BPI Introduces IDL Certification for Duct and Envelope Tightness Testing Verification

MALTA, NY – November 4, 2014 – The Building Performance Institute, Inc. (BPI) introduced the Infiltration and Duct Leakage (IDL) certification, a task-oriented credential that verifies a candidate can successfully conduct air infiltration and duct leakage tests to the ASTM E1554-07 standard.

Sometimes referred to as Duct and Envelope Tightness (DET) on the training side, earning the IDL certification is a simple, comprehensive and affordable way for technicians of home builders, remodelers, HVAC and insulation contractors to gain the skills they need to offer duct leakage and blower door tests, in compliance with IECC energy codes for new home construction.

"The IDL certification fills a void in new home construction. New home builders now have an affordable alternative to traditional high-cost verification credentials for IECC compliance testing services," said BPI CEO Larry Zarker. "Knowing they can depend on trained and certified professionals is an important benefit to building code officials, builders and homeowners."

The IDL certification comes at a critical time for code officials, builders and their sub-contractors as they work to comply with IECC 2009 or 2012 codes that require blower door and duct leakage tests on new homes built. The IECC codes are designed to improve the quality of construction and energy efficiency of new housing stock. In September the nation's housing starts were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,017,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. More than half of these new homes will require the blower door and duct leakage tests, as 32 states nationwide currently require compliance to either the 2009 or 2012 IECC.

"I believe BPI's new IDL certification will have the same success that Georgia has enjoyed with our state wide credentialing program," said Carl Fortson, Building Code Official with Tift County, Georgia. "The quality of construction has improved as builders and code officials know the home and duct system were tested by certified professionals. Everyone benefits, the builder and I know the job was done right and the homeowner gets a better home."

To earn the certification, candidates must successfully pass a hands-on field exam with a score of 85 percent or higher; no written exam is required. Exams can be scheduled with a BPI Test Center, many of which offer or will soon offer IDL (or DET) training.

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. From these standards, we develop professional certifications for individuals, companywide credentials for BPI GoldStar Contractors, home energy rating systems and quality assurance services that help raise the bar in home performance contracting. 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. For more information on BPI and IDL certification, please use the contact information and links provided below.