Training Fees
REGULARLY OFFERED COURSES AT THE INCAA TRAINING FACILITY
The Indiana Community Action Association, Inc. (INCAA) has provided a wide range of training and technical support for weatherization professionals since 1978. INCAA’s services are available to all members of the building performance industry.
INCAA TRAINING FACILITY
1845 WEST 18TH STREET INDIANAPOLIS, IN
PHONE: (317) 638-4232
The course fee includes lunch and refreshments each day as well as any course materials.
Course fees do not apply if training is for Indiana Weatherization Program
staff and contractors.
Weatherization Training Descriptions for 2012
Weatherization (WX) 101
With DOE’s new focus on the Job Task Analysis (JTA's) and the knowledge skills and abilities to successfully perform each job, the first day of the Retrofit Installer – Shell class will be WX 101 and will be available to any and all staff and technicians. (If you are registered to take Retrofit Installer-Shell DO NOT register for this class, WX 101 is the first day of that class)
The agenda for this day’s training, Weatherization Basics, captures all those critical concepts like heat movement, driving forces, house-as-a-system and other information that is common to each job in the Weatherization Program. This day will cover the basic concepts that form a solid foundation for all positions in todays' performance-driven Weatherization program.
If you are starting training, start here. If you are re-entering training, start here. If you need a review of the basics before re-training for a different technical skill area, get that here. If you just want to get the basics of weatherization, start here.
This course is required for those taking the following new courses:
Retrofit Technician - Shell
Retrofit Technician – Mechanical
Final Inspector
Energy Auditor
Crew Leader
Retrofit Installer – Shell
Effective January 1, 2012, The U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) requires that training for all technical personnel who work in the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) follow a national curriculum. The Retrofit Installer – Shell class is designed to comply with this mandate from DOE. It is appropriate for the personnel who have been referred to in Indiana as Building Technicians. These are the people who do the shell, or structural work; whose work activities are largely comprised of insulating and air sealing residential buildings. This is the core training course for the Shell Installer job classification.
The class is conducted over 6 days; 3 days in each of two consecutive weeks. The first five days are classroom; the 6th day is a hands-on field day. Individual student progress will be assessed in the key categories throughout the class and field days.
The primary topics covered in each of the classroom days are as follows:
Day 1 - Weatherization Basics: Key building science concepts, overview of the Wx process. This is also a stand-alone class. It is described in detail elsewhere.
Day 2 - Preparations for the job site: Tools and materials, truck set-up, individual and job-site safety.
Days 3 & 4 - Implementing the work scope: Blower door testing, locating and accessing work areas, air sealing techniques, insulation of attics, walls, foundations and ducts, patching and repair of other building components .
Day 5 - Wrapping up: Work scope changes and add-ons, cleaning-up and closing out, Daily combustion safety testing, crew and client debriefing.
Day 6 - Insulation and Air Sealing hands-on training at a house. This will include a demonstration of Daily Safety Test Out and a post-training, individual skills assessment.
Introduction to Infrared Thermography
This one day workshop is designed to introduce weatherization staff to infrared thermography and to familiarize them with the specific equipment that INCAA has available for their use. Participants learn what infrared scanners do and how they can be utilized to evaluate weatherization work. The session involves hands-on use of the equipment as well as classroom instruction.
Zone Pressure Diagnostics
A field day will be added to this class for 2012. The class is designed to provide auditors, installers and crew leaders with an overview of the latest ZPD protocols and to provide an opportunity to spend a day experimenting with them at a house. We will utilize the latest tools and procedures to calculate total leakage path through secondary zones by the open-a-whole and open-a-door methods.
Daily Safety Test Out Procedures
This one day class is intended for people who don't necessarily need the full furnace and duct diagnostic classes but need to know enough about house and furnace interaction to make sure the house is not left in a dangerous condition when the Weatherization work is done. It will cover furnace basics such as the difference between return and combustion air, the dangers of open returns and "Worst Case" draft testing. We will also look at pressures that can develop due to duct repair. The manometers to check for dangerous zonal pressures will be explained. This class is essential for Building Technicians who want an answer to the question: "How do we properly test out the door?" Building Technician I Certification components are included in this class.
Mobile Home Weatherization
This three-day course is designed to address the unique characteristics of mobile homes. It has been updated to focus on the latest, most cost effective weatherization approaches, such as duct sealing and "belly blow". This course is aimed at crew members as well as auditors.
Day 1: Weatherizing Mobile Homes
The classroom day of Mobile Home Weatherization is designed to provide auditors and installers with the knowledge required to effectively weatherize a mobile home. Topics include: what makes mobile homes different than site-built houses, a brief history of the weatherization approach to mobile homes, and detailed coverage of current mobile home measures. This segment also provides guidance about features that are unique to mobile homes including: rodent barriers, swag bellies, bow string trusses and package air conditioner ducts and dampers. This segment also provides detailed instruction on when and how to add insulation to mobile homes.
Day2 & 3: Field Days for Weatherizing Mobile Homes
High Performance Insulation:
Two-Part Spray Foam and High Density Cavity Insulation
A field day will be added to this class for 2012. The class is designed to provide auditors and installers with thorough knowledge of these two insulation products which have become very popular in Indiana’s Weatherization Program. Regarding spray foam, we will explore: the best applications for “two part”, alternative packaging and delivery systems, and safe practices. Topics relating to “dense pack” are: the details that make dense pack perform better than standard wall insulation, how to recognize and treat “key junctures” that are common in older buildings, and introduction to all of the relevant tools and techniques.
Crew Leader
Effective January 1, 2012, The U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) requires that training for all technical personnel who work in the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) follow a national curriculum. Crew Leader is a new job classification and INCAA’s Crew Leader class is designed to comply with this mandate from DOE. Initially, it is only appropriate for personnel who have attained certification as a Building Technician. As the new requirements are fully implemented, Retrofit Installer – Shell will eventually supplant the Building Technician job classification. The designated supervisor on each shell crew will be required to receive this training and eventually pass competency testing in thisjob classification.
This will be a two day class. Individual student progress will be assessed at the end of the class.
Primary topics covered in each of the classroom days are as follows:
- How to develop a strategy to implement the work scope.
- Successful communication with clients, crew personnel, auditors.
- Dealing with pre-existing conditions and work order changes.
- Documenting time and material.
- Maintaining safe practices and a safe work site.
- Test out and job finalization
Retrofit Installer: Mechanical
This three day session covers inspection, testing and installation of mechanical system. Participants will become familiar with mechanical components and operational characteristics with the goal in mind being competent installation, testing and repair. This training is designed for the Technicians who may be performing safety and efficiency repairs or equipment replacements deemed necessary by the Weatherization Auditor. “Worst Case” draft and CO testing are featured in this course. This is a recommended prerequisite for some of the other mechanical courses.
Prerequisites:
Weatherization (WX) 101
The course participant must be a qualified heating installer or service technician currently working in the field or with documentable field experience.
Carbon Monoxide and Combustion Analysis
This one-day segment of the Advanced Heating Systems training is designed to provide Weatherization Auditors and Heating Technicians with the causes of carbon monoxide problems and the mitigation procedures. Also, learn how to operate a combustion analyzer to perform combustion analysis.
Electric Furnace & Heat Pump Inspections
This is a two day course designed for to give Weatherization Auditors and Heating Technicians the skills and knowledge necessary to inspect and evaluate electric furnaces and heat pump systems. We will cover sequence of operation and proper control set-up to gain the most efficiency from heat pump systems.
Prerequisites:
Retrofit Mechanical Installer Course or
Mechanical Systems for Auditors Course
Oil Furnace Training
This two day session covers inspection and testing of vented oil fired heating appliances. Participants will become familiar with oil heating components and operational characteristics with the goal in mind being competent inspection, testing and repair. This session is designed for either Weatherization Auditors making inspections or Technicians providing repairs. Topic areas include: components and operation, oil furnace combustion, methods of measuring combustion efficiency and the improvement of combustion efficiency. Oil Furnace Inspection form is provided help facilitate inspection and documentation.
Boiler Inspections
This two day seminar is designed to give Weatherization Auditors and Heating Technicians a guide to a Health and Safety Inspection of gas boilers. Topics covered will be system identification, hot water vs. steam boilers, operational characteristics, system controls, safeties and limits, inspection considerations and maintenance issues. A new Boiler Inspection form will be introduced to help with the inspection process.
Vent Systems and Combustion Air Requirements
This two-day segment of the Advanced Heating Systems training is designed to provide Weatherization Auditors and Heating Technicians with the inspection process for vent systems, installation requirements and sizing procedures. Also, learn how to how to calculate combustion air requirements and solve related issues.
Heating System Airflow Diagnostics
This one-day segment of the Advanced Heating Systems training is designed to provide Weatherization Auditors and Heating Technicians with the process to calculate the required airflow and the tools necessary to measure airflow in a duct system. Learn how static pressure and duct sizing relate to the temperature rise of a furnace.
Energy Auditor
This class is intended to provide participants with the knowledge of the steps involved in the process of becoming an Energy Auditor in the DOE National Weatherization Program. We will discuss the audit process from beginning to end followed by a field visit to a live home to perform a complete audit. Participants will then write up a scope of work for the building and discuss how to implement appropriate measures. The goal of this class is to take information learned in other classes and in the field and “put it all together” into a comprehensive audit process. There are pre-requisite classes before attending this session.
Pre-requisite classes (experienced auditors):
Applying ASHRAE 62.2 (New class)
DOE H&S Guidance (New class)
Pre-requisite classes (new auditors):
Introduction to Weatherization (New class)
Insulating Site-built Homes
Air-sealing Site-built homes
Includes Duct Sealing and Pressure Diagnostics
Mobile Home Weatherization
Mechanical Systems for Auditors (New class)
CAZ Pressure Testing for Auditors
Applying ASHRAE 62.2
DOE H&S Guidance (New class)
Additional required classes (New auditors – Would not have to be taken before REA):
Lead
Mold
NEAT / MHEA
Residential Heat Load Calculation
Additional recommended classes (All auditors):
Air Flow Diagnostics
Gas Range
Combustion Appliance Venting
Boiler Inspection
Oil Furnace
Carbon Monoxide
Wood Stove Safety
Mechanical Systems for Auditors
This is an introductory class that will look at the different types of mechanical systems in Weatherization houses from an Auditor perspective. It will provide an overview of operational characteristics, components and testing considerations for gas, oil, solid fuel or electric furnaces, boilers, cook-stoves, water heaters, air conditioners and heat pumps. We will use the following forms as guidance for the inspection portion of the class: Gas Appliance Inspection, Oil Furnace, Boiler, Electric Furnace, Gas Range, Heat Pump and Wood Stove.
CAZ Pressure Diagnostics
This new class will concentrate on the worst case draft testing procedure that involves activities beyond the scope of Building Technicians, such as CO, heat rise and flame interference. We will not only identify acceptable and unacceptable diagnostic numbers, but we will also concentrate on identifying exactly what needs to be done to fix the problems we encounter. If you are a Building Analyst or a Heating Technician, this class is for you. It is also a good refresher before your next Certification event.
Worst Case Draft for Auditors and Heating Techs
This new class will concentrate on the worst case draft testing procedure that involves activities beyond the scope of Building Technicians, such as CO, heat rise and flame interference. We will not only identify acceptable and unacceptable diagnostic numbers, but we will also concentrate on identifying exactly what needs to be done to fix the problems we encounter. If you are a Building Analyst or a Heating Technician, this class is for you. It is also a good refresher before your next Certification event.
Introduction To NEAT/MHEA Software
This one-day class is intended to help Weatherization program staff get up and running with NEAT/MHEA v8.5. Indiana’s Wx Measures Priority List is based on NEAT/MHEA and there are many cases when it would be advantageous for an auditor to run NEAT/MHEA on individual homes. This new version of NEAT/MHEA also contains appliance data bases for refrigerators and water heaters, and many more upgrades.
Whole House Heat Load Calculations
This one day course covers the methods, skills and inspection techniques Building Analysts need to calculate whole house heat load. This course will follow the ACCA Manual J heat loss procedure, utilize Blower Door air leakage information to determine heat loss associated with infiltration, and account for heat loss associated with air-sealed duct systems. Detailed building information of post-weatherization conditions are input into an Excel spreadsheet to determine a realistic post-weatherization heating load on the building. This heating load is then used to help select the most appropriate size of replacement furnace.
Final Inspector
At the root of every successful completion is a comprehensive and accurate evaluation of the entire Weatherization process. From the audit, to the implementation of the work scope, and all the way through the interim and final inspection, it’s all in the details.
This four day course will detail the diagnostics, attention to detail, and the expectations of a quality Weatherization interim and final inspection.
The first two days of this course will detail all the diagnostic procedures for shell, mechanical, and health and safety, as well as look at the appropriateness of audit procedures and work scope effectiveness. We will explore ways to evaluate all aspects of the Weatherization process looking for opportunity to improve our product.
Day three will be a field day performing an Interim Inspection and providing a site visit for a crew in progress.
Day four will be a field day performing a Final Inspection on recently completed weatherization work. We will identify what work meets expectations and where improvements are necessary. We will detail how to proceed with the need for additional work.
There will be a written test at the end of day four followed by a Field Skills Assessment for final completion of this course.
New Furnace Installation Inspections
This training is designed to provide Weatherization Auditors and Heating Technicians with the Indiana New Furnace Installation Inspection Procedure and will focus on filling out the New Furnace Installation Inspection Form.
Applying The ASHRAE 62.2 Ventilation Strategy
For an extended period of time, Indiana’s Weatherization Program has been following the ASHRAE 62-89 ventilation strategy as a guideline for building tightness and determining a ‘Minimum Ventilation Requirement’. ASHRAE has since developed a new strategy called the ASHRAE 62.2 that gives partial credit for infiltration and exfiltration as a ventilation strategy, where the 62-89 before it had given full credit. Beginning January 2012, the Weatherization Program requires full implementation of the ASHRAE 62.2. This will change how we address the MVR and assess ventilation.
This course will cover the background behind developing the 62.2, how it applies to retrofit work, and what energy auditors need to know regarding equipment performance, sizing and selection criteria. We will demonstrate the INCAA 62.2 Spreadsheet to make processing this information a breeze.
DOE Weatherization Health & Safety Policy
In 2011, DOE issued a new Weatherization Program Notice (11-06) in an attempt to provide clearer guidance for Health and Safety issues that we discover in houses we weatherize. This guidance tells us what is allowable and what is not allowable....it all boils down to the State Plan. We will detail the WPN-11-06 and then find what the Indiana State Plan says. From there, we can strategize how to work through issues so we can produce "Healthy Homes".
Lead Safe Weatherization
Lead Safe Weatherization will be part lecture and part hands-on. The hands-on portion will demonstrate typical Weatherization measures where lead safety is needed. There is a study period and a written test at the end of the day. This course is NOT a Lead Renovator course and does NOT fulfill the Lead Renovator requirement. Rather, this course will identify practices that workers must implement to provide lead safety in the workplace for themselves as well as the occupants of the home.
Moisture Assessment
The Moisture Assessment class will help technicians and auditors identify the conditions that promote mold growth. We will identify treatment options for less extensive mold conditions and best Weatherization practices to prevent mold growth. We will discuss health aspects for both workers and clients.
Mold is supposedly everywhere, but where is the mold that I need to be concerned about in regards to performing Weatherization? What levels of mold are of relatively minimal concern and easily cleanable? What levels and locations are significant enough that it's best to delay Weatherization? Where do we draw the line? When are conditions significant enough for a 'walk away'?
The INCAA Training Facility also provides a wide range of custom designed training programs. We can build what you need and deliver it at the INCAA Training Facility, and we are also available to bring training to your location. Contact Steve Nall, Technical Team Leader for information regarding a custom designed training program.
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