Library | Building America Solution Center

Showing 1 - 50 of 61 results:

2009 Supplement to the 2007 Florida Building Code

2009

International Code Council

ICC

Building code for the state of Florida.

ACCA Manual T - Air Distribution Basics

2009

Air Conditioning Contractors of America

ACCA

Standard providing guidance on how to select, size, and locate the supply air diffusers, grilles and registers, and the return grilles.

An Experimental Analysis of the Impact of Tree Shade on Electricity Consumption

2009

Laband David N,

Sophocleus John P

International Society of Arboriculture

Paper describing an experiment to quantify shade tree impacts on cooling-related electricity consumption, finding that there may be sizable benefits in hot regions.

Assessing the Impact of Thickness of the Performance of Stucco Cladding

2004

Brown William C,

Dietrich Mike,

Latimer Mark

American Society of Heating,

American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers,

ASHRAE

A report that evaluates the force it takes to crack stucco of various thicknesses.

Basement Insulation, Info 511

2009

Building Science Corporation

BSC

Information sheet describing techniques for insulating basements.

Benefits of Demand-Controlled Pumping

2009

Acker Larry,

Klein Gary

Home Energy Magazine,

Taco Comfort

Article describing how demand plumbing systems send cold water back to the water heater until hot water arrives at the sink, shower or other fixture where it is needed.

Builder's Guide to Hot-Dry & Mixed-Dry Climates

2004

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Builder's Guide to Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)

2009

Lukachko Alex

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Presentation describing details for installing structural insulated panels (SIPs).

Choosing Thermostatic Radiator Valves

2004

Gifford Henry

American Boiler Manufacturers Association

Part 2 of an article discussing how to maximize two-pipe steam systems for resident space heating.

Conditioned Crawl Space Construction, Performance and Codes, BA-0401

2004

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Report outlining how conditioned crawlspaces perform better than vented crawlspaces in terms of safety, health, comfort, durability and energy consumption.

Double Wall: Staggered or In-Line Studs?

2009

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,

Steven Winter Associates

CARB,

SWA

Information sheet providing information about investigating the thermal effect of staggering the inner and outer wall studs on double walls in new construction.

Drainage Plane/Water Resistive Barrier, Info-301

2009

Building Science Corporation

BSC

Brochure describing drainage planes, also referred to as water resistive barriers.

EIA Residential Energy Consumption Survey 2009

2009

U.S. Energy Information Administration

EIA

Federal statistics about national energy consumption in residential homes.

Energy Flow Across Enclosures, BSI-028

2009

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Discussion of structural thermal resistance.

ETW: Building Profile: New - Albuquerque New Mexico

2009

Building Science Corporation

BSC

Information sheet with details on a building enclosure designed for Albuquerque, NM, as an example for building enclosures built for hot-dry and mixed-dry climates.

FEMA Engineering With Nature - Alternative Techniques to Riprap Bank Stabilization

2009

Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA

Document explores alternatives to riprap on banks and waterways to mitigate bankside erosion in the Pacific Northwest.

Field Manual: Safety Evaluation of Buildings after Windstorms and Floods, ATC-45

2004

Applied Technology Council

ATC

Report providing guidelines and procedures to determine whether damaged or potentially damaged buildings are safe for use after wind storms or floods, or if entry should be restricted or prohibited.

Fire Network: Windows Vulnerabilities

2009

University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources

UCANR,

University of California Cooperative Extension

A report showing what happens when windows break as a result of temperature differences between the inside and outside of the home, as well as code standards for the State of California regarding window exposure to wildfires.

Foil Bubble Pack: Subslab Insulation?

2004

Fulger Don

Home Energy

Article describing the effective R-values of various subslab insulation products, including foil bubble pack.

Garage Performance Testing

2004

Health Canada,

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

CMHC,

Environment Canada

Results from a research program testing airtightness, implications of air leakage and contaminant reduction over the garage-to-house interface.

GREENGUARD Certification for Paints and Coatings

2009

GREENGUARD Environmental Institute

Standard describing GREENGUARD Emission Criteria for use with GREENGUARD Certification Program for Low Emitting Products.

Guide to Good Leak Testing

2009

Institute of Refrigeration

IOR,

Carbon Trust

Guide describing refrigeration leaks, including common leak points, how to fix them, and how to prevent them.

Healthy Indoor Environment Protocols for Home Energy Upgrades

2009

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,

National Service Center for Environmental Publications

EPA,

NSCEP

Guidance for achieving safe and healthy indoor environments during home energy retrofits.

High-R Roofs Case Study Analysis, BA-1006

2009

Straube John,

Grin Aaron

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Report that considers a number of promising wall systems that can meet the requirement for better thermal control.

Improving Attic Thermal Performance

2004

Parker Danny S

Home Energy Magazine

Article describing the effect metal roofs have on thermal performance in hot-humid climates.

Indirect/Passive Air-Flow Systems

2009

Kang Bhujon,

Lutz-Carillo Sky

University of Texas

Report detailing natural ventilation and passive airflow systems.

Installing Seismic Restraints for Duct and Pipe, FEMA P-414

2004

Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA

Report showing installers how to attach ducts, pipes, and associated equipment to buildings to minimize earthquake damage.

IRC FAQ: Conditioned Attics, GM-0905

2009

Building Science Corporation

BSC

Report discussing how to create livable space in the attic that meets IRC code requirements by either creating a ventilated roof assembly, or and unvented attic assembly.

Is There a Downside to High-MERV Filters?

2009

Springer David

Home Energy Magazine

Information sheet about efficiency and health benefits of MERV filters.

Kickout Flashing: How to Flash Troublesome Roof-to-Wall Intersections

2009

Guertin Mike

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

Article showing steps for kick out flashing at roof-wall intersection.

Leak-Free Skylights: A Peel-And-Stick Membrane Under The Flashing Guarantees That The Skylight Won’t Leak—Ever

2009

Guertin Mike

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

Article describing a technique for installing a skylight and avoiding potential water leaks with the use of a peel-and-stick (or self-adhesive) membrane under the flashing.

Living with Fire: Homeowners' Firesafe Guide for Montana

2009

FireSafe Montana

Guide for homeowners describing actions they can take to modify their home and the surrounding site to create a survivable space to reduce the amount of damage a home would likely experience during a wildfire.

Manual B - Balancing and Testing Air and Hydronic Systems

2009

Air Conditioning Contractors of America

ACCA

Standard technical manual with information about HVAC balancing, testing air and hydronic systems.

Metal Roof Systems in High-Wind Regions - Hurricane Ike Recovery Advisory

2009

Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA

A Recovery Advisory guide reccomending practices for designing and installing metal roof systems that will enhance wind resistance in high-wind regions (i.e., greater than 90-miles per hour [mph] gust design wind speed).

Mitigation Assessment Team Report: Hurricane Ike in Texas and Louisiana, FEMA P-757

2009

Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA

FEMA report describing findings from an investigation of Hurricane Ike in Texas and Louisiana and residential construction recommendations based on those findings.

Performance Standard for Wood-Based Structural-Use Panels, Voluntary Product Standard PS 2-04

2004

National Institute of Standards and Technology

NIST

Standards for requirements, performance, construction, workmanship and others for structural-use panels.

Predrywall Standard - Auxiliary Standards of Professional Practice for Residential Predrywall Inspections

2009

America Society of Home Inspectors

ASHI

Article describing how to properly manage condensing HVAC equipment.

Preparing for Disaster, FEMA P-475

2004

Federal Emergency Management Agency,

American Red Cross

FEMA,

American Red Cross

Fact sheet describing how to prepare for a natural disaster and assemble a disaster supply kit.

Protecting Manufactured Homes from Floods and other Hazards: A Multi-Hazard Foundation and Installation Guide, FEMA P-85

2009

Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA

Report addressing flood, wind and seismic hazards and recommends several multi-hazard resistant foundation designs of manufactured homes.

PVC - Friction Loss in Fittings and Equivalent Length

2004

Engineering Toolbox

Table calculating friction losses of PVC pipe fittings.

PVC Pipes Schedule 40 - Friction Loss and Flow Velocities

2004

Engineering Toolbox

Table calculating friction losses for PVC pipe by length.

Recommended Residential Construction for Coastal Areas: Building on Strong and Safe Foundations, FEMA P-550

2009

Coulbourne Bill,

et al.

Federal Emergency Management Agency,

FEMA,

URS Corporation,

DK Low and Associates,

Greenhorne and O'Mara,

Dewberry and Davis

Report providing recommended designs and guidance for rebuilding homes destroyed by hurricanes in the Gulf Coast.

Residential Air Cleaners - A Summary of Available Information, Second Edition

2009

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

EPA

Report providing information on mechanical air-cleaning devices for ventilation when conventional methods are not warranted.

Revised Builder’s Guide to Frost Protected Shallow Foundations

2004

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,

Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing,

National Association of Home Builders

HUD,

PATH,

NAHB Research Center

Report describing how to construct a frost protected shallow foundation (FPSF) as a practical alternative to a deeper, more-costly foundation in cold regions with seasonal ground freezing and the potential for frost heave.

Seismic Safety: Gas Shutoff Devices, SB-1898

2004

California Legislative Information

Description of California Senate Bill SB 1898, which requires the sale of new seismic gas shutoff devices sold in California to be certified by the State Architect.

Servicing High Efficiency Boilers Part 2

2009

Eatherton Mark

Contractor Magazine

Second part of an article series focusing on servicing high efficiency modcon boilers. This part focuses on paperwork and follow-up communication with the homeowner for scheduling annual maintenance.

Servicing High Efficiency Modcon Boilers

2009

Eatherton Mark

Contractor Magazine

Article describing the author's experiences in owning and servicing a modcon boiler.

Solar Ready Buildings Planning Guide

2009

Lisell Lars,

Tetreault Tim,

Watson Andrea

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Report identifying the important aspects of building design and construction to enable installation of solar photovoltaic and heating systems at some time after the building is constructed.

The value of shade: Estimating the effect of urban trees on summertime electricity use

2009

Donovan Geoffrey H,

Butry David T

U.S. Department of Agriculture,

USDA,

USDA Forest Service,

National Institute of Standards and Technology,

NIST

Paper describing the effects of shade trees and their location on residential summertime electricity usage.

Tornado Protection - Selecting Refuge Areas in Buildings, FEMA P-431

2009

Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA

Report presenting information that aids qualified architects and engineers in the identification of the best available refuge areas in existing buildings for sheltering in place during a tornado.