BPI Envelope study plan
BPI Envelope · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Building Science Principles
Define the three modes of heat transfer and identify which mode dominates through walls, roofs, and foundations
Explain how R-value, thermal bridging, and framing fraction interact to determine whole-assembly performance
Describe the stack effect, neutral pressure plane, and how temperature and height drive pressure differences
Calculate simple U-factor and area-weighted assembly averages from given component values
Your checkpoint
A one-page annotated diagram of a house showing heat loss paths, pressure zones, and labeled assembly R-values, plus five worked U-factor calculations
Building Science Principles & Air Sealing and Insulation
Apply the air barrier versus thermal barrier distinction to wall, ceiling, and floor details
Sequence air sealing work by priority: attic plane, rim joists, penetrations, then top plates
Select insulation types by application, comparing batt, blown, rigid, and spray foam on R-per-inch and air control
Identify common compression, gap, and misalignment defects that degrade installed R-value
Your checkpoint
A room-by-room air sealing and insulation work order for one real or hypothetical house, listing at least 15 specific locations with material and method
Air Sealing and Insulation & Pressure Diagnostics and Testing
Set up a blower door, establish baseline conditions, and follow the correct test sequence for a whole-house test
Convert between CFM50, ACH50, and ACHnat using the standard formulas
Interpret gauge readings, identify leakage sites with smoke or thermal imaging, and document findings
Connect air sealing measures to measurable changes in leakage rate
Your checkpoint
A completed blower door test worksheet with raw readings, calculated CFM50 and ACH50, a ranked list of at least eight leakage locations, and a predicted post-retrofit leakage target
Moisture Management & Pressure Diagnostics and Testing
Explain vapor drive direction by season and climate and how permeance ratings guide material selection
Diagnose the four classic moisture failure patterns: air-transported, diffusion, bulk, and capillary
Use pressure diagnostics including zone pressure mapping and pressure pan readings to locate hidden air pathways
Distinguish air leakage from vapor diffusion as moisture transport mechanisms by magnitude
Your checkpoint
A moisture and pressure diagnostic report on one house section covering at least three failure scenarios, each with pressure readings, mechanism, and corrective action
Moisture Management & Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality
Specify flashing, drainage plane, and capillary break details for roof-wall and wall-foundation transitions
Size and locate exhaust ventilation for kitchens, baths, and dryers while avoiding backdrafting of combustion appliances
Compare exhaust-only, supply-only, and balanced ventilation strategies on pressure effects and pollutant control
Identify the major indoor pollutant sources and the control strategy appropriate to each
Your checkpoint
A ventilation and moisture control plan for a single dwelling specifying fan sizing in CFM, control method, makeup air approach, and flashing details at three critical transitions
Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality & Windows and Doors
Explain window performance metrics including U-factor, SHGC, visible transmittance, and air leakage rating
Select glazing and frame types by orientation and climate to balance heating, cooling, and daylight needs
Detail correct installation of windows and doors for air and water control, including pan flashing and back dams
Diagnose common door and window failure points such as threshold leakage, failed seals, and thermal bridging at frames
Your checkpoint
A window and door schedule for one dwelling with performance specifications per orientation and a written installation sequence for water and air control at each opening
Pressure Diagnostics and Testing & Windows and Doors
Run a zonal pressure test and a duct leakage test and interpret results against common program thresholds
Calculate effective leakage area and explain how it relates to measured CFM50
Explain how window and door air leakage affects whole-house test results and how to isolate it
Produce a written test report with conditions, methods, readings, and pass-fail conclusions
Your checkpoint
Two complete test reports, one whole-house and one duct or zonal test, each with raw data, calculations, threshold comparison, and a corrective recommendation
Building Science Principles & Air Sealing and Insulation & Moisture Management & Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality & Windows and Doors & Pressure Diagnostics and Testing
Integrate building science, envelope, moisture, ventilation, fenestration, and diagnostics into whole-house case analyses
Solve timed mixed-domain problems covering calculations and diagnostic interpretation
Review and correct every missed item from prior weeks, restating the underlying principle
Rehearse explaining recommendations to a homeowner in plain language
Your checkpoint
A full-length timed practice exam scored by domain, plus a corrected error log with a one-sentence principle restatement for each missed item
Milestones
Week 2: Score at least 80 percent on a self-made 20-question quiz covering heat transfer, pressure drivers, and insulation selection, and confirm the work order names a material and method for every listed location
Week 4: Correctly calculate CFM50, ACH50, and ACHnat from raw readings without notes, and correctly identify the moisture mechanism in at least four of five given scenarios
Week 6: Produce a ventilation plan with fan sizing that matches calculated required CFM within 10 percent, and a window schedule whose U-factor and SHGC choices are justified per orientation
Week 7: Complete both test reports with all calculations shown and reach correct pass-fail conclusions on at least 85 percent of threshold comparisons
Week 8: Score at least 85 percent overall on the timed practice exam with no domain below 75 percent, and show a closed error log