Quality Assurance Program Using Picture Phones

In accordance with the Department of Labor and

Industry’s statute 326.0981, Subd. 11,

“This educational offering is recognized by the

Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry as

satisfying 1.5 hours of credit toward Building Officials

and Residential Contractors continuing education

requirements.”

For additional continuing education approvals, please

see your credit tracking card.

1

Center for Energy & Environment

Quality Assurance Program Using

Picture Phones

Duluth Energy Design Conference and Expo

February 25, 2014

Kevin Brauer| Senior Building Analyst

2

• Who is the Center for Energy and Environment

• Authorized Insulation Contractor QA Program

• Lessons learned

• Discussion

Session Outline

3

CEE is a nonprofit organization that promotes energy efficiency

to strengthen the economy while improving the environment.

• CEE conducts research and develops programs so that:

• Businesses operate more efficiently and profitably;

• Government agencies and nonprofits spend less on facilities

and functions;

• Utilities achieve their energy-efficiency goals at least-cost;

and

• Households save money and improve comfort.

The Center for Energy and Environment

4

Collaboration with Minnesota Energy Resources

was key to the development of this QA program

• Supports their Authorized Insulation Contractor

program for residential insulation rebates

• CEE is also applying this QA process in several

MN communities on Home Energy Squad

referred air seal/insulation work rebated by

CenterPoint Energy

CEE QA Program Using Picture Phones

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1. Contractor work requirements

2. Interactive on-line training module

3. Protocols for virtual – phone QA – inspection

4. On-site inspect 10% of jobs & all complaints

A Four Part QA Process Was Designed

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• Crew has blower door, manometer, smoke puffer and

insulation machine capable of dense pack installation

1. Contractor Requirements

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• Crew leader trains for and passes the Building

Performance Institute certification for Residential

Building Envelope-Whole House Air Leakage

Control Installer www.bpi.org/rbewhalci

ID opening, select material, seal, cfm50 smoke test, fix seal


8



• Crew leader trains and passes BPI RBE-WHALCI cert

• Crew leader passes online combustion safety training


9

• Crew has blower door, manometer, smoke puffer and insulation machine capable of dense pack installation



• Crew follows program Combustion Safety protocols and Material and Installation standards

o Contractor corrects non-conforming work scope details no customer charge


10

• Crew has blower door, manometer, smoke puffer and insulation machine capable of dense pack installation



• Crew follows program Combustion Safety protocols and Material and Installation standards

o Correct non-conforming details no customer charge

• Crew leader verifies work performed and test results on Rebate Form


11

• Successive on-line training and quizzes

assess crew leader knowledge and

understanding of program combustion safety

requirements.

o Follow-up to program orientation training

2. Interactive on-line training module designed

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• Successive on-line training and quizzes assess crew leader knowledge and understanding of program combustion safety requirements.

o Follow-up to program orientation training

• Crew leader must pass to be considered eligible to lead rebate program work

o Convenient “as-needed” refresher instruction

2. Interactive on-line training module designed

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• Contractor sends work scope to CEE before job

o CEE ID’s typical photos, sends list for crew

leader

3. Protocols for virtual inspection developed

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o CEE ID’s typical photos, sends list for crew leader

• After job test-in: CL sends photo of house, comb appliances & cfm50 reading; makes 1st call to confirm:

Photos rec’d, combustion safety, work scope, photo list: Job is a Go

Air seal and insulation prep-work can start


15



• After job test-in: CL sends photos, 1st call to confirm:

o Photos rec’d, Combustion Safety, Work Scope, Photo List: Job is a Go

o Air seal and insulation prep-work can start – When Completed:

• CL sends air seal/ insulation prep photos and makes 2nd call to confirm:

Photos rec’d, prep-work complete, ready to insulate.


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• After job test-in: CL sends photos, makes 1st call to confirm:

o Photos rec’d, Combustion Safety, Work Scope, Photo List: Job is a Go

• CL sends air seal/ insul. prep photos, makes 2nd call to confirm:

o Photos rec’d, prep complete, ready to insulate – When completed:

• CL test out: cfm50 & comb safety; sends insul. & cfm50 photos makes 3rd call to confirm:

Combustion Safety, Photos rec’d, Job finished


17

• Scoring guide for 35 typical work scope tasks

defines Pass, Cond. Pass , Fail 70% of score

o Also scored:

• Documentation & Testing 20% of score

• Customer Service (home owner survey)10%


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• Scoring guide for 35 typical tasks defines Pass, Cond. Pass , Fail

o Also: Documentation & Testing, Customer Service (homeowner survey)

• At site visit custom iPad software calculates the crew leader job score, syncs with program data base, emails contractor a job report with crew leader score and any call back issues w/ photos


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• Scoring guide for 35 typical tasks defines Pass, Cond. Pass , Fail

o Also: Documentation & Testing, Customer Service (homeowner survey)

• At site visit custom iPad software calculates the crew leader job score, syncs with program data base, emails contractor a job report with crew leader score and any call back issues w/ photos

• Crew leader to maintain > 80% avg score for site QA’s

o Under 80% avg. score can require crew leader to

• Resume picture phone QA, and/or

• More QA site visits, or

• Program suspension


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• BPI RBE–WHALCI certification verifies knowledge, skills, abilities

Identify opening,

Select material,

Seal opening,

Test seal with smoke at cfm50,

Fix seal as needed.

Benefits of this QA Approach

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• BPI RBE-WHALCI cert verifies knowledge, skills, abilities

• Online combustion safety training verifies crew leader knowledge of program protocols

Follow up to program orientation, successive on-line training and quizzes assess crew leader knowledge and understanding of program combustion safety requirements.

Crew leader must pass to be considered eligible to lead rebate program work.

Convenient “as-needed” refresher instruction.


22


• Online comb. safety trng. verifies crew leader knowledge

• Material & Installation standards and Scoring Guide establishes work installation expectations


23



• M&I standards & scoring guide establishes expectations.

• Picture phone QA simplifies scheduling

o CAN be at more than one job in a day,

o Jobs can be 100s of miles apart


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• Picture phone QA simplifies scheduling – CAN be at more than one job in a day, jobs can be 100s of miles apart.

• Picture phone provides real time feedback and promotes continuous improvement

o Issues quickly become training opportunities

o Crew leader has a picture phone “shout-out” anytime


25




• Picture phone QA simplifies scheduling – CAN be at more than one job in a day,

jobs can be 100s of miles apart.

• Picture phone provides real time feedback and promotes continuous improvement

o Issues quickly become training opportunities

o Crew leader has a picture phone “shout-out” anytime

• Picture phones can lower training and administration costs of QA program delivery.


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1. Verify no pre-existing combustion safety conditions

Perform “Fans-Off” combustion safety test:

• Air handler and all exhaust fans off,

• All interior doors open (house set up for BD test)

• All appliances pass smoke test or no work till fixed

o“Fans Off” Fail = Written homeowner notice

2. CFM50 blower door test

Contractor Requirements Pre-Work

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1. CFM50 blower door test

2. If pre-work combustion safety test done • Install a VentRite spill alarm or perform • “Fans On” Combustion Safety Test

o Air handler, dryer, kitchen fan, fans >150cfm o Last door into CAZ positioned with smoke

• All appliances pass smoke test, if not: retest “Fans Off” o “Fans On” Fail = Written home owner notice

3. Crew leader verifies tests and work on Rebate Form

Contractor Requirements Post-Work

28

Vent-Rite Spill Alarm

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1 of 2 temperature sensors

Example of typical picture phone QA process

• Contractor is sent a 4-6 photos/page crew leader job report

o photo # is followed by typical job report captions


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Step 1: CEE Picture Phone QA Process

1. Contractor sends work

scope for CEE review

2. CEE sends list

of likely photos,

confirmed at job

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Bill’s Insulation

Homeowner

(Photo 1) Job Address, Work: Attic air seal & insulate

28 Phone QA photo details (confirmed at job site)

CEE Picture Phone QA Process

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(Photos 2,3) Nat Draft Water Heater, ID Furnace

Both Pass: “Fans OFF” test-in

(& Pass “Fans ON” test-out)


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(Photo 4) Water heater common vent connection


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(Photo 5) Before work CFM50: 1916

Now: 1st call – crew leader confirms Combustion safety Work scope details Photos to send from list Work OK to start


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(Photo 6) Plumbing vent sealed


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(Photo 7) Electrical wiring sealed


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(Photo 8) Bath fan sealed


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(Photo 9) Bath fan termination connection sealed


39

(Photo 10) Drop soffit sealed


40

(Photo 11) Chimney bypass sealed


41

proper material

(Photo 12) Chimney insulation dam installed


42

proper clearance

(Photos 13,14,15) Vent chute, wind block & top plate seal


43

(Photo 16) Depth markers – 15” install depth circled


15”

44

1 marker

per 100

SF of

attic

(Photo 17) Non-IC can light boxed and sealed


45

Crew has completed attic prep work,

Now:

2nd call – crew leader confirms

All photos sent and received

Prep work done, ready to insulate


46

Crew has completed attic prep work,

Now:

2nd call – crew leader confirms

• All photos sent and received

• Prep work done, ready to insulate

Finding: Not ready to insulate

! Insulating cover above Non-IC can lights Not Allowed

! Remove & replace covers with drywall or equal


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(Photo 17) Non-IC can light boxed and sealed


48

Insulating cover

NOT ALLOWED

above

Non-IC lights

per NEC 410-66

Crew leader corrects issue,

texts photos confirming correction

NOW OK to insulate


49

Photos 18,19 Non-IC can light correction completed


Foam covers off non-IC can lights Sealed drywall cover on

50

NOW OK to insulate

(Photo 20) Insulation added over 15”, > R-50 on bid


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(Photo 21) IC-can box tops above insulation level


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proper clearance

(Photo 22) Chimney dam above insulation level


53

(Photos 23,24,25,26,27) Access dam, Panel 10” >R25,

W/S, Signed Insulation Card and Mfg Coverage Chart


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Crew has completed work scope, (Photo 28) Post CFM50 followed by comb safety test

Now:

3nd call – crew leader confirms Combustion safety Photos rec’d Job done

(CFM50 pre: 1916 Post: 1282 Reduction: 643 = 33%


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• Job score

• Monthly status

• Training updates

Typical QA report with score and crew leader next steps

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Lesson Learned


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Lesson Learned o Building Performance Institute Residential Building Envelope – Whole House Air Leakage Control Installer certification verifies knowledge, skills and abilities, and defines job quality norm:

Identify opening, Select material, Seal opening, Test seal with smoke at cfm50, Fix seal as needed.


58

Lesson Learned

o BPI RBE-WHALCI cert defines job quality norm

o Materials & Installation Standards and Scoring

Guides set expectations


59

Lesson Learned


o M&I Standards and Scoring Guides set expectations

o Photo take-off from work scope; Crew Leader

site confirms photo list to maximize utility with

minimum # photos and job progress check-in.


60

Lesson Learned


o M&I Standards, Scoring Guides set expectations

o Photo take-off from work scope; Crew Leader site

confirms photos to send and job progress check-in

o Photos can identify training opportunities


61

Lesson Learned






o Able to photo QA more than one site/day -

no travel time, start when crew starts.


62

Lesson Learned






o Able to photo QA more than one site/day – no travel

o Photo date/time-stamp aid multiple QA jobs/day


63

Lesson Learned






o Able to photo QA more than one site/day

o Photo date/time-stamp aid multiple QA jobs/day

o Texting photos expands coverage, less sender cost


64

Lesson Learned o BPI RBE-WHALCI cert defines job quality norm o M&I Standards, Scoring Guides set expectations o Photo take-off from work scope; Crew Leader site

confirms photos to send and job progress check-in o Photos can identify training opportunities o Able to photo QA more than one site/day o Photo date/time-stamp aid multiple QA jobs/day o Texting photos expands coverage, less sender cost o Provides crew leader a job “shout-out” anytime


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Lesson Learned o BPI RBE-WHALCI cert defines job quality norm o M&I Standards, Scoring Guides set expectations o Photo take-off from work scope; Crew Leader site

confirms photos to send and job progress check-in o Photos can identify training opportunities o Able to photo QA more than one site/day o Photo date/time-stamp aid multiple QA jobs/day o Texting photos expands coverage, less sender cost o Provides crew leader a job “shout-out” anytime o Phones, software, on-line trng. aid QA, cut costs


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Kevin Brauer

[email protected]

612-804-0369

www.mncee.org

Date post:	18-Nov-2014
Category:	Technology
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Quality Assurance Program Using Picture Phones

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