Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Catalog describing FEMA earthquake-resistant construction resources.
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 110
Organization(s)
USDA
Publication Date
Description
Webpage from USDA and U.S. Forest Service with a map of potential wildfire risk across the U.S.
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Description
ASTM standard for wood-composite decking and guardrail materials under a variety of tests, including fire performance and UV resistance. Available for preview and purchase at the reference link.
Organization(s)
JLC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing ways to construct or retrofit a home to increase is resistance to high winds, hurricanes, and tornadoes.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
A website containing FEMA publications on safe rooms for both residential and community use.
Organization(s)
USCPSC
Publication Date
Description
Safety brochure from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) describing the dangers to children of furniture tipping over if it is not securely anchored.
Organization(s)
CUSEC
Publication Date
Description
Website providing disaster preparedness information and resources for residents and building owners in locations susceptible to earthquakes.
Organization(s)
NFPA
Publication Date
Description
Report identifying codes and standards that embody the concepts of resiliency.
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
2018 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.
Organization(s)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
NOAA
Publication Date
Description
Webpage presenting updated maps for annual average temperature and precipitation in the contiguous U.S.
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.
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
2018 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.
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
A reference guide providing basic tips on using backup generators safely and effectively.
Organization(s)
NRCS,
NWCC,
SSWSF
Publication Date
Description
The website by U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) National Water and Climate Center tracks snowpack sensor stations at multiple sites across the country providing an interactive US map of snow loads.
Organization(s)
IAPMO,
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Documents describing Flood Resistant Provisions of codes published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officers (IAPMO): the Uniform Mechanical Code; Uniform Plumbing Code; Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Code; and Uniform Solar, Hydronics and Geothermal Code (Uniform...
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...
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...
Organization(s)
King County WA
Publication Date
Description
Article describing a 9-step process to getting rid of rats and mice, and some preventative actions to take.
Organization(s)
USGS
Publication Date
Description
Webpage providing maps and information to assess the particular hazards and risks for an area.
Organization(s)
SMUD
Publication Date
Description
Webpage describing benefits of adding battery storage to homes and an estimation tool.
Organization(s)
Habitat for Humanity
Publication Date
Description
Webpage describing steps to take to prepare homes for winter weather as well as safety information for after storms have passed.
Organization(s)
Red Cross
Publication Date
Description
Webpage from American Red Cross describing how to stay safe and prepare homes for severe winter weather such as blizzards.
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
List of recommendations from IBHS on how to protect homes from ice dam formation.
Organization(s)
Boulder County
Publication Date
Description
A factsheet that provides information and requirements for emergency water supplies for firefighting in Boulder County, Colorado.
Organization(s)
International Association of Certified Home Inspectors,
InterNACHI
Publication Date
Description
Article defining structural design loads and ways to calculate them, including dead loads, live loads, soil lateral loads, wind loads, snow loads, earthquake loads, and other loads.
Organization(s)
University of Nebraska - Lincoln,
Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County
Publication Date
Description
Article describing identification of termite infestations in homes and treatment options.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Brochure outlining what is covered under the National Flood Insurance Program
Organization(s)
WMO
Publication Date
Description
An overview of impacts from weather, climate, and water extremes globally from 1970 to 2019 based on disaster data from the Emergency Events Database (EM-DAT)
Organization(s)
IBHS,
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Guide describing "wind safe” room as a reinforced area of a home designed to withstand severe windstorms.
Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL
Publication Date
Description
This study evaluated 11 measures for passive cooling using four heat resilience metrics with and without grid power in Fresno CA and found the two most effective measures were installing solar-control window films and adding roof insulation; natural ventilation also helped reduce overheating in...
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
2021 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...
Organization(s)
SCEC,
ECA,
USC
Publication Date
Description
Webpage from Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC) on identifying key problem spots on unreinforced masonry chimneys and how to retrofit them to withstand seismic forces.
Organization(s)
Energy Journal
Publication Date
Description
Study comparing the thermal performance of phase change materials to concrete construction during heat waves.
Organization(s)
NREL,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
News article describing the state of the residential battery storage market.
Organization(s)
Washington Post
Publication Date
Description
Article from Washington Post on passive cooling measures for homes during extreme heat.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheets giving steps for residents to shelter in place during several disaster or emergency scenarios, including flash floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, thunderstorms, tornadoes, winter storms, active shooters, chemical hazards, nuclear/radiological events, pandemics, as well as guidance for...
Organization(s)
NCEH,
CDC
Publication Date
Description
Web page describing how to identify heat-related illness and how to prevent it.
Organization(s)
NRCC
Publication Date
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.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Webpage describing the purpose of safe rooms and criteria necessary to meet FEMA P-361 and P-320 criteria.
Organization(s)
NW Seismic
Publication Date
Description
A website containing a video series by NW Seismic illustrating how a seismic retrofit should be done and ways they are done incorrectly.
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
Building code for the state of California providing the building rules and regulations as well as disaster resistance tools.
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
2019 version of the California Residential Code.
Organization(s)
Orange County Register
Publication Date
Description
Article describing risks of living in wildfire-prone areas of southern California and ways to reduce risks to homes and communities.
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
Website describing wildfire related research conducted by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety at the IBHS Research Center.
Organization(s)
University of Arizona
Publication Date
Description
Article from University of Arizona on keeping homes cool during extreme heat, both personal and system changes.
Organization(s)
LSU Ag Center Research Extension
Publication Date
Description
Web article describing many ways homeowners, contractors, and builders can make homes more resistant to hurricanes, tornadoes, high winds, floods, and hail.
Organization(s)
USDA,
USDA Forest Service
Publication Date
Description
A website created by the U.S. Forest Service, containing interactive maps, charts and resources to help communities explore their risk to wildfires.
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
Guidelines from IBHS on modifications to homes to prepare for a wildfire if evacuation orders are anticipated for the area.
Organization(s)
CSLB
Publication Date
Description
California State Code of Regulations, Title 16, Division 8, Article 3, listing requirements for plumbing contractors.