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.
Sign up for the building science newsletter to stay up to date on new resources, events and more. Don't forget to confirm your subscription in the follow-up email.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This fact sheet summarizes the recommendations from technical reports FEMA prepared after Hurricane Ida. Communities use different mechanisms to put recommendations into practice.
This fact sheet describes how flood warning systems, flood alerts, and flood inundation products convey flood risk information.
This report briefly explains the basics of rainfall runoff, urban flooding, and urban stormwater drainage systems.
This report provides information to help New York City and similar urban areas to prepare better for future urban flooding events.
Developed in response to Hurricane Ida in Louisiana, this guidance compares the two predominant construction foundation systems available in South Louisiana and provides greater detail regarding their costs, impacts, and advantages.