Hello Unemployed SE Alaskans – appended

Guess What?

SE Alaska’s very own Tlingit-Haida Regional Housing Authority has offered Weatherization Training.  And they want you to  fill out a long application form and then take a little test, isn’t that marvy?  So, I made a few notes to help you out.

The Application

Tentative training dates :

• February 1-5, 2010
• March 8-12, 2010
• April 12-16, 2010

The 40 hour classes may (as in might) include those shown below and will likely be presided over by the Tlingit-Haida Regional Housing Authority, and possibly Wisdom and Associates (experts in this field):

• Hands-on and technical weatherization training (practicum)
• Blower door and airtightness workshops
• AK-Warm weatherization software training
• Diagnostic procedures; heat loss, moisture identification, electrical safety, locating water damage
• Cold Climate Advanced  Homebuilder Workshop
• Ventilation Workshop

The huge Caveat: The application is for training only, there aren’t any jobs being offered. You will be signed up for a program that is largely an introductory class.  Strike #1

What happens if you fail to complete the classes?  The Participant Training Agreement items 2, 3, 4 and 5 can all result in the applicant having to reimburse the Tlingit -Haida Regional Housing Authority for any and all costs of training.   Strike #2

In the fine print of the form, funding is made available through the Denali Training fund and the AK DOL Labor and Workforce Development Division of Business Partnerships:

• $??? for Actual classes
• $210 Transportation to and from training per person
• $240 Lodging allowance for entire training period per person
• $60 Individual daily per diem-max of 5 days
• Funds available to trainee as a reimbursement and made only with a certificate of completion
• and this makes Strike #3

My biggest concern:  If you can’t walk away from the training with a job or a means to create your own small business-why bother.  It’s another in a long list of empty campaigns where training pays/benefits the presenter,  the trainers and leaves the trainee with another certificate of completion that most contractors won’t respect. There is a simple fix; make it self employment oriented as well.   Strike #4

Check these folks out for yourselves at these websites:

Wisdom and Associates: http://www.wisdomandassociates.com/index.html

Tlingit-Haida Regional Housing Authority: http://www.thrha.org/index2.asp

Our next  item(s) up for review:

DOE Training Acceptance Requirement(s)

Math Pre-Test Remember, most of my comments are in italics.

You may use a calculator to solve the following questions.  Answers may be expressed in decimal or fraction form.  (15-minute time limit)

You must score 73% or higher, (answer at least eleven (11) out of fifteen (15) correct).  Failure to do so will require additional basic math skills before attending the Initial Inspection course at the OWTC.

Problem 1: addition of whole and fractional numbers, 8 and 1/2″+17 and 3/4″+23 and 3/8″ equals what?

08  ½” change to   8-4/8

17 ¾”  change to 17-6/8

23 3/8” leave as    23-3/8

48-13/8 (divide 13 by 8=1 and 5/8)  then add 48 + 1-5/8 equals 49-5/8”

Note: ‘ is a symbol representing feet, “ is a symbol representing inches; never forget to use them with your answer.  Here we elected to use the lowest common denominator of the fractions to solve this problem- true for  1 and 2.

Problem 2: subtraction of whole and fractional numbers, 23 and 1/4″ – 7 and 1/8″ equals what?

23 ¼” change to 23-2/8

- 7 1/8” leave as    7-1/8

16-1/8”  Simple subtraction when a common denominator is used.

Problem 3: multiplication of whole numbers and decimal fractions.

23.25

x12.75

296.4375   There weren’t any measurement symbols, so none are required.

Remember with problem 1 and 2 you must find the common denominator first.

4. 350/40= (350 divided by 40= 8.75) 5. 3/8 x 120 = ____   (3 divided by 8=.375 times 120=45) or (120 divided by 8=15 times 3 =45)

6. How many inches are in 5 feet? ________     (12 inches =1 foot so 5 times 12 inches =60 inches)

7. One square foot equals how many square inches? ________ (You square a number by multiplying it times itself, so 1 foot equals 12 inches times 12 inches=144 inches)

8. What is the perimeter of the house diagramed below? ________feet. ( ‘ equals ft, ” equals inches.  Add the lengths of all the sides together, one time, 42′ + 32′ + 16′ + 12′ + 26′ + 20′ = 148′)

9. What is the area of the house diagrammed below? ________square feet. ( To solve this make two small boxes, multiply the length times the width of each box and then add the two answers together and remember that the answer will be in square feet or sf, 20′ x 42′=840 sf add that number to the answer from 12′ x 16′=192sf, 840sf plus 192sf equals 1032 sf)

10. What is the volume of the house diagrammed below? ________cubic feet.

11. What is 75% of 2400? ________.  (75% is the same as .75 or 3/4, the easiest method of  finding the answer is to multiply 2400 by .75 which is 1800.)

12-15. Write in the measurement indicated by the arrow pointing at the tape measure.

12. 0-5/8 inch            13.  2-3/8 inches         14.3-3/8 inches            15. 5-3/16 inches

A single inch has 8ea,  1/8′s  called 8th’s and/or

16 ea,  1/16′s called 16th’s.

Computer Skills Pre-Test

Basic Computer Skills Survey Here you are on your own.

1. Have you used a computer before?        ____Yes     ____No
2. Do you own a computer?                      ____Yes     ____No
3. How well can you type?                        ____Good   ____OK      ____Not Good
4. What software programs have you used?
   1. Microsoft Word or other word processor?                 ____Yes     ____No
   2. Excel or other spreadsheet program?                        ____Yes     ____No
   3. Outlook or other email program?                             ____Yes     ____No
   4. Internet Explorer or other Internet browser?            ____Yes     ____No
   5. NEAT, MHEA, or other energy audit software?       ____Yes     ____No

Windows Basics Test
Perform the following tasks on the computer.

1. Open three different software programs, resize and position the windows so you can see all three applications on the screen at once.
2. Minimize all three programs and create a new folder on the desktop.
3. Create a word-processing file and save it on the desktop
4. Move this new file into the new folder using drag and drop.
5. Open the folder and confirm you successfully moved the file.
6. Using the Windows Help menus locate instructions for cut and paste and drag and drop. Point to what tutorials come with windows for learning file management. (copy, delete, move, rename, view properties)

File Management Basics Test

Nearly everything you’ll do with computers revolves around creating content in the form of different types of files using different software programs. You’ll need to be comfortable with creating, saving, opening, and editing files. Then you’ll need to understand storing, organizing, renaming, moving, copying, deleting and backing up your important files. Plan on learning by doing. Mistakes are considered positive learning experiences and are an essential part of using and learning computers. Trouble-shooting gets easier with practice.

Begin by drafting a personal list of the computer skills you have and the skills you want to learn. Then complete the following tests.

1. Create a new folder on the desktop named “Test Folder #1” and save a simple word processing document to this folder.
2. Create a folder named “Test Folder #2” within “Test Folder #1” and move the word processing file into this new folder.
3. Put a copy of this file into the first folder you created.
4. Rename this file.
5. Create another new folder on the desktop named “Test Folder #3” and move Test Folder #2 into this folder.
6. Delete all these folders and files.

Copy and Paste Basics Test

Perform the following tasks on the computer.

1. Highlight a section of text in a document and copy it to another location.
2. Highlight a section of text in a document and move it to a new location.
3. Highlight an image in a document and copy it to another location.  Then, move the image to new location.

Spreadsheet Basics Test

Circle the letter of the best answer.  (I used a * for my selection).

1. Spreadsheets:
   1. Are large amounts of information
   2. Organize text and numbers into columns and rows *
   3. Are usually graphics

1. Columns are:
   1. Labeled with numbers
   2. Not labeled
   3. Labeled with letters *

1. Rows are:
   1. Labeled with numbers *
   2. Not labeled
   3. Labeled with letters

1. What are the intersection of a column and a row?
   1. Formulas
   2. Entries
   3. Cells *

1. The column and row label combined at the point of intersection is known as the:
   1. Active cell *
   2. Cell name
   3. Formula

1. What are the sets of instructions that produce a value for a cell?
   1. Addresses
   2. Spreadsheets
   3. Formulas *

1. What character should start any formula?
   1. Plus sign (+)
   2. Any operator (+,-,*,/)
   3. Equals sign (=) *

1. Which formula will produce the total cost of all weatherization measures?

	A	B	C	D	E	F
1	Measure	Hours	Rate	Labor	Materials	Total
2	Air sealing	4	$30	$120	$200	$320
3	Attic insulation	3	$30	$90	$324	$414
4	Sidewall insulation	8	$30	$240	$312	$552
5	Water heater wrap	0.5	$30	$15	$14	$29

1. =SUM(F2:F5)
2. =F2+F3+F4+F5 
3. =SUM(B5:F5)
4. Both a and b *

Pay attention to the following:

Glossary of trade terms.  Get very-very familiar with these terms, over time you’ll memorize most of them.

Air Barrier – The air barrier of a dwelling, also known as the pressure boundary, is the building shell surface that limits airflow between inside and outside.  For maximum energy efficiency and comfort, the air barrier and thermal barrier should be continuous and in contact with each other.

ASHRAE – American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers

ASHRAE 62 – ASHRAE 62 is a group of ASHRAE standards for minimum building ventilation requirements. ASHRAE 62.1-2004, entitled Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality, cover general topics and requirements for commercial and high-rise residential buildings.  ASHRAE 62.2-2004, Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low-Rise Residential Buildings, has a self-explanatory title.

Attic Ventilation – Building codes require attic openings to outside to induce airflow that cools the attic in summer and exhausts moisture.  There is a growing consensus that unvented attics have energy benefits and that in hot, humid climates attic ventilation brings in more moisture from outside than it purges.

Auditor – An auditor is a weatherization worker that assesses an eligible dwelling for potential weatherization services. Auditors visually inspect the building shell and mechanical systems; conduct diagnostic, health, and safety tests; record the location, condition, and dimensions of walls, ceilings, floors, windows, doors, and mechanical systems; enter data into computerized energy audit or use a priority list to select cost-effective measures; and prepare clear and accurate work orders to ensure the most appropriate measures are installed properly.

Balloon-Framed Walls – Balloon-framed walls are built without top or bottom plates.  This type of framing often provides an air channel from the basement or crawlspace to the attic that allows outside air to flow through the walls resulting in excessive heat loss/gain.

Band Joist – Band joists are the floor joists that run around the perimeter of the house.  There are two types of band joists – header joists that run perpendicular to the floor joists and rim joists that run parallel.  A typical weatherization measure involves insulating the header joist spaces between floor joists and along the rim joists.

Base Load – Base loads are energy loads from appliances that are on most of the time and do not vary with changing climate. Base loads include refrigerators, water heaters, and lights.  Base loads are often thought to be primarily electric loads, but can be fueled by other energy sources.

Batt Insulation – Batts are fiberglass insulation manufactured in rolls precut to standard widths to fit snugly between framing (joists, rafters, or studs) on 16-inch or 24-inch centers in ceilings, floor, and walls.  While often made with a “Kraft” paper facing designed to retard vapor transmission, batt insulation is also available without the paper facing (unfaced batts).

Blower Door – A blower door is a device for testing the airtightness of a building. A blower door consists of a calibrated fan for measuring an air flow rate and a pressure sensing device to measure the pressure created by the fan flow. The combination of pressure and flow can be used to estimate the airtightness.

Building Performance Institute (BPI) – BPI is an organization that supports the development of a professional building performance industry through individual and organizational credentialing and a quality assurance program.  BPI offers certification of individuals in evaluation, mechanical, envelope, mobile home, and multi-family designations, as well as accreditation of organizations committed to using a quality management system.

Building Science – Building science is the collection of scientific knowledge that focuses on the analysis and control of the physical phenomena affecting buildings. This includes the detailed analysis of building materials and building envelope systems.

Building Tightness Limit – Also known as the minimum ventilation rate, the building tightness limit is the least amount of fresh air that must be drawn through a house (by either natural or mechanical means) to ensure acceptable indoor air quality.

Bypass – A bypass is a hole between conditioned and unconditioned space that allows air leakage through the pressure boundary, or air barrier, of a dwelling.

CAZ – A combustion appliance zone, or CAZ, is any zone containing a combustion appliance.

CO – Carbon monoxide

Combustion Air – Complete combustion of fossil fuels such as natural gas, propane, and fuel oil requires an adequate supply of air.  Inadequate combustion air causes incomplete combustion, which generates carbon monoxide.

Combustion Appliance – A combustion appliance is a furnace, boiler, space heater, wood stove, water heater, cook stove, or other device that burns wood or fossil fuel such as natural gas, propane, or fuel oil.

Compact Fluorescent Lamp – A compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) is a type of fluorescent lamp that screws into a regular light bulb socket or plugs into a small lighting fixture.  In comparison to incandescent light bulbs, CFLs have a longer rated life and use less electricity.

Competency – Competency means the possession of a minimum level of knowledge and proficiency required to collect appropriate information, make informed decisions, and physically takes the needed actions to deliver the high-quality weatherization service in question.

Consumer/Client Education – Consumer or client education includes discussion, instruction, brochures, and pamphlets that explain the weatherization process, the measures installed in the client’s house, how to use certain measures (such as programmable thermostats), and low-cost/no-cost ways to save energy and reduce energy costs.

Crew Chief – A crew chief is a weatherization worker that supervises a crew of installers and directs their efforts to weatherize eligible dwellings.

Critical Junction Point – Critical junction points are areas in building construction that typically exhibit air leaks or are inadequately insulated.  Critical junction points include the intersection of ceilings and walls, cantilevers, and finished-attic kneewalls.

Cross Training – Training every member of a crew to be able to do every job is known as cross training.  While certain crew members may specialize in specific tasks, a cross-trained crew understands how their specialty impacts all others and can adjust to staff turnover.

Delta Q – Delta Q is a testing protocol to measure duct leaks to the outside under actual operating conditions.

Demonstrated Ability – A demonstrated ability is the physical performance of a test, procedure, or technique on an actual house, a prop, or in a training lab in the presence of someone qualified to assess the particular competency.

Dense-Packed Cellulose Insulation – Loose cellulose insulation is blown into closed building cavities (usually walls, but also roof/ceiling cavities) to a density of 3½ pounds per cubic inch to air seal as well as insulate.

DOE – U.S. Department of Energy

Dropped Soffit – A dropped soffit (or simply drop soffit) is built from framing and drywall over kitchen cabinets to give a more finished appearance than just hanging wall cabinets with a foot or so gap between the top of the cabinet and the ceiling.  From the attic, a dropped soffit looks like a big hole in the floor and often causes breaks in the attic thermal and air barriers.

Duct Blaster – A Duct Blaster is a calibrated airflow measurement system designed to test and document the air tightness of forced-air duct systems.  Duct Blaster is the trade name of the device manufactured by the Energy Conservatory of Minneapolis, Minnesota.  Other competing companies such as Infiltec and Retrotec manufacture similar systems.

EPA – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

HVAC – Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning

HVAC Installer/Contractor – A HVAC installer/contractor is a crew member or contractor trained and licensed to repair and replace furnaces, boilers, air conditioners, and related equipment.

Hydronic Distribution Pipes – Hydronic distribution pipes deliver hot water or steam from a water heater or boiler to baseboard convectors or radiators located throughout a house.

Inspector – An inspector verifies the proper selection, installation, and effectiveness of weatherization measures installed in eligible dwellings through review of documentation, visual inspection, and performance of diagnostic, health, and safety testing.

Installer – An installer is a crew member or contractor that installs weatherization measures in eligible dwellings.

Knob-and-Tube Wiring – Older homes may have “knob-and-tube” electrical wiring, where two separate wires run through ceramic posts (knobs) attached to the top of ceiling joists or through ceramic tubes inserted into holes drilled in the wall or roof framing. Since this type of wiring was designed to dissipate heat to the attic air, insulating over knob-and-tube wiring can cause dangerous overheating.

Lead-Safe Work Practices – Lead-safe work practices are the use of specific precautions in the conduct of weatherization activities designed to avoid contaminating homes with lead-based paint dust and debris, and to avoid exposing the clients, weatherization workers, and their families to this hazard.

Mastic – Mastic is a material used to seal duct leaks.  It is the consistency of drywall joint compound when applied, but dries to a hard, durable finish.  To seal duct leaks larger than ¼ inch, mastic is applied over a specially made fiberglass mesh tape.

Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) – A material safety data sheet or MSDS describes the properties of a particular substance (e.g., caulk, mastic, sealant). An important component of workplace safety, it is intended to provide workers and emergency personnel with procedures for handling or working with that substance in a safe manner.

Mechanical Ventilation – Mechanical ventilation is the controlled exhaust of indoor air, intake of fresh outdoor air, or a combination of both through the use of fans, controls, passive air intakes, and sometimes ducts, registers, and air-to-air heat exchangers.

Minimum Ventilation Rate – Also known as the building tightness limit, the minimum ventilation rate is the least amount of fresh air that must be drawn through a house (by either natural or mechanical means) to ensure acceptable indoor air quality.

Monitor (Administrative) – An administrative monitor is someone employed or contracted by a state to review the administrative and programmatic activities of local weatherization agencies (subgrantees) to ensure compliance with applicable laws and programmatic and financial regulations.

Monitor (Technical) – A technical monitor is someone employed or contracted by a state to review the technical and field activities of local weatherization agencies (subgrantees) to ensure compliance with the enacting federal legislation, federal program regulations, and state technical program standards.

NASCSP – National Association for State Community Services Programs is a national association charged with advocating and enhancing the leadership role of states in preventing and reducing poverty.  NASCSP’s members are state administrators of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program.  NASCSP keeps its members, the federal government, and other interested parties informed about issues related to CSBG and the Weatherization Program through its publications and training.

OSHA – The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s mission is to assure the safety and health of America’s workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health.

Personal Protective Equipment – Equipment such as respirators, safety goggles, disposable coveralls, and hard hats worn by weatherization workers to protect them from jobsite hazards.

Plenum – A plenum is the initial duct on the supply and return side of an air handler.

Pressure Pan – A pressure pan resembles a cake pan and is used to locate duct leakage with a digital manometer while a blower door is running.

Priority List – A priority list is a list of weatherization measures appropriate for typical housing stock ordered by descending cost effectiveness.  DOE-approved energy audit software is used to verify the cost effectiveness of the measures and account for the interaction between measures.

R-Value – R-value is a measure of resistance to heat flow.  Insulation with an R-value of R-38 resists heat loss better than R-19 insulation.

Room Pressure Imbalances – Pressure imbalances happen when the conditioned air supplied to a room does not equal the airflow returned to the furnace or air conditioner.  In dwellings with forced-air distribution and a central return system, closing bedroom doors can cause the bedrooms to experience a positive pressure and rooms that are open to the return grille see a negative pressure.  Atmospherically vented combustion appliances can backdraft if they are located in a zone with negative pressure.

Steam Trap – Steam traps are automatic valves used in steam heating systems to remove condensed steam (hot water) from the steam pipes and return it to the boiler.

Temperature-Rise Test – A temperature-rise test is conducted on a furnace by measuring the temperature of air entering the furnace and of the air exiting the furnace.  The difference between these two temperatures is known as the temperature rise and is compared to the normal range indicated on the nameplate to verify proper operation of the furnace.

Thermal Barrier – The thermal barrier of a dwelling is the building shell surface that limits heat flow.  For maximum energy efficiency and comfort, the air barrier and thermal barrier should be continuous and in contact with each other.

Unvented Combustion Appliance – An unvented combustion appliance vents combustion gases to the living space instead of outside as does a vented appliance.

Weatherization Plus – The U.S. Department of Energy’s effort to plan the continued evolution of the Weatherization Program for the next five years through activities designed to expand resources (leveraging and partnerships), share relevant information with the weatherization network, and increase the consistent delivery of high-quality weatherization services nationwide.

Work Order – A work order describes what weatherization measures are to be installed in an eligible dwelling and includes a list of the type and quantity of materials that are required to complete the job.

Working Knowledge – Working knowledge of means to:

• Knowing how a particular topic impacts the weatherization process;
• Having the relevant information committed to memory or being able to locate it in readily available sources; and
• Using the knowledge to make informed decisions and guide weatherization work.

Worst-Case Draft Test – A worst-case draft test is procedure used to verify the ability of a combustion appliance to safely exhaust combustion gases outside even when exhaust fans, pressure imbalances, and the stack effect are fighting its ability to properly draft.

Zone Pressure Diagnostics – Test procedures used with the blower door to locate air leakage are known as zone pressure diagnostics.

Well, phew . . . this is sorta done.  Now I’ll kick back and await the complaints -’ cause no good deed goes unpunished.  Personally I’d have to say that this program is of little immediate value to the underemployed or unemployed, that it is well intentioned but ill conceived and not fully considered.

Tlcorbin © all rights retained 2010

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