Corporate Training By Zack Academy - Advanced Weatherization Diagnostics

Why Should You Take This Advanced Weatherization Diagnostics Course?

During this Advanced Weatherization Diagnostics course, students will learn how to use a manometer and other tools to evaluate chimney safety performance and pressure imbalances of forced air systems. Detecting air leakage paths through zonal testing, and duct leakage through pressure pan testing will also be covered. The course will utilize both lecture and hands-on activities.

Prerequisites: Diagnostic Approaches to Weatherization

Course Format:  This is a lecture-lab course in which topics are presented by the instructor utilizing handouts, presentations and hands-on demonstrations. Following instructor lecture and demonstrations, students will be monitored while performing skills and procedures in the shop.

Course Topics:

• Review of Diagnostics
• House as a System
• Chimney Characteristics
• Chimney Safety Diagnostics
• Forced Air Diagnostics
• Zonal Testing
• Pressure Pan Testing
• Gas Cook Stove Testing
• Carbon Monoxide Sources
• ASHRAE Standards

Course Objectives:  Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:

• Identify the pressure boundaries of a building
• Conduct zonal testing using proper tools and equipment
• Analyze duct effectiveness by performing pressure pan testing
• Prioritize air leakage sources based on zonal testing
• Calculate building air flow standards based on ASHRAE 62.2

Evaluation and Grading:  To successfully complete the course and receive certification, the student must complete the written exam with a minimum score of 70% and pass the lab exam.

Classroom Rules of Conduct:

• Safety Glasses must be worn at all times while in the shop area.
• Leather-type work shoe or boot must be worn. NO open-toed shoes or sandals!
• All students are responsible for properly cleaning up their area, properly storing parts, and returning all tools at the end of class.
• No cell phone use during class, cells phones may be checked during breaks only.
• This is a smoke free school zone; smoking is not permitted on school grounds.
• Refer to the enrollment packet for school wide policies.

Syllabus

Syllabus:

• Review of house as a system of building shell and mechanical systems
• Interaction
• Types and purposes of advanced pressure diagnostics
• Pressure diagnostics with mechanical systems operating (chimney, ventilation fans, forced air systems)
• Pressure diagnostics with blower door operating (zonal and pressure pan testing)
• Chimney safety
• Chimney basics
• Physical problems with chimneys
• Chimney competition with exhaust devices
• Diagnosing chimneys
• Identifying physical problems
• Worst case draft testing
• Lab demo on diagnosing chimneys
• Problems with forced air distribution systems (FADS)
• How they are supposed to work
• Effects of out of balance FADS
• Worst case pressure balancing in CAZ
• Blower door test
• ASHRAE Standards
• Measuring other duct induced pressures
• Whole house pressure differences
• Room-to-room pressure differences
• Lab demo on pressure balancing FADS
• Zonal testing using a digital manometer
• Purpose and benefits of zonal testing
• Basic concepts and goals
• Aligning the thermal and pressure envelope
• Testing one zone with reference to another
• Primary zones vs. intermediate zones in a house
• Types and examples of zonal testing
• Finding leakage paths through zonal testing
• Lab demo on zonal testing
• Pressure pan testing
• Purpose and benefits of pressure pan testing
• Equipment
• Basic concepts and goals
• Using the pressure pan to find leakage paths associated with ducts
• Lab demo on pressure pan testing
• Introduction to safety testing on gas cook stoves
• Concepts and lab demo
• Review and Q&A of testing protocols
• Written and lab exam