BPI Indoor Air Quality 3

Question 1

Which active radon mitigation system is most commonly installed in homes with basements or slabs-on-grade to reduce indoor radon levels?

Accepted Answer

Sub-slab depressurization (SSD) system

Answer

Sub-slab depressurization draws radon from below the foundation slab and exhausts it outdoors before it can enter the living space, and is the most effective active mitigation method.

Question 2

What is the recommended primary strategy for reducing VOC concentrations in a newly constructed or recently renovated home?

Accepted Answer

Aggressive ventilation with outdoor air to flush out off-gassed chemicals

Answer

Source ventilation (sometimes called a 'bake-out') involves opening windows and running ventilation at maximum capacity to rapidly dilute and expel VOCs released by new materials.

Question 3

Lead-based paint in older homes poses the greatest health hazard when it is in which condition?

Accepted Answer

Deteriorating, peeling, chipping, or disturbed during renovation

Answer

Lead paint becomes hazardous when it deteriorates or is disturbed through sanding, scraping, or demolition, generating lead dust and paint chips that can be ingested or inhaled.

Question 4

Asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in older homes present the greatest health risk when they are in what state?

Accepted Answer

Friable, crumbling, or mechanically disturbed, releasing fibers into the air

Answer

Asbestos fibers become airborne and inhalable when ACMs are friable (easily crumbled) or disturbed by cutting, drilling, or demolition, dramatically increasing health risks.

Question 5

What is the primary purpose of the combustion safety test sequence performed during a BPI whole-house assessment?

Accepted Answer

To identify conditions that could cause backdrafting or spillage of combustion gases into the living space

Answer

The combustion safety test sequence evaluates draft, spillage, and CO levels under worst-case depressurization to ensure appliances vent properly and do not endanger occupants.

(BPI) Building Performance Institute Certified Practice Test

(BPI) Building Performance Institute Certified Practice Test

BPI Indoor Air Quality 3