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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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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FEMA P-2345: FEMA Building Designer’s Guide to Calculating Flood Loads Using ASCE 7-22 Supplement 2

This instructional guidance is for design professionals for designing buildings or other structures for flood loads in accordance with the requirements of American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) / Structural Engineering Institute (SEI) standard ASCE 7-22, Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures, Supplement 2 (ASCE 7-22-S2). In addition to the detailed guidance provided on ASCE 7-22-S2, the guide contains worked examples, extended guidance on topics such as coastal erosion, and an overview of floodplain management requirements. This guide may also be used by building officials and floodplain managers to assist in regulating to the requirements in ASCE 7-22-S2.

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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.

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Designing for Flood Levels Above the Minimum Required Elevation After Hurricane Ian (Hurricane Ian Recovery Advisory 1)

This Recovery Advisory addresses building damage when flood levels exceed the lowest floor, required design considerations, how high above the minimum required elevation a building should be elevated, and additional design considerations for mitigating flood damage.

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Flood Warning and Inundation Mapping (Hurricane Ida in New York Fact Sheet 2)

This fact sheet describes how flood warning systems, flood alerts, and flood inundation products convey flood risk information.

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Building Performance: Egress from Floodprone Basements (Hurricane Ida in New York Technical Report 2)

This report describes the MAT’s observations related to the egress of occupants from basements flooded when the capacity of stormwater drainage systems is exceeded.