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Library

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 - 50 of 75

Author(s)
American Society of Civil Engineers
Organization(s)
ASCE
Publication Date
Description
Standard providing minimum functionality requirements for earthquake-actuated automatic gas shutoff devices; applicable to systems carrying natural gas and propane, the devices are used in piping, equipment, and appliances typically found in structures of three stories or less.
Author(s)
Mohalley Christopher
Organization(s)
Air Conditioning Heating and Refrigeration News,
ACHR News
Publication Date
Description
Article describing benefits of ECM motors and how they can be installed as retrofit motors in HVAC equipment.
Author(s)
Arnold Chris
Organization(s)
Whole Building Design Guide,
WBDG,
National Institute of Building Sciences,
NIBS
Publication Date
Description
Article outlining the key issues related to the protection of the building envelope against seismic forces.
Author(s)
Office of Research Facilities
Organization(s)
ORF
Publication Date
Description
Bulletin describing the components of ECM motors and comparing their efficiency with PSC motors.
Author(s)
Smith Joseph L,
Renfroe Nancy A
Organization(s)
Whole Building Design Guide,
WBDG,
Applied Research Associates Inc.,
National Institute of Building Sciences,
NIBS
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the fundamentals and basics of glazing hazard mitigation practices for both new and existing buildings.
Author(s)
Sullivan Greg P,
Cort Katherine A,
Merzouk Massine B,
Metzger Cheryn E,
Petersen Joseph M
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Publication Date
Description
DOE-sponsored report describing the experimental setup and results of field studies on using interior cellular shading attachments to reduce solar heat gain in summer and reduce heat loss in winter.
Author(s)
Simpson Strong Tie
Organization(s)
Simpson Strong Tie Structural Engineering Blog
Publication Date
Description
Article describing a steel connector product for jack rafter connections.
Author(s)
Lorant Gabor
Organization(s)
Whole Building Design Guide,
WBDG,
Gabor Lorant Architects,
Inc.,
Lorant Group
Publication Date
Description
Website providing an introduction to the concepts and principles of seismic design.
Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
Acceptance criteria providing guidelines for demonstrating compliance with codes referenced in the criteria related to barriers to water migration in thin-set installations of ceramic tile and stone flooring and shower sub-pan linings.
Author(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
Description
Standard providing a universally accepted definition for quality installation for residential and commercial heating, ventilating, and air conditioning applications.
Author(s)
Minnesota Department of Public Safety
Organization(s)
MNDPS,
State Fire Marshal Division,
SFM
Publication Date
Description
Factsheet describing fire related terms such as noncombustible, fire resistant, fire retardant, flame spread, how they are applied, and related testing standards.
Author(s)
Prowler Don,
Bourg Joseph
Organization(s)
Whole Building Design Guide
Publication Date
Description
Article providing fundamental information and recommendations for shading windows for energy savings.
Author(s)
Martin Eric,
Sutherland Karen,
Parker Danny S
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
Repor ourlining testing results from a 53 home monitored sample, long-term energy use of electric resistance clothes dryers.
Author(s)
Weatherization Assistance Program
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Powerpoint on attic ventilation developed as training material for the Weatherization Assistance Program.
Author(s)
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Organization(s)
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Publication Date
Description
Webpage for home owners describing ways to prepare indoor and outdoor fuel tanks to avoid displacement during floods.
Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA,
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
Description
Guide for homeowners describing how to find and seal basement and attic air leaks, determine if attic insulation is adequate, make improvements safely, and reduce energy bills.
Author(s)
Wirecutter Staff
Organization(s)
New York Times
Publication Date
Description
Installation tips and product suggestions for mounting hardware.
Author(s)
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Description
Practice providing a guide or standard to undertake seismic risk assessment of properties. The current version of the standard was published in the year 2016 and is available for preview and purchase at the link. Previous versions of the standard were published in the years 2016 and 2007, and are...
Author(s)
Fenestration Manufacturers Association,
American Architectural Manufacturers Association,
Window & Door Manufacturers Association
Organization(s)
FMA,
AAMA,
WDMA
Publication Date
Description
Guide describing the installation of windows in walls that have foam plastic insulating; guide provides several methods for attaching, supporting, and flashing windows in walls with rigid foam sheathing. (Note: The link only goes to the table of contents for the guide, the full guide can be...
Author(s)
ABTCO Vinyl Siding
Organization(s)
ABTCO Vinyl Siding
Publication Date
Description
Vinyl siding estimating and installation guide for vinyl siding products.
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Guide providing information on controlling attic ductwork sweating.
Author(s)
Tobias Leanne,
Blais Neil,
Schneider Philip J
Organization(s)
National Institute of Building Sciences,
NIBS
Publication Date
Description
Article describing key takeaways from two symposia held during Building Innovation 2016: The National Institute of Building Sciences Fourth Annual Conference and Expo, including that resilience can be affordable and cost-effective.
Author(s)
San Diego County Fire Authority
Organization(s)
San Diego County,
Country Fire Authority,
CFA
Publication Date
Description
A San Diego County standard highlighting the requirements for residential emergency vehicle turnarounds.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet with the Waste Reduction Model (WARM), designed to help solid waste planners and organizations track and voluntarily report greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions from several different waste management practices.
Author(s)
North America Insulation Manufacturers Association,
Insulation Institute
Organization(s)
NAIMA
Publication Date
Description
Website providing builders with information about meeting RESNET Grade 1 criteria when installing insulation.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
A map describing the average temperature of shallow groundwater in Fahrenheit across the continental United States.
Author(s)
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Organization(s)
USCPSC
Publication Date
Description
Updated detailed information about Formaldehyde.
Author(s)
Sutherland Karen,
Martin Eric,
Chasar Dave,
Amos Bryan,
Parker Danny S
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC,
Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,
BA-PIRC
Publication Date
Description
Report describing single retrofit measures applied to shallow retrofitted homes that could be used to refine the deep retrofit package.
Author(s)
Sutherland Karen,
Chasar Dave,
Montemumo Joseph,
Amos Bryan,
Kono Jamie E,
Parker Danny S
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
Report describing research on how to reduce energy used by residential homes by applying shallow and deep retrofits to an existing home.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Website providing links to scalable guidance and tools about the importance of earthquake mitiation to the private sector, its owners, managers, and employees.
Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing guidance for choosing appropriate materials and using proper construction practices when rebuilding, repairing, or renovating a home to increase its resistance to fires.
Author(s)
International Code Council,
Residential Energy Services Network,
American National Standards Institute
Organization(s)
ICC,
RESNET,
ANSI
Publication Date
Description
This Standard provides a consistent, uniform methodology for evaluating the airtightness of building envelopes and heating and cooling air ducts and the air flows of mechanical ventilation systems.
Author(s)
Fischel Ben,
Steffensen Sean
Organization(s)
California Energy Commission,
CEC
Publication Date
Description
This report discusses proposed updates to the pool pumps and motors, and portable electric spas standards in the Appliance Efficiency Regulations (California Code of Regulations, Title 20, Sections 1601 to 1609). These proposed updates are part of the 2012 Appliance Efficiency Rulemaking, Phase I...
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article discussing flow-through assemblies of walls.