Library

Website providing information about the Cool Roof Rating Council including programs, membership, and resources for the construction industry.

FEMA risk management series guide on hospital safety and resilience to natural disasters.

Article from The Home Energy Community of Practice on designing energy efficient homes in hot climate zones, including home orientation, window location, and roof design considerations.

Report explaining the principles of seismic design to architects.

Article from Green Building Advisor on strategies to take when building homes to reduce the need for air conditioning, including insulation, windows, site selection, and roofing.

Report identifying codes and standards that embody the concepts of resiliency.

Simple web-based tool allowing homeowners to calculate the potential savings from installing a cool roof.

A quick guide from the California Division of the State Architect (DSA) explaining the three types of gas shutoff devices to stop the flow of natural gas into buildings in the event of an earthquake or rupture of the gas line.

Designer checklist covering hazards involving ground and surface water, rain and water vapor, HVAC and plumbing, sunlight, insects, decay, and natural hazards, and builder checklist covering all disaster resistance, sorted by building component.

Webpage providing details of an experimental earth tube installation at the Clean Energy Exhibition in Georgia.

Factsheet describing how to secure refrigerators and other major appliances to wall studs using earthquake appliance straps or angle brackets and bolts.

Factsheet describing how to secure televisions, microwaves, computers, and other electronics to prevent damage during earthquakes.

Factsheet describing how to secure water heaters to resist seismic activity.

FEMA guide containing recommendations on how to implement cost-effective measures that can help to reduce the potential hazards associated with earthquakes.

Poster describing earthquake safety tips and protection measures to take at home.

A book describing how to complete an earthquake retrofit plan for wood-frame residential buildings.

Factsheet describing ways to retrofit a home to make it more earthquake resistant.

Webpage providing earthquake safety tips including proactive home structure and utility action items.

Guide provides homeowners ways to prepare for an earthquake and protect a home against earthquake damage.

Reference guide helping families prepare for an earthquake and prevent earthquake-related damage.

A one-page fact sheet outlining the purpose of an earthquake valve and how the valve can stop gas from flowing into a residence or building.

Standard providing minimum functionality requirements for earthquake-actuated automatic gas shutoff devices; applicable to systems carrying natural gas and propane, the devices are used in piping, equipment, and appliances typically found in structures of three stories or less.

Report providing an introduction to the NEHRP recommended seismic provisions for new buildings and other structures.

Website describing what to do for safety in an earthquake and other types of disasters.

Article describing earthship homes.

Factsheet describing methods for securing HVAC units to avoid damage during an earthquake.

Article describing quality of life and economic benefit from trees.

Technical report evaluating the effects of heat pump water heaters on heating and cooling energy usage in laboratory homes.

Webpage from U.S. Department of Energy describing using Earth-Sheltered home building techniques in hot climate zones.

Study testing the effect of fan cooling on healthy adults at increased ambient temperatures.

Webpage describing embodied carbon through definition, significance to climate, and importance to policymaking.

Website that lists references that can help you determine how to control you indoor air quality while combating an emergency.

Powerpoint on attic ventilation developed as training material for the Weatherization Assistance Program.

Article from NAHB research center describing home building techniques for homes in hot climate zones.

Paper describing the effects of tree shade on residential electricity consumption and energy savings in summer and winter.

Technical report evaluating the energy savings potential of radiative cooling technologies, particularly photonic 'selective emittance' materials.

Brochure providing information on the design of the EPA Region 8 headquarters in Denver, CO.

Article in the SIPA Technical Bulletin (No. 11) comparing the earthquake resistance of light-frame wood shear wall construction to residential construction with structural insulated panels (SIPS).

Technical report presenting the results of an evaluation of homes using high-efficiency mini-split heat pumps to supplement the primary heating and cooling systems.

Webpage providing tips for installing and maintaining an evaporative cooler.

A webpage by the DOE on tips for saving energy with an evaporative cooler.

Image of design wet bulb temperatures in the U.S. and where evaporative cooling is most appropriate.

Flyer from the City of Ellensburg WA describing what an excess flow valve is, how they work, and associated costs.

Website for gas utility customers describing the installation of excess flow valves to stop the flow of natural gas into a home in the event of a line rupture.

Webpage describing what excess flow valves are, how they work, and the installation process.

Utility webpage describing the monetary costs associated with excess flow valves for TECO in Florida.

Guidebook meant to provide public officials with information on excessive heat event.

Webpage from Ready.gov explaining what qualifies as 'extreme heat', how to be safe during an extreme heat event, and how to prepare for extreme heat in homes

Article from Building Science Corporation on construction techniques for extreme heat conditions in Dubai and Las Vegas.

Technical report describing the impact of orientation on thermal comfort.