RESNET Proposes New Chapter on Standard for Performance Testing

The thermal imaging technology has advanced significantly in the past few years and the price of equipment has grown more affordable. The technology offers the promise of a way to measure the EPA ENERGY STAR Homes Thermal Bypass Checklist and the quality of the installation of the insulation after the dry wall has been installed. To pave the way to achieving this potential, RESNET recruited an Infrared Scanning Task Force to draft a standard. The members of the task force are posted here.

The committee drafted an IR standard based on the experience of its members and the United Kingdom's standard for using the technology in measuring the quality of insulation installation. The draft standard was reviewed and approved by the RESNET Technical Committee. After the Technical Committee completed its review the task force made a number of organizational changes to the proposed amendment. These changes are:

The IR Standard is now labeled CHAPER 8 Performance Testing Standards. Section 801 is Pressure Diagnostics (Blower Door and Duct Testing), Section 802 is Thermographic Inspections of Buildings (formerly IR Standard) and Section 803 is Combustion Safety Testing. Section 801 and Section 803 are not written yet but have place holders in this Chapter for later adoption.
The language for certification requirements was changed to be more concise in Section 802 for both Methods 1 and 2.
The training time in Section 802 was changed from 3 days-36 hours to 3 days-24 hours. (802, Method 2, #2)
Provisions for inspecting Grade I insulation deleted since this type of thermographic inspection will not allow for evaluation of Grade I insulation. (805.2, Grade I)
Measuring of "insulation anomalies" changed from "square foot" to "inch". (805.3)
Inclusion of "framing fraction" as part of the "thermal bridging" inspection. (805.4, #2)
Other changes involve minor word edits to better define statement meanings.

Public comments on all of the proposals will be accepted until July 16, 2009.

At the completion of the comment period, the Infrared Scanning Task Force will review the comments and revise the amendment where appropriate. The amendment will then be submitted to the Amendment Revision Committee, composed of three representatives of the rating industry and three representatives of state energy offices. The RESNET Board will then consider the recommendations of the revision committee and vote on whether to adopt the amendments.

To review the proposed standard click on Proposed New Chapter on Standards for Performance Testing.

To submit your comments, click here. Comments are posted real time and you will be able to review comments that were submitted by clicking here.