BPI BSP study plan

Diagram the thermal, pressure, and air boundaries of a typical house and label where each one falls in a wall, ceiling, and floor

Explain with one worked example how changing one part of the house (for example, air sealing an attic) alters pressure, moisture, and combustion air elsewhere in the system

List the three driving forces of air movement (stack effect, wind, mechanical fans) and state the direction and relative strength of flow for each under given conditions

Define in your own words: R-value, U-factor, thermal bridge, dew point, relative humidity, and pressure boundary

Calculate conductive heat loss using U x A x delta-T for five different assemblies (wall, window, ceiling, floor, door)

Convert between R-value and U-factor and compute the whole-assembly R-value of a layered assembly when insulation is added or removed

Trace moisture movement through a described wall assembly and identify the most likely condensing surface for a given indoor and outdoor condition

Differentiate air-transported moisture from vapor diffusion and rank them by typical magnitude of movement

Rank the common air leakage sites in a house (attic floor, rim joist, penetrations, ductwork, doors and windows) by typical impact and justify the ranking

Explain how tightening a house interacts with combustion appliances, ventilation, and pressure imbalances

Match insulation types to appropriate cavity and application and state a typical R-per-inch value for each

Identify thermal bridging and common insulation installation defects from written descriptions and state the performance consequence of each

Describe window performance using U-factor, solar heat gain coefficient, low-E coatings, and orientation implications

Explain the function of each component of a forced-air distribution system from the air handler to the supply and return registers

Compare heating and cooling equipment types using AFUE, HSPF, and SEER and state which metric applies to which equipment

Complete a timed 50-question practice set and log every miss against its domain

Explain sensible versus latent capacity and why oversized equipment causes short cycling and humidity problems

Explain why duct leakage inside the conditioned space matters less than duct leakage to unconditioned space, using pressure and temperature reasoning

Compare exhaust-only, supply-only, balanced, and heat/energy recovery ventilation strategies on cost, control, and pressure impact

Identify combustion appliance types and describe the roles of draft, spillage, and the combustion appliance zone in safe operation

Compare storage tank, tankless, and heat pump water heaters on efficiency, siting constraints, and installation requirements

Explain scald risk, the function of the temperature and pressure relief valve, and safe storage temperature settings

Sequence the conceptual steps of a combustion safety evaluation, including when to stop and call for service

Describe carbon monoxide sources, exposure symptoms, and correct detector placement

Identify moisture problems and conditions that support mold growth and specify the control strategy for each (source control, ventilation, or drying)

List lead, asbestos, and radon concerns and state when work must be referred to a licensed or certified specialist

Explain the causes of backdrafting and relate them to the pressure boundary concepts from Week 1

Describe how source control, ventilation, and filtration rank in improving indoor environmental quality

Re-attack the top three weak areas identified in your error log and rewrite the underlying concept for each

Complete two full-length timed practice exams and review every miss before the next attempt

Recite a five-minute verbal summary of each domain as if teaching it to a homeowner

Compile a single-page reference sheet of formulas, unit conversions, and key terms for final review