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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 1 - 50 of 77

2009 International Plumbing Code - IPC

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
2009 edition of code establishing minimum regulations for plumbing facilities, including fixtures, water heaters, water supply and distribution, sanitary drainage, storm drainage, etc.

2012 International Plumbing Code - IPC

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
2012 edition of code establishing minimum regulations for plumbing facilities, including fixtures, water heaters, water supply and distribution, sanitary drainage, storm drainage, etc.

2018 Long-term National Seismic Hazard Map

Author(s)
U.S. Geological Survey,
Earthquake Hazards Program
Organization(s)
USGS,
U.S. Department of the Interior,
USDI
Publication Date
A colored map showing seismic zones across the United States, ranging from lowest to highest seismic hazards.

2018 Uniform Plumbing Code - UPC

Author(s)
International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials
Organization(s)
IAPMO
Publication Date
Code set from IAPMO explaining plumbing standards. 2018 publication.

ACCA Manual ZR – Residential Zoning Systems

Author(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
Technical manual from ACCA outlining correct methods for zoning of residential HVAC systems.

ACCA Standard 12 - Home Evaluation and Performance Improvement

Author(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
This Standard establishes the minimum requirements to evaluate a residence with regards to energy efficiency, water conservation, occupant comfort, and indoor air quality.

Air Sealing That Works

Author(s)
Bruton Jack,
Baczek Steven
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction
Publication Date
Article describing how an airtight home shell helps achieve a tight envelope that is energy efficient and cost effective.

Avoiding Mass Failures, BSI-105

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report covering interior energy retrofits of masonry buildings.

Avoiding Wet Roofs - Part I

Author(s)
Yost Peter
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction,
JLC
Publication Date
Article describing the building science implications of insulating vented or unvented attics.

Avoiding Wet Roofs - Part II

Author(s)
Yost Peter
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction,
JLC
Publication Date
Article describing the research into insulating vented versus unvented attics.

Be Prepared For Extreme Heat, FEMA V-1004

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Information sheet from FEMA on preparation for extreme heat, including measures for keeping homes cool.

Best Practices Manual

Author(s)
Hammer & Hand
Organization(s)
Hammer & Hand
Publication Date
This Best Practices Manual is the product of Hammer & Hand’s ongoing work to document and internally codify our standard operating procedures for construction practice.

Building a Wildfire-Resistant Home: Codes and Costs

Author(s)
Quarles Stephen L,
Pohl Kelly
Organization(s)
Community Planning Assistance for Wildfire,
CPAW,
Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety,
IBHS,
Headwaters Economics
Publication Date
Report examining the cost differences between a typical home and a home constructed using wildfire-resistant materials and design features.

Cool Solutions: The Whole House Fan

Author(s)
Mott-Smith John
Organization(s)
City of Davis,
State of California
Publication Date
Article describing the use of whole-house fans to provide cooling in the region surrounding Sacramento, CA.

Cool Surfaces Savings Explorer

Author(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Organization(s)
LBNL
Publication Date
Tool developed by LBNL to calculate potential savings from increasing wall and roof solar reflectance.

De-Icing Ice Dams, BSI-097

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Article describing the importance of air sealing, insulation, and roof ventilation in reducing the likelihood of ice dam formation on roofs in cold snowy climates.

Dryer Safety Tips

Author(s)
National Fire Protection Association
Organization(s)
NFPA
Publication Date
Information sheet with safety tips for home owners on proper maintenance of clothes dryers.

DSA Gas Shut off Valves Certification Program

Author(s)
California Division of the State Architect,
California Department of General Services
Organization(s)
DSA,
DGS
Publication Date
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.

El Dorado County Fire District - Defensible Space

Author(s)
El Dorado County Fire District
Organization(s)
El Dorado County Fire District
Publication Date
Document explaining requirements and recommendations for defensible space, with a focus on sloped vegetation.

Energy Saver

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Website from the U.S. Department of Energy providing consumers with information on saving energy and using renewable energy technologies.

Evaluating Moisture Control of Variable-Capacity Heat Pumps in Mechanically Ventilated, Low-Load Homes in Climate Zone 2A

Author(s)
Martin Eric,
McIlvaine Janet E R,
Chasar Dave,
Beal David,
Withers Charles R
Organization(s)
Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,
BA-PIRC,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
This report evaluates the performance of variable-capacity comfort systems, with a focus on inverter-driven, variable-capacity systems, as well as proposed system enhancements.

Extended Plate and Beam Wall System

Author(s)
Home Innovation Research Labs,
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
HIRL,
DOE
Publication Date
Report that demonstrates the durability, constructability, and cost-effectiveness of the extended plate and beam (EP&B) wall system for new construction housing projects in compliance with the International Energy Conservation Code, addressing moisture risk management and high-performance envelope...

FEMA Bioengineered Shoreline Stabilization

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Document discussing methods to bioengineer stabilization of shorelines using living and non-living plant materials in combination, known as the “Living Shorelines” concept.

Field and Laboratory Testing of Approaches to Smart Whole-House Mechanical Ventilation Control

Author(s)
Martin Eric,
Fenaughty Karen,
Parker Danny S
Organization(s)
Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,
BA-PIRC,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Report outlining how Smart ventilation controls (SVC) balance energy consumption, comfort, and IAQ by optimizing mechanical ventilation operation to reduce the heating and/or cooling loads, improve management of indoor moisture, and maintain IAQ equivalence according to ASHRAE 62.2.

Five Steps to Creating an Effective Defensible Space

Author(s)
Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team
Organization(s)
TFFT
Publication Date
Five step plan from the Tahoe Fire & Fuels team outlining how to create an effective defensible space for wildfire protection. Recommendations include siting for homes on slopes.

FORTIFIED Home Corrosion-Resistant Fasteners - New Documentation Requirements

Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Checklist highlighting the requirement for metal structural connections and materials fasteners used to retrofit or construct FORTIFIED buildings less than 3,000 ft from saltwater to be suitably protected from corrosion.

General Flashing Guidelines for Steep-Sloped Roofs

Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Guide describing how and where to install flashings in order to weatherproof a roof.

Heat Pump Water Heater Installation Best Practices Guide

Author(s)
Hot Water Solutions NW,
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
Organization(s)
HWS NW,
NEEA
Publication Date
Report describing the advantages and best practices for installing heat pump water heaters (HPWH), highlighting their improved energy efficiency, reliability, and critical considerations such as condensate management, proper sizing, and optimal installation location to enhance performance and...

High Volume Excess Flow Valves

Author(s)
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration,
U.S. Department of Transportation
Organization(s)
PHMSA,
DOT
Publication Date
Webpage describing federal regulation related to excess flow valves on residential natural gas lines.

How Much Ventilation Do I Need?

Author(s)
Home Ventilating Institute
Organization(s)
Home Ventilating Institute
Publication Date
Website with articles on home ventilation and indoor air quality.

How to Create a Naturally Cool Building

Author(s)
Williams Jeremy
Organization(s)
The Earthbound Report
Publication Date
Article from The Earthbound Report on passive cooling design strategies for homes located in hot climates.

Indoor AirPlus Program Documents

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Website providing the technical specifications and related documents for home builders, subcontractors, architects, and other housing professionals interested in certifying a home to the EPA's Indoor airPLUS program requirements.

Inspecting the Dryer Exhaust

Author(s)
Gromicko Nick,
Gromicko Ben
Organization(s)
International Association of Certified Home Inspectors,
InterNACHI
Publication Date
Article describing the correct installation of clothes dryer exhaust ducts.

Latest North American Fenestration Standard Published

Author(s)
American Architectural Manufacturers Association,
Canadian Standards Association,
Window & Door Manufacturers Association,
Fenestration & Glazing Industry Alliance
Organization(s)
AAMA,
CSA,
CSA Group,
WDMA,
FGIA
Publication Date
2017 version of a standard covering requirements for single- and dual-pane windows, glazed side-hinged door systems, sliding doors, tubular daylighting devices, and unit skylights developed jointly by the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA), the Canadian Standards Association...

Moisture Performance of High-R Wall Systems

Author(s)
Kochkin Vladimir,
Shah Nay B
Organization(s)
Home Innovation Research Labs,
HIRL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
The next generation of building enclosures is a key step toward achieving high-performance goals through decreasing energy load demand and enabling advanced space-conditioning systems. Yet the adoption of high-R enclosures and particularly high-R walls has been a slow-growing trend because...

NFPA 22 – Standard for Water Tanks for Private Fire Protection

Author(s)
National Fire Protection Association
Organization(s)
NFPA
Publication Date
An NFPA standards document that provides minimum requirements for the design, construction, installation, and maintenance of tanks and accessory equipment that supply water for private fire protection.

OSHA Fact Sheet: Working Safely with Chainsaws

Author(s)
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Organization(s)
OSHA
Publication Date
A fact sheet educating the public on the proper operation of chainsaws to reduce the risk of injury from use.

Plant for the Sun!

Author(s)
Forestry and Natural Resources
Organization(s)
Purdue University
Publication Date
Blog article describing considerations for how to use trees for shading to reduce cooling energy demand.