BPI IDL study plan

Define pressure, airflow, and leakage in your own words and write a one-page glossary of at least 15 core terms

Explain how a pressure difference drives airflow through an opening, and calculate effective leakage area from a measured flow at a stated reference pressure

Distinguish duct leakage from envelope leakage and list three building conditions that confound each

Interpret a simple power-law curve (flow versus pressure) and explain what the exponent tells you about the opening

Assemble a checklist of pre-test building conditions (windows, doors, dampers, combustion appliances, exhaust fans) and justify each item

Describe the purpose and setup of a reference pressure baseline, and explain how wind and stack effect bias a measurement

Sequence a complete envelope test from arrival to tear-down in a written 12-step procedure

Identify three safety hazards present during a depressurization test and state the control for each

Explain how a calibrated fan and differential pressure gauge combine to produce a flow reading, and name the calibration assumptions

Describe how to verify gauge zero, hose routing, and fan configuration before recording data

Practice multi-point testing by describing how you would collect readings across a range of induced pressures and why multiple points beat a single point

List the data fields you must record for every test point so the test can be reproduced by someone else

Differentiate envelope testing from duct leakage testing in terms of what is isolated and what is measured

Describe how registers, grilles, and duct openings are sealed or left open, and predict how each choice changes results

Explain how to use a zone or pressure-pan approach to separate duct leakage from house leakage

Diagnose three common measurement problems (leaking hoses, unsealed registers, unstable baseline) and state the symptom and correction for each

Trace a duct system from air handler to terminal and mark likely leak sites (joints, boots, plenums, disconnect boxes) on a sketch

Explain how duct location inside or outside conditioned space changes the energy impact of the same measured leakage

Describe how to inspect and pressure-test a duct system section by section using temporary seals

List the envelope defects most often revealed by a pressure test and how you would confirm each by inspection

Explain how to interpret results against a benchmark and how to decide whether a measured leakage value is acceptable

Draft a client-facing summary that reports results, explains limitations, and recommends next steps without overstating certainty

Identify the recordkeeping elements a defensible test report must contain, including conditions, instrument identity, and raw data

Describe how to correct or normalize a result for altitude, temperature, or reference pressure and when correction is required

Summarize the standards and code provisions that govern envelope and duct leakage testing and where each applies

Build a personal safety plan covering combustion appliance backdrafting, confined spaces, electrical hazards, and ladder work

Revisit domain 1 fundamentals and correct any errors you find in your week 1 reference sheet

Explain how documentation choices affect liability and how to write findings that are factual and traceable

Run a full timed mock test under exam conditions and score it by domain

Review every missed item and write a corrected explanation for each in your own words

Rehearse the end-to-end workflow from pre-test checklist through report delivery without notes

Identify your two weakest subskills and write a targeted remediation plan for each