Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) Certification Practice Test

What is the function of a barometric draft regulator?

1. To increase airflow

2. To limit the draft that pulls air into the heating appliance

3. To prevent downdrafts

4. To regulate temperature

The correct answer is: To limit the draft that pulls air into the heating appliance

A barometric draft regulator is specifically designed to limit the negative pressure or draft that pulls air into a heating appliance, such as a furnace or a chimney system. This mechanism ensures that excessive draft does not compromise the efficiency of the appliance or create unsafe operating conditions. In practice, if the draft is too strong, it can lead to rapid combustion rates and potentially overheat the appliance or cause it to operate improperly. The barometric draft regulator helps maintain a consistent draft level that optimally balances performance and safety. By regulating the amount of draft that can enter the system, it enhances the overall efficiency of the appliance and helps prevent issues such as backdrafts or flue gas spillage. The other choices either suggest functions that are not within the barometric draft regulator's scope—such as increasing airflow, preventing downdrafts directly, or regulating temperature—or they misinterpret the role of the device in managing draft levels within the system.