Outline of Residential Building Envelope Whole House Air Leakage Control Certification

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This certification scheme handbook outlines the knowledge, skills and abilities requirements for residential building envelope whole house air leakage control installers.

The scope of this certification scheme includes the installation of specific air leakage control measures in accessible and inaccessible unconditioned and semi-conditioned spaces of existing residential homes. These specific measures represent typical air leakage control applications and incorporate the principals of air leakage control, which then can be applied to most air leakage control locations.

The installer(s) will demonstrate their abilities to reduce uncontrolled air movement by creating continuous durable air pressure boundaries in attics, side attics, crawl spaces and other accessible buffer zones by installing and connecting appropriate materials in a durable fashion.

This work includes:

preparation of attic spaces and crawlspaces including confirmation of air sealing completeness before the installation of loose fill, blanket, or rigid board insulation.

The scope of this certification scheme is limited to existing buildings, which are not greater than three stories and does not include:

sealed flexible mechanically attached membranes, such as the belly wrap under mobile homes or water resistive barriers behind siding
interior and exterior finish details and more complex housing types
work scope development or alteration, health and safety analysis, including mechanical ventilation, combustion system analysis or alteration
installation of loose fill insulation (mineral fiber, fiber glass, cellulose)
installation of batt or blanket insulation in open walls, attics, or floors
installation of rigid board insulation
installation of spray polyurethane foam insulation
installation of damp spray, wet spray, or insulation blown behind net
installation of membranes, such as belly wrap under mobile homes or water resistive barriers behind siding in mobile home cavities
interior and exterior finish details and more complex housing types
roof vent and gable vent installation or replacement
access techniques to key framing junctures and limited clearance areas
skills required to complete all types of insulation in all types of residential construction.
commercial construction air sealing skills or certification requirements including carpentry, roofing, siding, plastering and drywall, and standard insulation; nor requirements of licensed specialty trades or advanced installation techniques requiring instrumented diagnostic testing or analysis.