ART 4643.6 ART Weatherization Field Guide.pdf

OHIO

Weatherization

Field Guide SWS-Aligned Edition

The author recognizes the knowledge, ingenuity, and creativity of the weatherization network throughout the United States for pioneering, changing, and perfecting the standards, specifications and procedures documented in this field guide.

Primary author: John Krigger Illustrators: John Krigger, Bob Starkey, Steve Hogan, Wayne Harney, Darrel Tenter Technical publisher: Darrel Tenter

Editors: Darrel Tenter, Timmie Smart, and Mary Coster

The Ohio Weatherization Field Guide presents procedures to analyze and retrofit existing buildings for energy efficiency, health, and safety under the Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program. This field guide is hyperlinked to DOE’s Standard Work Specifications for Single-family, Multifamily, and Manufactured Homes as of January 2018.

Reviewers:

Thanks to the following for their contributions to this guide:

Technical Staff, Ohio Department of Development

Ohio Weatherization Training Center

Weatherization Technical Sub-Committee

Copyright 2021 by

Saturn Resource Management, Inc.

Version 092921

Ohio Weatherization Field Guide

Acknowledgments We are Saturn Resource Management of Helena, Montana. Our content expertise is energy conservation for buildings. We pub-lish documents, create curricula, implement training, and con-sult.

We thank the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Weatheriza-tion Assistance Program (WAP) for promoting residential energy efficiency for more than 35 years. Without the DOE, our industry wouldn’t exist as a building-science-based endeavor.

Weatherization agencies, State WAP grantees, private contrac-tors, national laboratories, utility companies, and non-profit corporations have also contributed much to the content in this guide.

For many years, we’ve tried to list the specific people who have influenced Saturn’s work in a substantial way. Now there are just too many contributors to list. You know who you are:

thank you.

WAP energy specialists and energy experts associated with WAP are our most important contributors. Saturn’s present and past staff have done a fine job of compiling the information in this field guide. Thanks to everyone who has reviewed this field guide and labored to improve it. Thank you, past-and-present customers, for allowing Saturn the privilege of serving you. We appreciate your business.

Ohio Weatherization Field Guide 5

Preface This Ohio Weatherization Field Guide outlines a set of best practices for the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP).

Weatherization experts collaborating with the National Renew-able Energy Lab (NREL) developed the Standard Work Specifi-cations (SWS) beginning in 2009. The complete set of national SWS standards reside online in NREL’s SWS Tool.

The SWS presents details and outcomes for weatherization mea-sures that are required when a weatherization agency selects a weatherization measure, based on its cost effectiveness. The technical content of this guide aligns with the SWS require-ments.

A major purpose of this guide is to show how its contents are aligned with the SWS. Therefore, we’ve inserted hypertext refer-ences to the specific SWS details that our content aligns to.

When you click on one of these references, the relevant detail appears in your browser.

This guide also incorporates information from various stan-dards and specifications.

• DOE Weatherization Job Task Analysis

• Building Performance Institute’s (BPI) relevant standards

• WAP Policy Directives, Weatherization Program Notices

(WPN’s), and DoE Guidance

• International Residential Code

• International Energy Conservation Code

• Standards for combustion systems by The National Fire

Protection Association (NFPA) editions, including NFPA 54, 31, and 211

We begin this guide with health and safety, an important topic for both workers and clients. The first part of the chapter dis-https://sws.nrel.gov/ cusses client health and safety. The last part of the chapter covers worker health and safety.

Next, the guide presents a chapter on energy auditing, inspect-ing, customer relations, and work flow development. The fol-lowing chapter discusses insulation and air sealing materials and their characteristics. We follow that with four chapters on the four distinct parts of the building shell: attics and roofs; walls;

floors and foundations; and windows and doors.

The guide’s largest chapter is heating and cooling. We created a separate chapter on ventilation, which includes whole-house ventilation, local ventilation, attic and crawl-space ventilation, and ventilation for cooling.

We’ve included a dedicated chapter on mobile homes where we discuss the ECMs particular to mobile homes. In this chapter we often refer to other sections of the guide that contain informa-tion that’s relevant to both mobile homes and site-built homes.

The last chapter’s topic, Air Leakage Diagnosis, is an effective tool for weatherization agencies to guide cost-effective air seal-ing. This chapter doesn’t align to the SWS because the SWS doesn’t detail testing procedures.

Like the SWS, this field guide is a living document and a work-in-progress. The field guide will change as the SWS changes. We hope you find this guide authoritative, easy to use, and well aligned to the SWS. We welcome all comments, suggestions and criticism. Thanks for your hard work and dedication in imple-menting the Weatherization Assistance Program.

John Krigger jkrigger@srmi.biz

Ohio Weatherization Field Guide 7

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1: Health and Safety

Educate Occupants and Building Operators

Fire Safety

Carbon Monoxide (CO) Causes of Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarms Smoke Alarms CO Alarms

Gas Range and Oven Safety

Reducing Moisture Problems Moisture Sources and Effects Moisture Reduction Priorities Symptoms of Moisture Problems Solutions for Moisture Problems Ground-Water Drainage Drying Buildings with Dehumidifiers Ground-Moisture Barriers

Pollutants Source Control Radon Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM) Vermiculite Lead-Safe Procedures

Electrical Safety Decommissioning Knob-and-Tube Wiring Constructing Shielding for Knob-and-Tube Wiring

Worker Health and Safety Commitment to Safety New Employees Driving Lifting and Back Injuries

Table of Contents8

Respiratory Health Hazardous Materials Equipment for Personal and Crew Safety Falls Tool Safety Repetitive Stress Injuries Safety for Crawl Spaces and Confined Areas Safety for Extreme Weather

SWS Alignment

2: Energy Audits and Quality Control Inspections

Purposes of an Energy Audit Energy-Auditing Judgment and Ethics Energy-Auditing Record-Keeping

Customer Relations Communication Best Practices Customer Interview Deferral of Weatherization Services

Parts of an Energy Audit Visual Inspection Diagnostic Testing SIR Calculations with Weatherization Assistant

The Work Order Questions about the Audit and Work Order

Work Inspections In-Progress Inspections Final Inspections Quality Control Versus Quality Assurance

Ohio Weatherization Field Guide 9

Field Monitoring

Customer Education

SWS Alignment

3: Weatherization Materials

Air-Sealing Goals

Air Sealing Safety Air Sealing and Fire Containment

Air Sealing Materials Material and Sealant Specs Air Barrier Materials Stuffing Materials Caulking and Adhesives Liquid Foam Air Sealant

Insulation Building Science Insulation Receipt or Certificate

Insulation Material Characteristics Fibrous Insulation Materials

Insulation Blowers and Hoses Inexpensive Blowers Professional Blowers Main Parts of Insulation Blowers Operating the Insulation Blowing Machines Spray Foam Insulation Materials Special Safety Precautions for Spray Foam Fire Protection for Foam Insulation

Insulation Safety and Durability Insulation Durability

Table of Contents10

Shading Materials and Methods

SWS Alignment

4: Attics and Roofs

Air-Sealing Attics and Roofs Sealing around Manufactured Chimneys Air Sealing Recessed Lights Sealing Stairways and Access Doors Sealing Porch Roof Structures Removing Insulation for Attic Air Sealing Sealing Joist Cavities Under Knee Walls Sealing Kitchen or Bathroom Interior Soffits Sealing Two-Level Attics Sealing Dropped Ceilings

Insulating Attics and Roofs Preparing for Attic Insulation Safety Preparations for Attic Insulation Blowing Attic Insulation Closed-Cavity Attic Floors Insulating Closed Roof Cavities Exterior Rooftop Foam Insulation Installing Fiberglass Batts in Attics Roof Deck Underside /Cathedralized Attics Vaulted Attics Finished Knee Wall Attics Knee Wall Insulation Access Doors in Vertical Walls Walk-Up Stairways and Doors Insulating & Sealing Pull-Down Attic Stairways Parapet Walls Skylights

Ohio Weatherization Field Guide 11

Cool Roofs

Landscaping

SWS Alignment

5: Walls

Air Sealing Walls Multifamily Firewalls Built-In Cabinets/Shelves Wall Framing Around Fireplaces and Chimneys Pocket Door Cavities Cooling Appliances Installed through Walls Balloon Framed Walls

Air-Sealing Small Openings Window and Door Frames Rim Joist Area Masonry Surfaces Interior Wall Top Plates

Wall Insulation Wall Insulation: Preparation and Follow-up Retrofit Closed-Cavity Wall Insulation Accessing Wall Cavities Blowing Walls with a Fill-Tube Open-Cavity Wall Insulation Insulated Wall Sheathing

SWS Alignment

6: Floors and Foundations

Thermal-Boundary Decisions: Floor or Foundation

Air Sealing Foundations and Floors Garages Underneath Living Areas Plumbing Penetrations Stairways to Unconditioned Areas

Table of Contents12

Incomplete Finished Basements Cantilevered Floors

Preparing for Foundation or Floor Insulation Rim-Joist Insulation and Air-Sealing

Installing Floor Insulation Blowing Floor Insulation Installing Fiberglass Batt Floor Insulation Spray Foam & Rigid Foam Floor Insulation

Foundation Wall Insulation Crawl-Space Wall Insulation Basement Wall Insulation

SWS Alignment

7: Windows and Doors

Storm Windows Exterior Aluminum Storm Windows Interior Storm Windows

Window Repair and Air Leakage Reduction Double-Hung Window Weatherization Weatherstripping Double-Hung Windows

Window Replacement Specifications Window Energy Specifications Removing Old Windows Installing Replacement Windows Replacing Nailing-Fin Windows Block-Frame or Finless Windows Flush-Fin Window Replacement

Window Safety Specifications Windows Requiring Safety Glass Fire Egress Windows

Window Shading Treatments Solar Screens Solar Window Films

Ohio Weatherization Field Guide 13

Door Repair and Weatherstrip Evaluating Exterior Doors Causes of Door Binding Adjusting Door Stops and Latches Weatherstripping Doors

Door Replacement Replacement-Door Standards Replacement-Door Installation

SWS Alignment

8: Heating and Cooling Systems

HVAC-System Commissioning & Education HVAC-System Commissioning HVAC-System Education

Combustion-Safety Evaluation Combustion-Safety Observations Leak-Testing Gas Piping Carbon Monoxide (CO) Testing Worst-Case CAZ Depressurization Testing Mitigating CAZ Depressurization and Spillage Combustion-Air-Related Solutions

Combustion Air Un-Confined-Space Combustion Air Confined-Space Combustion Air Zone Isolation for Natural-Draft Vented Appliances

Electronic Combustion Analysis Critical Combustion-Testing Parameters

Heating System Replacement Combustion Furnace Replacement Gas-Fired Heating Installation Combustion Boiler Replacement Oil-Fired Heating Installation Evaluating Oil Tanks

Table of Contents14

Combustion Space Heater Replacement Space Heater Operation Unvented Space Heaters

Gas Burner Safety & Efficiency Service Combustion Efficiency Test for Furnaces Inspecting Gas Combustion Equipment Testing and Adjustment

Oil Burner Safety and Efficiency Service Oil Burner Testing and Adjustment Oil Burner Inspection and Maintenance

Inspecting Furnace Heat Exchangers

Wood Stoves Wood Stove Clearances Stove Clearances Wood Stove Inspection

Inspecting Venting Systems Vent Connectors

Chimneys Masonry Chimneys Manufactured Chimneys Chimney Terminations Air Leakage through Masonry Chimneys

Special Venting Considerations for Gas Venting Fan-Assisted Furnaces and Boilers Venting Sealed-Combustion Furnaces and Boilers Sidewall Power Venting

Ducted Air Distribution Sequence of Operations Solving Airflow Problems Airflow Test Evaluating Furnace Performance Improving Forced-Air System Airflow Rooftop Units (Air Handlers)

Ohio Weatherization Field Guide 15

Evaluating Duct Air Leakage Troubleshooting Duct Leakage Measuring Duct Air Leakage with a Duct Blower Measuring House Pressure Caused by Duct Leakage

Sealing Duct Leaks Duct Repair and Sealing Methods Sealing Return Ducts Sealing Supply Ducts Materials for Duct Sealing

Duct Insulation Spray Foam (SPF) Duct Insulation

Hot-Water Space-Heating Distribution Boiler Efficiency and Maintenance Distribution System Improvements

Steam Heating and Distribution Steam System Maintenance Steam System Energy Conservation

Replacing Thermostats

Electric Heat Electric Baseboard Heat Electric Furnaces

Central Heat-Pump Energy Efficiency Room or Unitary Heat Pumps Ductless Minisplit Heat Pumps

Evaluating Ducted Central Air-Conditioning Systems Central Air-Conditioner Inspection Air-Conditioner Sizing Duct Leakage and System Airflow Evaluating Air-Conditioner Charge

Table of Contents16

SWS Alignment

9: Ventilation

Pollutant Control Pollution-Control Checklist

ASHRAE Standard 62.2–2016 Ventilation ASHRAE 62.2–2016 Components Whole-Dwelling Ventilation Requirement Local Exhaust Ventilation Requirement Infiltration Credit

Fan and Duct Specifications Fan Specifications Intake and Exhaust Fittings Duct Sizing Ventilation Duct Materials and Installation

Commissioning Ventilation Systems

Whole-Building Ventilation Systems Exhaust Ventilation Supply Ventilation Balanced Ventilation

Garage Exhaust Ventilation

Multifamily Ventilation Rooftop-Unit (RTUs) Economizer Ventilation Adaptive Ventilation

Air Filtration for Indoor Air Quality Installing Filters for Outdoor Air

Attic Ventilation Attic Ventilation as a Solution for Moisture Problems . . . 424 When to Install Attic Ventilation Attic Ventilation Requirements Power Ventilators Unventilated Attics

Ohio Weatherization Field Guide 17

Crawl Space Ventilation Naturally Ventilated Crawl Spaces Power-Ventilated Crawl Spaces Conditioned Crawl Spaces

Ventilation for Cooling Whole-House Fans Window Fans Air Circulation

SWS Alignment

10: Baseload Measures

Refrigerator Replacement and Maintenance Refrigerator Replacement Refrigerator Cleaning and Tuning Refrigerator Metering Protocol

Electronic Entertainment and Computers

Lighting-Efficiency Improvements LEDs versus CFLs Home Lighting Retrofit Equipment Reducing Fixture Wattage Light Color Daylighting

Clothes Washer Selection/Replacement Clothes Washer Selection Clothes Washer Installation

Clothes Dryers Clothes-Dryer Selection Clothes-Dryer Installation Clothes-Dryer Service and Venting

Water-Heating Energy Savings Water-Saving Shower Heads and Faucet Aerators Water Heater Blankets Measuring and Adjusting Hot Water Temperature

Table of Contents18

Heat Traps and Water-Heater Pipe Insulation

Storage Water Heaters Determining a Storage Water Heater’s Insulation Storage Water-Heater Selection

Alternative Water-Heaters Sidewall-Vented Gas Storage Water Heaters On-Demand Gas Water Heaters Heat Pump Water Heaters

Water Heater Installation

Comparing Water Heaters Safety Comparison Reliability Comparison Efficiency and Energy Cost Comparison

Multifamily Water Heating Multifamily Water-Heating Choices Multifamily Storage Tanks Circulation Systems

SWS Alignment

11: Mobile Homes

Mobile Home Heating Furnace Maintenance and Energy Efficiency Furnace Replacement

Mobile Home Cooling and Ventilation Systems Air-Conditioning Systems Evaporative Coolers Mobile Home Ventilation

Mobile Home Air Sealing Air-Leak Locations and Sealing Duct-Leak Locations

Mobile Home Insulation Insulating Mobile-Home Roof Cavities Mobile Home Sidewall Insulation

Ohio Weatherization Field Guide 19

Mobile Home Floor Insulation

Mobile Home Windows and Doors Mobile Home Storm Windows Replacing Mobile Home Windows Mobile Home Doors

Cool Roofs for Mobile Homes Applying the Coating

Mobile Home Skirting

SWS Alignment

12: Air Leakage Diagnostics

Shell Air-Leakage Fundamentals Goals of Air-Leakage Testing

Single-Family Airtightness Testing Blower Door Principles Preparing for a Blower Door Test Blower-Door Test Procedures Approximate Leakage Area/Target Reduction Goal Multifamily Air Leakage Multifamily Blower-Door-Test Strategies

Testing Air Barriers Primary Versus Secondary Air Barriers Simple Pressure Tests Simple Zone Pressure Testing Locating the Thermal Boundary

Appendices 543

R-values for Common Materials

ASHRAE 62.2 Duct Sizing

Fire Testing and Rating

Refrigerator Dating Chart

Table of Contents20

Carbon Monoxide Limits

SSE Testing Locations

Worst Case Draft Testing

Air Leakage Reduction Goal Scale

BPI Combustion-Testing Diagrams

Pressure Diagnostics – Hole Size Ratios

House Depressurization Chart

Glossary 555

Index 619

Ohio Weatherization Field Guide 21

CHAPTER 1: HEALTH AND SAFETY

This chapter discusses some of the most important hazards that you find both in residential buildings and on weatherization jobs. The SWS contains many health-and-safety requirements that relate to various cost-effective energy-conservation mea-sures (ECMs). These SWS requirements are referenced in this chapter.

The chapter begins with health, safety, and durability of the building. If health-and-safety problems affect the cost-effective ECMs you select, solve the problems before or during the weatherization work. No weatherization work may be done until a non-operational primary heating unit is repaired or replaced.

Workers are the most important asset of WAP. We discuss their health-and-safety at the end of this chapter.

Customer Health and Safety

House fires, moisture problems, carbon-monoxide poisoning, and lead-paint poisoning are the most common and serious health and safety problems found in homes.

Alert residents to any health and safety hazards that you find.

Discuss known or suspected health concerns with occupants;

take extra precautions based on occupant sensitivity to environ-mental hazards, such as chemicals and allergens.

✓ Inspect the home for fire hazards such as improperly installed electrical equipment, flammable materials stored near combustion appliances, or malfunctioning heating appliances. Discuss these hazards with occupants, and remove these hazards if possible. Consult Ohio WAP pro-gram guidance and WPN 17-7.

✓ Understand and comply with the fire-containment code requirements of the IRC.

https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2017/08/f35/WPN%2017-7%20Table%20of%20Issues.pdf

Health and Safety22

✓ Test combustion appliances for carbon monoxide and related hazards. Also measure carbon monoxide (CO) in the ambient air. Investigate and eliminate CO.

✓ Find moisture problems, and discuss them with the occu-pant. Solve moisture problems before or during weather-ization work. See page 31.

✓ Obey the EPA Repair, Renovation, and Painting rules when working on homes built before 1978. Prevent dust during all weatherization projects. Explain the lead paint hazard and tell residents what you’re doing to protect them. See page 48.

Worker Health and Safety

In the worker-safety section at the end of this chapter, we dis-cuss the most dangerous hazards present during weatherization and how to avoid these hazards. Hazards include: driving, falls, back injuries, cuts, chemical exposure, repetitive stress, and electrical shocks. See “Worker Health and Safety” on page 54.

1.1 EDUCATE OCCUPANTS AND BUILDING

OPERATORS

Homes and multifamily buildings are complex systems of build-ing envelopes and mechanical systems that harbor a variety of hazards. Educate occupants, landlords, and building operators

Video: Fire Resistance and Containment

— A look at the materials, assemblies, and standards that help to keep buildings safe from fire and smoke.

Video: Healthy homes inspection— An inspector performs a health inspection on a home and conducts a client interview.

http://cms.srmi.biz/Video/youtube/fire_resistance_containment.html http://cms.srmi.biz/Video/youtube/healthy_homes_inspection.html

Ohio Weatherization Field Guide 23 about the health and safety hazards and the improvements that you make to mitigate these hazards.

✓ Explain any health or safety hazard you see with fellow workers, occupants, and building operators, and discuss how to mitigate the hazard.

✓ Suggest contacting specialists to mitigate particular haz-ards if appropriate.

✓ Explain equipment operation and maintenance (O&M).

✓ Provide O&M procedures manuals and manufacturers’ equipment specifications. Encourage occupants or staff to store important documents in a safe and obvious location.

✓ Instruct occupants or staff to remove combustible materi-als from near ignition sources.

✓ Inform occupants and staff about smoke alarms, carbon monoxide (CO) alarms, and combination alarms, and explain their functioning.

✓ Suggest that occupants or staff remove or isolate indoor air quality hazards such as pesticides, petroleum products, and solvents.

✓ For complex mechanical systems in multifamily buildings, provide signs to inform occupants and building operators about operations, maintenance, and emergency proce-dures.

For more information on WAP policy relevant to these issues, consult WPN 17-7.

1.2 FIRE SAFETY

The building codes focus on preventing the spread of fire within and between buildings. A fire barrier is a wall assembly that has been tested and certified to withstand and contain a fire for a particular time duration.

Health and Safety24

A fire partition is a fire barrier that prevents the spread of fire between the sections of a building. A firewall is a structural fire barrier between buildings that is designed to remain standing during and after a fire.

Flame spread is a tested value of how fast a material burns com-pared to red oak planks.

A thermal barrier is a sheeting material that protects the materi-als behind it from reaching a temperature of 250°F or breeching during a fire. One-half-inch drywall is the most commonly used thermal barrier and is rated for 15 minutes of protection. Fire partitions in multifamily buildings usually require a wall assem-bly with a 2-hour rating.

An ignition barrier is a material used with foam insulation to prevent the foam from igniting. The code specifies a number of materials that can serve as ignition barriers including drywall, plywood, fibrous insulation, galvanized steel, and intumescent paint.

See also "Fire Testing and Rating" on page 545.

1.3 CARBON MONOXIDE (CO)

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas. The EPA’s suggested maximum 8-hour CO exposure is 9 ppm as measured in room air. CO at or above 9 ppm is often caused by malfunctioning combustion appliances in the home, although cigarette smoking or auto exhaust are also common CO sources.

The EPA’s one-hour CO limit is 35 ppm as measured.

SWS Detail: 2.01 Safety Devices https://sws.nrel.gov/spec/201

Ohio Weatherization Field Guide 25

1.3.1 Causes of Carbon Monoxide (CO)

CO is released by unvented gas space heaters, kerosene space heaters, backdrafting vented space heaters, gas ranges, leaky wood stoves, and motor vehicles idling near the home. Central furnaces and boilers that backdraft may also lead to high levels of CO.

CO is usually caused by these conditions.

• A combustion appliance is overfired compared to its rated input.

• Backdrafting combustion gases are smothering the flame.

• An object interferes with the flame (a pan over a gas burner on a range top, for example).

• Too-little combustion air.

• Rapidly moving air interferes with the flame.

• Burner misalignment causes a distorted flame.

• Flue or heat exchanger blockage interferes with the flow of flue gases.

1 2 3 4

Collapse

Headache Dizziness

Impaired judgement

Fatal

Hour s of Exposure

C O p er ce n t b lo o d s at u ra tio n

3200 Effects of CO: This graph’s

6 curves represent different CO exposure levels in PPM (parts per million).

Health and Safety26

1.4 SMOKE AND CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) ALARMS

Every home must have at least one smoke alarm. Every home must have a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm.

Combination CO/smoke alarms may be installed. Check the expiration date of any existing smoke and CO alarms and replace expired units.

Don’t install alarms within 5 feet of combustion devices because small amounts of smoke or CO can cause nuisance false alarms.

Follow manufacturer instructions for installation height and clearances to floors and ceilings. Leave the alarm manufacturer instructions with the client.

Single-function alarms or combination alarms can interconnect electrically for whole-building protection. If one alarm sounds the other alarms sound too.

Educate occupants about the alarms and what to do if the alarm sounds. Discuss the low-battery chirping sound and how to replace the battery. Tell residents that alarms last less than 10 years and that a different sound will alert them when the alarm fails.

1.4.1 Smoke Alarms

Install smoke alarms labeled UL 217 in buildings where they don’t exist or don’t work, if the building has a space heater, wood stove, or fireplace.

✓ Install alarm per manufacturer’s instructions.

SWS Detail: 2.0101 Smoke Alarms; 2.0102 Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarms

SWS Detail: 2.0101.1 Hardwired (interconnected) Smoke Alarms;

2.0101.2 Battery-Operated Smoke Alarms

https://sws.nrel.gov/spec/201011 https://sws.nrel.gov/spec/20101 https://sws.nrel.gov/spec/20102 https://sws.nrel.gov/spec/20102 https://sws.nrel.gov/spec/201012

Ohio Weatherization Field Guide 27

✓ Install one smoke alarm in each home on each floor, including the basement if habitable.

✓ If mounted on a wall, mount the alarm from 4 to 12 inches from the ceiling.

✓ If mounted on a ceiling, mount the alarm at least 6 inches from the nearest wall.

✓ If battery powered, select alarms that have sealed, non-replaceable, 10-year batteries.

✓ If hard wired, connect the alarm to a circuit that is ener-gized at all times.

Don’t install smoke alarms in these situations.

• Within 12 inches of exterior doors and windows.

• With an electrical connection to a switched circuit.

• With a connection to a ground-fault interrupter circuit

(GFCI).

1.4.2 CO Alarms

Install at least one CO alarm in all weatherized homes or weath-erized apartments in accordance with ASHRAE 62.2-2016 and NFPA 720. CO alarms must be installed as follows:

• Outside of each separate dwelling unit sleeping area, in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms.

• On every occupied level of a dwelling unit, including base-ments, excluding attic and crawl spaces.

CO alarms must comply with these specifications.

✓ Have a label with a UL 2034 listing.

✓ If hard wired, connect to a circuit that is energized at all times by plugging in to an electrical receptacle.

SWS Detail: 2.0102.1 CO Detection and Warning Equipment https://sws.nrel.gov/spec/203012 https://sws.nrel.gov/spec/201021 https://sws.nrel.gov/spec/201021

Health and Safety28

✓ If battery powered, select alarms that have sealed, non-replaceable, 10-year batteries.

✓ Have a sensor-life alarm.

Don’t install CO alarms in these situations.

• In a room that may get too hot or cold for alarm to function properly.

• Within 5 feet of a vented combustion appliance, a vent, or a chimney.

• Within 5 feet of a storage area for vapor-producing chemi-cals.

• Within 12 inches of exterior doors and windows.

• Within a furnace closet or room.

• With an electrical connection to a switched circuit.

• With a connection to a ground-fault circuit interrupter

(GFCI).

1.5 GAS RANGE AND OVEN SAFETY

Gas ovens can release CO, natural gas, or propane into a kitchen. Test the burners for safe combustion with these steps and do the recommended improvements.

1. Test for gas leaks in the gas piping in and around the range and oven and seal leaks.

2. Check each range burner for cleanliness and turn burner on one-by-one to check for an even blue flame.

3. Check the oven for stored items. Turn on the oven burner to high, but not “broil” or self-cleaning. Test the oven burner at its exhaust outlet. If CO reading is over 225 ppm, clean and tune the burner.

Ohio Weatherization Field Guide 29

4. Burner orifices can clog. Clean dirty orifices with a multi-tool designed for cleaning various sizes of ori-fices.

5. Adjust the burner’s air shutters to stabilize and harden the flame and reduce yellow-tipping, which should also reduce the CO concentration.

6. If the CO reading remains over 225 ppm as measured, consider further measures. These include: scheduling a service call by a gas specialist; installing a kitchen fan if none currently exists; or installing an additional CO alarm near the kitchen but at least 20 feet away from the range.

Caution: To protect yourself and the occupants, measure CO in the ambient air in the kitchen during these tests. If the ambient CO reading is 35 ppm or more, discontinue the testing.

AIR SHUTTERS

ORIFICEORIFICE-CLEANING MULTITOOL

Health and Safety30

Client Education about Ranges

Educate clients about the following safety practices in using their gas range.

✓ Never use a range burner or gas oven as a space heater.

✓ Open a window, and turn on the kitchen exhaust fan when using the range or oven.

✓ Never install aluminum foil around a range burner or oven burner because the foil could interfere with the flame.

✓ Keep range burners and ovens clean to prevent dirt from interfering with combustion.

✓ Burners should display hard blue flames. Call a service company if you notice yellow flames, white flames, waver-ing flames, or noisy flames.

outlet

CO from range and oven: Measure CO at oven in undiluted flue gases.

Measure ambient CO in the area of the range, but not directly above the burners or oven vent.

Flame observation: Unstable flames with yellow tips indicate poor combustion and possible CO production.

Video: Indoor environmental hazards— A discussion of the riskiest environmental haz-ards.

http://cms.srmi.biz/Video/youtube/environmentalhazards_outline.html

Ohio Weatherization Field Guide 31

1.6 REDUCING MOISTURE PROBLEMS

Moisture causes billions of dollars worth of property damage, sickness, and high energy bills each year in American homes.

Water damages building materials by dissolving glues and mor-tar, corroding metal, and nurturing pests like mold, dust mites, and insects. These pests, in turn, cause respiratory illness.

For more information on WAP policy relevant to moisture problems, consult WPN 17-7.

1.6.1 Moisture Sources and Effects

Water reduces the thermal resistance of insulation and other building materials. High humidity also increases air-condition-ing costs because the air conditioner removes moisture from the air to provide comfort.

The most common sources of moisture are leaky roofs and damp foundations. Other critical moisture sources include dry-ers venting indoors, showers, cooking appliances, and unvented gas appliances like ranges or decorative fireplaces. Clients con-trol many of these moisture sources, so educate them about how to reduce the moisture sources discussed here.

Climate is also a major contributor to moisture problems. The more rain, extreme temperatures, and humid weather a region experiences, the more of its homes are vulnerable to moisture problems.

SWS Detail: 2.0201 Drainage; 2.0202 Ground Vapor Retarders;

2.0203 Space Conditioning

https://sws.nrel.gov/spec/20201 https://sws.nrel.gov/spec/20202 https://sws.nrel.gov/spec/20203

Health and Safety32

Reducing moisture sources is the first priority for solving mois-ture problems. The next priority should be air and vapor barri-ers to prevent water vapor from migrating through building cavities. Relatively tight homes need mechanical ventilation to remove accumulating water vapor.

1.6.2 Moisture Reduction Priorities

Follow these priorities by number to reduce moisture problems.

1. Reduce moisture sources such as roof leaks, plumbing leaks, and standing water around the building’s perime-ter outdoors.

2. Install air and vapor barriers to prevent water vapor from migrating out of the soil and into building materi-als and building cavities.

3. Provide mechanical ventilation to remove accumulated water vapor. See "Ventilation" on page 399.

soil moisture oven & range perspiration showering washer & dryer aquarium humidifier

Moisture sources: Household moisture can often be controlled at the source by informed and motivated occupants, who work to control moisture sources like these.

Ohio Weatherization Field Guide 33

1.6.3 Symptoms of Moisture Problems

Condensation on windows, walls, and other cool surfaces sig-nals high relative humidity and the need to reduce moisture sources.

During very cold weather or summer air conditioning, conden-sation may occur on cold surfaces. Occasional condensation isn’t a major problem. However, if condensation happens fre-quently, take action to reduce moisture sources. Adding insula-tion helps eliminate cold walls, ceilings, and air-conditioning ducts where water vapor condenses.

Moisture problems arise when parts of the building become wet often and remain wet. Moisture in organic or porous building

Table 1-1: Moisture Sources and Their Potential Contributions

Moisture Source Potential Amount Pints

Ground moisture 0–105 per day

Unvented combustion space heater 0.5–20 per hour

Seasonal evaporation from materials 6–19 per day

Dryers venting indoors 4–6 per load

Dish washing 1–2 per day

Cooking (meals for four persons) 2–4 per day

Showering 0.5 per shower

SWS Detail: 2.02 Moisture; 2.0201 Drainage; 2.0202 Ground Vapor Retarders; 2.0203 Space Conditioning

Video: Moisture movement and control

— A discussion about health and safety prob-lems caused by moisture.

https://sws.nrel.gov/spec/202 https://sws.nrel.gov/spec/20201 https://sws.nrel.gov/spec/20202 https://sws.nrel.gov/spec/20202 https://sws.nrel.gov/spec/202031 https://sws.nrel.gov/spec/20203 http://cms.srmi.biz/Video/youtube/moisture_movment_control.html

Health and Safety34 materials reaches a threshold that allows pests like mold, dust mites, and insects to thrive. These pests can cause or trigger asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory ailments because they produce potent biological allergens.

Rot and wood decay indicate advanced moisture damage.

Unlike surface mold and mildew, wood decay fungi and insects penetrate, soften, and destroy wood.

Peeling, blistering, or cracking paint may indicate that moisture is moving through a building material or assembly, damaging the paint and the materials underneath.

Corrosion, oxidation, and rust on metal are unmistakable signs of moisture problems. Deformed wooden surfaces may appear as the damp wood swells, and later warps and cracks as it dries.

Efflorescence is a white, powdery deposit left by water that moves through masonry and leaves minerals behind as it evapo-rates from the masonry surface. Masonry materials experience spalling with efflorescence that deteriorates their surfaces.

1.6.4 Solutions for Moisture Problems

SWS Detail: 2.02 Moisture; 2.0201 Drainage; 2.0202 Ground Vapor Retarders; 2.0203 Space Conditioning; 3.0104.1 Closed Crawlspace Air Sealing; 6.0305 Dehumidification; 6.0305.1 Venti-lator Dehumidifiers

DRY ROT TERMITES EFFLORESCENCE

& SPALLING

https://sws.nrel.gov/spec/202 https://sws.nrel.gov/spec/20201 https://sws.nrel.gov/spec/20202 https://sws.nrel.gov/spec/20202 https://sws.nrel.gov/spec/20203 https://sws.nrel.gov/spec/301041 https://sws.nrel.gov/spec/301041 https://sws.nrel.gov/spec/60305 https://sws.nrel.gov/spec/603051

Ohio Weatherization Field Guide 35

Preventing moisture problems is the best way to guarantee a building’s durability and its occupant’s respiratory health. How-ever, the solutions get progressively more expensive if simple ones don’t solve the problem.

Inexpensive Moisture Solutions

If moisture source reduction isn’t adequate to prevent moisture problems, try these solutions after preventive measures are in place.

✓ Repair plumbing leaks.

✓ Install a ground-moisture barrier. See “Ground-Moisture

Barriers” on page 42.

✓ Provide crawl-space ventilation that complies with the requirements of the IRC and SWS. See “Crawl Space Venti-lation” on page 428.

✓ Verify that combustion vents, clothes dryers, exhaust fans vent to the outdoors and not into crawl spaces or attics.

✓ Seal water leaks in the foundation.

✓ Seal water leaks in the roof.

✓ Remove unvented space heaters, a major source of mois-ture, from the dwelling.

✓ Educate clients about ways to reduce moisture.

UNVENTED WATER POOLING DUCT CONDENSATION

SPACE HEATER

Health and Safety36

✓ Educate clients to avoid excessive watering around the building’s perimeter. Watering lawns and plants close to the building can dampen its foundation. In moist climates, cut shrubbery back away from the foundation, allowing air to circulate near the foundation.

✓ Insulate air-conditioning ducts to prevent summer con-densation.

More Costly Moisture Solutions

Follow these preventive measures before trying any of the solu-tions in the next section.

✓ Install or improve air barriers and vapor barriers to pre-vent air leakage and vapor diffusion from transporting moisture into building cavities. See page 531.

✓ Add insulation to the walls, floor, and ceiling of a building to keep the indoor surfaces warmer and less vulnerable to winter condensation. During cold weather, well-insulated homes can tolerate higher humidity without condensation than can poorly insulated homes.

✓ Ventilate the dwelling with drier outdoor air to dilute the more humid indoor air. Ventilation is only effective when

Stopping water intrusion:

Take all necessary steps to protect homes from water intrusion.

rain gutter sloped ground perforated drain pipe downspout directs water away gravel drainage sump pump

Ohio Weatherization Field Guide 37 the outdoor air is drier than the inside air, such as in win-ter. In summer, outdoor air may be more or less humid than indoor air depending on climate, time of day, and whether the dwelling is air conditioned. See "Ventilation" on page 399.

1.6.5 Ground-Water Drainage

Inadequate drainage is an important moisture problem for many buildings. Finish the following tasks before air sealing the floor or installing underfloor insulation, as allowed under DOE guidelines or with non-DOE funds.

Observe these specifications for gutters, downspouts, grading, and sump pumps.

Rain Gutters

Comply with these specifications when installing or repairing rain gutters.

✓ Install or repair rain gutters as necessary, and verify that downspouts discharge rainwater at least 6 feet away from the building.

✓ Size gutters appropriately for the roof area they drain.

✓ Attach gutters with screws through facia into sub-facia or rafter tails.

✓ Fasten gutter sections together with mechanical fasteners, such as sheet-metal screws or pop rivets.

✓ Slope all gutters toward downspouts a minimum of 1/4 inch per 10 feet.

✓ Make all seams watertight using a compatible sealant, such a butyl caulk. See “Caulking and Adhesives” on page 93.

SWS Detail: 2.0201.1 Gutters; 2.0201.2 Downspouts; 2.0201.3 Grading; 2.0201.4 Sump Pumps https://sws.nrel.gov/spec/202011 https://sws.nrel.gov/spec/202012 https://sws.nrel.gov/spec/202013 https://sws.nrel.gov/spec/202013 https://sws.nrel.gov/spec/202014

Health and Safety38

✓ When replacing whole sections of rain gutters, prefer con-tinuous rain gutters.

Repair or Install Downspouts

Comply with these specifications when installing or repairing downspouts.

✓ Plan the size and number of downspouts, according to the area drained.

✓ Attach downspouts to gutters with mechanical fasteners, such as sheet-metal screws or pop rivets.

✓ Attach downspouts to dwellings a minimum of every 4 feet of their length with appropriate hardware and fasteners.

✓ Assemble downspout sections so that the upper section fits inside the lower section.

✓ Drain downspouts a minimum of 6 feet away from the structure.

Grading

Comply with these specifications when you can repair grading problems.

✓ Verify that the ground outside the building slopes away from the foundation.

Gutter hangers: Reinforced gutter hangers prevent snow and ice from detaching gutters from the building.

Downspout terminations: A variety of fittings like this one can drain rain water 6 feet from the building.

Ohio Weatherization Field Guide 39

✓ If the ground slopes toward the foundation or water pud-dles near the building, use topsoil, clean fill, and/or masonry materials, slope ground away from the building at least 6 inches per 10 feet.

✓ Clear all vegetation within 3 feet of the building or trim all vegetation to 1 foot clearance from the building.

Install Sump Pumps, only if necessary

A sump pump is the most effective remedy when ground water continually seeps into a basement or crawl space and collects there as standing water. Persistent ground-water seepage may only be solved by connecting an interior perimeter drain to the sump.

✓ Suggest a sump pump for crawl spaces or basements with a history of flooding.

✓ Select a sump pump that meets the flow requirements of the home.

✓ Select the most energy efficient pump available. Prefer electrically commutated motors (ECM) when possible.

✓ Locate the sump pump where it collects water from the entire below-grade area and pumps it away from the foun-dation a minimum of 10 feet.

✓ The sump cover must not interfere with drainage and must be accessible and rigid.

✓ Install sump pumps according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Health and Safety40

✓ Install a check valve to prevent pumped water from reen-tering the sump well.

✓ Verify safe operation, and ensure that floats and float switches function correctly.

✓ Provide resident with manufacturer’s operation-and-maintenance instructions.

1.6.6 Drying Buildings with Dehumidifiers

As a last resort, remove moisture from indoor air by cooling the air to below its dew point with dehumidifiers in winter and air-conditioners in summer. Using dehumidifiers and air condition-ers for drying a building is the most expensive solution. Try all the moisture solutions discussed previously before resorting to a dehumidifier.

Dehumidifier Specifications

The dehumidifier should meet these specifications.

SWS Detail: 2.0203.1 Stand-Alone Dehumidifier Installation;

3.0104.1 Closed Crawlspace Air Sealing; 6.0305 Dehumidifica-

tion; 6.0305.1 Ventilator Dehumidifiers

Sump pump: Pumps water out of a sump or basin where water collects in a basement or crawl space.

https://sws.nrel.gov/spec/202031 https://sws.nrel.gov/spec/301041 https://sws.nrel.gov/spec/60305 https://sws.nrel.gov/spec/60305

Ohio Weatherization Field Guide 41

✓ Must be ENERGY STAR or more efficient.

✓ Must have a fan-off option.

✓ Must retain automatic settings after power interruption.

✓ Must be rated for low temperature operation if located in a basement or crawl space.

✓ Must have features that control both peak power and energy use.

Dehumidifier Installation

When you install a dehumidifier, observe these requirements.

✓ Choose a dehumidifier with automatic controls to limit energy and power.

✓ Evaluate the dehumidifier for compatibility with the space where you install it. Read the specs.

✓ Install the dehumidifier in a location that allows free air-flow around it.

✓ Pipe the dehumidifier’s collected water to a plumbing drain in a code-approved way.

✓ Seal any penetrations to the exterior of the home created by the dehumidifier’s installation.

✓ Verify that the dehumidifier functions as designed.

✓ Measure the relative humidity in the space before and after completing the installation. Relative humidity should decrease after a few hours of operation.

LOW TEMP

HIGH HUMIDITY

HIGH TEMP

LOW HUMIDITY

Dehumidifiers: In damp climates, dehumidifiers protect homes from excessive moisture.

Health and Safety42

✓ Verify that the dehumidifier’s relative-humidity measure-ment is accurate, using a secondary independent measure-ment.

✓ Give the resident the user guide and warranty information, and explain how to use the dehumidifier.

✓ Show the occupant how to clean or change the filter and how to clean the condensate drain.

✓ Permanently remove old appliance from job site and recy-cle or dispose of removed appliance and its refrigerant to comply with local and federal law (EPA Section 608 of Clean Air Act of 1990).

1.6.7 Ground-Moisture Barriers

Air, water vapor, liquid water, and pollutants move through soil and into crawl spaces and dirt-floor basements. Even if soil’s surface seems tight and dry, the soil may allow a lot of water vapor and soil gases to enter a dwelling.

Cover the ground with an airtight moisture barrier to prevent the movement of moisture and soil gases from the ground into the crawl space. Use these procedures.

Prepare the Ground

✓ The crawl space should have an access hatch or door that is sized adequately for a worker or a resident to enter and exit.

✓ Remove biodegradable matter, such as vegetation, wood, and cardboard, from the crawl space.

SWS Detail: 2.0202 Ground Vapor Retarders; 2.0202.1 Un- Vented Subspaces - Ground Cover; 2.0202.2 Vented Subspaces - Ground Cover; 2.0202.3 Pier and Skirting Foundations - Ground Cover https://sws.nrel.gov/spec/20202 https://sws.nrel.gov/spec/202021 https://sws.nrel.gov/spec/202021 https://sws.nrel.gov/spec/202022 https://sws.nrel.gov/spec/202022 https://sws.nrel.gov/spec/202023 https://sws.nrel.gov/spec/202023

Ohio Weatherization Field Guide 43

✓ Remove all debris that can cause injury or puncture ground-moisture barrier, such as nails, wood debris, and sheet metal screws.

✓ Provide negative pressure in the crawl space with reference to the building when dust or vapors might migrate into the living area from the crawl space during weatherization.

Install the Ground-Moisture Barrier

✓ Cover the ground completely with a ground-moisture bar-rier at least 6-mil polyethylene with less than 0.1 perm where little or no foot traffic exists. Install reinforced or cross-linked polyethylene where the barrier experiences foot traffic, such as when residents store belongings in the crawl space.

✓ Seams must overlap at least 12 inches. Seal the edges and seams with acoustical sealant, butyl caulking, or compati-ble sealant to create an airtight seal between the crawl space and the ground underneath.

✓ The edges of the barrier should run at least 6 inches up the foundation walls and internal supporting structures. Fas-ten the barrier with wood strips, masonry fasteners, and sealant., such as polyurethane adhesive or acoustical seal-ant to a clean and flat masonry surface.

Ground-moisture barrier:

An airtight ground-moisture barrier blocks water vapor and gases coming up from the ground.

Health and Safety44

✓ To avoid trapping moisture against wood surfaces, ground-moisture barriers must not touch wood structural members, such as posts, mud sills, or floor joists.

✓ The ground vapor retarder must not interfere with the established drainage features such as sump pits or French drains.

✓ Fasten ground vapor retarder to ground with durable fas-teners or ballasts when installed on sloping ground, or when people access the space for routine maintenance or storage.

Post a Crawl-Space Sign

Install a durable (minimum of 10-year service life), easily seen sign, sized a minimum of 8.5"x 11" at each access to the space.

Sign must include these items.

✓ Warning to prohibit storage of hazardous and flammable materials.

✓ Caution residents not to damage the ground-moisture bar-rier, air barrier, insulation, or mechanical components spe-cific to the space.

✓ Specify that immediate repairs are necessary in the case of damage.

1.7 POLLUTANTS SOURCE CONTROL

Radon and asbestos are also potential hazards to both occupants and workers.

For more information on WAP policy relevant to pollutant source control, consult WPN 17-7.

1.7.1 Radon

Radon is a dangerous indoor air pollutant that comes from the ground through rocky soil. Studies predict about 20,000 lung

Ohio Weatherization Field Guide 45 cancer deaths per year are caused by radon exposure. Weather-ization workers should be aware of: the radon hazard, radon testing procedures, and radon mitigation strategies.

The EPA believes that any home with a radon concentration above 4 pico-Curies per liter (pC/l) of air should be modified to reduce the radon concentration. There are several common and reliable tests for radon, which are performed by health depart-ments and private consultants throughout the U.S.

Energy conservation work usually has little effect on radon con-centrations. However, ground-moisture barriers and foundation air sealing may reduce radon concentrations in addition to reducing air leakage.

Radon Mitigation

DOE funds can’t pay for fans or other measures specifically designed for radon mitigation. Radon mitigation must use non- DOE funds. Since radon comes through the soil, mitigation strategies include the following.

1. Install a plastic ground barrier and carefully sealing the seams and edges.

2. Seal the walls and floor of the basement or crawl space.

3. Ventilate the crawl space or basement with an exhaust fan to dilute radon.

4. Depressurize the ground underneath the basement con-crete slab.

Weatherization workers may install the first two mitigation strategies as prescribed by the weatherization work order for the purpose of air sealing.

1.7.2 Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM)

Asbestos is classified as a “known carcinogen.” Asbestos is found in the following materials: boiler and steam-pipe insulation, duct insulation, floor tile, siding, roofing, some types of vermic-

Health and Safety46 ulite, and some adhesives. Weatherization workers must be trained to recognize materials that may contain asbestos and to avoid disturbing it. Penalties for mishandling asbestos-contain-ing materials can amount to $25,000 per day.

DOE weatherization policy requires weatherization agencies to observe the following safety precautions regarding asbestos.

• Asbestos siding comes in sheets approximately 16 inches by 24 inches. It is very weatherproof but very brittle. Remove asbestos siding only if you can remove the siding without damaging it.

• Assume that asbestos is present in old gray-colored pipe insulation and duct insulation. Don’t disturb asbestos-con-taining pipe or duct insulation; also caution occupants to avoid disturbing asbestos.

• Don’t cut, drill, scrape, sand, sweep, vacuum, or brush

ACM.

1.7.3 Vermiculite

• Don’t disturb or remove vermiculite.

• Vermiculite must be tested for asbestos…