ICA Module 2 Section 4 Venting/Insulation

Question 1

The primary function of insulation is to ____

Answer 1

slow rate of heat loss in house

Question 2

A vapor retarder is designed to _____

Answer 2

restrict movement of water vapor

Question 3

What are the implications of an inadequate air/vapor barrier?

Answer 3

mold, rot

Question 4

Name 2 purposes of house ventilation:

Answer 4

remove moisture, keep air fresh from pollutants

Question 5

Define relative humidity

Answer 5

the amount of moisture in the air relative to the amount of moisture air could hold if saturated

Question 6

What is meant by drying potential?

Answer 6

how good air flow (ventilation) is to dry out

Question 7

Why are roofs vented in the winter in cold climates?

Answer 7

keep moisture out, prevent ice dams

Question 8

What is the purpose of a heat-recovery ventilator?

Answer 8

extract stale, moist air from wet rooms & supply fresh, filtered air

Question 9

The term ventilation might mean two very different things with respect to homes. Explain the two different types of ventilation.

Answer 9

living spaces, unconditioned spaces

Question 10

Indicate where the air/vapor barrier should be located in the wall assembly in a hot, humid climate.

Answer 10

warms state

Question 11

List 4 common forms that insulation materials may be found in.

Answer 11

loose fill, bat, board, foamed in place

Question 12

List 10 common insulation materials. (Vermiculite & perlite only count as 1. There are 2 types of polystyrene)

Answer 12

fiberglass, cellulose fiber, mineral wool, perlite, expanded polystyrene, extruded polystyrene

Question 13

What forms do these materials come in?

Answer 13

?

Question 13

What is the function of an air barrier?

Answer 13

stop air movement

Question 14

Indicate 2 reasons we are interested in controlling air movement through building walls & roofs.

Answer 14

air carriers, heat & moisture

Question 15

Describe the function of a vapor barrier.

Answer 15

protect house from moisture damage

Question 16

List 2 other names for vapor barriers

Answer 16

vapor retarder, vapor diffusion retarder

Question 17

Is it more important for the air barrier or the vapor barrier to be continuous?

Answer 17

air barrier

Question 18

Should the vapor barrier be on the warm side or cold side of the wall assembly?

Answer 18

warm side

Question 19

Should the vapor barrier be on the warm side or cold side of the wall assembly in a hot, humid climate?

Answer 19

warm side

Question 20

List 3 functions of roof vents

Answer 20

remove moisture, replace stale air,

Question 21

List 4 types of roof vents

Answer 21

soffit, ridge, roof, gable

Question 22

What % of the total venting should be at the soffits?

Answer 22

50%

Question 23

What % of the total venting should be high on the roof?

Answer 23

50%

Question 24

When can soffit venting be omitted safely?

Answer 24

when there are gable vents at each end of attic

Question 25

What do soffit vent baffles do?

Answer 25

prevent insulation from blocking soffit vent

Question 26

How are mansard or gambrel roofs ideally vented?

Answer 26

ridge & bottom of upper section

Question 27

Is it possible to over ventilate an attic? If so, why is this an issue?

Answer 27

yes, it draws warm/moist air from living space

Question 28

What things should you wear when inspecting an attic? (3 things)

Answer 28

mask, goggles, gloves

Question 29

List 3 things that may make attics dangerous.

Answer 29

insulation covering joists, weak stair, poor lighting

Question 30

What are the implications of insulation that is only 2" thick, wet, compressed, interrupted by gaps or voids, or missing?

Answer 30

screwed shut, nailed shut, painted shut,

Question 31

List 4 common access hatch problems & the implications of each.

Answer 31

poorly insulated

Question 32

Will you ever see walls in attics? Where? Should these be insulated?

Answer 32

yes, towards bottom of roof (knee wall), yes

Question 32

Under what circumstances should insulation cover recessed lights? What is one inspection strategy to help identify recessed lights while in the attic?

Answer 32

double shell lights, look for shells on joists

Question 33

What 2 things should you be looking for on ducts in attic?

Answer 33

disconnected, missing

Question 34

How should insulation be handled around masonry chimneys?

Answer 34

non-combustible

Question 35

How should insulation be handled around metal vents?

Answer 35

kept away

Question 36

What are the implications of air/vapor barriers that are missing or incomplete?

Answer 36

air leakage causing condensation causing rot

Question 37

List some common problems with roof vents & their implications

Answer 37

missing or inadequate moisture

Question 38

What is suggested by snow on attic insulation below roof vents?

Answer 38

damaged vent

Question 39

List 3 possible concerns with turbine vents

Answer 39

noisy, seized up, not venting on calm days (no wind)

Question 40

Should power vents be operating in the winter? Why or why not?

Answer 40

no, they can increase heat less from house

Question 41

What is suggested by mold or rot on rafters & sheathing?

Answer 41

poor ventilation/insulation

Question 42

Describe in 1 sentence each, four general approaches to insulating flat & cathedral roofs.

Answer 42

treat as an attic (ventilate above insulation), completely fill roof space, isolate above roof structure & around perimeter, insulate below roof structure

Question 43

List 5 common problems found with flat-roof insulation systems

Answer 43

air/vapor barrier missing, bad venting, mold, not enough insulation

Question 44

For each of the problems found in flat roof insulation systems describe in 1 sentence the implications.

Answer 44

implications for air vapor barrier missing: mold/rot

Question 45

Describe one possible way to get a look at insulation in a flat roof

Answer 45

vents in fascia boards

Question 46

What things might suggest wet insulation?

Answer 46

staining, sponginess, or dampness on ceiling below

Question 47

Describe 2 strategies used to deal with venting of flat roofs

Answer 47

??

Question 48

On a flat roof, where will you most often see the vents?

Answer 48

soffit

Question 49

What is an appropriate ratio of vent area to roof area?

Answer 49

1:150 (1 sqft venting every 150 sqft roof space)

Question 50

Basement wall insulation is necessary. T/F

Answer 50

False

Question 51

Describe in 2 sentences each, 2 strategies for insulating basement walls.

Answer 51

help with utility bill, keep moisture low

Question 52

Describe in one sentence each, two general approaches to insulating crawlspace.

Answer 52

insulate walls, insulate floor above

Question 53

All crawlspaces should be vented. T/F (Explain)

Answer 53

false, encapsulated doesn't need vents

Question 54

List 3 safety issues involved in inspecting crawlspaces.

Answer 54

stagnant water, animals, hatch less than 18" from bottom to top

Question 55

List 9 common problems with insulation & ventilation in basement & crawlspace areas.

Answer 55

little, missing, loose

Question 56

List the implications of each of the problems with insulation/ventilation in crawlspace & basements

Answer 56

implications for insulation/ventilation problems: moisture & rot

Question 57

Describe 2 possible strategies for keeping floors over unheated spaces warm.

Answer 57

heat cavity between floor & insulation below, spray in place foam insulation

Question 58

List 7 areas where floors over unheated spaces may feel cool.

Answer 58

above garage, above porch, cantilevered areas, over breezeways