BPI Health and Safety 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the BPI-established threshold for CAZ depressurization that requires corrective action before air-sealing or exhaust work proceeds?
- -2 Pa
- -5 Pa (Correct answer)
- -50 Pa
- -25 Pa
Correct answer: -5 Pa
BPI standards flag CAZ depressurization at or beyond -5 Pa relative to outside as requiring corrective action to prevent combustion spillage.
Question 2: Which federal law requires disclosure of known lead-based paint hazards to buyers and renters of pre-1978 homes?
- Clean Air Act
- Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
- Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act (Title X) (Correct answer)
- National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
Correct answer: Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act (Title X)
Title X of the Housing and Community Development Act requires sellers and landlords to disclose known lead paint hazards in pre-1978 housing.
Question 3: When measuring steady-state combustion efficiency, a flue gas analyzer measures CO in the flue at 200 ppm air-free. Per BPI standards, what does this indicate?
- The appliance is operating safely and no action is needed
- The appliance is approaching the 400 ppm red-tag limit; flag for service (Correct answer)
- The appliance must be immediately shut down
- The reading is within the normal range for older equipment
Correct answer: The appliance is approaching the 400 ppm red-tag limit; flag for service
200 ppm air-free is below the 400 ppm BPI red-tag threshold but indicates imperfect combustion; the appliance should be flagged for service.
Question 4: Which insulation material, commonly used in older attics, is a known health hazard that requires special handling and EPA regulations?
- Loose-fill fiberglass
- Spray polyurethane foam (SPF)
- Urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI) (Correct answer)
- Mineral wool batts
Correct answer: Urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI)
Urea-formaldehyde foam insulation was banned for residential use in 1982 by the CPSC due to formaldehyde off-gassing health concerns.
Question 5: What is the purpose of a 'draft test' performed using a smoke pencil at a draft hood?
- To measure the carbon dioxide content in flue gases
- To verify the direction of air movement — into or out of the draft hood opening (Correct answer)
- To quantify the combustion air requirements of the appliance
- To detect natural gas leaks at the appliance connections
Correct answer: To verify the direction of air movement — into or out of the draft hood opening
A smoke pencil at the draft hood visually confirms whether flue gases are being drawn upward into the vent or spilling out into the room.
Question 6: What percentage of lung cancer deaths in non-smokers is attributed to radon exposure, according to the EPA?
- 1–2%
- 5–10%
- 21% (Correct answer)
- 35%
Correct answer: 21%
The EPA estimates radon is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths annually in the US, making it the second leading cause after smoking.
Question 7: During blower door testing, a BPI analyst should shut down which type of appliances to prevent hazardous conditions?
- Heat pump systems only
- All appliances regardless of type
- Naturally drafted combustion appliances that could backdraft (Correct answer)
- Only appliances more than 10 years old
Correct answer: Naturally drafted combustion appliances that could backdraft
Naturally drafted combustion appliances must be shut down before blower door testing to eliminate the risk of backdrafting combustion gases into the home.
BPI Health and Safety 5
What is the BPI-established threshold for CAZ depressurization that requires corrective action before air-sealing or exhaust work proceeds?