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Library

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 106

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
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.
Author(s)
United Nations Environment Programme
Organization(s)
UNEP
Publication Date
Description
Guidance document from the UN environment programme on climate-resilient buildings and communities practices, including guidance on heat waves, drought, hurricanes, and flooding.
Author(s)
American Institute of Architects
Organization(s)
AIA
Publication Date
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.
Author(s)
American Society of Civil Engineers
Organization(s)
ASCE
Publication Date
Description
Web-based mapping tool offering a fast, reliable way to look up key design parameters specified in Standard ASCE 7-10, 7-16, or 7-22 for a specific address or location which is free to use and can look up data for eight different environmental hazard types: wind, tornado, seismic, ice, rain, flood...
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing the characteristics that make for a successful coastal residential building, including design and construction recommendations; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact Sheet Series.”
Author(s)
Department of City Planning New York City
Organization(s)
Department of City Planning New York City
Publication Date
Description
Report describing retrofitting options and methodology for architects, developers, and property owners to use when making decisions about retrofits for common building types in NY.
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report providing guidance on designing buildings to be flood resistant.
Author(s)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Organization(s)
NOAA
Publication Date
Description
Website helping communities address coastal issues with data, tools, and training resources.
Author(s)
Pacific Gas & Electric
Organization(s)
PG&E
Publication Date
Description
Guidelines from PG&E outlining how to stay safe during a flood event by shutting off natural gas and electric service to the home.
Author(s)
National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program,
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
California Governor's Office of Emergency Services,
Southern California Earthquake Center,
Earthquake Country Alliance
Organization(s)
NEHRP,
FEMA,
Cal OES,
SCEC,
ECA
Publication Date
Description
Factsheet describing methods for securing HVAC units to avoid damage during an earthquake.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Website that lists references that can help you determine how to control you indoor air quality while combating an emergency.
Author(s)
Conrad David,
Kapur Omar,
Mahadevia Amit,
Maldonado Desi,
Moline Julia,
Overcash Glenn,
Passman Samantha,
Perotin Manuel,
Reeder Adam,
Seitz Laura,
Sheldon Adrienne,
Squerciati John
Organization(s)
FEMA,
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
Atkins Global,
URS Group,
Dewberry
Publication Date
Description
Comprehensive design guide describing the benefits and details of retrofit methods for buildings and equipment in flood-prone areas. Estimated costs are outdated due to publication date.
Author(s)
Ribeiro David,
Mackres Eric,
Baatz Brendon,
Cluett Rachel,
Jarrett Michael,
Kelly Meegan,
Vaidyanathan Shruti
Organization(s)
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy,
ACEEE
Publication Date
Description
Report describing the research gap in the connection between resilience and energy efficiency.
Author(s)
Mile High Flood District
Organization(s)
MHFD
Publication Date
Description
Guidance documents describing Erosion Control Blankets (ECBs) use as a construction material that provides temporary cover and support for establishing vegetation on bare soil. ECB holds topsoil and seed (typically grass) in place to minimize erosion during germination of seed.
Author(s)
City of Ellensburg
Organization(s)
City of Ellensburg
Publication Date
Description
Flyer from the City of Ellensburg WA describing what an excess flow valve is, how they work, and associated costs.
Author(s)
TECO Peoples Gas
Organization(s)
TECO
Publication Date
Description
Utility webpage describing the monetary costs associated with excess flow valves for TECO in Florida.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Factsheet describing the flood-resistant provisions of the 2021 International Codes and American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 24-14, Flood Resistant Design and Construction, that are “higher standards” and that are more specific than the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requirements.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Documents describing the similarities and differences between the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) minimum requirements and the requirements of the International Codes® (I-Codes®) and ASCE 24, Flood Resistant Design and Construction, a standard referenced by the I-Codes., and illustrating...
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Website describing the national flood insurance program and how to purchase flood insurance.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
A address searchable geographic information system for visualizing the flood hazard of an address and its surrounding area.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Website describing and providing links to FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center, which home owners and builders can use to determine the flood risk of their location.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Documents describing Flood Resistant Provisions of the international codes (including the international building, residential, exiting building, mechanical, plumbing, fuel gas, fire, swimming pool and spa, private sewage disposal, and code council performance codes) and summaries of changes from the...
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Activity sheets describing questions and preparedness action items for a variety of disasters including floods, fires, earthquakes, and winter weather.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Website describing and providing a map showing the tsunami risk index for the United States, which home owners and builders can use to determine the tsunami risk of their location.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
FEMA guidance for flood damage in areas prone to flooding.
Author(s)
Federal Alliance For Safe Homes
Organization(s)
FLASH
Publication Date
Description
Website containing resources from the nonprofit FLASH, which "is the country’s leading consumer advocate for strengthening homes and safeguarding families from natural and manmade disasters."
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Guide from Building Science Corporation on how to construct a flood and hurricane resistant home.
Author(s)
US Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
This document includes tips for safely and effectively cleaning up a home after a flood. It is available in several languages.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
U.S. EPA
Publication Date
Description
Page describing in detail four important actions you should consider to protect your health and indoor air quality (IAQ) when cleaning up after a flood.
Author(s)
US Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
This five-page brochure contains basic information on flood cleanup with illustrations and links to more detailed information.
Author(s)
California Department of Water Resources
Organization(s)
DWR
Publication Date
Description
Website providing information to the public about preparing for floods and floods related to fires.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Website providing series of short how-to videos, infographics and more resources on cleaning up a home after a flood.