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Home->Spring 2007->DEPARTMENTS
SMACNA Update
By: Bruce E. Sychuk
TABB CERTIFICATIONS (TESTING, ADJUSTING & BALANCING BUREAU) COMING TO BRITISH COLUMBIA? OR HOW TO ELIMINATE "DRIVE BY BALANCING"
How many mechanical engineers in British Columbia have heard of TABB certifi cation? After an impromptu survey of several ASHRAE members, the answer to the question was virtually no one. The next question to be asked-do mechanical engineers in British Columbia feel there is a need for such a certifi cation? Well, the obvious answer to this question was to invite someone from TABB to BC, make a couple of presentations and then run it up the fl agpole and see who salutes. Last month we did exactly that. John Hamilton, TABB's Chief Operating Offi cer, and Erik Emblem, TABB Administrator, took time out of their busy schedule to fl y out from Chantilly, Virginia to test the waters.
I accompanied John and Erik while they gave TABB presentations to three different groups. The fi rst group consisted of two classes of second year sheet metal apprentices. The information for this group was geared toward what and how TABB works along with the option and opportunity of possibly becoming TABB Certifi ed technicians themselves. The feedback we received from the apprentices
was very positive.
The second group this day to hear the TABB word was a group of engineers from Omicron, Total Building Solutions. This was the group we were particularly interested in hearing feedback from, and not surprisingly, when asked their opinions as to whether a program such as TABB should be implemented in BC, the response was a resounding yes. Actually, I must confess, I found out that one of the engineers present was very familiar with TABB and had qualifi ed in the specifi cations of a project "TABB Certifi ed". Unfortunately, what he found was there wasn't any TABB Certifi ed balancing contractors in BC or for that matter, all of Canada. In fact, I have been informed of a Toronto-based engineering fi rm who had specifi ed TABB, and the only TABB-certifi ed company was across the border in Buffalo, New York.
The third group John and Erik addressed was the SMACNABC contractor members. The sheet metal contractors were of the opinion that because of the stringent rules and regulations of TABB and the fact that TABB is directly affi liated with SMACNA, this is one more tool to compliment quality HVAC designs, fabrication and installation. Between the two SMACNA HVAC balancing companies represented, one did not appear to be keen on the plan, while the other company advised that they are embracing the program and are currently in the process of becoming TABB Certifi ed. So I guess it's about time to let you, the readers, in on what TABB certifi cation is and why it should be the gauge for HVAC balancing companies in BC. The best way I am able to describe this is to take TABB's own description right from their website.
"TABB is an organization made up of heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) industry professionals, including:
Engineers with membership in the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Contractors from the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association (SMACNA) Labor representatives and training facilities from the Sheet Metal Workers' International Association (SMWIA) What is TABB Certification?
The aim of TABB's certification standards is to ensure that TABB Certified Technicians, Supervisors and Contractors are competent, reliable and qualified professionals.
Why TABB Certification?
TABB is the first certification program to synchronize all components of the complex HVAC industry and is recognized as a first-rate testing, adjusting, and balancing program that assures building owners and managers their HVAC systems meet the designs specifications, are energy efficient, and aid in providing good indoor air quality. TABB technicians are trained through their Local JATC training programs with support from the International Training Institute of the SMWIA. TABB contractors are members of SMACNA and are held to the very highest and latest standards available to the HVAC industry. These two organizations bring unmatched resources to guarantee quality work.
One requirement of maintaining TABB certification is continuing compliance with the TABB Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct includes the general standard which certification represents."
Who is TABB?
During the presentations there was one item that really struck me, which the above noted TABB testimonial fails to identify, and that is the teeth that the Code of Conduct really has; if a TABB Certified contractor in any way falsifies a document or report, after an investigation, and if found that the falsification is truly fact, the certification for that contractor is terminated--not only for a couple of weeks or months, but permanently.
For more information on TABB, call 800.458.6525, visit <www.tabbcertified.org> or watch the SMACNA-BC Calendar of Events for dates when we ask John and Erik back for more presentations.
PG Construction Association / "Journey Through the Trades -Your Key to the Future" Career Fair
SMWIA Local Union No. 280 business agent, Dan Burroughs and I recently attended a career fair in Prince George. There were only 25 exhibitor booths, however the estimate for high school attendees was approximately 2,200 and I think Dan and I spoke to each and every one of them. Thank goodness it was over two days. Our joint Labour / Management booth consisted of our tradeshow booth and a small workshop where we had two of our local apprentices forming and assembling small galvanized carry-alls. After the carry-alls are assembled they are handed out to one of the lucky attendees as a memento that highlights "sheet metal" and we found once again that the sheet metal industry was the only trade that had this type of demonstration and give-away.
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the PG Construction Association for once again putting on a great venue; our two apprentices, Steven Shaw from CC Industries and Ryan Cox from Haiste Mechanical Ltd; Toby Haiste of Haiste Mechanical for the use of his brake; Fred Hofferd of CC Industries for the toolbox and the tickets to the hockey game; and Cindy Dimitrijevic, Training Coordinator for putting together everything we needed for a successful show. (Note: remember more pop rivets next year)
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES:
April 26-29
SMACNA-BC 38th Annual AGM & Convention, Hotel Grand Pacific, Victoria, BC
May 4-5
MCA-BC Conference, Westin Resort & Spa, Whistler, BC
May 13th
Mother's Day
May 16th
Eli Howard III, Technical Presentation, ASHRAE-BC Dinner Meeting, Italian Cultural Centre.
May 17th
Eli Howard III, Technical Presentation, COCTA, (Council of Construction Trade Associations) Construction Symposium, RCABC, (Roofing Contractors Association of BC) Langley, BC
May 17th @ 5:30 p.m.
Eli Howard Technical Presentation, SMACNA-BC Membership Meeting, Executive Inn, North Road & Lougheed, Coquitlam, BC
May 29th
ASHRAE Golf Tournament, Swan-e-set G&CC.
SMACNA-BC Welcomes New Contractor Member M & T Air Conditioning
We are please to introduce new SMACNA-BC contractor member Bruce Blom of M & T Air Conditioning Ltd. in Surrey, BC www.mandtac.com
How many mechanical engineers in British Columbia have heard of TABB certifi cation? After an impromptu survey of several ASHRAE members, the answer to the question was virtually no one. The next question to be asked-do mechanical engineers in British Columbia feel there is a need for such a certifi cation? Well, the obvious answer to this question was to invite someone from TABB to BC, make a couple of presentations and then run it up the fl agpole and see who salutes. Last month we did exactly that. John Hamilton, TABB's Chief Operating Offi cer, and Erik Emblem, TABB Administrator, took time out of their busy schedule to fl y out from Chantilly, Virginia to test the waters.
I accompanied John and Erik while they gave TABB presentations to three different groups. The fi rst group consisted of two classes of second year sheet metal apprentices. The information for this group was geared toward what and how TABB works along with the option and opportunity of possibly becoming TABB Certifi ed technicians themselves. The feedback we received from the apprentices
was very positive.
The second group this day to hear the TABB word was a group of engineers from Omicron, Total Building Solutions. This was the group we were particularly interested in hearing feedback from, and not surprisingly, when asked their opinions as to whether a program such as TABB should be implemented in BC, the response was a resounding yes. Actually, I must confess, I found out that one of the engineers present was very familiar with TABB and had qualifi ed in the specifi cations of a project "TABB Certifi ed". Unfortunately, what he found was there wasn't any TABB Certifi ed balancing contractors in BC or for that matter, all of Canada. In fact, I have been informed of a Toronto-based engineering fi rm who had specifi ed TABB, and the only TABB-certifi ed company was across the border in Buffalo, New York.
The third group John and Erik addressed was the SMACNABC contractor members. The sheet metal contractors were of the opinion that because of the stringent rules and regulations of TABB and the fact that TABB is directly affi liated with SMACNA, this is one more tool to compliment quality HVAC designs, fabrication and installation. Between the two SMACNA HVAC balancing companies represented, one did not appear to be keen on the plan, while the other company advised that they are embracing the program and are currently in the process of becoming TABB Certifi ed. So I guess it's about time to let you, the readers, in on what TABB certifi cation is and why it should be the gauge for HVAC balancing companies in BC. The best way I am able to describe this is to take TABB's own description right from their website.
"TABB is an organization made up of heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) industry professionals, including:
The aim of TABB's certification standards is to ensure that TABB Certified Technicians, Supervisors and Contractors are competent, reliable and qualified professionals.
Why TABB Certification?
TABB is the first certification program to synchronize all components of the complex HVAC industry and is recognized as a first-rate testing, adjusting, and balancing program that assures building owners and managers their HVAC systems meet the designs specifications, are energy efficient, and aid in providing good indoor air quality. TABB technicians are trained through their Local JATC training programs with support from the International Training Institute of the SMWIA. TABB contractors are members of SMACNA and are held to the very highest and latest standards available to the HVAC industry. These two organizations bring unmatched resources to guarantee quality work.
One requirement of maintaining TABB certification is continuing compliance with the TABB Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct includes the general standard which certification represents."
Who is TABB?
During the presentations there was one item that really struck me, which the above noted TABB testimonial fails to identify, and that is the teeth that the Code of Conduct really has; if a TABB Certified contractor in any way falsifies a document or report, after an investigation, and if found that the falsification is truly fact, the certification for that contractor is terminated--not only for a couple of weeks or months, but permanently.
For more information on TABB, call 800.458.6525, visit <www.tabbcertified.org> or watch the SMACNA-BC Calendar of Events for dates when we ask John and Erik back for more presentations.
PG Construction Association / "Journey Through the Trades -Your Key to the Future" Career Fair
SMWIA Local Union No. 280 business agent, Dan Burroughs and I recently attended a career fair in Prince George. There were only 25 exhibitor booths, however the estimate for high school attendees was approximately 2,200 and I think Dan and I spoke to each and every one of them. Thank goodness it was over two days. Our joint Labour / Management booth consisted of our tradeshow booth and a small workshop where we had two of our local apprentices forming and assembling small galvanized carry-alls. After the carry-alls are assembled they are handed out to one of the lucky attendees as a memento that highlights "sheet metal" and we found once again that the sheet metal industry was the only trade that had this type of demonstration and give-away.
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the PG Construction Association for once again putting on a great venue; our two apprentices, Steven Shaw from CC Industries and Ryan Cox from Haiste Mechanical Ltd; Toby Haiste of Haiste Mechanical for the use of his brake; Fred Hofferd of CC Industries for the toolbox and the tickets to the hockey game; and Cindy Dimitrijevic, Training Coordinator for putting together everything we needed for a successful show. (Note: remember more pop rivets next year)
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES:
April 26-29
SMACNA-BC 38th Annual AGM & Convention, Hotel Grand Pacific, Victoria, BC
May 4-5
MCA-BC Conference, Westin Resort & Spa, Whistler, BC
May 13th
Mother's Day
May 16th
Eli Howard III, Technical Presentation, ASHRAE-BC Dinner Meeting, Italian Cultural Centre.
May 17th
Eli Howard III, Technical Presentation, COCTA, (Council of Construction Trade Associations) Construction Symposium, RCABC, (Roofing Contractors Association of BC) Langley, BC
May 17th @ 5:30 p.m.
Eli Howard Technical Presentation, SMACNA-BC Membership Meeting, Executive Inn, North Road & Lougheed, Coquitlam, BC
May 29th
ASHRAE Golf Tournament, Swan-e-set G&CC.
SMACNA-BC Welcomes New Contractor Member M & T Air Conditioning
We are please to introduce new SMACNA-BC contractor member Bruce Blom of M & T Air Conditioning Ltd. in Surrey, BC www.mandtac.com
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