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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 51 - 100 of 123

Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
Guide describing the requirements by FORTIFIED Home™ for improving the home's resistance to high wind and hail.
Author(s)
Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition
Organization(s)
HFSC
Publication Date
Description
Website containing educational and marketing resources for residential fire sprinklers.
Author(s)
University of California
Organization(s)
University of California
Publication Date
Description
Wildfire mitigation guidelines from the University of California outlining how to mitigate fire risk for attached decks.
Author(s)
California Seismic Safety Commission
Organization(s)
SSC,
State of California
Publication Date
Description
Guidebook that provides information on earthquake hazards that can damage homes, the design and retrofit of earthquake resistant housing, and how to find more information on earthquake safety.
Author(s)
Siding Cost Guide
Organization(s)
Siding Cost Guide
Publication Date
Description
A starting point for ballparking and comparing the cost of different siding materials and a brief overview of the pros and cons of different siding materials.
Author(s)
Diez Roy
Organization(s)
New Home Source
Publication Date
Description
Article summarizing for potential homeowners items to check or demand from the builder in designing a home for a cold climate.
Author(s)
Florida Disaster
Organization(s)
Florida Division of Emergency Management
Publication Date
Description
A document aimed at reducing the vulnerability of a gable end roof to wind damage in a hurricane.
Author(s)
Colorado Springs Fire Department
Organization(s)
City of Colorado Springs,
State of Colorado
Publication Date
Description
Wildfire guidance for homes located in the wildland urban interface, focused on site design and individual pieces of the home.
Author(s)
NOAA Office for Coastal Management
Organization(s)
NOAA
Publication Date
Description
Case study describing Alachua County, Florida’s, green infrastructure strategy for land use development that incorporates rain gardens, ponds, swales, and native vegetation to manage stormwater.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Indoor airPLUS is a voluntary partnership and labeling program that helps new home builders improve the quality of indoor air by requiring construction practices and product specifications that minimize exposure to airborne pollutants and contaminants.
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article outlining the use of spray polyurethane foam in residential buildings.
Author(s)
Planning for Hazards: Land Use Solutions for Colorado
Organization(s)
Planning for Hazards: Land Use Solutions for Colorado
Publication Date
Description
Website describing the wildland-urban interface code and providing links to resources.
Author(s)
U.S Green Building Council
Organization(s)
USGBC
Publication Date
Description
Website explaining the LEED v4.1 program and providing a portal for those who want to investigate or start a LEED project.
Author(s)
Natural Disasters Association,
National Hazard Mitigation Association
Organization(s)
NDA,
NHMA
Publication Date
Description
Website providing information on tsunamis, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, thunderstorms and more.
Author(s)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
National Weather Service
Organization(s)
NOAA,
NWS
Publication Date
Description
A website issuing watches, warnings, forecasts, and analyses of hazardous tropical weather and increasing the understanding of hazards.
Author(s)
U.S. Geological Survey
Organization(s)
USGS
Publication Date
Description
Website containing USGS-related publications related to natural hazards.
Author(s)
National Fire Protection Association
Organization(s)
NFPA
Publication Date
Description
An NFPA standard for inspection, testing, and maintenance of fire sprinklers, including fire pump operation and flow tests, evaluation techniques such as sprinkler inspections, valve status tests, internal piping assessments, and forward flow tests for backflow preventers, and water storage system...
Author(s)
National Fire Protection Association
Organization(s)
NFPA
Publication Date
Description
This standard provides a benchmark for safe electrical design, installation, and inspection to protect people and property from electrical hazards and has been adopted in all 50 states.
Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
Website providing guidance on how to reduce the risk of damage to a home from hail.
Author(s)
National Fire Protection Association
Organization(s)
NFPA
Publication Date
Description
Website describing methods for homeowners to prepare their homes to withstand ember attacks and minimize the likelihood of flames or surface fire touching the home or any attachments.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Brochure describing multiple earthquake safety measures for homeowners to take, including home reinforcement, evacuation tips, and electrical and appliance tips.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Brochure describing multiple flood safety measures for homeowners to take, including home renovation suggestions, yard maintenance, and additional resources.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Brochure describing multiple storm surge (coastal flooding) safety measures for homeowners to take, including home renovation suggestions, yard maintenance, and recovery advice.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Brochure describing multiple earthquake safety measures for homeowners to take, including home reinforcement, exterior maintenance, and recovery tips.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Organization(s)
USDHS
Publication Date
Description
Website serving as a national public service campaign designed to educate and empower the American people to prepare for, respond to and mitigate emergencies, including natural and man-made disasters.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Organization(s)
USDHS
Publication Date
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.
Author(s)
Geen Business Certification Inc.,
U.S. Green Building Council
Organization(s)
USGBC
Publication Date
Description
Website describing the RELi rating system and leadership standard that takes a holistic approach to resilient design.
Author(s)
U.S. Resiliency Council
Organization(s)
USRC
Publication Date
Description
Website describing the USRC, which "brings an unparalleled level of capability to the mission of improving community resilience in the built environment."
Author(s)
Green Builder Media
Organization(s)
Green Builder Media
Publication Date
Description
Website providing resilient housing articles that relate to codes, including webinars, training, and guest articles.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
FEMA information on safe room funding to regional governments.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
A CD guide intended to help communities mitigate damage or loss from tornadoes and other extremewind events, and provide public information resources for conveying the importance of safe room construction.
Author(s)
Washington State Department of Health
Organization(s)
Washington State Department of Health
Publication Date
Description
A fact sheet providing homeowners with guidance on properly securing water heaters to prevent them from tipping in an earthquake.