Blower Door Tester Entities: Who’s out there? · test as of July 1, 2017 Identify the test entities named in FL Statute Identify other test entities in the marketplace that Building

© 2017 AZS Consulting Inc.

Blower Door Tester Entities:Who’s out there?

Arlene Z. StewartEnergy Code Circuit Rider

AZS Consulting [email protected]

352-219-7770

Thanks to our webinar sponsor


Post Webinar Information UPDATE Yellow slides in this document were added

after the original webinar was broadcast They provide additional information on

questions asked or which became available after the presentation was aired


Sponsors Energy Code Circuit Rider Provides Resources http://www.successwithenergycode.com/


Objectives

Upon completion of the session, participants will be better able to: Enforce the requirements of the blower door

test as of July 1, 2017 Identify the test entities named in FL Statute Identify other test entities in the marketplace

that Building Officials may choose to approve Craft an approval policy or process for test

entities in their jurisdictions


HB535 - 2016 Building Code Bill for 2016 Large Bill – 66 pages Multiple Energy Changes Air infiltration rate change Mechanical Ventilation Rate Change Tester and Inspection addition Delay mandatory air infiltration test to July 1, 2017http://www.floridabuilding.org/fbc/thecode/2017_Code_Development/Glitch_2016/2016_Supplement_to_the_5th_Edition_2014_FBC.htm


R402.4 Air leakage (Mandatory)

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R101.4.9 Blower door testing. The mandatory blower door testing for residential buildings or dwelling units as contained in section R402.4.1.2 of the Florida Building Code, 5th Edition (2014) Energy Conservation, shall not take effect until July 1, 2017, and shall not apply to construction permitted before July 1, 2017.


Blower Door Tests Definition of Air Changes per Hour

“is a measure of the air volume added to or removed from a space (normally a

room or house) divided by the volume of the

space. If the air in the space is either

uniform or perfectly mixed, air changes

per hour is a measure of how

many times the air within a defined

space is replaced.”

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Post Webinar Information UPDATE Yellow slides in this document were added

after the original webinar was broadcast They provide additional information on

questions asked or which became available after the presentation was aired


RESNET 380

Adopted in version 6 of the Florida Energy Code

More structure than code language

Quoted from www.resnet.us



The building thermal envelope shall be constructed to limit air leakage in accordance with the requirements of Sections R402.4.1.1 through R402.4.1.2 R402.4.1.1 = Table 402.4.1.1 = Form R404-2014

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http://www.successwithenergycode.com/



R402.4.1.2 Testing. The building or dwelling unit shall be tested and verified as having an air leakage rate of not exceeding 5 7 air changes per hour in Climate Zones 1 and 2, and 3 air changes per hour in Climate Zones 3 through 8. Testing shall be conducted with a blower door at a pressure of 0.2 inches w.g. (50 Pascals).


Yes, we know it’s still months away

Builders are seeking to test their homes NOW

Entities who are qualified under statute to tests are seeking additional training

Entities who want to add the service are seeking training

All seek input from Building Departments Please post a policy SOON!


R402.4 Air leakage (Mandatory) - continued

Where required by the code official, Testing shall be conducted by either individuals as defined in Section 553.993(5) or (7), Florida Statutes or individuals licensed as set forth in Section 489.105(3)(f), (g), or (i) or an approved third party.


Let’s break it down

What to put in a policy?Who is listed in statute?Who is the ‘other’?


S. 489.105(3) (f) Class A air-conditioning contractor (g) Class B air-conditioning contractor (i) Mechanical contractor

Licensing exam covers duct testing Whole house testing is based on the same

principles with related equipment Question – what about crews?? Do crews need training? Does it fall under license holder to ensure crew is

adequately executing work?Testing process ≈ Install process


FS 489. 103 exemption on crews 489.103 Exemptions.—This part does not

apply to: (2) Any employee of a certificate holder

or registrant who is acting within the scope of the license held by that certificate holder or registrant and with the knowledge and permission of the license holder. However:


FS 489. 103 However(a) If the employer is not a certificate holder or registrant in that type of contracting, and the employee performs any of the following, the employee is not exempt:

1. Holds himself or herself or his or her employer out to be licensed or qualified by a licensee;2. Leads the consumer to believe that the employee has an ownership or management interest in the company; or3. Performs any of the acts which constitute contracting.


S. 489.105(3) (f) Class A air-conditioning contractor (g) Class B air-conditioning contractor (i) Mechanical contractor

S. 553.993 (5) “Energy auditor” means a trained and certified

professional who conducts energy evaluations of an existing building and uses tools to identify the building’s current energy usage and the condition of the building and equipment.

(7) “Energy rater” means an individual certified by a building energy-efficiency rating system to perform building energy-efficiency ratings for the building type and in the rating class for which the rater is certified.


Building Energy Rating System - 2016

“Building energy-efficiency rating system” means a whole building energy evaluation system that provides a reliable and scientifically based analysis of a building’s energy consumption or energy features and allows a comparison to similar building types in similar climate zones where applicable.


Building Energy Rating System

Specifically, the rating system shall use standard calculations, formulas, and scoring methods; be applicable nationally; compare a building to a clearly defined and researched baseline or benchmark; require qualified professionals to conduct the rating or assessment; and provide a labeling and recognition program with specific criteria or levels.



Residential program benchmarks for new construction must be consistent with national building standards. Residential building program benchmarks for existing construction must be consistent with national home energy rating standards.



The building energy-efficiency rating system shall require at least one level of oversight performed by an organized and balanced group of professionals with subject matter expertise in energy efficiency, energy rating, and evaluation methods.


FS 553.990-999

No named entities currently – just criteria No oversight authority in executive branch Formerly Dept. of Community Affairs Former DPBR

R402.4 Testing shall be conducted by either individuals as defined in Section 553.993(5) or (7), Florida Statutes or individuals licensed as set forth in Section 489.105(3)(f), (g), or (i) or an approved third party.


Legacy – Class 1 raters

Up until 2012, raters were regulated by State of Florida

Divided into three classes Only Class 1 could test Certificates were issued by Department of

Community Affairs Qualified every three years by FSEC as

agents of DCA In late 2000s, Class 1 aligned with RESNET


RESNET Residential Energy Services Network Founded in 1995 Incorporated in 2002 MOU with ICC Developed and maintained ANSI accredited

testing standard


RESNET Also operates a certification program Maintains directory of individual certified

raters www.resnet.us Accredits “providers” Regularly scheduled Oversight

Computer files and calculations In Field inspections


RESNET Designations Raters – qualified to test Residential Field Inspectors – qualified to test Contractor Members Home Energy Survey Professionals Accredited Quality Assurance Providers All raters are attached to providers who provide

oversight Certification is issued every three years Continuing education required


For Florida Raters, start with FSEC Most RESNET Raters in Florida are attached to

FSEC Maintains their own directory at energygauge.com Includes old DCA class 3 and class 2 raters FSEC does not qualify Residential Field Inspectors FSEC also provides air infiltration test training

beyond Raters WAP – Certificate ONLY HVAC – Certificate ONLY

FSEC also provides training on new ERI path that is ICC approved


Other Providers found in Florida Skyetec ▪ RaterUSA Top Build ▪ Southface Energy Vanguard ▪ The BER GWS Home Energy Concepts Corporation Nations Capital Energy Solutions Performance Systems Development Southern Energy Management U.S. Eco Logic, Inc./TexEnergy Solutions


Active Raters in Florida Rater should have current documentation Current Certificate from Provider Listed on Provider Directory Listed on RESNET Directory Verify by phone

Remember DCA no longer exists State of Florida certificate valid?


Who else?

Building Performance Institute


BPI National organization that also credentials

professionals who evaluate home performance

Operating since 1993 ANSI accredited for standards AND

certifications Uses benchmarks for metrics, rather than

baselines Many home energy professionals hold

credentials from both RESNET and BPI


BPI Designation

Both evaluators and installers Infiltration and Duct Leakage Technicians –

Air Infiltration and Duct Test Building Analyst – Inspection and Air infiltration

test Energy Auditor – Inspection and Air infiltration test Heating AC Heat Pump – Duct Leakage only Envelope Professional


Are they Raters? Professional “Name” is clearly different Do certifications meet FS 553.993(7)

definition? A number of raters have informally challenged

the certification BPI filed three informal interpretations in October

Interpretation 7867 recognizes that BPI meets criteria under FS 553.990-999

Other interpretations have been held up due to computer issues


Post Webinar Information UPDATE Two additional Informal Interpretations have

been issued Interpretation 7911 recognizes submitted BPI

certifications to meet qualifications for air infiltration testing to R402http://interpretations.boaf.net/view/7911

Interpretation 7912 recognizes submitted BPI certifications to meet qualifications for duct testing to R403http://interpretations.boaf.net/view/7912


Who else is out there?


From the 6th Edition Mechanical code Chapter 2, Definitions As a potential precedent in the absence of

clear definition for other third-party?


Georgia DETDuct and Envelope Tightness Verifier


GA DET

Precursor to BPI IDL Training developed by Southface Institute for

GA DCA Active since 2011 Served the same need in GA One time-only training To validate training, contact trainer Trainer is supposed to award a certificate And/or identification number


DET Verifier contacts


WAP Auditors Weatherization Assistance Program Federal WAP focuses on low income During ARRA, FSEC trained A LOT of new

WAP auditors RESNET raters, WAP auditors and Blower

Door class attendees all train/test at the same facility


WAP Auditors No independent oversight No triennial approval Plethora of equipment at agencies Current Calibration?

Funds have dropped off Will WAP auditors see opportunity in new

construction? Very fragmented


Post Webinar Information UPDATE Like the GA DET program, The Florida

Weatherization Program maintains a website with the agency contact information statewide

http://flwap.com/ To check credentials, contact the WAP

agency with whom the tester is affiliated.


Post Webinar Information UPDATE


InterNachi Home Inspector Group 45 certifications On-line courses with on-line tests Three courses include blower door and duct test Does not certify for testing Only members are allowed to call for information

All others have to email


ACCA and NATE

Provide training for HVAC contractors Include some training on air infiltration on

ducts Neither organization provides certification


What to do about a policy?

Very restrictive? Open to demonstration?


What’s important?

How much information do you want? Testing industry is transitioning from

voluntary to regulatory Do they need to register like other trades? What kind of insurance do they need to

show? What kind of proof do you want?


Who will you accept?

Very strict DCA legacy only? RESNET? BPI? DBPR Contractors?

Broad Any one who took any kind of blower door training

class? What do you need to know about the class?

Beware of You Tube


Sample PoliciesIn WordAvailable for download and editing

BIG thanks to Wayne Eseltine for sharing City of Sebastian’s Policy


Sample Policy 1 Approved 3rd party Energy Auditor or Energy

Rater RESNET or BPI Class A & B AC

Contractor Mechanical Contractor Proof of:

licensure or certification Workers Comp or

Exemption Business Tax Receipt


Sample Policy 2 Cites code section for

provision Names RESNET and BPI

credential directly Allows for ‘other’ if proof

of qualification is submitted

Includes more detail on test submittal information

Same license/insurance Proof


Sample Policy 3

Includes Energy Auditor or Rater in statute qualified program

Names RESNET and BPI separately

Under licensees, those who received training in testing (to qualify non-licensed employees)


Closing thoughts

With no executive branch named, AHJ is decision maker

Testers may not fully understand that as they are transitioning from voluntary to regulatory They usually see their provider or DCA as their

AHJ Panhandle is likely to see requests for

approval from widest cross section as there are very few legacy raters


Post a policy ASAP

Builders need to get bids and practice HVAC companies need to know if they have

to get additional training for crews Test centers need to know what they should

be offering Qualified entities need to be registered Departments need to review qualifications for

what ‘other’ they choose to allow


Post a policy ASAPWe have a little over three months!

Please Please Please Please PleasePlease Please Please Please PleasePlease Please Please Please PleasePlease Please Please Please Please


Thanks again to our webinar sponsor


Do we have time for Questions?

Arlene Z. StewartEnergy Code Circuit [email protected]


Post Webinar Information UPDATE “Can a builder test his own building?” The supplement language approved by the FBC

appears to have shifted “third-party” to those entities approved by the AHJ.

Third-party is currently undefined in the FBC Energy Code


Post Webinar Information UPDATE “How does the air infiltration test apply to

existing buildings?” On April 4, 2017, the FBC approved a modification

to the 6th edition that provided an exception to existing buildings where new construction was less than 85% of the test enclosure.

ANSI/ICC/RESNET 380 does not provide a was to test single walls for air infiltration, only enclosures.

When the majority of the enclosure is existing, the test cannot isolate only new construction: therefore the test is non-germane, though the air sealing provisions still remain.


Post Webinar Information UPDATE FS 553.998 was also changed in HB 535 to: “The local enforcement agency SHALL accept

duct and air infiltration tested conducted in accordance with the Florida Building Code, 5th Edition (2014) Energy Conservation, by individuals as defined in s 53.993(5) or (7) or individuals licensed as set forth in s.489.105(3)(f), (g), or (i). (emphasis added)

However, this language is in the Building Energy Rating System section of statute, not the building code. As always, interpretation is at the discretion of the AHJ.

Documents

Blower Door Tester Entities: Who’s out there? · test as of July 1, 2017 Identify the test entities named in FL Statute Identify other test entities in the marketplace that Building