GOT CERTIFICATION?

With increasing awareness about the benefits of TABB certification, SMART and SMACNA are ramping up efforts to further educate the masses.

By / Natalie Bruckner

If your car had a problem, would you rather take it to a highly trained and certified mechanic or a non-licensed mechanic? The answer may seem logical, yet when it comes to trying to get the message out to the general public about why a TABBcertified technician is the best choice for maintaining HVAC systems, it’s not been that easy.

“Some people are still stuck on the idea that this is a union/ nonunion issue, when it really isn’t,” says Vince Alvarado, financial secretary treasurer and business manager for Local 49. “TABB is the first and only HVAC testing, adjusting and balancing certification program accredited by the American National Standards Institute [ANSI], but anyone can apply for accreditation, union or nonunion. The reason we have it is that we invested the time, money, and resources on getting TABB ANSI certified.”

Alvarado explains that becoming ANSI accredited was the logical choice, as the union has always been at the forefront of safety and training. “Also, for us it’s about end-users feeling safe in the knowledge that their systems are being maintained by someone who is trained to a standard that has been subject to a neutral, third-party oversight via the ANSI audit program.”

Alvarado has been trying to get the message out there about the benefits of TABB certification for many years now, and while it has been an uphill struggle, he is beginning to seeing progress. A lot of that progress has to do with his commitment to educating fire marshals, schools, hospitals, owners/developers, and mothers who have children in schools (he says mothers have some of the strongest voices out there). COVID-19 has also shone a light on the importance of HVAC maintenance and led to the release of numerous independent studies and reports on this very issue.

One of those reports is a technical paper by The University of California – Davis Western Cooling Efficiency Center (WCEC) that examines the benefits of using certified contractors for testing, adjusting and balancing (TAB).

The paper Testing, Adjusting and Balancing HVAC Systems: An Overview of Certification Agencies looks at the different certification agencies—TABB; National Environmental Balancing Bureau (NEBB); and Associated Air Balance Council (AABC)—and considers the benefits of certification, why there is a need for standard training across the industry, and why certification will become more important as we move forward.

The report brings to light the benefits of TABB certification being the only agency accredited with the internationally recognized ANSI 17024 standard. It focuses on the training required for a technician, a supervisor, and a firm to become TABB certified.

Anthony Kocurek, SMACNA secretary-treasurer and owner of Energy Balance & Integration (EB&I) in Albuquerque, New Mexico, understands that now is the time to hammer the message home about the benefits of TABB certification. Kocurek has been actively promoting the benefits of TABB certification for many years and believes that understanding the difference between the testing agencies is a good place to start.

“TABB walks the talk and is continually updating and staying current in the industry,” he says. “EB&I is both NEBB and TABB certified because in our area many of the engineers spec both. Although the knowledge base for NEBB and TABB is very similar, the big difference is the type of individual that becomes a TABB technician.”

TABB certified technicians are always sheet metal workers who understand how to fabricate and install HVAC systems and who have the knowledge base that comes with that training. NEBB technicians, who may or may not be sheet metal workers, may not have the same in-depth understanding about the systems they are testing.

“I cannot stress enough how knowing how a duct fitting is made and installed can affect the performance of how it is installed in the system being tested and balanced,” Kocurek says. “Having an ANSI accredited TABB certification and employing technicians trained and certified by an ANSI accredited program is a positive sales benefit when talking to clients. I have invaluable peace of mind knowing the guys working for me have a good solid base of knowledge to build on that may not be available from the other certifications.”

Soph Davenberry, chief technology officer at the National Energy Management Institute Committee (NEMI) is also excited by this latest WCEC report and says now is the time for SMART and SMACNA to work together and use these independent studies to promote the expertise of the industry.

“SMACNA standards are the best-known mechanical standards in the industry,” Davenberry says. “While AABC and NEBB follow their own standards, TABB follows the SMACNA standards. It’s a great time to use the familiarity of SMACNA to bring up awareness of TABB and highlight the meaningful differences TABB certifications bring.”

If there is one positive to come from the pandemic, it is that the eyes of the public have now been opened when it comes to HVAC system maintenance. “Every quality pair of safety glasses bears the mark of having met ANSI requirements. Especially now during a pandemic, building owners, managers, and occupants look for the same assurance in the reports of how well their HVAC systems are operating.”

TABB Chief Operating Officer John Hamilton says the latest WCEC report shows the organization is the industry leader and adds that with HVAC system maintenance now making headlines in mainstream media, people are starting to understand that the test and balance person is one of the most important people in a building.

Hamilton continues to see pushback from some more seasoned members who don’t see the value in becoming TABB certified since they are already running successful businesses without the training. He advises those contractors to reconsider. “With legislation coming down the pipeline, you will need the certification for job security,” Hamilton says. “With the materials available to SMACNA and SMART at no cost through the local JATC and the iTi, the support mechanism is already in place.”

With increasing awareness about the importance of HVAC systems being installed and maintained by certified personnel, SMACNA and SMART are using this as a springboard to educate the general public.

“Many people don’t realize how sophisticated HVAC systems are, and that it’s not just about comfort, but also life safety,” Alvarado says. “It’s our job to educate them. If we had 50% of our members actively doing that, we could make a big difference.

“We need our members’ help. I’ve been in the trade 41 years and have been fighting for this for 20 years. I have seen baby steps. Baby steps will eventually get us to the top of the mountain.” ▪

Natalie is an award-winning writer who has worked in the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, the United States, and Canada. She has more than 23 years experience as a journalist, editor, and brand builder, specializing in construction and transportation. When she’s not writing, you will likely find her snowboarding, mountain biking, or climbing mountains with her rescue dog.