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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Applying for Building Code Administration and Enforcement Reimbursement through FEMA’s Public Assistance Program (DRRA 1206 Flyer)

Flyer outlining eligible building code activities that occur up to 180 days after a major disaster declaration can be reimbursed through Public Assistance.

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FEMA P-2191, A Step Forward. Recommendations for Improving Seismic Code Development, Content, and Education

The purpose of this report is to (1) identify ways to improve U.S. seismic code and standard development for new buildings, (2) identify areas where improved content and ease of use would be beneficial, and (3) identify how to better disseminate seismic code updates and to provide education about the code to practicing engineers and building officials.

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Timeline of FEMA Policies and Regulations Related to Building Codes and Standards

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FEMA P-2192: 2020 NEHRP Recommended Seismic Provisions: Design Examples, Training Materials, and Design Flow Charts Volume 2: Training Materials

FEMA P-2192 is a three-volume series of educational materials for users of the 2020 NEHRP Recommended Provisions and the ASCE/SEI 7-22 standard. Volume 2 provides a collection of training course presentations for the topics of design examples in Volume 1.

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FEMA P-2192: 2020 NEHRP Recommended Seismic Provisions: Design Examples, Training Materials, and Design Flow Charts Volume 3: Design Flow Charts

FEMA P-2192 is a three-volume series of educational materials for users of the 2020 NEHRP Recommended Provisions and the ASCE/SEI 7-22 standard. Volume 3 offers design flow charts for various parts of seismic design for buildings.

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FEMA P-2192: 2020 NEHRP Recommended Seismic Provisions: Design Examples, Training Materials, and Design Flow Charts Volume 1: Design Examples

FEMA P-2192 is a three-volume series of educational materials for users of the 2020 NEHRP Recommended Provisions and the ASCE/SEI 7-22 standard. Volume 1 includes design examples covering the major topics of change in the 2020 NEHRP Recommend Provisions.

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FEMA P-787, Catalog of FEMA Building Science Resources

This catalog includes FEMA’s natural hazard-specific guidance that focuses on creating hazard-resistant communities conveniently in one place. The publications are organized by primary hazard (earthquake, flood, high wind, multi-hazard, and other) and then by stakeholder groups.

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FEMA P-2091, A Practical Guide to Soil-Structure Interaction

The Guide covers Soil-Structure Interaction (SSI) topics in ASCE/SEI 7-16 Section 12.13 and Chapter 19, including base slab averaging, foundation embedment, foundation and soil flexibility, period lengthening, and foundation damping. It also provides advice on modeling of basements and gives easy-to-use rules-of-thumb on when SSI is likely to be of significance. The focus is on techniques that practicing engineers can use. As such, soil flexibility is addressed through the use of springs, rather than by finite element modeling.

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FEMA P-1026 Seismic Design of Rigid Wall-Flexible Diaphragm Buildings

This report presents an alternative design procedure for earthquake resistance of one-story buildings with stiff and strong vertical elements coupled with flexible roof diaphragms. The report focuses on use of this alternative procedure for new buildings, while noting its possible application to the retrofit of existing buildings.