Library

2006 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...

Report describing approaches to using less wood in home building that minimize waste.

Fact sheet describing advanced wall framing.

Information on the control of air flow across building enclosures to control moisture damage, reduce energy losses, and ensure occupant comfort and health. A continuous, strong, stiff, durable and air impermeable air barrier system is required between the exterior and conditioned space to control...

Article describing recessed lighting, which if installed incorrectly may contribute to air leakage and compromise building envelope efficiency.

ASTM standard providing test methods for determining duct air leakage in low-rise residential and commercial buildings.

Report describing approaches to insulating basements in homes built to meet Energy Star levels of performance of heat loss reduction.

Fact sheet describing basement insulation considerations.

Research study about key sustainability concepts, durability, energy efficiency and new flood resistant design.

Case study describing solar thermal and photovoltaic systems in new construction.

Document containing recommendations on how to brace roofs and gable end walls based on lessons learned from analyzing the destruction from hurricane Andrew.

Information sheet containing images and descriptions of cantilevers.

Study investigating measured cooling energy performance in side-by-side identical homes with varying roof types, including cool roof technologies.

Technical report detailing a study in which actual cooling loads are compared to modeled cooling loads.

Article introducing the FTC’s new EnergyGuide label, including estimates of annual energy usage.

Study reporting the results of comparative testing of the effect of finished and unfinished metal roofing systems on cooling energy performance in a test facility.

Article describing codes and test methods related to fire-resistant construction of decks.

This study focuses on the design, construction, and performance of the interior chase approach as implemented by five different builders in Texas, North Carolina, and Florida.

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

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

Report on problems and solutions with EIFS stucco wall cladding systems.

Research project addressing low-cost options that reduce monthly energy costs and improve the quality of life by enhancing comfort levels in low-income homes.

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

Manual describing energy efficient building, design, and marketing strategies for Florida home builders.

Document talking about the topic Energy-Efficient Florida Home Building.

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

An engineering design guide for hydronic heat loops, discussing the features and advantages of condensing boilers.

Study reporting the results of comparative testing of the effect of various roof types on cooling energy performance in a test facility.

Guide providing information on using exterior foam insulating sheathing in building wall assemblies to enhance thermal performance.

Report discussing the potential energy savings of new high-efficiency downlights, and the results of product testing to date.

Report providing an introduction to current photovoltaic and solar thermal building practices.

Best Practices document providing an introduction to current photovoltaic and solar thermal building practices.

Report summarizing approaches to addressing duct leakage in hot humid climates.

Standard supporting indoor air quality performance by producers, purchasers and policy makers to improve the environmental performance of products and services.

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

Brochure discussing specific practices for mitigating moisture and mold during the construction process.

Report discussing the benefits of modern evaporative cooling systems for use in hot dry climate zones.

The Enhanced F-scale is a set of wind estimates (not measurements) based on damage which uses three-second gusts estimated at the point of damage based on a judgment of 8 levels of damage to the 28 indicators listed.

Fact sheet from Wisconsin Focus on Energy explaining how to prevent future ice dams on homes by learning about their formation and mitigation of contributing factors.

Report aiming to "de-mystify" technology and economic considerations of residential PV systems.

Report promoting public safety and welfare by reducing the risk of earthquake-induced damage to existing homes.

Report seeking to teach building contractors and building inspectors the correct methods for doing typical seismic retrofits that have been designed by an engineer or architect or described in a prescriptive standard.

Report from FEMA describing techniques for floodproofing structures.

Report descrbing an early study pointing to the significant improvement, >50%, of a hip roof in reducing peak wind-induced pressures.

A field guide with residential construction best practices.

Report presenting results from whole-house monitoring efforts in hope that they may be useful for others moving towards zero energy homes.

Report reviewing unvented roof assemblies, such as conditioned attics and unvented cathedral ceilings that are becoming common in North American construction.

Report describing the use of attic ventilation to control moisture in cathedral roofs and avoid the formation of ice dams.

Report describing a field study of 31 homes to test envelope and duct leakage and fan flowrates, and to determine ventilation operation characteristics.