Building Science Resource Library

The Building Science Resource Library contains all of FEMA’s hazard-specific guidance that focuses on creating hazard-resistant communities.

You can search for a document by its title, or filter the collection to browse by:

  • Topic: High winds, flood, earthquake, etc.
  • Document Type: Brochure, report, fact sheet, infographic, etc.
  • Audience: Building professionals & engineers, individuals & homeowners, teachers & kids, etc.
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Updates to the Technical Bulletins

The Bulletins are changing to update and streamline their content and presentation. These changes are captured in this fact sheet.

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Technical Bulletin 2, Flood Damage-Resistant Materials Requirements

Provides guidance on the NFIP regulations concerning the required use of flood-damage resistant construction materials for building components located below the Base Flood Elevation in Special Flood Hazard Areas (both A and V zones).

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Flood Hazard Siting and Elevation Criteria for Residential Safe Rooms, Fact Sheet

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Flood Hazard Siting and Floor Elevation Criteria for Community Safe Rooms Fact Sheet

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FEMA P-2196, Building Codes Adoption Playbook for Authorities Having Jurisdiction

The Playbook is intended for officials interested in increasing community resilience and reducing loss from natural hazards by adopting the latest editions of model building codes. The Playbook provides general steps to help navigate the code adoption process and informs about FEMA grants available to support building code adoption and enforcement activities.

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Building Science Training Flyer

Building Science training courses allow participants to gain access to expert insights, cutting-edge research, and practical tools to address complex challenges in building design, construction, and resilience.

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Flood-Resistant Provisions of the 2024 International Codes®

This document contains excerpts of the flood-resistant provisions from the 2024 editions of the International Codes® (I-Codes®) and was prepared by FEMA with permission from the International Code Council (ICC).

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Hurricane Ian NFIP Claims Analysis

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Reducing “Loss of Utility” Impacts to Critical Facilities (Hurricane Ian Recovery Advisory 2)

This Recovery Advisory is intended for owners and operators of critical facilities; architects and engineers who design them; various state, local, tribal, and territorial planners; and emergency managers who deal with critical facilities whether in support of emergency preparedness, planning, response, and disaster recovery efforts or administration of mitigation grants and operations.

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Reducing Water Intrusion Through Windows and Doors (Hurricane Ian Recovery Advisory 3)

This Recovery Advisory provides important recommendations to reduce water intrusion through and around windows and doors due to wind-driven rain during extreme wind events.