January 3, 2013

BPI Postpones Referencing ASHRAE 62.2-2010 Standard

In the interest of reducing the training burden on our accredited contractors and programs, BPI will postpone referencing ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2010 - Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low Rise Residential Buildings in BPI's standards and certifications. ASHRAE is expected to publish an updated 62.2-2013 standard, which includes several significant changes, in the spring of 2013.

Last June BPI announced that on January 1st, 2013, we would transition from ASHRAE 62-89 to ASHRAE 62.2-2010 in all our standards and certifications. The decision to postpone is based on the input of BPI's ASHRAE 62.2 Expert Panel. This panel strongly encouraged BPI management to postpone any revision to the current BPI standards until ASHRAE 62.2-2013 is published. BPI will thus implement a two-part transition plan for 2013:

Part 1 will be a soft launch of ASHRAE 62.2-2010 in January. BPI will accept either ASHRAE 62-89 and the BAS, or ASHRAE 62.2-2010 for accredited contractors and programs to demonstrate compliance with ventilation standards. This will allow accredited contractors time to obtain needed training and resources, and programs to meet their goals. BPI written exams will be revised to include general questions regarding ventilation that will not specifically require the use of calculations of referenced ventilation standards. BPI field exams will also be revised to remove the requirement to perform ventilation calculations of referenced ventilation standards and include requirements to demonstrate competencies in relation to blower door set up and testing and mechanical ventilation fan flow.

Part 2. ASHRAE 62.2-2013 is slated to be approved and published by ASHRAE in 2013. Once published, BPI will provide a required date for compliance with ASHRAE 62.2-2013, estimated to be approximately six months after publication. The BPI Standards Technical Committee will immediately begin the process to update and prepare for publication, as per the BPI-1 Standard Procedures Manual, any affected standards. This process will provide a transition period for contractors to obtain training to the new version of the ASHRAE standard and will ensure that revised BPI administrative processes are in place to allow for a full transition.

BPI recognizes the need for updated ventilation standards, and for ensuring that their implementation in the field proceeds with the appropriate support and guidance for contractors, programs and training organizations.

About the Building Performance Institute
BPI is the nation's premier building performance credentialing, quality assurance and standards setting organization. BPI develops technical standards using an open, transparent, consensus-based process built on sound building science. BPI is approved by the American National Standards Institute, Inc. (ANSI) as an accredited developer of American National Standards and as a certifying body for personnel credentials.

BPI offers the following:
-National standards to ensure top quality, consistent protocols are being followed throughout the home performance and weatherization workforce
-Certification of individuals in building analyst, heating, AC/heat pump, shell/envelope and multi-family designations
-Accreditation of contracting companies committed to delivering quality home performance improvements
-Quality assurance to verify conformance with BPI standards and provide feedback for continuing improvement
-Partnership with testing organizations that deliver BPI services in their market

For more information on BPI, click here.