Course Description:

This Combustion Safety (CS) for Weatherization* course is a 1-day (6 hour) training focusing on basic safety testing of comb

The class is designed to provide Weatherization Technicians the information and practice to complete high quality energy retrofit work. Each attendee will participate in classroom work and laboratory work that will align with the Washington State Department of Commerce Policies and Procedures Manual and the Standard Work Specifications Field Guide for Single Family and Manufactured Homes created by Washington Department of Commerce.

Attendees must come prepared for classroom work and laboratory work. Please be prepared to work, bring your calculator, coveralls, respirator, hand tools and flashlights.

Specific tasks in the classroom will include:

• Review Health and Safety responsibilities.
• Review EPA RRP jobsite requirements.
• Review OSHA jobsite safety requirements.
• Learn Building Science concepts.
• Practice area and volume calculations.
• Practice estimating for weatherization projects.
• Practice reading work-scopes.  
• Practice using relevant field guide or operations manual.
• Learn and understand the importance of communication with the homeowner.
• Learn and understand the importance of communication between Energy Auditors, Crew Chiefs and Quality Control Inspectors.
• Learn air sealing and duct sealing principles.
• Learn about loose fill insulation.
• Learn about dense pack insulation.

Specific tasks in the laboratory will include:

• The proper treatment of attic access panels. 
• The proper treatment of combustion appliance vents in attics. 
• Installation of weather-stripping for doors.
• Installation of air sealing materials to seal a recessed light, a dropped soffit, an open wall plate and typical plumbing, electrical and heating penetrations. 
• Properly install a roof vent for attic ventilation or an exhaust fan.
• Properly install ducting for an exhaust fan in an attic space. 
• Properly install and support dryer exhaust ducting in a crawlspace.
• Properly install insulation batts in a floor over a crawlspace.
• Properly install pipe insulation.
• Properly install water heater insulation.
• Properly install duct insulation. 
• Properly install duct mastic on heating/cooling ducts.
• Properly identify the pressure and thermal envelope. 
• Execute the blower door test.
• Execute a pressure pan test.
• Evaluate existing insulation levels.
• Install dense pack insulation.
• Identify relevant SWS’s from the field guide for the tasks in the laboratory.