BBE 4416/5416 Building Testing and Diagnostics
(2 credits)
| Catalog Description: |
Theoretical basis for performance testing. Diagnostics
applications for residential structures. Focuses on existing
structures and retrofit/remedial applications. Digital
differential pressure guages, blower doors, airflow hoods/grids,
duct pressure testing, infrared thermography. Hands-on
sessions for equipment use, problem solving.
|
| Prerequisites: |
BBE 4301
|
| Class/Laboratory Schedule: |
TBA
|
| Location: |
TBA
|
| Instructors: |
Pat
Huelman
|
| Text: |
Required Texts:
Home Energy CD-Rom. 2000
Minneapolis Blower Door Operation Manual. 2001. [www.energyconservatory.com]
Minneapolis Duct Blaster Operation Manual. 2001. [www.energyconservatory.com]
Builder’s Guide for Cold Climates. EEBA. 2001.
Supplemental Reading:
Building Science for Cold Climates. Hutcheon & Handegord. 1983.
Building Science and the Building Envelope. Handegord. 1997
Builder’s Guide for Hot-Humid Climates. EEBA. 2001.
Builder’s Guide for Mixed Climates. EEBA. 1997.
Builder’s Guide for Hot-Dry Climates. EEBA. 2000.
Mn Energy Code (Chapters 7670 & 7672). State of Minnesota.
These books will be on reserve in the College of Natural
Resources Library for the entire semester.
|
| Grading: |
Grading System: Assignments/Labs 5 @ 7 points each 35
Mid-Term 25
Final Exam 25
Protocol Project (Paper & Presentation) 15
----
100
All exams will be a combination of short answer and
problems. Only in an emergency will a student be allowed
to make-up an exam. If you have such an emergency, you
must notify me by phone or in person before the exam.
If you have a conflict with the final exam, please notify
me as soon as possible.
There will be five assignments and one project during
the semester. Generally you will have one week to complete
the assignment. All assignments are due at the beginning
of the class period specified. Each will be worth five
points. Assignments turned in late will be worth one-half
of the original grade. There will be no extra credit
work available to make up lost points.
The final letter grade will be based on straight percentages
as follows:
94 - 100 = A
90 - 93 = A-
87 - 89 = B+
84 - 86 = B
80 - 83 = B-
77 - 79 = C+
74 - 76 = C
70 - 73 = C -
67 - 69 = D+
60 - 66 = D
0 - 59 = F
Academic Honesty: Students are responsible for maintaining
academic integrity by submitting his or her own original
work. All suspected cases of academic dishonesty will
be vigorously pursued through the College of Natural
Resources Honor System.
|
Course Description:
This course is intended to be an advanced course. I will expect
students to be fully prepared and engaged in the content and its
application. Approximately 1/3 of the course will be fairly structured
to cover the critical content. Another 1/3 will be more loosely
organized as guest lectures to provide a broad array of viewpoints
and expertise from the private sector. The final 1/3 will be field
visits and/or labs. It is my hope that this course will convert
your basic building science knowledge into action (in a both a
qualitative and quantitative manner) to resolve energy, moisture,
and indoor air quality issues in residential buildings.
Learning Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student should
be:
- familiar with contemporary energy, moisture, and indoor air
quality issues in housing construction,
- able to convert building science theory into practical test
protocols
- able to diagnose and solve common heat, air, and moisture
problems,
- able to comfortably communicate important tests and results
through reports and oral presentation.
Course Schedule:
Note: This is a general course schedule. It is subject to change,
but changes will be announced in class.
| Class Date |
Topic |
Assigned Reading |
Assignment Due |
| January 23 |
Introduction
Why, What, When |
Tools to Know …: M/A 00
Conference Christens HPI: J/F 96 |
|
| January 30 |
Blower Door & Infrared Camera (Gary Nelson) |
MBD Chapters 1-8
Intro to Blower Doors: J/F 94
Infiltration: Just ACH50/20: J/F 94
Building Tightness Guidelines: M/A 93 |
|
| February 6 |
Moisture Testing (Steve Klossner) |
Fundamentals of Moisture: N/D 00
Out, Out Dammed Ice: N/D 96
Drying Out a Crawl Space: N/D 00
|
|
| February 13 |
Building Envelope Trip
(Site to be determined) |
|
|
| February 20 |
Pressure Diagnostics/Duct Blaster Fans/Air Handler/Doors
Closure |
MDB Chapters 1-12
User-Friendly Pressure Diag: S/O 93 |
Trip Report Due |
| February 27 |
Fan Flows |
Mechanical Ventilation …: M/A 96
Discovering Ducts; Ductionary: S/O 93
Oversized Kitchen Fans: J/F 99
|
|
| March 6 |
HVAC Field Trip (Site to be determined) |
Leak Detectors; Two Favorite Methods: S/O 93
Pressure Pans: J/F 98 |
|
| March 13 |
Mid-Term Exam |
|
Trip Report Due |
| March 20 |
Spring Break – No Class |
|
|
| March 27 |
IAQ General VOCs/Formaldehyde/CO2/Radon |
Sick Houses: N/D 97
Evaluating Ventilation in MF Bldg: J/A 94
|
|
| April 3 |
Mold and Particulates Testing (MacGregor Pearce) |
Clearing the Air: J/A 96
Black Stains in Houses: J/F 98
Sampling Stains: S/O 98 |
|
| April 10 |
Combustion Testing & CO (Stewart Selman) |
Carbon Monoxide Problems: M/J 97
Combustion Safety Checks: M/A 95
Case of a CO Leak: N/D 97
Carbon Monoxide (Ovens): S/O 95
Carbon Monoxide (Furnaces): N/D 99 |
|
| April 17 |
IAQ Trip (Site to be determined) |
|
|
| April 24 |
Energy Monitoring Meters/CoHeat/PRISM/HHI |
Data Loggers: M/J 97 Trip Report Due
Advancing the Art of Prism: J/A 95
Home Energy Rating Systems: S/O 97
Creating Quality in New Construction: J/F 96 |
|
| May 1 |
Sound Insulation Program (Dave Bohac) |
Keeping a Running Score: M/A 93
Taking the Leap: N/D 99
Building Science Soft Sell: M/A 00
Guide to Training Programs: J/F 99 |
|
| May 8 |
Whole Building Trip (Site to be determined) |
|
|
| May 15 |
Final Exam @ 1:30 |
|
Trip Report Due |
Notes: The fifth assignment/lab will be added at a later date
and the class presentations will be incorporated into the class
periods throughout the semester.
Class Project -- For this project you will select from a list
of testing and diagnostics problems (to be provided at a later
date). The project will include: a) a general background of the
problem or symptoms, b) a brief discussion of the pertinent building
science aspects of the problem, and c) a proposed test and protocol
to diagnose the problem and determine potential solutions.
|
Return
to: BBE Home
