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BPI STUDY GUIDES

Passing the BPI Exam With Energy Auditor Training

BPI Written Exam - Section 5 Analyzing Buildings' Systems

5. Using combustion analysis and safety testing results to develop appropriate recommendations

Energy auditors will measure the room size for combustion equipment, venting, test gas leaks, draft, spillage and undiluted CO for combustion safety tests.  All these tests have standards and thresholds that need to be met to meet safety requirements.  Here's what to recommend if any of the combustion tests fail.

​A preliminary and post-installation safety inspection of all combustion appliances must
be completed whenever changes to the building envelope and/or heating system are part
of the work scope. This inspection includes all of the following tests: carbon monoxide
(CO) measurement at each appliance, draft measurement and spillage evaluation for
atmospherically vented appliances, and worst-case negative pressure measurement for
each combustion appliance zone (CAZ). Combustion safety test results must be acted
upon according to the Combustion Safety Action Level table.

Minimum room size for combustion equipment

See Failed CAZ below.

Gas leaks

The entire gas/propane line must be examined and all leaks repaired. Particular care
should be made in the immediate vicinity of the appliances and at the joints, shutoff
valves, and pilot lines. Identify leaks using a gas leak detector and accurately locate the
source of the leak using a soap bubble solution.
​
Flexible gas lines must be replaced if they are: kinked, corroded or show signs of visible
wear, the line was manufactured before 1973 (date is stamped on the date ring attached to
the line), or the line has any soldered connections.

The BPI Standards above say that all gas leaks should be repaired if a leak is found.  As energy auditors if you are not qualified to do this, you need to inform the homeowner and strongly encourage them to call a plumber, HVAC contractor or handyman to repair the leak rather than yourself.  You could also encourage the homeowner to stop using the appliance or shut the gas valve off upstream of the leak.  Also make sure CO detectors are installed and working.

Failed CAZ

Failed CAZ could be the result of not enough room venting.  A room size calculation should be done to determine if the existing vents are large enough for the combustion appliances in the room.  Sometimes replacing the furnace or water heater closet door with a slotted door will fix a failed CAZ.  Sometimes you will need to recommend cutting a new vent in the wall to the outside.  Sometimes you will need to recommend relocating the dryer if that's what is causing the strong pull of combustion gases back into the home.

Ambient CO

Ambient CO. Monitor the ambient CO in the breathing zone during the test procedure and abort the
test if ambient CO goes over 35 ppm. Turn off the appliance, ventilate the space, and evacuate the
building. The building may be reentered once ambient CO levels have gone below 35 ppm. The
appliance must be repaired and the problem corrected prior to completing the combustion safety
diagnostics. If the ambient levels exceed 35 ppm during testing under natural conditions, disable the
appliance and instruct the homeowner to have the appliance repaired prior to operating it again.

Sometimes a handyman is the best contractor to call, sometimes it's a HVAC contractor or plumber, but as energy auditors we need to recommend the appropriate trade get called to fix the problem and strongly encourage the homeowner to ventilate the space with open windows and check that CO detectors are installed and working before you leave the house.

High undiluted CO

At least one CO detector meeting UL-2034 requirements shall be installed according to
manufacturer's instructions in every home with an attached garage and/or combustion
appliances. It is recommended that additional CO detectors are installed, as needed, to
provide a separate detector for each floor of the building.

​If the CO in any appliance is measured greater than 100 ppm during diagnostic testing, or
the ambient CO in the home exceeds 35 ppm during appliance operation, an appliance
clean and tune must be completed as part of the work scope.
The homeowner shall be notified of the results of all combustion safety tests.

Level I Action - 100 ppm to 300 ppm as measured you must install a carbon
monoxide detector and recommendation for service must be made to the consumer.
​
Level II Action - Greater than 300 ppm as measured - the unit must be serviced
prior to work. If greater than 300 ppm after servicing, exhaust ventilation must be
provided with a capacity of 25 CFM continuous or 100 CFM intermittent.
*Continually monitor ambient CO levels during test.

Failed draft test

Measure Worst Case Spillage, Draft, CO. Fire the appliance with the smallest Btu capacity first,
test for spillage at the draft diverter with a mirror or smoke test, and test for CO at the flue at steadystate
(if steady-state is not achieved within 10 minutes, take CO readings at the 10 minute mark). If
the spillage test fails under worst-case go to step 4. If spillage ends within 1 minute, test the draft in
the connector 1-2’ after the diverter or first elbow. Fire all other connected appliances simultaneously
and test the draft diverter of each appliance for spillage. Test for CO in all appliances in the flue,
before the draft diverter.

Measure Spillage, Draft, CO under Natural Conditions. If spillage fails under worst case, turn off
the appliance, the exhaust fans, open the interior doors, and allow the vent to cool before re-testing.
Test for CO, spillage, and draft under “natural conditions”. Measure the net change in pressure from
worst case to natural in the CAZ to confirm the “worst case depressurization” taken in step 2. Repeat
for each appliance, allowing the vent to cool between tests.

5a. Comprehensive building assessment

1. Recognize need for air sealing measures and their impact on other building systems
2. Recognize need for mechanical equipment improvements
3. Understand blower door use for identifying critical air sealing areas
4. Apply blower door test results and Building Tightness Limit (minimum ventilation requirements) in development of improvement strategies
5. Using combustion analysis and safety testing results to develop appropriate recommendations
6. Determine appropriate method for assessing wall insulation levels
7. Equipment control strategies for maximizing occupant comfort and minimizing energy consumption

5b. Appliances and lighting
​

1. Understand benefit for ENERGY STAR labeled lights and appliances – Appliances are labeled with the operating costs and are 10-50% more energy efficient than standard appliances.  Energy Star appliances use less energy and improve quality and life.  Energy Star lights are safer because they are cooler to touch, more efficient, and create better comfort not giving off as much heat as a standard bulb.
2. Understand impact on load associated with lighting and appliance retrofits