BAP Building Envelope & Insulation 3

Question 1

Which diagnostic test is the standard method for measuring the airtightness of a building envelope during a home energy assessment?

Accepted Answer

Blower door test

Answer

Duct blaster test

Answer

Combustion safety test

Answer

Infrared thermography scan

Question 2

What is the neutral pressure plane (NPP) in a building?

Accepted Answer

The elevation where indoor and outdoor air pressures are equal due to the stack effect

Answer

The insulation layer that provides theoretically zero thermal resistance

Answer

The midpoint setpoint between heating and cooling thermostat settings

Answer

The point at which mechanical ventilation exactly cancels the stack effect

Question 3

What is the primary mechanism by which a radiant barrier in an attic reduces cooling loads?

Accepted Answer

It reflects radiant heat emitted by the hot roof deck, reducing heat transfer to attic insulation

Answer

It adds R-value to the attic insulation system, reducing conductive heat gain

Answer

It controls moisture vapor diffusion through the roof assembly

Answer

It creates an airspace that acts as additional thermal resistance

Question 4

For an unvented cathedral ceiling assembly, which insulation strategy is most appropriate to prevent condensation at the roof deck?

Accepted Answer

Air-impermeable insulation (spray foam) applied directly to the underside of the roof deck

Answer

Standard fiberglass batts installed between rafters with an air channel above

Answer

Blown cellulose filling the full rafter bay depth

Answer

Rigid foam installed only on top of the roof deck with no interior insulation

Question 5

What is interstitial condensation in a building assembly?

Accepted Answer

Condensation forming within the layers of a wall, roof, or floor assembly

Answer

Condensation forming on interior window and glass surfaces during cold weather

Answer

Condensation that forms inside HVAC ductwork during cooling operation

Answer

Moisture from wind-driven rain that penetrates behind the exterior cladding

Question 6

A standard housewrap (water-resistive barrier) should have a permeance rating in which range to be considered vapor-permeable?

Accepted Answer

Greater than 5 perms

Answer

Less than 0.1 perms (Class I)

Answer

0.1 to 1.0 perms (Class II)

Answer

Exactly 10 perms

Question 7

When applying the '1/150 ventilation rule' for attic ventilation, the ratio refers to which relationship?

Accepted Answer

One square foot of net free ventilation area per 150 square feet of attic floor area

Answer

150 CFM of exhaust ventilation per one square foot of attic floor area

Answer

One ventilation opening per 150 linear feet of ridge or eave

Answer

A 1:150 ratio of ridge vent area to soffit vent area