Building Science Resource Library

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

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

  • Disaster Type: 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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2012 Uniform Codes by IAPMO

This document contains Flood Resistant Provisions of the 2012 editions of codes published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officers (IAPMO): the Uniform Mechanical Code; Uniform Plumbing Code, Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Code; and Uniform Solar Energy Code.

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2015 Uniform Codes by IAPMO

This document contains Flood Resistant Provisions of the 2015 editions of codes published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officers (IAPMO): the Uniform Mechanical Code; Uniform Plumbing Code, Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Code and Uniform Solar Energy Code.

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2016 Fall Flooding in Iowas Recovery Advisories (1-5)

Flooding in Iowa in the fall of 2016 extended beyond mapped Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) and exceeded base flood elevations (BFEs) by several feet in some areas, though the flooding was not as widespread as the Midwest Floods of 2008. Lessons learned from those floods were incorporated into mitigation efforts since that time and successfully guided the repair and reconstruction efforts and design of new buildings to reduce susceptibility to future flood damage.

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Announcing Version 3.0 of the Substantial Damage Estimator (SDE) Tool Flyer

The Substantial Damage Estimator (SDE) Tool was: Developed to assist State and local officials in determining substantial damage in accordance with a local floodplain management ordinance meeting the requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), Can be used to assess flood, wind, wildfire, seismic, and other forms of damage, Helps communities to provide timely substantial damage determinations so that reconstruction can begin following a disaster.

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Best Practices for Incorporating Building Science Guidance into Community Risk MAP Implementation

The Building Science Branch provides communities with guidance on reducing flood risk through publications, education, and tools that can be used with the Risk Mapping, Assessment, and Planning (Risk MAP) program to help communities implement hazard-resistant construction. The purpose of this report is to present the best practices for incorporating Building Science flood mitigation information into the Risk MAP program and strategies for informing interested parties of the Building Science resources.

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