BPI HHP flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Keep it dry

The first healthy housing principle: control bulk water, vapor, and leaks so building materials stay dry, preventing mold, pests, decay, and contaminant release.

Hierarchy of controls

Ranking of hazard interventions from most to least effective: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment last.

Bulk water transport

Liquid water moving under gravity or pressure through roof failures, flashing gaps, and grade problems; the largest moisture source and fixed by drainage, not sealants.

Capillary action

Moisture wicking through porous materials and narrow gaps against gravity, drawing water into framing, masonry, and soil contact points.

Air-transported moisture

Water vapor carried by air leaks through the envelope; it moves far more moisture than diffusion and is controlled by air sealing.

Vapor diffusion

Slow movement of water vapor through materials driven by vapor pressure differences; smallest moisture transport mechanism, managed with vapor retarders.

Bath fan sizing rule

Intermittent bath exhaust is typically sized near 50 cfm or about one cfm per square foot of bathroom floor area, run until humidity drops.

Backdrafting

Reversal of combustion flue flow caused by depressurization, pulling carbon monoxide and flue gases back into the living space instead of outdoors.

Carbon monoxide alarm

Device that sounds when CO reaches dangerous levels; required near sleeping areas because CO is odorless and symptoms resemble flu.

Radon action level

The 4 pCi/L threshold at which mitigation is recommended; radon is a soil gas entering foundations and a leading cause of lung cancer.

MERV rating

Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value describing filter particle capture; MERV 8 or higher captures respirable particles when the filter fits properly.

Integrated pest management

Sequence of identifying the pest, removing food, water, and shelter, excluding entry, then applying least-toxic pesticide only as a last resort.

Lead paint presumption

Homes built before 1978 are presumed to contain lead paint, requiring certified renovators and lead-safe work practices during disturbance.

Lead dust friction surfaces

Windows, doors, and floors where painted surfaces rub and generate lead dust; bare soil near the drip line is also a hazard.

Asbestos suspect materials

Pre-1980 pipe insulation, floor tile, and joint compound are presumed to contain asbestos; sample before any disturbance and use licensed abatement.

Scald prevention temperature

Setting the water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit reduces burn risk at taps while still limiting Legionella growth in the tank.

Smoke alarm placement

Working smoke alarms on each level and near sleeping areas, tested monthly and replaced per manufacturer interval; interconnection improves warning.

Assessment sequence

Standardized walk-through order: exterior, interior room by room, mechanical systems, then resident education, with conditions, locations, and photos documented.

Risk-based prioritization

Ordering repairs by hazard severity: imminent hazards such as no heat or gas leaks first, then contributing conditions, then general improvements.

Deferred maintenance cascade

Small unrepaired defects compound over time; a minor roof leak becomes rot, mold, and pest entry within a season.

Follow-up verification

Re-inspection confirming the repair removed the hazard rather than the symptom, using the same method and instrument as the baseline.

Thermal control

Maintaining safe, stable indoor temperatures; extreme heat or cold is a health hazard affecting older adults and people with chronic illness.

Envelope before equipment

Air sealing and insulating the envelope before resizing HVAC, because reduced load improves comfort and ventilation balance.

Duct leakage risk

Leaky ducts in unconditioned space waste energy and can draw contaminants from attics, crawlspaces, or garages into the supply air.

Blower door test

Pressurization test quantifying envelope tightness, reported as air changes per hour at 50 pascals and revealing hidden leakage paths.

Asthma triggers at home

Mold, dust mites, cockroach and rodent allergen, tobacco smoke, and strong fragrances are common indoor triggers of asthma symptoms.

Dust mite control

Encasing bedding, washing in hot water weekly, keeping indoor humidity below 50 percent, and reducing carpet to limit dust mite allergen.

Secondhand smoke exposure

No safe exposure level exists; smoke-free housing policy, not ventilation or filtration, is the effective control measure.

Resident education outcome

Success measured by observed behavior change such as running bath fans or reporting leaks, not by counting materials distributed.

Informed consent

Resident permission obtained before entry, photography, and sampling; residents may decline and confidentiality of health information applies.

Wood moisture threshold

Meter readings above roughly 16 to 20 percent wood moisture content indicate conditions that support mold growth and require drying.

Mold assessment method

Visual assessment is standard for establishing remediation need; air sampling is not required to determine that mold remediation is necessary.