HERS Combustion Safety Questions and Answers

Question 1

A HERS Rater is performing a worst-case depressurization test in a home with a natural draft gas furnace and a gas water heater sharing a common masonry chimney. The rater first tests the water heater, which fails the spillage test, continuing to spill for more than 60 seconds. What is the appropriate next step?

Accepted Answer

Stop the worst-case test, return the house to natural conditions, and re-test the water heater for spillage.

Answer

According to RESNET and BPI procedures, if an appliance fails a spillage test under worst-case depressurization, the next step is to test it under natural conditions. This helps determine if the problem is caused by building depressurization or an issue with the appliance/venting system itself. If it passes under natural conditions, the problem is likely related to house depressurization. If it still fails, the appliance/vent system requires service by a qualified technician.

Question 2

During combustion safety testing, a rater's personal CO monitor alarms, indicating an ambient carbon monoxide level of 40 ppm in the Combustion Appliance Zone (CAZ). What is the immediate required action?

Accepted Answer

Stop testing, turn off the combustion appliances, ventilate the area, and evacuate the space.

Answer

Safety protocols from RESNET, BPI, and DOE require that if ambient CO levels in the CAZ exceed 35 ppm, the rater must stop all testing immediately, turn off the appliances, open windows and doors to ventilate the space, and leave the area. This is a critical safety measure to protect both the rater and the occupants from CO poisoning.

Question 3

Which of the following sets of actions is required to establish the 'worst-case' depressurization condition in a Combustion Appliance Zone (CAZ) before testing appliances?

Accepted Answer

Turning on all kitchen and bath exhaust fans, starting the clothes dryer, and closing doors to rooms that make the CAZ pressure more negative.

Answer

Creating the worst-case depressurization scenario involves operating all devices that exhaust air from the building simultaneously. This typically includes kitchen exhaust fans, bathroom fans, and the clothes dryer. Additionally, interior doors are strategically opened or closed to maximize the negative pressure in the CAZ relative to the outdoors; doors to rooms that become pressurized are closed, while doors to rooms that become depressurized are opened.

Question 4

A HERS Rater is inspecting a newly installed high-efficiency condensing furnace that is a direct-vent, sealed-combustion unit. The intake and exhaust pipes are routed directly to the outdoors. Which combustion safety test is NOT required for this type of appliance?

Accepted Answer

A worst-case depressurization and spillage test.

Answer

Direct-vent, sealed-combustion appliances draw all of their combustion air directly from the outdoors and have a sealed exhaust system. Because they do not communicate with the indoor air, they are not susceptible to depressurization-induced backdrafting or spillage. Therefore, a worst-case depressurization test is not applicable to these units. However, CO testing, gas leak checks, and visual inspection of the system are still important safety checks.

Question 5

When performing a draft test on a natural draft furnace, the primary purpose is to verify that:

Accepted Answer

A stable, negative pressure is established to continuously move combustion byproducts up the flue.

Answer

The purpose of a draft test is to confirm that the venting system is creating a sufficient and sustained negative pressure (draft) to pull the flue gases out of the appliance and exhaust them safely to the outdoors. An inadequate or unstable draft can lead to spillage of combustion byproducts into the home. While related to temperature and efficiency, the direct purpose of the draft measurement itself is to verify this negative pressure.

(HERS) Certified Home Energy Rating System Rater Practice Test

(HERS) Certified Home Energy Rating System Rater Practice Test

HERS Combustion Safety Questions and Answers