BPI Air Sealing 3

Question 1

Which air sealing strategy is most effective for a kneewalled attic in a Cape Cod-style house?

Accepted Answer

Air sealing and insulating the kneewalls, floor behind kneewalls, and attic floor between kneewall and living space

Answer

In kneewalled attics, all three planes — kneewalls, floor behind them, and the horizontal attic floor — must be addressed to establish a continuous thermal and air boundary.

Question 2

What is 'stack effect' and why is it important for air sealing?

Accepted Answer

Buoyancy-driven air movement where warm air rises and escapes at the top while cold air enters at the bottom

Answer

Stack effect drives air infiltration and exfiltration due to temperature-induced pressure differences, making top and bottom air sealing critical.

Question 3

What is the recommended minimum CFM50 reduction goal per BPI standards when performing air sealing work?

Accepted Answer

10%

Answer

BPI guidelines generally target at least a 10% reduction in CFM50 as a meaningful improvement from air sealing retrofit work.

Question 4

When using a smoke pencil during a blower door test, what does the movement of smoke toward a surface indicate?

Accepted Answer

An air leak drawing air inward through the building envelope

Answer

During depressurization testing, smoke moving toward a surface indicates an air leak where outdoor air is infiltrating.

Question 5

What is 'duct blaster' testing used to evaluate in the context of building performance?

Accepted Answer

Air leakage from the duct distribution system

Answer

A duct blaster pressurizes the duct system to measure leakage, which can account for 20-40% of HVAC energy losses in typical homes.

(BPI) Building Performance Institute Certified Practice Test

(BPI) Building Performance Institute Certified Practice Test

BPI Air Sealing 3