Library

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...

Article describing the impact of increasingly stringent ventilation standards on multifamily buildings, highlighting the inefficiencies and challenges of exhaust-only ventilation in tightly sealed enclosures, the complications of achieving balanced ventilation, and the unintended consequences of...

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.

Report addressing the ever increasing percentage of whole house energy use that is attributable to miscellaneous electricity loads (MELs) and major appliances.

EPA WaterSense guidance on urinals.

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

Research study comparing TRNSYS Type 604 pipe model against laboratory pipe heat loss test data and detailed field monitoring data.

Report discussing the measured variability in indoor space temperatures in a set of 60 homes located in Florida, New York, Oregon, and Washington.

Standard that defines the roles of and minimum requirements for mechanical and natural ventilation systems and the building envelope intended to provide acceptable indoor air quality in low-rise residential buildings. This version of the standard was published in the year 2013, and is available for...

Document outlining important safety considerations of ventless fireplaces.

Research study developed and verified a fuel oil flow field measurement protocol that is cost effective and can be performed with little training for use by the BB program as well as other weatherization programs and building science researchers.

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

Report describing filtration, distillation, and disinfection methods of water treatment.

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.

A heat map showing the average number of tornadoes per year across the United States

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.

Report detailing retrofit of two existing houses in the Wyandotte Neighborhood program.