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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 51 - 100 of 226

Author(s)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Organization(s)
NOAA
Publication Date
Description
Website helping communities address coastal issues with data, tools, and training resources.
Author(s)
Mid-America Regional Council
Organization(s)
MARC
Publication Date
Description
A guide on the use of rain barrels for greater water efficiency and use in gardens and lawns.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Website providing information on U.S. residential and commercial building codes including adoption status.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Homepage for DOE's Zero Energy Ready Homes program.
Author(s)
NC Clean Energy Technology Center
Organization(s)
NC Clean Energy Technology Center,
North Carolina State University,
NC State University
Publication Date
Description
Website for finding policies and incentives by state for renewables and efficiency.
Author(s)
Earthquake Country Alliance,
Southern California Earthquake Center
Organization(s)
ECA,
SCEC
Publication Date
Description
Factsheet describing how to secure refrigerators and other major appliances to wall studs using earthquake appliance straps or angle brackets and bolts.
Author(s)
Earthquake Country Alliance,
Southern California Earthquake Center
Organization(s)
ECA,
SCEC
Publication Date
Description
Factsheet describing how to secure televisions, microwaves, computers, and other electronics to prevent damage during earthquakes.
Author(s)
Earthquake Country Alliance,
Southern California Earthquake Center
Organization(s)
ECA,
SCEC
Publication Date
Description
Factsheet describing how to secure water heaters to resist seismic activity.
Author(s)
City of San Jose,
State of California,
Planning Building and Code Enforcement
Organization(s)
City of San Jose,
State of California,
Planning Building and Code Enforcement
Publication Date
Description
Factsheet describing ways to retrofit a home to make it more earthquake resistant.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Guide provides homeowners ways to prepare for an earthquake and protect a home against earthquake damage.
Author(s)
MBS Engineering
Organization(s)
MBS Engineering
Publication Date
Description
A one-page fact sheet outlining the purpose of an earthquake valve and how the valve can stop gas from flowing into a residence or building.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Organization(s)
DHS
Publication Date
Description
Website describing what to do for safety in an earthquake and other types of disasters.
Author(s)
Ecotope
Organization(s)
Ecotope
Publication Date
Description
Free online tool for sizing central heat pump water heater systems.
Author(s)
Carbon Leadership Forum
Organization(s)
CLF
Publication Date
Description
Webpage describing embodied carbon through definition, significance to climate, and importance to policymaking.
Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Webpage for finding all the information you need to start shopping for ENERGY STAR certified products, including product details, rebates, and retailers near you.
Author(s)
Cort Katherine A,
Hunt Walter E
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Publication Date
Description
DOE-sponsored report describing the experimental setup and results of field studies on using exterior fabric shading attachments to reduce solar heat gain, reduce glare, and improve comfort.
Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA
Publication Date
Description
ENERGY STAR's Expert Home Improvements webpage.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Labor
Organization(s)
DOL,
Occupational Safety and Health Administration,
OSHA
Publication Date
Description
Webpage developed by OSHA to provide workers and employers useful, up-to-date information on fall protection.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
DOE webpage that gives and overview of fans for cooling.
Author(s)
Louisiana State University College of Agriculture
Organization(s)
LSU AgCenter
Publication Date
Description
Webpage from LSU AgCenter answering frequently asked questions after gutting a flooded home, including mitigation strategies for future floods.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Website of the Federal Emergency Management Agency
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Website describing the national flood insurance program and how to purchase flood insurance.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
A address searchable geographic information system for visualizing the flood hazard of an address and its surrounding area.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Activity sheets describing questions and preparedness action items for a variety of disasters including floods, fires, earthquakes, and winter weather.
Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety,
National Fire Protection Association
Organization(s)
IBHS,
NFPA
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet providing a reference for the different types of fire pumps and fire pump drivers.
Author(s)
FIRESafe Marin
Organization(s)
FIRESafe Marin
Publication Date
Description
Webpage from FireSafe Marin explaining the vulnerability of different deck setups and materials.
Author(s)
National Fire Protection Association
Organization(s)
NFPA
Publication Date
Description
A webpage containing information provides links to state- and province- based coalitions dedicated to advocating for home fire sprinklers.
Author(s)
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection,
Lake County Fire Safe Council
Organization(s)
Cal Fire
Publication Date
Description
Article from CAL FIRE on fire-resistant landscaping to mitigate ignition of homes.
Author(s)
Urban Land Institute
Organization(s)
Urban Land Institute
Publication Date
Description
Updated wildfire risk assessment, community impacts, and building science measures following the disastrous 2020 wildfire season in the western U.S.
Author(s)
Federal Alliance For Safe Homes
Organization(s)
FLASH
Publication Date
Description
Website containing resources from the nonprofit FLASH, which "is the country’s leading consumer advocate for strengthening homes and safeguarding families from natural and manmade disasters."
Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
Website describing the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS)'s Fortified Home program which offers home builders standards and guidance for constructing and renovating homes for increased disaster resistance.
Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
Webpage providing access to the training for building professionals to earn certification as FORTIFIED™ Home Evaluators and FORTIFIED-Wise credentials.
Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
Website providing resources for roofers to construct high-wind, hurricane, and hail-resistant roofs from IBHS Fortified program.
Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
Checklist providing information about the specific requirements of FORTIFIED Roof™ design and construction standard for re-roofing specific for high wind and hail resistance.
Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
Checklist highlighting key concepts of wind design uplift pressures and design uplift pressure ratings for proper selection and installation of residential roof covering systems to comply with section R905.1 of the 2015 International Residential Code for a FORTIFIED Roof™–New Roof designation.
Author(s)
Schneider Electric
Organization(s)
Schneider Electric
Publication Date
Description
Article describing methods of smoke control in buildings.
Author(s)
Electrical Safety Foundation International
Organization(s)
ESFI
Publication Date
Description
Webpage describing safe operation of backup electrical generators for use during power outages.