Library Guides: Building Construction Technology: Finding Websites

Evaulating Websites

The internet contains a lot of great information but not all of it is accurate. Since anyone can publish anything on the web it is sometime difficult to know if a website contains factual information. Print sources, such as books and journals go through a peer review or editing process meaning that the information found using them is often more reliable.

Use our guide as a starting point to help evaluate a website’s credibility.

Building Construction Technology Websites

American Society of Civil Engineers
Through the expertise of its active membership, ASCE is a leading provider of technical and professional conferences and continuing education, the world’s largest publisher of civil engineering content, and an authoritative source for codes and standards that protect the public.
Associated Builders and Contractors
Associated Builders and Contractors is a national construction industry trade association representing more than 21,000 members. Based on the merit shop philosophy we help our members develop people, win work and deliver work safely, ethically and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which they work.
Associated General Contractors of America
The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) is the leading association for the construction industry. AGC represents more than 26,000 firms, including over 6,500 of America’s leading general contractors, and over 9,000 specialty-contracting firms. More than 10,500 service providers and suppliers are also associated with AGC, all through a nationwide network of chapters.
The American Institute of Constructors
The increasing complexity of construction demands people of a professional caliber. The industry needs professionals who can accept the total project responsibility-controlling the quality, cost and time of construction while considering the needs of the larger society. To establish a professional status for constructors, a strong organization, capable of certifying qualified individuals and setting professional standards, was needed. The Institute was created to meet this need.
Mechanical Contractors Association of America
The Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA) serves the unique needs of approximately 2,600 firms involved in heating, air conditioning, refrigeration, plumbing, piping, and mechanical service.
National Institute of Building Sciences
The National Institute of Building Sciences successfully brings together representatives of government, the professions, industry, labor and consumer interests, and regulatory agencies to identify and resolve problems and potential problems that hamper the construction of safe, affordable structures for housing, commerce and industry throughout the United States. Established by the U.S. Congress in 1974, the Institute is a non-profit, non-governmental organization.
National Electrical Contractors Association
NECA is the voice of the $160 billion electrical construction industry that brings power, light, and communication technology to buildings and communities across the U.S.
National Utility Contractors Association
NUCA is the National Utility Contractors Association — the leading trade association working solely for the utility construction and excavation industry in the United States.
U.S. Green Building Council
The U.S. Green Building Council is committed to a sustainable, prosperous future through LEED, the leading program for green buildings and communities worldwide.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration
With the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, Congress created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to assure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance.
OSHA - Construction Industry
Construction is a high hazard industry that comprises a wide range of activities involving construction, alteration, and/or repair. Examples include residential construction, bridge erection, roadway paving, excavations, demolitions, and large scale painting jobs. Construction workers engage in many activities that may expose them to serious hazards, such as falling from rooftops, unguarded machinery, being struck by heavy construction equipment, electrocutions, silica dust, and asbestos. The information, tools, and resources provided in these Construction Industry web pages are designed to assist those in the industry - whether worker or employer - to identify, reduce, and eliminate construction-related hazards.
Staying safe in construction
As work picks up, construction firms must do their part to keep injuries down.
13 PROVEN STEPS TO IMPROVE CONSTRUCTION WORKER SAFETY
13 steps from the Associated General Contractors of America to help with construction safety and worker health.
Construction Safety
Collection of articles on construction safety, including debunking safety myths, weather specific safety tips, and safety statistics.

Construction Industry Digest Booklet
OSHA 2202/68 pgs.
Construction PPE QuickCard™
OSHA 3289
Cranes and Derricks in Construction: Operator Qualification and Certification
Cranes and Derricks in Construction: Qualified Rigger
Cranes and Derricks in Construction: Signal Person Qualification
Downed Electrical Wires Fact Sheet
Excavations Booklet
OSHA 2226/44 pgs.
Fall Protection in Residential Construction Fact Sheet
Hand and Power Tools Booklet
OSHA 3080/32 pgs.
Lead in Construction Booklet
OSHA 3142/36 pgs.
Nail Gun Safety: A Guide for Construction Contractors Booklet
OSHA 3459/12 pgs.
Personal Protective Equipment Booklet
OSHA 3151/48 pgs.
Portable Ladder Safety QuickCard™
OSHA 3246
Protecting Yourself from Noise in Construction Pocket Guide
OSHA 3498/28 pgs.
Reducing Falls During Residential Construction: Installing Roof Trusses Fact Sheet
OSHA FS-3477
Reducing Falls During Residential Construction: Installing Standing Seam Metal Roofs Fact Sheet
OSHA FS-3502
Reducing Falls During Residential Construction: Installing Tile Roofs Fact Sheet
OSHA FS-3478
Reducing Falls During Residential Construction: Re-Roofing Fact Sheet
OSHA FS-3503
Reducing Falls During Residential Construction: Roof Repair Fact Sheet
OSHA FS-3479
Reducing Falls During Residential Construction: Roof Sheathing Fact Sheet
OSHA FS-3501
Scaffolding Booklet
OSHA 3150/72 pgs.
Underground Construction (Tunneling) Booklet
OSHA 3115/32 pgs.
Work Zone Traffic Safety Fact Sheet

Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
The Journal of Construction Engineering and Management publishes quality papers that aim to advance the science of construction engineering, harmonize construction practices with design theories, and further education and research in construction engineering and management. Topics include, but are not limited to, the following: construction material handling, equipment, production planning, specifications, scheduling, estimating, cost control, quality control, labor productivity, inspection, contract administration, construction management, computer applications, and environmental concerns.
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
The Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering covers the development, processing, evaluation, applications, and performance of construction materials in civil engineering.
Journal of Composites for Construction
The Journal of Composites for Construction publishes original research papers, review papers, and case studies dealing with the use of fiber-reinforced composite materials in construction. Of special interest to the Journal are papers that bridge the gap between research in the mechanics and manufacturing science of composite materials and the analysis and design of large civil engineering structural systems and their construction processes.
Journal of Legal Affairs and Dispute Resolution in Engineering and Construction
The mission of the Journal is to serve as the technical reference and resource for construction lawyers engaged in public and private practice, as well as for design engineers, construction engineers, and executives responsible for successful project administration.
Construction Journal
The journal helps help quantity surveyors and project managers with the technical and professional aspects of their day jobs, and keep up to date with developments and practical matters in the profession. It covers topics including contracts, cost management, procurement, construction law and regulations, communication and project management skills.

American National Standards Institute
The Institute oversees the creation, promulgation and use of thousands of norms and guidelines that directly impact businesses in nearly every sector: from acoustical devices to construction equipment, from dairy and livestock production to energy distribution, and many more. ANSI is also actively engaged in accreditation - assessing the competence of organizations determining conformance to standards.
American Society for Testing and Materials
Over 12,000 ASTM standards operate globally. Defined and set by us, they improve the lives of millions every day. Combined with our innovative business services, they enhance performance and help everyone have confidence in the things they buy and use.
IEEE Standards Association
The IEEE-SA is a leading consensus building organization that nurtures, develops and advances global technologies. Our standards drive the functionality, capabilities and interoperability of a wide range of products and services that transform the way people live, work and communicate.
National Fire Protection Association
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is a global nonprofit organization, established in 1896, devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards.
National Institute of Standards and Technology
NIST measurements support the smallest of technologies to the largest and most complex of human-made creations—from nanoscale devices so tiny that tens of thousands can fit on the end of a single human hair up to earthquake-resistant skyscrapers and global communication networks.