Indoor Environmentalist Course

Brantley May

Building Scientist, Indoor Environmentalist

Krishna Das Achath

Professional Engineer, Council-Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant
This course teaches you the most comprehensive approach to investigating a building for issues related to air quality, comfort, sustainability, and building performance.

What's included?

  • 7 Chapters
  • Dual Certification
  • Practice Exams
  • 12 Hours of Video
  • Full PDF Study Guide

Become a Pro Inspector

You will learn vital concepts of IAQ and building science, such as common contaminants, air pressure, ventilation, IAQ testing (in the field and lab), proper diagnostic methods, and more.  

Become a Pro Contractor

If you are a contractor building homes or restoring them, this information is not only reserved for the inspector. Understanding what pollutants exists and how to mitigate them is essentially for safe building practices.

What am I going to learn?

This course is incredibly comprehensive, teaching you everything you need to know to become an indoor environmental consultant. 

We go a step beyond the norm by providing you with elements of industrial hygiene and building science, since we believe both are needed for a comprehensive investigation.

Mycology

  • Common Mold
  • Mold Health Effects
  • Sensitive Individuals
  • Mycotoxins
  • Spore Trap Sampling
  • Anderson Sampling
  • Direct Sampling
  • Dust Sampling

Building Science Basics

  • Psychrometrics
  • Air Pressure
  • Vapor Diffusion
  • Capillary Action
  • Climate Zone Considerations
  • Encapsulated Attics
  • Building Performance and its effect on IAQ
  • Building Envelope

HVAC

  • Basics of HVAC
  • HVAC Design
  • Contaminants in HVAC
  • Pressure Imbalances
  • Single speed vs Multi-speed systems
  • Zone systems
  • Ventilation
  • How to assess Ventilation
  • Fresh air intake design
  • Filtration Methods
  • What is MERV?
  • PCO Technology
  • Ionizing
  • CADR Values
  • Humidity Issues

Chemicals

  • VOCs 
  • Radon
  • Carbon monoxide
  • Hydrogen Sulfide 
  • Carbon dioxide 
  • Formaldehyde
  • Ozone
  • Chlorine Dioxide
  • Nitrogen Dioxide
  • Common Causes of VOCs 
  • Reducing VOCs in a home
  • Reduce VOCs in a commercial building
  • On-site testing methods
  • Lab testing methods 

Biological Contaminants

  • Basics of Bacteria
  • Actinobacteria
  • Legionella
  • Basics of Viruses
  • Viral Transmission
  • Reducing the spread
  • Typical allergens (roaches, pet dander, rats, etc.)
  • Dust Sampling for biological contaminants.

Tools

  • Moisture Meters
  • Thermal Imaging
  • Particle Counters
  • Multi-gas meters
  • Combustion Appliance testing
  • Data logging equipment and software.
  • Smoke Pen
  • ATP Meters
  • Manometers
  • And more!

Mold Remediation

  • HEPA Air Purification
  • Air Change Calculations
  • Containment
  • Setting Up Negative Air
  • Conditions of Contents
  • Cleaning
  • Disinfection



 Certification included

  • Certificate of Completion

    Approved 14-hour continuing education for:
    • ACAC: CRIE, CIE, CIEC
    • ACAC: CSMI, CMI, CMC
    • ACAC: CRMI
    • BPI (Building Performance Institute)

  • Prep Course

    Approved prep-course for:
    • ACAC: CRIE, CIE, CIEC
Meet the instructor

Brantley May

Brantley is a Building Scientist and Council-Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant with a specialty in Mycology and certified by the McCrone Research Institute and the Oshner Medical Center for the examination and identification of fungal spores and pollen via microscopy.

Brantley is certified by the Building Performance Institute as a Building Analyst, Building Envelope Professional, and Infiltration and Duct Leakage Expert. Brantley also holds several certifications related to the identification of Mycotoxins, Water Damage, Odor Control, Structural Drying, Infectious Disease Control, and Energy efficiency issues and is a student of Mechanical Engineering.

He is also a state-licensed mold assessor who carries the credentials for teaching and proctoring exams for other professionals to receive their state accreditations and certifications in mold and environmental-related services.
Patrick Jones - Course author
Meet the instructor

Krishna Das Achath

Krishna is a Professional Engineer with a Masters in Mechanical Engineering. He specializes in psychrometric and air pressure building forensics.

  • Registered Professional Engineer (FL PE 81966, TX PE 108442)
  • Certified Geo-Exchange Designer (CGD-In Traning)
  • CIEC (Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant)
  • CMRS (Certified Mold Remediation Supervisor)
  • State-licensed Mold Assessor and Continuing Education Provider
  • LEED AP
Patrick Jones - Course author

Frequently asked questions

Do I need prior knowledge of Indoor Air Quality services?

No! This course is designed in a way that teaches newcomers and experiences contractors/consultants simultaneously. However, it would be handy to have a basic level of construction (words like studs, shingles, insulation, ductwork, etc.)

How long do I have access to the course content?

Once purchased, you will have 4 months to consume all the content in the course. The course is designed so that you can work on bits and pieces at a time, or knock it out in two days! It's completely up to you.

How do I receive my certificate?

Once all the course material is completed, a certificate will be automatically issued to you.

I see this course teaches building science concepts. Do I still need to take a building science course?

This course is designed to teach you the basics of building science and relates those concepts directly to mold inspections and mold remediations. A building science course will dive deeper into the concepts of building science and look at those concepts more holistically. If you take both, your concept of building science will be reinforced with the opportunity to learn and practice those concepts from different perspectives. Almost nobody utilizes building science for mold inspections and mold remediation, so you will already be ahead of the game!

Does this course include the exams for the ACAC?

The ACAC does not allow any 3rd party trainers to proctor their exams. This is a good thing! You will need to set up a time to take the exam at acac.org.

Keep in mind, our course gives you practice exams for the ACAC, so you can practice as many times as you'd like before attempting to take their exams!