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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 601 - 650 of 2218

Safe Room Resources, FEMA P-388 CD

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
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.

Hurricane Retrofit Guide - Gable End Overhangs

Author(s)
Florida Disaster
Organization(s)
Florida Division of Emergency Management
Publication Date
A document aimed at reducing the vulnerability of a gable end roof to wind damage in a hurricane.

Metal Roof Installation Manual

Author(s)
Metal Construction Association
Organization(s)
MCA
Publication Date
An installation training manual discussing the installation of metal roofing materials and related accessories, for both new construction and retrofit projects.

National Hurricane Center and Central Pacific Hurricane Center

Author(s)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
National Weather Service
Organization(s)
NOAA,
NWS
Publication Date
A website issuing watches, warnings, forecasts, and analyses of hazardous tropical weather and increasing the understanding of hazards.

New Single-family Homes in 2019

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Organization(s)
HUD
Publication Date
An interactive website providing facts on new, single-family homes constructed in 2019.

Storm Prediction Center

Author(s)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
National Weather Service
Organization(s)
NOAA,
NWS
Publication Date
A website providing timely and accurate forecasts and watches for severe thunderstorms and tornadoes over the contiguous United States.

Ready.Gov

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Organization(s)
USDHS
Publication Date
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.

Residential Energy Dynamics

Author(s)
Residential Energy Dynamics
Organization(s)
RED
Publication Date
A free tool used to calculate the required minimum flow rate of dwelling-unit ventilation.

Seismic Design Map

Author(s)
Structural Engineers Association of California,
California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development
Organization(s)
SEAOC,
OSHPD
Publication Date
Web-based tool that uses the USGS web services to retrieve seismic design data and presents it in a report format.

Small Wind Electric Systems

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
A website discussing the use of consumer-grade small electric wind systems such as turbines to lower energy costs.

2015 International Residential Code - IRC

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
2015 edition of code for residential buildings that creates minimum regulations for one- and two-family dwellings of three stories or less, bringing together all building, plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas, energy and electrical provisions for one- and two-family residences.

2020 NEHRP Recommended Seismic Provisions for New Buildings and Other Structures, Volume I: Part 1 Provisions, Part 2 Commentary, FEMA P-2082-1

Author(s)
Building Seismic Safety Council,
National Institute of Building Sciences,
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program
Organization(s)
BSSC,
NIBS,
FEMA,
NEHRP
Publication Date
Document presenting the minimum recommended requirements necessary for the design and construction of new buildings and other structures to resist earthquake ground motions throughout the United States.

Are You Ready? An In-Depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness, FEMA P-2064

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Report explaining how to develop, practice, and maintain emergency plans that reflect what must be done before, during, and after a disaster to protect people and their property.

Prepare Your Home Ahead of Severe Thunderstorms

Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Website providing guidance on how to reduce the risk of damage to a home from hail.

FORTIFIED Home Inside FORTIFIED

Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Website providing resources for roofers to construct high-wind, hurricane, and hail-resistant roofs from IBHS Fortified program.

2020 NEHRP Recommended Seismic Provisions for New Buildings and Other Structures, Volume II: Part 3 Resource Papers, FEMA P-2082-2

Author(s)
Building Seismic Safety Council,
National Institute of Building Sciences,
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program
Organization(s)
BSSC,
NIBS,
FEMA,
NEHRP
Publication Date
Document containing a series of resource papers that describe earthquake design components, including shear walls, resiliency, ground motion, and story drift and deflection, among others.

ABAA Section 072726: Fluid Applied Membranes

Author(s)
Air Barrier Association of America
Organization(s)
ABAA
Publication Date
Standard outlining materials and installation methods for a liquid-applied vapor permeable air barrier systems located in the non-accessible part of the wall.

Smart Ventilation Controls Boost Energy Efficiency and Indoor Air Quality

Author(s)
Burkett Helen,
Martin Eric
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Fact sheet outlining the research behind how smart ventilation controls boost energy efficiency and indoor air quality, including research findings from seasonal temperature, timer, and real-time weather-based controls showing that all three systems showed potential for energy savings while...

Safe Room Funding

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
FEMA information on safe room funding to regional governments.

What is a Levee?

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Document describing what levees are, how they work, and who owns them.

AHAM Verifide Facts about Clean Air

Author(s)
Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers
Organization(s)
AHAM
Publication Date
Website reporting efficiencies for dehumidifiers, room air conditioners, and room air cleaners that are tested by independent laboratories and reported by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers.

ACCA - Quality Standards

Author(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
Webpage of ACCA’s Quality Standards outlining precisely the procedures that contractors should follow when designing, installing, maintaining, repairing, and verifying indoor environment systems.

ACCA - Radiant & Hydronics

Author(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
Radiant, hydronics, geothermal -- they are a vital part of modern comfort and energy solutions. ACCA helps hydronics contractors operate at peak performance.

American Cleaning Institute

Author(s)
American Cleaning Institute
Organization(s)
ACI
Publication Date
American Cleaning Institute website homepage.

Alliance for Water Efficiency

Author(s)
Alliance for Water Efficiency
Organization(s)
AWE
Publication Date
Alliance for Water Efficiency website homepage.

CA Energy Commission - HVAC

Author(s)
California Energy Commission
Organization(s)
CEC
Publication Date
Webpage containing California Energy Commission's HVAC design information, including mandatory and prescriptive HVAC requirements for residential and nonresidential buildings following the California Energy Commission's Building Energy Efficiency Standards.

Carpet and Rug Institute

Author(s)
Carpet and Rug Institute
Organization(s)
CRI
Publication Date
Carpet and Rug Institute website homepage.

Ceiling Fan Basics

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
ENRGY STAR webpage discussing the basics of certified ceiling fans.

HVI Certified Products Directory

Author(s)
Home Ventilating Institute
Organization(s)
HVI
Publication Date
Website providing an online directory of more than 3,600 residential ventilation products lisiting flowrates, sones, watts, and other performance metrics; all listed products have been tested by the Home Ventilating Institute.

APA The Engineered Wood Association Homepage

Author(s)
APA - The Engineered Wood Association
Organization(s)
American Plywood Association,
APA
Publication Date
Website homepage of APA – The Engineered Wood Association, a nonprofit trade association combining the research efforts of scientists and engineers, APA promotes new solutions and improved processes that benefit the entire industry.

Chemicals Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the EPA evaluates potential risks from new and existing chemicals and acts to address any unreasonable risks chemicals may have on human health and the environment. This website explains the implications of such chemicals.

Map of Radon Zones

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
The purpose of this map is to assist national, state and local organizations to target their resources and to implement radon-resistant building codes.

Lead

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
EPA webpage on lead in homes.

ENERGY STAR Product Finder

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Webpage for finding all the information you need to start shopping for ENERGY STAR certified products, including product details, rebates, and retailers near you.

Fall Protection

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Labor
Organization(s)
DOL,
Occupational Safety and Health Administration,
OSHA
Publication Date
Webpage developed by OSHA to provide workers and employers useful, up-to-date information on fall protection.

Fans for Cooling

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
DOE webpage that gives and overview of fans for cooling.

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Website of the Federal Emergency Management Agency