Job Task Analysis (JTA) for the Home Energy Inspector

INTRODUCTION

A Job Task Analysis is a foundation for any valid credentialing program and helps identify the core knowledge areas, critical work functions, and skills typically found across a representative sampling of current practitioners or job incumbent workers. Empirical results from a job analysis provide examinees and the public with a valid, reliable, fair, and realistic assessment that reflects the skills, knowledge, and abilities required to competently perform a job.

In 2012, Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) met at InterNACHI World Headquarters in Boulder, Colorado, to develop the Home Energy Inspector™ Job Task Analysis and to create an examination blueprint that would serve as the basis for the inspector certification. A trained psychometrician facilitated the meeting and helped guide the development of these analyses. In 2013, a training course and examination blueprint were finalized.

DOMAINS AND TASKS

DOMAIN 1: Demonstrate professional conduct

• Task 1: Establish client relations
• Task 2: Represent the company
• Task 3: Maintain professionalism

DOMAIN 2: Collect home data

• Task 1: Document energy consumption using energy software
• Task 2: Document the building history
• Task 3: Conduct a visual inspection
• Task 4: Collect appliance information
• Task 5: Collect building measurements
• Task 6: Collect health and safety data
• Task 7: Identify building insulation (attic, walls and foundations)
• Task 8: Collect attic data
• Task 9: Collect wall data
• Task 10: Collect window data
• Task 11: Collect door data
• Task 12: Collect foundation data
• Task 13: Collect roof data

DOMAIN 3: Evaluate collected data

• Task 1: Evaluate the health and safety of the building
• Task 2: Evaluate the durability and structural integrity of the building
• Task 3: Evaluate the HVAC system
• Task 4: Evaluate the mechanical ventilation
• Task 5: Evaluate the foundation
• Task 6: Evaluate the walls
• Task 7: Evaluate the attic
• Task 8: Evaluate the doors
• Task 9: Evaluate the windows
• Task 10: Enter data into energy software

DOMAIN 1: Demonstrate Professional Conduct

Task 1: Establish client relations

Ability to:

•    Conduct client introductions
•    Conduct client interviews
•    Explain the purposes of the inspection
•    Set the client expectations and responsibilities (pre- and post-inspection)
•    Engage the client in the actual inspection
•    Inform the client of home energy professionals, including contractor services
•    Ability to work independently

Knowledge of:

•    Building science

•    Codes of conduct

•    Health and safety issues

•    Interviewing techniques

•    The local utility energy-efficiency programs

•    Forms

•    Safety issues

•    Interviewing techniques

Skill in:

•    Communication
•    Listening
•    Presenting information
•    Time management

Task 2: Represent the company

Ability to:

•    Interface with contractors
•    Complete inspection reports

Knowledge of:

•    Construction processes and techniques
•    Inspection reports

Skill in:

•    Communication

Task 3: Maintain professionalism

Ability to:

•    Complete continuing education
•    Maintain certifications
•    Acquire new certifications

Knowledge of:

•    Appropriate dress for the situation
•    Certification requirements for Home Energy Inspectors
•    Continuing education requirements for Home Energy Inspectors

DOMAIN 2: Collecting Information About the Building

Task 1: Document Energy Consumption Using Energy Software

Ability to:

•    Obtain 12 months of client utility bills
•    Obtain annual fuel delivery information (oil and propane)
•    Estimate statewide average energy prices for electricity, gas, and oil

Knowledge of:

•    How to access utility information
•    Utility bill components

Skill in:

•    Calculating
•    Basic Math

Task 2: Document the building history

Ability to:

•    Estimate the age of the original structure
•    Estimate the age of any additions or improvements
•    Estimate if the building has any historical significance

Knowledge of:

•    How to access building permit history
•    How to access tax files

Task 3: Conduct a visual inspection

Ability to:

•    Walk around the exterior of the building
•    Look for holes, chimneys, gutters, vent pipes, soffits, fascia, peeling paint, foundation integrity, areas of infiltration and exfiltration, exhaust fan penetrations, accesses, crawlspaces, roof vents, land grading, shading, orientation of the building, anomalies.
•    Walk around the interior of the building
•    Look for pest/vermin infestations, evidence of leaking or water damage, holes, chimneys, vent pipes, peeling paint, foundation integrity, areas of infiltration and exfiltration, exhaust fan penetrations, accesses, crawlspaces, roof vents, structural damage
•    Identify hidden rooms or spaces
•    Determine the exterior siding materials
•    Identify hazardous materials in the building
•    Detect unusual odors
•    Identify health and safety issues
•    Perform visual inspection of vented combustion appliance venting configuration
•    Detect unusual odors
•    Visually inspect adjacent and/or connected buildings for issues that impact or could be impacted by the inspected building

Knowledge of:

•    General construction
•    Codes and standards adopted by the local jurisdiction
•    Combustion appliance venting procedures
•    Hazardous materials
•    Issues that pose a health and/or safety risk
•    International Standards of Practice for Performing a General Home Inspections
•    International Standards of Practice for Inspecting Commercial Properties
•    Situations that pose a health and/or safety risk
•    Effects of moisture
•    Sources of moisture
•    What to look for when conducting a visual inspection
•    Photograph and document conditions

Skill in:

•    Attention to detail

Task 4: Collect appliance information

Ability to:

•    Collect refrigerator/freezer tag data and documentation
•    Collect heating/cooling appliance tag data and documentation
•    Identify heating/cooling appliance fuel type
•    Collect domestic water heater tag data and documentation
•    Collect washer/drying tag data and documentation
•    Collect mechanical ventilation tag data and documentation
•    Collect dishwasher tag data and documentation
•    Estimate shower head flow rates
•    Collect dehumidifier information
•    Collect stove/oven appliance tag data and documentation
•    Identify stoves/ovens appliance fuel type
•    Collect unvented space heater tag data and documentation
•    Identify other components related to the HVAC appliances (expansion tanks, fill valves, remote compressors, etc.)
•    Identify other components related to the domestic water heater appliance (storage tanks, mixing valves, etc.)
•    Identify safety features related to the HVAC and domestic water heater appliances

Knowledge of:

•    Appliances
•    Codes and standards adopted by the local jurisdiction
•    Domestic water heater components and operation
•    Heating/cooling system operations
•    How to read and interpret appliance tags
•    Mechanical ventilation equipment
•    Safety issues associated with domestic water heaters
•    Shower head operations and flow rates
•    Various appliance fuel types

Skill in:

•    Writing
•    Verbal communication
•    Attention to detail

Task 5: Collect health and safety data

Ability to:

•    Locate existing smoke/CO detectors
•    Estimate age of smoke/CO detectors
•    Determine if smoke detectors/CO are hardwired or battery
•    Verify clothes dryer is properly vented to exterior
•    Verify exhaust fans are properly vented to exterior
•    Identify any existence of hazardous materials/conditions
•    Identify knob and tube wiring
•    Identify moisture issues (standing water, condensation, plumbing leaks, mold, etc).
•    Identify electrical hazards (frayed wiring, open junction boxes, unkempt wires, overloaded circuits, etc.)
•    Identify suspect asbestos
•    Identify lead based paint hazards
•    Identify propane-fueled appliances
•    Identify unvented combustion appliances
•    Identify improperly operating back draft damper

Knowledge of:

•    Proper locations for smoke/CO detectors
•    Venting requirements for appliances
•    Conditions that signify moisture
•    Domestic water heater safety
•    Electrical hazards
•    Hazardous materials
•    Heating system safety
•    How to determine if knob and tube wiring is active
•    Issues and hazards associated with asbestos
•    Issues and hazards associated with lead based paint
•    Manufactured home water heater regulations
•    Rules and regulations pertaining to lead and asbestos
•    Smoke/CO detector operations

Task 6: Identify building insulation (attic, walls, and foundation)

Ability to:

•    Identify insulation type
•    Identify insulation amount (thickness, etc.)
•    Identify insulation condition
•    Identify presence and placement of vapor retarder
•    Identify location of insulation (exposure, aligned with pressure plane and thermal boundary, etc.)
•    Identify areas of insulation opportunities

Knowledge of:

•    Building science
•    Insulation effectiveness
•    Insulation R-Values
•    Insulation placement
•    Inspector safety requirements

Task 7: Collect attic data

Ability to:

•    Identify attic areas

•    Identify attic framing components

•    Determine existing ventilation (soffit, can, ridge, type and size, power ventilators, etc.)

•    Identify sources/signs of water damage

•    Identify infiltration points

•    Identify point(s) of access

•    Identify electrical hazards

•    Identify pest/vermin infestations

•    Inspect the structure

•    Identify whole house fan

•    Determine attic uses
•    Note the existence of a radiant barriers
•    Identify existence of baffles
•    Use ladders

Knowledge of:

•    Attic components
•    Electrical hazards
•    General construction terms
•    Infiltration points
•    Safety hazards in an attic (nails, rafters, heat exposure, etc.)
•    Signs of water damage
•    Signs of pest/vermin infestations
•    Thermography
•    Types of ladders based on the situation
•    Ventilation requirements

Task 8: Collect wall data

Ability to:

•    Identify wall type (interior, exterior, components)
•    Identify framing method
•    Identify wall orientation
•    Identify cavity depth
•    Identify source and signs of any water damage
•    Identify infiltration points
•    Identify signs of pest/vermin infestation
•    Identify orientation of home
•    Identify upper stories
•    Use a compass

Knowledge of:

•    General construction
•    Building science
•    Compass orientations
•    Infiltration points
•    Typical wall framing and components

Skills in:

•    Basic math
•    Logical thinking

Task 9: Collect window data

Ability to:

•    Identify window type (jalousie, awning, single-hung, double hung, etc.)
•    Identify window frame type (wood, aluminum, vinyl, etc.)
•    Identify window glazing type (single, double, triple-pane, etc.)
•    Identify window operation/leakiness
•    Measure window area
•    Count number of windows
•    Identify window orientation
•    Identify general window conditions

Knowledge of:

•    Standards pertaining to window glazing (safety glazing, walkways, etc.)
•    Window construction, components and terminology

Task 10: Collect door data

Ability to:

•    Identify door type
•    Measure door area
•    Count number of doors
•    Identify door conditions
•    Identify condition of door sweep and weather stripping
•    Identify door hardware condition

Knowledge of:

•    Door components, hardware and terminology
•    Door construction
•    Door operation and adjustments

Skill in:

•    Basic math

Task 11: Collect foundation data

Ability to:

•    Identify foundation types (crawlspace, basement, or slab)

•    Identify foundation materials

•    Measure floor areas

•    Identify infiltration points

•    Identify sources and signs of moisture

•    Identify points of access

•    Identify electrical hazards

•    Identify signs of pest/vermin infestations

•    Inspect the structure

•    Identify special equipment (sump pumps, etc.)

•    Identify crawlspace ventilation
•    Inspect the plumbing pipes
•    Work in confined spaces
•    Measure

Knowledge of:

•    General construction
•    Basic Electricity
•    Basic Plumbing
•    Building science
•    Standards adopted by the local jurisdiction
•    Crawlspace ventilation
•    Foundation construction materials and methods
•    Inspector safety
•    Potential sources of moisture
•    Signs of moisture
•    Signs of pests/vermin
•    Signs of structural hazards on foundations
•    Structures typically found in foundations
•    Types of foundations

Skill in:

•    Observation

Task 12: Collect roof data

Ability to:

•    Identify roof conditions
•    Identify roof color
•    Identify roofing materials (90 lb paper, rubber, etc.)
•    Identify condition of parapet walls
•    Identify roof penetrations
•    Identify roof debris (garbage, old air conditioners, etc.)
•    Identify roof ventilation (passive vents)
•    Identify roof drainage
•    Identify roof pitch
•    Inspect flashing condition
•    Identify roof access
•    Identify roof exposure and orientation
•    Identify roof insulation (flat roof with no cavity and with rigid insulation)
•    Work at heights
•    Estimate roof pitch

Knowledge of:
DOMAIN 3: Evaluate Collected Data

Task 1: Evaluate the health and safety of the building

Ability to:

•    Review collected data to determine if there is health and safety concern

•    Determine the need for repairs

•    Refer customers to qualified home energy contractors

Knowledge of:

•    How to deal with special circumstances (mold, lead, asbestos, etc.)
•    Construction repair methods
•    Estimating costs associated with repairs

Skill in:

•    Basic math

Task 2: Evaluate the durability and structural integrity of the building

Ability to:

•    Review collected data to determine if there is a durability or structural integrity issue
•    Determine the need for repairs
•    Estimating costs associated with repairs

Knowledge of:

•    Standards adopted by local jurisdiction
•    Costs associated with structural repairs
•    Structural repair methods

Skill in:

•    Basic math

Task 3: Evaluate the HVAC system

Ability to:

•    Review collected data to determine if there is a HVAC system issue

•    Evaluate the HVAC system for health and safety concerns

•    Evaluate HVAC age, size, and efficiency

•    Identify the method of distribution

•    Determine the need to service versus replace
•    Evaluate the HVAC for other issues that lead to replacement or upgrades (condition, age, efficiency, etc.)
•    Identify duct sealing/insulation and pipe insulation

Knowledge of:

•    BTU content of fuels
•    Heating/cooling system operations
•    How to size HVAC systems
•    HVAC system repair, replacement or upgrade costs
•    Duct leakage
•    Safety requirements

Skill in:

•    Basic math
•    Communication
•    Attention to detail

Task 4: Evaluate the mechanical ventilation

Ability to:

•    Review collected data to determine mechanical ventilation issues

Knowledge of:

•    IAQ standards
•    Types of ventilation
•    Ventilation flow
•    Ventilation sizing

Skill in:

•    Basic math

Task 5: Evaluate the foundation

Ability to:

•    Review collected data to determine foundation issues

•    Identify foundation defects

•    Identify type of insulation materials

•    Determine proper insulation location (floor or wall)

•    Evaluate crawlspace venting needs

•    Determine if perimeters need to be insulated

•    Inspect for adequate ventilation

•    Evaluate the need for vapor barrier

Knowledge of:

•    Building science
•    Standards adopted by local jurisdiction
•    Foundation construction techniques
•    Foundation crawlspace ventilation
•    Foundation insulation
•    Foundation types
•    Foundation vapor barriers

Task 6: Evaluate the walls

Ability to:

•    Review collected data to determine wall issues

•    Determine proper insulation levels

•    Identify type of insulation materials

•    Inspect the pressure plane and thermal boundary alignment
•    Inspect the vapor retarder placement

Knowledge of:

•    EPA and DOE lead and asbestos standards
•    Building science
•    Standards adopted by local jurisdiction
•    Insulation types
•    Pressure planes and thermal boundaries
•    Typical wall structures
•    Vapor barriers in walls

Task 7: Evaluate the attic

Ability to:

•    Review collected data to determine attic issues

•    Evaluate repairs needed and structural integrity

•    Inspect insulation location

•    Identify insulation type

•    Measure insulation thickness

•    Evaluate whether insulation is appropriate for use
•    Ensure pressure plane and thermal boundary align (air sealing)
•    Ensure the vapor retarder is appropriately placed
•    Evaluate attic ventilation existing and required
•    Assess fire hazards (lighting cans, electrical, etc.)
•    Evaluate the need for service access

Knowledge of:

•    Attic construction and materials
•    Attic fire hazards
•    Attic types
•    Attic ventilation
•    Building science
•    Standards adopted by local jurisdiction
•    Insulation types and appropriateness
•    Pressure planes and thermal boundaries
•    Vapor barriers

Task 8: Evaluate the doors

Ability to:

•    Review collected data to determine door issues

•    Evaluate repairs needed and structural integrity

•    Evaluate the condition of storm doors (closers, etc.)

Knowledge of:

•    Standards adopted by local jurisdiction
•    Door framing structures and processes
•    Door types
•    Glass types

Task 9: Evaluate the windows

Ability to:

•    Review collected data to determine window issues
•    Evaluate repairs needed and structural integrity
•    Evaluate window components and performance

Knowledge of:

•    Building science
•    Standards adopted by local jurisdiction
•    Window components
•    Window glazing
•    Window types

Task 10: Enter data into energy software

Ability to:

•    Gather all information and data pertaining to the inspection

•    Enter the data into energy software

•    Evaluate the output from the software

•    Produce a cost and savings report

•    Use a computer

Knowledge of:

•    Basic construction terms
•    Building science
•    Various types of energy software