Documentation, Standards, and Safety
What a defensible report contains
Documentation turns a measurement into evidence. A complete record includes the test standard and version referenced, the date and time, weather conditions (especially wind and indoor-outdoor temperature difference), the building preparation state, instrument make, model, and calibration date, the reference pressure used, the raw multi-point data, the fitted curve and derived results, and any corrections applied. Candidates should know that a result without its reference pressure and test conditions is not interpretable, and that calibration records are part of the deliverable, not optional paperwork.
Standards awareness
Be familiar with the purpose of consensus standards for envelope and duct tightness testing and with program-specific thresholds, but do not confuse a voluntary standard with a code requirement. The trap: a question asserting that a particular leakage threshold is universally required when it is program-specific. Report uncertainty honestly rather than presenting an extrapolated value as measured.
Safety
Testing creates pressure differences and can affect combustion appliance venting, so verify appliance operation and install carbon monoxide monitoring where appropriate. Use ladders and roof access safely, keep fan intakes clear of loose material, guard against trip hazards from tubing, and never leave a pressurized building unattended. Electrical and moisture hazards matter when testing wet or humid spaces.
Worked example
A report states "leakage 3,200 CFM" with no reference pressure. The correct response is that the value is uninterpretable; the report must specify CFM at 50 Pa along with the test conditions and calibration record.