CMI HVAC Systems & Ventilation Inspection Flashcards
6 cards from real CMI practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 CMI HVAC Systems & Ventilation Inspection flashcards as text
Which method is used by mold inspectors to evaluate HVAC duct contamination without full duct disassembly?
Answer: Swab or bulk sampling from accessible duct openings and visual inspection with a borescope camera
Combination of swab or bulk sampling at accessible points and borescope camera inspection allows the inspector to assess interior duct contamination without destructive disassembly.
A mold inspector finds mold growth on the interior insulation of a return air plenum. What remediation approach is typically required?
Answer: Remove and replace the contaminated insulation, as fibrous materials cannot be adequately cleaned
Porous fibrous insulation cannot be adequately decontaminated once colonized by mold; removal and replacement is the industry-standard approach per IICRC S520.
What does a high duct leakage rate indicate about building mold risk from an HVAC perspective?
Answer: Leaky ducts can draw in humid unconditioned air and deposit it throughout the system, increasing moisture and mold risk
Leaky return ducts especially can pull in warm moist air from unconditioned spaces like crawl spaces or attics, distributing moisture throughout the HVAC system and into conditioned spaces.
According to NADCA standards, what is the primary trigger for recommending HVAC duct cleaning related to mold?
Answer: Confirmed microbial growth (mold or bacteria) inside the duct system or on HVAC components
NADCA standards identify confirmed microbial contamination inside the HVAC system as the primary condition-based trigger for recommending duct cleaning.
A mold inspector uses a psychrometric chart during an HVAC system evaluation. What primary calculation does this tool support?
Answer: Determining dew point temperature to predict where condensation and mold growth may occur on surfaces
A psychrometric chart allows the inspector to calculate dew point temperature from dry-bulb temperature and relative humidity, identifying surfaces at risk of condensation and subsequent mold growth.
What role does building pressurization testing play in a comprehensive mold inspection?
Answer: It identifies air infiltration pathways that could bring humid outdoor air into the building envelope
Blower door and pressurization tests identify leakage points in the building envelope through which humid outdoor air can infiltrate, helping pinpoint moisture entry pathways that promote mold growth.