Library

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

Article discussing fire safety for high-rise buildings.

Fact sheet describing the special considerations that must be made when installing utility equipment, such as fuel, sewage, and water/sewage lines in a coastal home, and presenting recommendations for utility protection; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction...

Recovery Advisory document provide guidance related to the use and installation of opening protection systems to protect glazed openings (windows) from wind-borne debris during high-wind events.

Technical fact sheet describing the selection and installation of storm shutters and impact-resistant glazing and other types of opening protection in windborne debris regions; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact Sheet Series.”

Report about seven pilot homes and development of guidelines for deep energy retrofits in cold climates.

Webpage describing how to elevate major appliances in case of a flood.

Information sheet about how to reduce thermal bridging in walls.

Report presenting ways public housing authorities (PHAs) can develop packages of energy efficiency retrofit measures the PHAs can cost-effectively implement with their own staff in the normal course of housing operations at the time when units are refurbished between occupancies.

Information sheet including a checklist of steps to follow for pouring concrete.

Report aiming to "de-mystify" technology and economic considerations of residential PV systems.

Table calculating friction losses of PVC pipe fittings.

Table calculating friction losses for PVC pipe by length.

Website estimating energy production and cost of energy of grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) energy systems throughout the world.

Document outlining the approach to quality assurance in the construction process as recommended by Building Science Corporation for new residential construction.

Report designed to help a builder understand quality management and its role in transitioning from conventional to HPH building and remodeling.

Article describing how structural screws can be used to provide resistance to wind uplift in buildings.

Website providing an online calculator for determining energy and cost savings from installing radiant barriers in attics.

Fact sheet describing analysis of potential heating and cooling savings from radiant barriers in attics.

U.S. Department of Energy's website describing radiant barriers in homes.

Website with answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about attic radiant barriers.

Website explaining the risks associated with radon in homes and how to protect homes against radon.

Standard providing information on contractors who offer radon control services to homeowners.

Website with information about radon-resistant construction techniques and other radon resources for builders, contractors and homebuyers.

Worker guidance from EPA, HUD, NIH, and OSHA for radon issues following a natural disaster.

Fact sheet describing design and construction practices to reduce the likelihood of water intrusion in walls and foundations in residential construction.

Document covering basic moisture control principles in the design of above-grade building enclosures; driving rain as a moisture load on walls; a classification system of the various rain control strategies available for walls; and good design practises for walls.

An example of a form a building codes department created to ensure builders are fully aware and have taken steps to provide drainage so that water doesn’t accumulate behind siding. This example is from the city of Newberg, Oregon.

Report covering the performance of residential buildings during three hurricanes impacting Florida in 2004.

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

DOE case study findings on raised ceiling interior duct systems.

Information sheet with the definition and uses for a raised truss.

Article describing rammed earth construction

Illustrations of range tip-over outcomes with and without door locking mechanism.

Report showing how to identify, inventory, and screen buildings that are potentially hazardous because of seismic hazards.

Searchable database of over 3,000 roofing products that have undergone solar reflectance and thermal emittance testing.

Searchable database of wall cladding and coating products that have undergone solar reflectance and thermal emittance testing.

Website providing information about how to keep the properties rat-free and address conditions that can lead to rats.

Technical report describing the Re-Side Right initiative by the New Jersey Institute of Technology's Building America research team that proposes enhancing home efficiency during the re-siding process by incorporating an insulating layer that acts as both an air barrier and water resistive barrier...

Research study about two test homes that are examined with the goal of providing case studies that could be applied to other similar New England homes.

Document with important building science considerations, designed for members of the residential construction and remodeling industries, as well as owners and managers who work in affordable housing.

Report describing steps homeowners can take to improve the indoor air quality in their home, including ventilating, preventing pests, and reducing pollutants in the home.

Information sheet designed for the residential construction and remodeling industries, as well as owners and managers working in affordable housing. This sheet presents building guidance for both new construction and rehabilitation, as well as practices that can be used by property maintenance...

Document reviewing ventilation strategies for different climate zones that also includes schematic drawings and photographs of various ventilation installations.

Report providing strategies to support occupant behavior changes for enhancing resilience, and to reduce a building's vulnerability to extreme weather, climate change, and loss of power.

Website serving as a national public service campaign designed to educate and empower the American people to prepare for, respond to and mitigate emergencies, including natural and man-made disasters.

A fact sheet providing tips on how to assemble a kit of food, water and other disaster supplies in the event of an emergency.

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.

Guide addressing immediate responses for cleaning up after natural disasters, including a list of construction retrofit guidance for natural disasters.

App developed by HUD to assist homeowners with lead paint and other hazards common to older homes.