
NFPA
Description
Fact sheet describing research conducted by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety into how burning embers can ignite softwood decks like redwood and cedar and how to minimize the likelihood these decks will be ignited by embers.

Fire Sprinkler Coalitions

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
National Fire Protection Association
·
Organization(s)
NFPA
Description
A webpage containing information provides links to state- and province- based coalitions dedicated to advocating for home fire sprinklers.

Fire-Resistant Landscaping

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection,
Lake County Fire Safe Council
·
Organization(s)
Cal Fire
Description
Article from CAL FIRE on fire-resistant landscaping to mitigate ignition of homes.

Five Steps to Creating an Effective Defensible Space

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team
·
Organization(s)
TFFT
Description
Five step plan from the Tahoe Fire & Fuels team outlining how to create an effective defensible space for wildfire protection. Recommendations include siting for homes on slopes.

Flip Your Fridge Calculator

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
·
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA
Description
Calculator helping users determine cost savings of refrigerator replacement.

Freeze Protection for CPVC Fire Sprinkler Piping Guide

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
City of Gresham,
State of Oregon
·
Organization(s)
City of Gresham,
State of Oregon
Description
A guideline containing fire sprinkler insulation requirements from the Prescott, Arizona Fire Department.

Gas Safety Tips

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Pacific Gas & Electric
·
Organization(s)
PG&E
Description
Webpage describing the safety hazards associated with natural gas and tips on how to avoid these hazards by a step process of turning off natural gas service to a home and restoring service afterwards.

Gas Shut-Off Valve Requirements

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Town of Danville CA
·
Organization(s)
Town of Danville CA
Description
Brochure for natural gas utility customers describing seismic valves and excess flow valves for homes.

Gas Shutoff Devices

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Pacific Gas & Electric
·
Organization(s)
PG&E
Description
Webpage describing when and how to safely turn off the natural gas to the home during an emergency.

Gas Shutoff Valve Certification for Residential Structures

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Commins Tav
·
Organization(s)
State of California Division of the State Architect
Description
Webpage with certification requirements for excess flow and earthquake valves from California's Division of the State Architect (DSA).

Great Fire of London, BSI–098

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Report covering the fire performance of combustible cladding over combustible insulation.

Guide to Good Leak Testing

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Institute of Refrigeration
·
Organization(s)
IOR,
Carbon Trust
Description
Guide describing refrigeration leaks, including common leak points, how to fix them, and how to prevent them.

Guide to Staying Safe During Wildfires

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Gabriele Rob
·
Organization(s)
SafeHome.org
Description
Webpage describing how to guard homes and properties against wildfire, as well as what to do during a wildfire, whether sheltering in place or attempting evacuation.

Hazard and Risk Assessment Maps

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

High Volume Excess Flow Valves

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration,
U.S. Department of Transportation
·
Organization(s)
PHMSA,
DOT
Description
Webpage describing federal regulation related to excess flow valves on residential natural gas lines.

Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition
·
Organization(s)
HFSC
Description
Website containing educational and marketing resources for residential fire sprinklers.

Home Fire Sprinkler Cost Assessment

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Newport Partners,
National Fire Protection Association
·
Organization(s)
NFPA
Description
Report assessing the costs of home fire sprinkler systems.

Homeowner's Wildfire Mitigation Guide - Attached Decks

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
University of California
·
Organization(s)
University of California
Description
Wildfire mitigation guidelines from the University of California outlining how to mitigate fire risk for attached decks.

How to Prepare Your Home for Wildfires

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
National Fire Protection Association
·
Organization(s)
NFPA
Description
Factsheet describing defensible space and wildfire risk reduction steps that homeowners can take to make their homes safer during a wildfire.

Ignition Resistant Construction Design Manual

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Colorado Springs Fire Department
·
Organization(s)
City of Colorado Springs,
State of Colorado
Description
Wildfire guidance for homes located in the wildland urban interface, focused on site design and individual pieces of the home.

Ignition Resistant Construction Guide

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
FireSafe Montana
·
Organization(s)
FireSafe Montana
Description
Ignition resistant residential construction and landscaping guidelines from FireSafe Montana.

Industry Becoming More Comfortable with Excess Flow Valves

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Pipeline & Gas Journal
·
Organization(s)
Pipeline & Gas Journal
Description
Article describing excess flow valves installed on gas lines to shut-off natural gas flow to a home in the event that a gas line is severed due to an earthquake, natural disaster, earthquake, etc.

Information About Purchasing And Installing

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Southern California Gas Company
·
Organization(s)
SoCalGas
Description
Webpage detailing how to purchase and install the correct shut-off valve for homes in California, including differences between earthquake and excess flow valves and how to install each.

Land Use Tool: Wildland-Urban Interface Code (WUI Code)

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Planning for Hazards: Land Use Solutions for Colorado
·
Organization(s)
Planning for Hazards: Land Use Solutions for Colorado
Description
Website describing the wildland-urban interface code and providing links to resources.

Living with Fire: Homeowners' Firesafe Guide for Montana

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
FireSafe Montana
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Organization(s)
FireSafe Montana
Description
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.

Maintain Defensible Space

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
·
Organization(s)
Cal Fire
Description
A webpage outlining CAL FIRE’s recommendations for creating defensible space.

Makeup Air for Range Hoods

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Holladay Martin
·
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor,
GBA
Description
If your kitchen has a powerful exhaust fan, it may be pulling air down your chimney or water-heater flue.

Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
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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.

National Fire Protection Association

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
National Fire Protection Association
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Organization(s)
NFPA
Description
National Fire Protection Association website.

Natural Hazard Mitigation Saves: 2017 Interim Report

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Schneider Philip J,
et al.
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Organization(s)
Natural Institute of Building Science,
NIBS
Description
Report updating and expanding on a 2005 study that found, among other things, that every $1 of natural hazard mitigation funded by FEMA between 1993 and 2003 saved the American people an average of $4 in avoided future losses.

Natural Hazards and Sustainability for Residential Buildings, FEMA P-798

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Gromala David S,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
FEMA
Description
Report describing the interactions, both positive and negative, between common green building practices and the robustness of residential buildings to withstand natural hazards.

New National Guide for Wildland-Urban Interface Fires

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
National Research Council Canada
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Organization(s)
NRCC
Description
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.

NFPA 1142 – Standard on Water Supplies for Suburban and Rural Fire Fighting

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
National Fire Protection Association
·
Organization(s)
NFPA
Description
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.