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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The Hurricane and Flood Mitigation Handbook for Public Facilities presents an introduction and 30 fact sheets that provide technical guidance and recommendations for applying mitigation best practices.
This report presents the findings of a mitigation assessment team (MAT) deployed to Florida in response to Hurricane Michael, which made landfall on October 10, 2018. The report provides observations on building performance during the hurricane, recommendations for improving building resilience, and technical guidance for policymakers and building professionals.
This Recovery Advisory outlines observations from Hurricane Ian in Florida, DR-4673-FL, that provide insights regarding building improvement opportunities. These recommendations are applicable to buildings experiencing similar issues and need not be limited to the state or disaster in which they were observed.
This report presents the findings and recommendations of the Mitigation Assessment Team (MAT) following Hurricane Ian in Florida. The report provides observations on building performance, recommendations for mitigation and resilience, and technical guidance for stakeholders.
This report presents the findings of the Mitigation Assessment Team (MAT) in the U.S. Virgin Islands following Hurricanes Irma and Maria. The team observed significant damage to buildings and infrastructure, highlighting the need for improved building codes and mitigation measures.
The Mitigation Assessment Team Report provides observations on the building performance during Hurricane Harvey in Texas. The report offers recommendations and technical guidance for future disaster mitigation efforts. Hurricane Harvey was a Category 4 hurricane that dropped up to 70 inches of rain, causing significant damage and flooding.
This report provides a summary of the key observations and conclusions from the 2017 Mitigation Assessment Teams (MATs) in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands following Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. The report aims to improve disaster resistance of the built environment by providing design and construction guidance.
This publication provides guidance from the FEMA about the planning, design, construction, and operation of safe rooms. It presents important information about the design and construction of residential and community safe rooms that will protect people during extreme-wind events such as tornadoes and hurricanes. This edition also features updated FEMA Funding Criteria for safe rooms and clarified guidance based on ICC 500-2023, Standard for the Design and Construction of Storm Shelters.
Residential safe rooms are becoming more popular as families seek protection from violent tornadoes. Like any other room, safe rooms must be accessed through an opening or door. Just as the walls and roof of a safe room are designed and built to protect against extreme winds and wind-borne debris, so must the safe room door. When careful selection and installation of the safe room door assembly is overlooked, the safe room door opening can leave occupants at great risk of injury or death during tornadoes. This fact sheet provides graphics and useful information about selecting adequate door assemblies for residential safe rooms.