Library | Building America Solution Center

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 - 35 of 35

2008 Standard for the Design and Construction of Storm Shelters, ICC 500

Author(s)

International Code Council

Organization(s)

ICC,

NSSA

Publication Date

January, 2008

Guide providing minimum design and construction requirements for storm shelters that provide a safe refuge from storms that produce high winds, hurricanes, and tornadoes.

Anchor Tall Bookcases and File Cabinets

Author(s)

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Organization(s)

FEMA

Publication Date

April, 2008

Short guide from FEMA describing how to anchor tall bookcases and file cabinets during seismic events.

ASTM E1465 - 08 Standard Practice for Radon Control Options for the Design and Construction of New Low-Rise Residential Buildings

Author(s)

ASTM International

Organization(s)

ASTM

Publication Date

August, 2008

ASTM designation regarding two radon control options for low-rise residential building construction. This standard was produced in the year 2008, and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link.

Best Practices for Nuisance Wildlife Control: A Training Manual

Author(s)

Wildlife Damage Management

Organization(s)

U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperate Extension Service,

CES,

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation,

NYSDEC,

Cornell Cooperative Extension,

CCE

Publication Date

February, 2008

Web-based manual providing guidance for removal and preventing entry of nuisance wildlife.

Boiler Inspections for Safety, Life and Efficiency

Author(s)

Kleva Stephen

Organization(s)

Contractor Magazine

Publication Date

October, 2008

Article explaining the importance of regular inspections of boiler systems in maintaining their safety, lifespan, and efficiency.

Build with Flood Damage Resistant Materials: Protecting Your Property from Flooding

Author(s)

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Organization(s)

FEMA

Publication Date

April, 2008

Summary document describing flood resistant building materials and some tips for building flood resistant walls.

Builders Guide to Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) for all Climates

Author(s)

Lstiburek

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation

Publication Date

January, 2008

A book about structurally insulated panels.

Closed Crawl Space Performance: Proof of Concept in the Production Builder Marketplace

Author(s)

Dastur,

Mauceri,

Hannas,

Novosel

Organization(s)

Advanced Energy

Publication Date

January, 2008

Report aimed to quantify the impact of closed crawlspaces in new homes, and investigate modeling software to ensure accuracy of energy consumption predictions in these homes.

Concrete Floor Problems, BSI-003

Author(s)

Lstiburek

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

June, 2008

Information guide describing issues with concrete floors, in multiple climate zones.

Defensible Space: Home Builder’s Guide to Construction in Wildfire Zones

Author(s)

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Organization(s)

FEMA

Publication Date

September, 2008

Technical fact sheet proving information on creating defensible space to reduce the risk of damage from fires to property.

Erosion and Sediment Control On Your Construction Site

Author(s)

County of Santa Cruz Planning Department

Organization(s)

County of Santa Cruz Planning Department

Publication Date

January, 2008

Report describing construction site erosion and sediment control practices recommended and required by a county planning department.

FEMA P-737, Home Builder's Guide to Construction in Wildfire Zones: Technical Fact Sheet Series

Author(s)

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Organization(s)

FEMA

Publication Date

September, 2008

Report providing a collection of fact sheets describing guidance for constructing homes in wildfire zones.

Fiber Glass Duct Board Fabrication Instructions

Author(s)

Johns Manville

Organization(s)

Johns Manville

Publication Date

January, 2008

Information sheet providing detail about hand fabrication of a one-piece straight duct from a 48" x 120" x 1" thick (1.22 m x 3.05 m x 25 mm) sheet where the total inside duct dimensions equals 112" (2.84 m) or less.

Fixing Air Leakage in Connecticut Town Houses

Author(s)

Moriarta

Organization(s)

Home Energy Magazine

Publication Date

July, 2008

Journal article describing energy and cost savings potential from air sealing multifamily town homes.

Florida Statutes Section 553.844 Hurricane Mitigation Retrofits for Existing Site-Built Single- Family Residential Structures

Author(s)

Florida Building Code

Organization(s)

Florida Building Code

Publication Date

January, 2008

Article presenting the 2008 update on the 2006 details on when required hurricane mitigation retrofits are required and the cost cap on required hurricane mitigation retrofits.

Gable-End Retrofits

Author(s)

Reynolds

Organization(s)

The Journal of Light Construction

Publication Date

May, 2008

A builder's guide describing hurricane-resistant reinforcements for gable ends.

Geothermal (Ground-Source) Heat Pumps: Market Status, Barriers to Adoption, and Actions to Overcome Barriers

Author(s)

Hughes

Organization(s)

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Publication Date

December, 2008

Report investigating the status of the geothermal heat pump (GHP) industry and technology in the United States, assembling GHP energy savings potential, identifying key barriers to application of GHPs, and identifying actions that could accelerate adoption of GHPs.

Guidelines on Assessment and Remediation of Fungi in Indoor Environments

Author(s)

New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

Organization(s)

New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

Publication Date

November, 2008

Report about indoor air quality related to indoor mold growth.

Improving Comfort, Saving Energy with Large Circulator Fans

Author(s)

Aynsley Richard

Organization(s)

Big Ass Fans,

HPAC Engineering

Publication Date

December, 2008

Article describing how air speed affects thermal comfort and how fans can provide energy savings.

Improving Drainage and Drying Features in Certain Conditions: Rain Screen Design for Absorptive Cladding

Author(s)

National Association of Home Builders

Organization(s)

NAHB

Publication Date

December, 2008

Guide detailing best practices on how to build wall assemblies with absorptive claddings such as brick, stone that drain and dry well.

Install Latches on Drawers and Cabinet Doors: Protecting Your Property from Earthquakes

Author(s)

toolbase.org

Organization(s)

HUD,

NAHB Research Center

Publication Date

April, 2008

Brochure detailing how to latch and lock cabinets and drawers to prevent injury to residents of the home.

Install Sewer Backflow Valves: Protecting Your Property from Flooding

Author(s)

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Organization(s)

FEMA

Publication Date

April, 2008

Factsheet describing backflow valve benefits and tips.

Installing A Tubular Skylight: Step 2: Proper Flashing Ensures A Long Life For The Skylight And The Roof

Author(s)

Guertin Mike

Organization(s)

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

Publication Date

November, 2008

Article describing the second step of a three-step process for the installation a tubular skylight, using peel-and-stick flashing tape instead of roof cement, and integrating the roof underlayment with the flashing.

Keeping Warm during Winter Power Outages

Author(s)

University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Colleges of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences & Family and Consumer Sciences

Organization(s)

University of Georgia

Publication Date

August, 2008

Webpage describing how to conserve heat or find alternative heat sources during a power outage to keep one room warm.

Moving Ducts Inside: Big Builders, Scientists Find Common Ground

Author(s)

Lubliner,

Kerr,

Gordon,

Murray

Organization(s)

WSU Extension Energy Program

Publication Date

August, 2008

Conference paper making the case that moving ducts to conditioned space saves energy, is practical for production builders (when accompanied by careful pre-planning), and creates significant andmarketable energy savings for homebuyers.

Multi-Year Advanced Residential Building Systems Research - Revisions to Quality Management Products

Author(s)

Home Innovation Research Labs

Organization(s)

HIRL

Publication Date

December, 2008

Report discussing development of scopes of work and quality management for builders in mixed-humid climates.

Openings in Foundation Walls and Walls of Enclosures

Author(s)

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Organization(s)

FEMA

Publication Date

August, 2008

Report providing guidance on protecting foundation walls and enclosures from flood damage.

Raise Electrical System Components - Protecting Your Property from Flooding

Author(s)

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Organization(s)

FEMA

Publication Date

April, 2008

Flyer describing reasons and best practices for raising electrical systems above flood-levels.

Reducing Urban Heat Islands: Compendium of Strategies, Urban Heat Island Basics

Author(s)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Organization(s)

EPA

Publication Date

June, 2008

Guidance document describing urban heat islands, what they are, how they form, why we care, and including some strategies to reduce them.

Rehabbing Flooded Houses, A Guide for Builders and Contractors

Author(s)

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Organization(s)

HUD

Publication Date

August, 2008

Guide providing information for professional builders and contractors rehabbing flooded single-family houses with emphasis on safe practices and the most important activities in the rehab process.

Strengthening Roof-to-Wall Connections: How to make roof connections on older homes tough enough to face the next storm

Author(s)

Reynolds

Organization(s)

The Journal of Light Construction

Publication Date

November, 2008

Article describing three ways to strengthen the roof-to-wall connections in an existing home.

Technical Bulletin 2: Flood Damage-Resistant Materials Requirements for Buildings Located in Special Flood Hazard Areas in accordance with the National Flood Insurance Program

Author(s)

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Organization(s)

FEMA

Publication Date

August, 2008

Technical bulletin describing a set of standards for building materials able to withstand flood waters as needed with wet floodproofing.

Thermal Bypass Checklist Guide

Author(s)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Organization(s)

EPA

Publication Date

January, 2008

Document providing an overview of the Thermal Bypass Checklist for the ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes program.

Water Heaters (How to Secure Them)

Author(s)

Washington State Department of Health

Organization(s)

WSDOH

Publication Date

March, 2008

A preparedness guide guiding homeowners on how to secure an indoor home water heater safely to wall studs.

Watersmart Guide Book: Pools, Spas, and Fountains

Author(s)

East Bay Municipal Utility District

Organization(s)

Alliance for Water Efficiency

Publication Date

January, 2008

Report describing practices and considerationsfor more efficient water use in pools, spas, and fountains.