Library | Building America Solution Center

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 - 22 of 22

2003 IWUIC - International Wildland-Urban Interface Code

Author(s)

International Code Council

Organization(s)

ICC

Publication Date

December, 2005

2003 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...

Builder's Guide to Hot-Humid Climates

Author(s)

Lstiburek

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation

Publication Date

January, 2005

The Builder's Guide provides the building industry with the latest and best practical information on how to apply building science principles to structures as systems in hot-humid climate regions.

Choosing Between Oriented Strandboard and Plywood

Author(s)

Fisette

Organization(s)

University of Massachusetts

Publication Date

January, 2005

Information sheet discussing how OSB will define the future of the structural sheathing market. OSB will define the future of the structural sheathing market. - See more at: http://bct.eco.umass.edu/publications/by-title/choosing-between-oriented-strandboard-and-plywood/#sthash.RilEtDpl.dpuf

Closed Crawlspaces Do Double Duty

Author(s)

Dastur,

Davis

Organization(s)

Home Energy Magazine

Publication Date

January, 2005

Article describing how closed crawlspaces can do "double duty" by controlling moisture and providing energy savings.

Decks - Fire Safe or Not?

Author(s)

Stephen L. Quarles

Organization(s)

University of California

Publication Date

January, 2005

Article from Stephen L. Quarles on fire resistant decking design and materials recommendations.

FEMA 488 - Mitigation Assessment Team Report Hurricane Charley in Florida Observations, Recommendations, and Technical Guidance

Author(s)

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Organization(s)

FEMA

Publication Date

April, 2005

FEMA mitigation assessment team report following Hurricane Charley in Florida including observations, recommendations, and technical guidance for retrofitting hurricane-damaged homes.

FEMA 489 - Mitigation Assessment Team Report Hurricane Ivan in Alabama and Florida Observations, Recommendations, and Technical Guidance

Author(s)

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Organization(s)

FEMA

Publication Date

August, 2005

FEMA mitigation assessment team report following Hurricane Ivan in Florida and Alabama including observations, recommendations, and technical guidance.

FEMA 511 - Reducing Damage from Localized Flooding A Guide for Communities

Author(s)

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Organization(s)

FEMA

Publication Date

June, 2005

Report from FEMA on how to reduce damage from localized flooding including planning, drainage, building codes and retrofits, and regulations.

Field Performance of Unvented Cathedralized (UC) Attics in the USA, PA-0502

Author(s)

Rudd

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

January, 2005

Journal article reporting on field experience of unvented cathedralized (UC) attics in several environments in the United States.

Hot Water Runs Cold

Author(s)

Hoeschele

Organization(s)

Home Energy Magazine

Publication Date

March, 2005

Article describing the factors that can lead to inefficient hot water distribution systems in homes.

How You can Strengthen Your Home for the Next Big Earthquake in the Los Angeles Area

Author(s)

City of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety

Organization(s)

LADBS

Publication Date

January, 2005

Report describing ways to retrofit a home to make it more resistant to earthquakes.

Impact Resistance of Brick Veneer Structures to Hurricane Debris

Author(s)

Bennett Richard M,

Borchelt Gregg J,

Bryja Jim,

Kjorlien Bill

Organization(s)

Canada Masonry Design Centre,

CMDC

Publication Date

June, 2005

An impact test report from projectile missile tests against brick veneer, verifying that brick veneers perform well to resisting hurricane force wind driven debris.

Installing Windows with Foam Sheathing on a Wood-Frame Wall: January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2004

Author(s)

Building Science Corporation

Organization(s)

BSC,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Publication Date

May, 2005

Report with guidance for installing windows with foam sheathing on wood-frame walls.

NEBB Section 15950 - Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing

Author(s)

National Environmental Balancing Bureau

Organization(s)

National Environmental Balancing Bureau,

NEBB

Publication Date

January, 2005

Standard that includes testing, adjusting and balancing (TAB) to produce design flows for air and hydronic systems.

OSHA Fact Sheet: Grounding Requirements for Portable Generators

Author(s)

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Organization(s)

OSHA

Publication Date

October, 2005

A fact sheet educating the public on how to appropriately ground portable generators and the hazards associated with their use.

OSHA Fact Sheet: Using Portable Generators Safely

Author(s)

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Organization(s)

OSHA

Publication Date

September, 2005

A fact sheet educating the public on the potential hazards and safe use of portable generators.

Radiant Barriers: A Question and Answer Primer

Author(s)

Melody Ingrid,

Fairey Philip W,

Beal David

Organization(s)

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC

Publication Date

June, 2005

Website with answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about attic radiant barriers.

Rainwater Management Performance of Newly Constructed Building Enclosures During August and September 2004, RR-0503

Author(s)

Lstiburek

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

January, 2005

Report covering the performance of residential buildings during three hurricanes impacting Florida in 2004.

READ THIS: Before You Design, Build or Renovate, GM-0602

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph,

Brennan Terry

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

May, 2005

Document with important building science considerations, designed for members of the residential construction and remodeling industries, as well as owners and managers who work in affordable housing.

Review of Residential Ventilation Technologies

Author(s)

Russell,

Sherman,

Rudd

Organization(s)

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Publication Date

August, 2005

Document reviewing current and potential ventilation technologies for residential buildings with particular emphasis on North American climates and construction.

The Facts about Clothes Dryer Exhaust Systems

Author(s)

Cranor John

Organization(s)

American Society of Home Inspectors,

ASHI

Publication Date

April, 2005

Article outlining the importance of keeping dryer exhaust ducts clean.

Third Street

Author(s)

Gifford

Organization(s)

Home Energy Magazine

Publication Date

September, 2005

Article describing how an affordable multifamily building achieved energy savings for the same cost as code-minimum construction.