Building Performance Institute (BPI) Practice Exam 2
Drained plane The air space between the exterior cladding and the wall in cavity-wall
construction that prevents water from penetrating the wall assembly.
Cavity-wall construction A method of building construction where the space between
the exterior cladding and the wall allows for drainage and manages moisture.
Innermost Building Envelope Component Material - Answer The material in the building
envelope that is closest to the interior space, influencing indoor comfort and energy
efficiency.
Outermost Building Envelope Component Material - Answer The material in the building
envelope that is closest to the exterior, against weather and environmental elements.
Flashing - A waterproofing material that is installed to redirect water away from the wall
assembly to prevent water penetration into the system.
Simple payback calculation - A calculation for determining the time it takes to recover a
project investment based on the savings that a project generates.
Material Cost - Costs of materials required to complete a work activity, including
purchase and delivery.
Labour Cost - Answer The cost of labor required for a project, not just wages but also
benefits and all other costs of having a specific workforce.
Annual Savings - Answer Savings generated, in dollar terms, every year by a project or
an energy efficiency measure.
, Ambient CO level - Answer The amount of carbon monoxide in the surrounding air; too
high, can be harmful to human health.
Immediate termination of the inspection - Answer The point at which the inspection must
be terminated because high levels of carbon monoxide pose a danger to the inspector
and others present.
Water heater venting - Answer A means of safely removing combustion gases resulting
from the operation of a water heater to prevent carbon monoxide and other dangerous
gases from accumulating.
Chimney liner - Answer A lining fitted on a chimney to increase its venting efficiency and
to reduce the possibility of fire accidents.
Power venter - Answer A device to assist in the proper venting of combustion gases in
such a way that most fuel-burning appliances can be safely operated.
Venting table - Answer A reference table that provides the proper venting requirements
for different types of combustion appliances.
Flue pipe - A pipe through which combustion gases flow from a combustion appliance to
the outdoors, not releasing to the living space.
Vapor barriers [retarders] - Materials that retard the diffusion of moisture through solid
materials, condensation and resulting moisture problems.
Indoor air contaminants - The pollutants in the indoor air that may adversely impact the
health and comfort of occupants; ventilation and filtration control is necessary.
Bulk moisture - Answer Excessive moisture that can enter building assemblies and
cause structural damage, mold growth, and poor indoor air quality.
Drained plane The air space between the exterior cladding and the wall in cavity-wall
construction that prevents water from penetrating the wall assembly.
Cavity-wall construction A method of building construction where the space between
the exterior cladding and the wall allows for drainage and manages moisture.
Innermost Building Envelope Component Material - Answer The material in the building
envelope that is closest to the interior space, influencing indoor comfort and energy
efficiency.
Outermost Building Envelope Component Material - Answer The material in the building
envelope that is closest to the exterior, against weather and environmental elements.
Flashing - A waterproofing material that is installed to redirect water away from the wall
assembly to prevent water penetration into the system.
Simple payback calculation - A calculation for determining the time it takes to recover a
project investment based on the savings that a project generates.
Material Cost - Costs of materials required to complete a work activity, including
purchase and delivery.
Labour Cost - Answer The cost of labor required for a project, not just wages but also
benefits and all other costs of having a specific workforce.
Annual Savings - Answer Savings generated, in dollar terms, every year by a project or
an energy efficiency measure.
, Ambient CO level - Answer The amount of carbon monoxide in the surrounding air; too
high, can be harmful to human health.
Immediate termination of the inspection - Answer The point at which the inspection must
be terminated because high levels of carbon monoxide pose a danger to the inspector
and others present.
Water heater venting - Answer A means of safely removing combustion gases resulting
from the operation of a water heater to prevent carbon monoxide and other dangerous
gases from accumulating.
Chimney liner - Answer A lining fitted on a chimney to increase its venting efficiency and
to reduce the possibility of fire accidents.
Power venter - Answer A device to assist in the proper venting of combustion gases in
such a way that most fuel-burning appliances can be safely operated.
Venting table - Answer A reference table that provides the proper venting requirements
for different types of combustion appliances.
Flue pipe - A pipe through which combustion gases flow from a combustion appliance to
the outdoors, not releasing to the living space.
Vapor barriers [retarders] - Materials that retard the diffusion of moisture through solid
materials, condensation and resulting moisture problems.
Indoor air contaminants - The pollutants in the indoor air that may adversely impact the
health and comfort of occupants; ventilation and filtration control is necessary.
Bulk moisture - Answer Excessive moisture that can enter building assemblies and
cause structural damage, mold growth, and poor indoor air quality.
