Library

Test method designed to calculate an assigned air permeance of flexible sheet or rigid panel-type materials at a reference air pressure differential of 75 Pa which was published in the year 2021 and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link.

Standard describing a test method for mold growth resistance on interior coatings such as paint in an environmental chamber; the 2021 version of this standard is available for preview and purchase at the referenced link.

Test method providing a rapid means of determining the steady-state thermal transmission properties of thermal insulations and other materials with a high level of accuracy when the apparatus has been calibrated appropriately. This version of the standard was published in the year 2021 and is...

Bill requiring the Consumer Product Safety Commission to revise the safety standards for freestanding clothing storage units such as a dressers, bureaus, or chests of drawers to include testing related to tip overs and new warning requirements for all such products entering the U.S. market; passed...

Article defining structural design loads and ways to calculate them, including dead loads, live loads, soil lateral loads, wind loads, snow loads, earthquake loads, and other loads.

Report presenting safe room designs and showing the homeowner and builder/contractor or local design professional how to construct a safe room for a home or small business.

Image depicting damage from termites in weatherboard cladding.

Article describing identification of termite infestations in homes and treatment options.

Study comparing the thermal performance of phase change materials to concrete construction during heat waves.

Standard providing industry-backed information for assessing new and existing HVAC systems, evaluating and verifying the cleanliness of HVAC system components, preventing job related hazards and guiding the cleaning and restoration of HVAC systems to a specific level of cleanliness.

Standard 55 specifies conditions for acceptable thermal environments and is intended for use in design, operation, and commissioning of buildings and other occupied spaces; is the current version of the standard, which was published in the year 2021, and is available for preview and purchase at the...

Report sumarizing a workshop to initiate a professional discussion about eventual benefits of the application of massive technologies in US buildings.

Article on thermal protectors in recessed light fixtures.

Guide from Energy Star on smart thermostats and offering some guidance for choosing one.

Online course describing the behavior of wildfires for firefighters.

Documents describing Flood Resistant Provisions of codes published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officers (IAPMO): the Uniform Mechanical Code; Uniform Plumbing Code; Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Code; and Uniform Solar, Hydronics and Geothermal Code (Uniform...

Webpage from Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC) on identifying key problem spots on unreinforced masonry chimneys and how to retrofit them to withstand seismic forces.

EPA WaterSense guidance on urinals.

A reference guide providing basic tips on using backup generators safely and effectively.

Article describing ways to construct or retrofit a home to increase is resistance to high winds, hurricanes, and tornadoes.

A website providing information on sealing the home against rodents and how to trap rodents once they have made their way into the home.

A info sheet providing information on ENERGY STAR certified water heaters and the various criteria water heaters must undergo to become ENERGY STAR certified, including metrics on efficiency and performance.

Resource that provides a directory of individuals that have successfully completed all requirements of at least one WaterSense Approved Certification Method (WACM) through a Home Certification Organization (HCO).

Fact sheet describing how the Environmental Protection Agency ensures labeled homes meet the WaterSense efficiency requirements for whole house water management including a list of requirements and a data chart.

Document on the EPA WaterSense webpage describing the technical evaluation process used by EPA WaterSense to authorize home certification organizations to certify homes through the WaterSense program.

Webpage from NW Natural on how to prepare homes with natural gas service for earthquakes and floods, what to do during an emergency, and how to respond after the emergency has passed.

An overview of impacts from weather, climate, and water extremes globally from 1970 to 2019 based on disaster data from the Emergency Events Database (EM-DAT)

A website explaining the connection between using compact fluorescent lightbulbs and the amount of mercury released into the environment.

Information sheet outlining the criteria for ENERGY STAR qualified, windows, doors, and skylights.

Guidelines from IBHS on modifications to homes to prepare for a wildfire if evacuation orders are anticipated for the area.

Webpage describing how different amounts and types of snow loads affect the structural integrity of roofs and homes.

Conference paper presented at the 8th International Conference on Thermal Performance of Exterior Envelopes of Whole Buildings describing moisture from basements and crawlspaces as a source of indoor humidity and providing recommendations for finishing below-grade spaces to limit potential indoor...

Webpage from USFA compiling resources from across the U.S. on Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) information.

Webpage from USDA and U.S. Forest Service with a map of potential wildfire risk across the U.S.

Website describing how wildfires spread and how fuels, weather, and topography influence fires.

Webpage describing ways builders and communities an reduce wildfire risk.

A webpage providing guidance on increasing the wildfire resistance of a home.

A website created by the U.S. Forest Service, containing interactive maps, charts and resources to help communities explore their risk to wildfires.

Guide describing "wind safe” room as a reinforced area of a home designed to withstand severe windstorms.

Tax credit for ENERGY STAR certified windows, doors and skylights.

Webpage from American Red Cross describing how to stay safe and prepare homes for severe winter weather such as blizzards.

Webpage describing steps to take to prepare homes for winter weather as well as safety information for after storms have passed.

Catalog detailing the metal connector products manufactured by Simpson Strong-Tie and their applications and strengths.