© 2017 AZS Consulting Inc. Blower Door Tester Entities: Who’s out there? Arlene Z. Stewart Energy Code Circuit Rider AZS Consulting Inc. [email protected] 352-219-7770 Thanks to our webinar sponsor
© 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
© 2017 AZS Consulting Inc.
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
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Sponsors Energy Code Circuit Rider Provides Resources http://www.successwithenergycode.com/
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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
© 2017 AZS Consulting Inc.
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
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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.
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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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© 2017 AZS Consulting Inc.
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
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RESNET 380
Adopted in version 6 of the Florida Energy Code
More structure than code language
Quoted from www.resnet.us
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R402.4 Air leakage (Mandatory)
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/
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R402.4 Air leakage (Mandatory)
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).
© 2017 AZS Consulting Inc.
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!
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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.
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Let’s break it down
What to put in a policy?Who is listed in statute?Who is the ‘other’?
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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
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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:
© 2017 AZS Consulting Inc.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Building Energy Rating System
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.
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Building Energy Rating System
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.
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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.
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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
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RESNET Residential Energy Services Network Founded in 1995 Incorporated in 2002 MOU with ICC Developed and maintained ANSI accredited
testing standard
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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?
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Who else?
Building Performance Institute
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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
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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
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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
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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
© 2017 AZS Consulting Inc.
Who else is out there?
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From the 6th Edition Mechanical code Chapter 2, Definitions As a potential precedent in the absence of
clear definition for other third-party?
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Georgia DETDuct and Envelope Tightness Verifier
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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
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DET Verifier contacts
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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
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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
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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.
© 2017 AZS Consulting Inc.
Post Webinar Information UPDATE
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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
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ACCA and NATE
Provide training for HVAC contractors Include some training on air infiltration on
ducts Neither organization provides certification
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What to do about a policy?
Very restrictive? Open to demonstration?
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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?
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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
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Sample PoliciesIn WordAvailable for download and editing
BIG thanks to Wayne Eseltine for sharing City of Sebastian’s Policy
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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
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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
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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)
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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
© 2017 AZS Consulting Inc.
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
© 2017 AZS Consulting Inc.
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
© 2017 AZS Consulting Inc.
Thanks again to our webinar sponsor
© 2017 AZS Consulting Inc.
Do we have time for Questions?
Arlene Z. StewartEnergy Code Circuit [email protected]
© 2017 AZS Consulting Inc.
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
© 2017 AZS Consulting Inc.
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.
© 2017 AZS Consulting Inc.
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.