FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
www.bpi.org
 
 
BPI Issues Interim Guidance
on Water Heaters and Marginal Depressurization with No Spillage
 

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The following alternates apply to all natural draft water heaters that pass the spillage test under worst case conditions and have passed a visual combustion venting system inspection but are in houses with mechanical room depressurization between -2 and -5 pascals.
 
Either:
  • provide a spill switch to interrupt fuel supply if spillage occurs.
  • provide a spill alarm on the water heater plus an additional CO alarm in the mechanical room.

We recommend power vent and direct vent upgrades or isolation from pressure sources and additional combustion air. 

This change goes into effect immediately. 

This interim guidance is subject to review in the standards maintenance process. 

Please provide comments on this interim guidance to Joe Kuonen, BPI Director of Standards, at joek@bpi.org.

 
About BPI
 
The Building Performance Institute, Inc., (BPI) is the nation's premier building performance credentialing, quality assurance, and national standards setting organization.  BPI supports the development of a highly professional building performance industry through individual and organizational credentialing and a rigorous quality assurance program.  BPI offers the following:
  • certification of individuals in building analyst, heating, AC/heat pump, shell/envelope, and multi-family designations
  • accreditation of contractors committed to delivering quality, home performance improvements
  • quality assurance to verify conformance to BPI Standards and provide feedback for continuing improvement
  • affiliation of organizations who deliver BPI services in their market
  • open, transparent, consensus developed national technical standards based on sound building science

BPI, in cooperation with the building performance industry stakeholders, establishes a professional performance bar at a level appropriate to ensuring the consistent delivery of exceptional building performance services for those entrusting the BPI brand.  The BPI national expansion is supported by a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, as well as, various regional, state, and local programs.

 
Building Performance Institute, Inc.
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Malta, NY 12020
Phone: (877) 274-1274
Fax: (866) 777-1274