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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 - 20 of 20

2014 Standard for the Design and Construction of Storm Shelters, ICC 500/NSSA

Author(s)
International Code Council,
National Storm Shelter Association
Organization(s)
ICC,
NSSA
Publication Date
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.

Coastal Climate Resiliency - Retrofitting Buildings for Flood Risk

Author(s)
Department of City Planning New York City
Organization(s)
Department of City Planning New York City
Publication Date
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.

Earthquake Home Hazard Hunt, FEMA 528

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Poster describing earthquake safety tips and protection measures to take at home.

Measure Guideline: Guidance on Taped Insulating Sheathing Drainage Planes

Author(s)
Grin Aaron,
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Measure Guideline research report providing simple, long term, and durable solutions when using tapes and flashing membranes in conjunction with the exterior face of rigid polymeric foam sheathing to create the drainage plane of a wall system.

Reinforcing gable overhang ladder to prevent sag

Author(s)
Mahan Mike
Organization(s)
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
Publication Date
A user forum discussing ways to reinforce a gable overhand that was framed using the ladder method by Mike Mahan.

Measure Guideline: Guide to Attic Air Sealing

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Guideline describing information and specifications relevant to air-seal existing attics.

MPI Green Performance Standard

Author(s)
Master Painters Institute
Organization(s)
MPI
Publication Date
List of products approved by the Master Painters Institute.

Chimney Failure Most Common Damage In An Earthquake

Author(s)
Tucker Jill
Organization(s)
SFGate
Publication Date
News article from SFGate explaining and giving figures on how chimney failure is the most common type of damage to homes during an earthquake.

2015 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code - IWUIC

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
2015 edition of the code establishing regulations to safeguard life and property from the intrusion of wildland fire and to prevent structure fires from spreading to wildland fuels; regulates defensible space and provides ignition-resistant construction requirements to protect against fire exposure...

Seismic Evaluation and Retrofit of Existing Buildings, ASCE/SEI 41-13

Author(s)
American Society of Civil Engineers
Organization(s)
ASCE
Publication Date
Standard using deficiency-based and systematic procedures that use performance-based principles to evaluate and retrofit existing buildings to withstand the effects of earthquakes.

Termites

Author(s)
Peterson Chris,
Wagner Terence L,
Shelton Thomas G,
Mulrooney Joseph E
Organization(s)
U.S. Forest Service,
USDA
Publication Date
An introduction to the insect termites.

Erosion Control for the Home Builder

Author(s)
Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District
Organization(s)
Jackson Township,
Ohio
Publication Date
Factsheet describing steps builders should take to reduce erosion and control sediment on construction sites during home construction.

2012 International Fire Code - IFC

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
2012 edition of code establishing regulations involving life and property safety from fires and explosion hazards, including emergency planning, fire department access and water supply, automatic sprinkler systems, fire alarms, and hazardous materials planning and storage.

Wildland Urban Interface Construction Shasta County

Author(s)
Department of Resource Management Building Division
Organization(s)
County of Shasta California
Publication Date
An example of wildland urban interface construction requirements for new buildings built in very high fire risk zones/areas.