Health & Comfort

Today’s homes should be safe spaces for shelter, meals, learning, professional work, recreation, entertainment, and social gatherings. In each of the subcontests for Contest 9 and Contest 10, teams and the organizers will inspect and test different facets of each model home to verify that they function as intended and have been installed and configured per the construction documents. Systems, equipment, appliances, facilities, and electronics are examples of facets that require performance verification.

Although specific verification procedures may vary for different facets as appropriate, typical verification involves three steps:

1. Read the installation manual, operators manual, and/or relevant content in the construction documents to understand how the facet should be installed and configured, and how it should function.
2. Inspect and/or operate the facet under typical operating conditions using typical operating modes. Make observations and/or record measurements during inspection and operation.
3. Upon review of the recorded observations and/or measured data, determine if the facet functions as intended and if the facet has been installed and configured per the construction documents.

If all facets within a particular category (i.e., subcontest) function as intended and are installed and configured as presented in the construction documents, 100% of available points will be awarded for the subcontest. Partial points between 0% and 100% of available points will be awarded for partial functionality and/or partially accurate representation in the construction documents.

Subcontest 9.1: Whole House Systems
Demonstrate that HVAC, power generation and storage, hot water, and other whole-house systems and their components are installed and configured per the construction documents and function as intended.

Subcontest 9.2: Bathroom Facilities and Plumbing
Demonstrate that all bathroom facilities (shower, water closet, lavatory, etc.), including plumbing, are installed and configured per the construction documents and function as intended.