Library

Introductory guide to air sealing the envelope of a home to reduce wasted energy and save on energy costs.

Conference paper presented at the 8th International Conference on Thermal Performance of Exterior Envelopes of Whole Buildings describing moisture from basements and crawlspaces as a source of indoor humidity and providing recommendations for finishing below-grade spaces to limit potential indoor...

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.

A report for homeowners and contractors providing specific recommendations for how to retrofit existing components of a home to withstand wildfire.

Website describing how wildfires spread and how fuels, weather, and topography influence fires.

Webpage that providing designation program enables homeowners to take preventative measures for their home and yard to protect against wildfire.

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.

Article describing the impacts of wildfire smoke on indoor air quality and some ways ASHRAE is responding.

Fact sheet providing recent statistics on wildfires in the U.S.

Article describing ways to design and construct a building to resist wildfires.

A list of exterior building products and materials approved for use in wildland urban interface zoned homes. These products are non-combustible or ignition-resistant.

An example of wildland urban interface construction requirements for new buildings built in very high fire risk zones/areas.

Website summarizing wildland codes and standards, including related NFPA codes and standards.

Article describing the growth of the wildland urban interface in the United States from 1990 to 2010, expanding from 30.8 to 43.4 million homes (a 41% increase), and growing from 581,000 to 770,000 kM2 (33% growth), an increase of 189,000 km2, an area that is larger than Washington State.

Article describing the capabilities of a Tesla Powerwall and its capacity to be used during a power outage.

Paper describing wind influences on air infiltration related energy losses for residential housing and the shielding effects of fences, adjacent structures, and vegetation.

Study showcasing the location of the highest uplift force on the hip, ridge, and perimeter regions of roofs, and thus roofing material needs for the most fasteners and adhesive at these locations.

Study analyzing wind pressures on hip roofs where two hip roofs come together forming an L or T shaped roof or building.

Guide presents mitigation measures in a Mitigation Package which combined set of retrofit measures that must be implemented for a house to provide a defined level of protection; identifies three successive Mitigation Packages: Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced. Implementing the Mitigation Packages...

Report providing guidance on how to improve the wind resistance of existing residential buildings in Mississippi and across the Gulf Coast.

Guide describing "wind safe” room as a reinforced area of a home designed to withstand severe windstorms.

Article discussing structural and nonstructural building components and illustrates a variety of wind-induced damages, including wind-driven rain infiltration.

Fact sheet describing flashing detail concepts for window and door openings that provide adequate resistance to water intrusion in coastal environments, do not depend solely on sealants, are integral with secondary weather barriers (e.g., housewrap), and are adequately attached to the wall...

DOE presentation describing a project to study window attachments.

Fact sheet providing information on window attachments and their potential for improving energy efficiency.

Research study describing an evaluation of selected windows undertaken by IRC researchers at Ottawa’s Laurier House (now being used as a museum) to determine their effectiveness in controlling condensation.

Web article providing information on how to reduce solar gains through windows.

The Window Selection Tool will take you through a series of design conditions pertaining to your design and location.

Webpage documenting a recall of a window shade product.

Fact sheet describing impact-resistant window systems with specifics on Florida’s building codes.

Tax credit for ENERGY STAR certified windows, doors and skylights.

ENERGY STAR website to find the best windows by selecting your state and county (or zip code in California) to find your climate zone and learn more about picking the best product for your area.

Website sharing how to stay safe before, during, and after a winter storm.

Article describing how generators being used for backup power during outages can lead to safety concerns.

Webpage from American Red Cross describing how to stay safe and prepare homes for severe winter weather such as blizzards.

Website providing consumers with general guidance on preparing for and surviving a winter storm.

Webpage describing steps to take to prepare homes for winter weather as well as safety information for after storms have passed.

Website providing information to prepare for winter storms, prevent cold temperature-related health problems, and protect yourself during all stages of a winter storm.

Presentation about the combustion properties of wood.

Catalog detailing the metal connector products manufactured by Simpson Strong-Tie and their applications and strengths.

Fact sheet describing the moisture properties of wood.

Manual providing engineered and prescriptive design requirements for wood frame construction used in one and two-family dwellings.

Manual providing design and construction provisions for connections, wall systems, floor systems, and roof systems; a range of structural elements are covered, including sawn lumber, structural glued laminated timber, wood structural sheathing, I-joists, and trusses.

A hurricane retrofit guide describing techniques for strengthening roof-to-wall connections for family homes.

Report summarizing information on wood as an engineering material, and presents properties of wood and wood-based products of particular concern to the architect and engineer.

Fact sheet describing typical wood-pile-to-beam connections; basic construction guidance for various connection methods, including connections for misaligned piles; and pile bracing connection techniques; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact...

Webpage describing burn bans, which wood burning devices are legal in Washington, why wood smoke is harmful to health, and how to reduce the smoke from your wood burning device.