BPI BA-T study plan
BPI BA-T · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Building Science Fundamentals
Define heat, air, and moisture flow fundamentals in your own words and map each mechanism to a building assembly example
Explain the stack effect, wind-driven pressure, and mechanical pressure on a pressure map sketch of a two-story house
Differentiate conduction, convection, and radiation and compute a simple U-value from layer R-values
Identify the four control layers (water, air, thermal, vapor) and state where each belongs in a wall section
Your checkpoint
A one-page annotated wall-section diagram labeling all four control layers with a 300-word explanation of the driving forces acting on it
Building Science Fundamentals & Building Assessment and Data Collection
Explain psychrometrics concepts (dew point, relative humidity, enthalpy) and locate condensation risk on a psychrometric chart
Compare vapor retarder strategies across climate zones and justify one choice per zone
Build a pre-site-visit checklist covering safety, access, and homeowner interview questions
Practice a 20-minute homeowner intake interview and record the questions that produced the most useful answers
Your checkpoint
A completed pre-site-visit checklist plus a written condensation-risk analysis for two assemblies in different climate zones
Building Assessment and Data Collection
Assemble a field kit list for visual assessment, moisture screening, and photo documentation
Describe how to inspect attic, basement, crawlspace, and rim-joist areas for air leakage and moisture pathways
Outline a systematic room-by-room walkthrough sequence that avoids missed zones
Record observations using objective, non-diagnostic language rather than conclusions
Your checkpoint
A reusable room-by-room assessment form with at least 20 observation fields and a sample completed entry
Building Assessment and Data Collection & Diagnostic Testing and Measurement
Explain blower door test setup, depressurization targets, and what CFM50 represents
Interpret a blower door report and convert leakage to a leakage-area or ACH50 estimate
Describe infrared thermography basics: emissivity, Delta-T requirements, and common false readings
Plan a combined blower door plus thermal imaging walkthrough and sequence the steps
Your checkpoint
A written test plan for one house specifying blower door setup, imaging sequence, and the conditions required for valid readings
Diagnostic Testing and Measurement
Demonstrate duct leakage testing concepts and explain the difference between total and outside duct leakage
Explain combustion safety testing: draft measurement, spillage, and CO thresholds for action
Describe moisture measurement methods and where pin versus pinless meters are appropriate
State calibration, baseline, and repeatability practices for each instrument covered
Your checkpoint
A diagnostic protocol sheet covering blower door, duct leakage, combustion safety, and moisture testing with pass/fail criteria for each
Diagnostic Testing and Measurement & Field Documentation and Reporting
Convert raw test readings into a findings summary that separates measurement from interpretation
Draft findings statements that pair each observation with its evidence and its limitation
Structure a report with sections for scope, methods, measurements, findings, and recommended next steps
Write photo captions that state location, condition, and measurement without overstating certainty
Your checkpoint
A complete mock report for one house including at least 8 captioned photos and a findings table linking evidence to recommendation
Field Documentation and Reporting
Review your mock report against a documentation standards checklist and log every gap
Rewrite three findings to remove speculation and add missing evidence references
Explain record retention, chain of custody, and liability considerations for field data
Practice a client debrief that translates technical findings into plain-language priorities
Your checkpoint
A revised final report with a tracked change log showing at least 10 corrections from the standards review
Building Science Fundamentals & Building Assessment and Data Collection & Diagnostic Testing and Measurement & Field Documentation and Reporting
Complete a timed 60-question mixed-domain practice set and score by domain
Re-teach your two weakest domain concepts in a short written summary without notes
Build a one-page formula and reference sheet for diagnostics and unit conversions
Rehearse the full workflow from intake to report delivery end to end
Your checkpoint
A scored practice exam with a per-domain error analysis and a finalized one-page reference sheet
Milestones
Week 2: Can explain all four control layers and condensation risk for two climate zones without notes, scoring at least 80% on a self-made 15-question quiz
Week 4: Can describe blower door setup and interpret a sample report, correctly converting CFM50 to ACH50 in a worked example
Week 6: Mock report includes all required sections, at least 8 captioned photos, and findings that cite specific measurements
Week 8: Practice exam score of 80% or higher overall with no domain below 70%, and error log reviewed