'Together We Do it Better' Approach Applauded by Attendees at Las Vegas Conference

Mike Sullivan, General President of the SMWIA addresses the TABB Conference.

Las Vegas, NV - The first annual Testing, Adjusting and Balancing Bureau (TABB) Conference proved to be an enjoyable and informative event for professionals concerned with the testing, adjusting and balancing of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems. Held at Las Vegas' Caesar's Palace Hotel and Casino, the attendees, including representatives of the labor, management and engineering/architectural communities, spent October 18-19 attending a reception, seminars, and participating in discussions about the TABB Certification. The conference was a preamble to the annual Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association (SMACNA) conference held in the same venue.

"I'm not surprised, but certainly pleased, that the first TABB conference was so successful," said Erik Emblem, Administrator of TABB. "Because of the integrity of our certification, and the quality and dedication of our professionals participating in this program, there is a great deal of excitement about this certification and how it will play an important role in assuring quality control for the HVAC industry."

The purpose of the conference: to inform TABB-Certified contractors, supervisors, and technicians about developments within the certification program and emerging industry trends, as well as to obtain feedback from the attendees. "The flow of information from the International Certification Board (ICB) of TABB to its certified professionals is extremely important to the success of this certification," says Emblem. "We want them to understand decisions and want those decisions to be reflective of industry needs."

The conference began Friday evening October 18, with a reception featuring Ed Lowe, Humorist and Newsday Columnist. Lowe entertained guests with his witty comments and his work experiences that led to his current occupation. Audiences appreciated his poking fun at the heavy usage of acronyms upon which the HVAC industry relies.

Members of the International Certifications Board join the attendees in the audience.

The next day the business of the conference began as International Certification Board Co-Chairs Bill Freese, President of International Testing & Balancing, Ltd., and Roy Ringwood, Business Manager of Sheet Metal Workers' International Association (SMWIA) Local 105, reported on the ICB and offered their perspective on TABB.

Freese told conference attendees that they are the most important part of the TABB Conference. "This is your conference," Freese said. "The TABB Certification was developed to make TABB contractors more marketable and profitable by assuring engineers, architects and building owners quality workmanship."

Ringwood followed and delivered a presentation focused upon TABB's role in the sheet metal and mechanical contracting industry. "TABB means value," he said. "An HVAC system blueprint isn't worth the blueprint it's printed on unless that system actually operates according to its designed specifications."

Jay Bowman of FMI Research Corporation followed, reflecting on recent studies commissioned by the National Energy Management Institute (NEMI) to investigate new markets for the organization's sponsors, SMACNA and SMWIA. As the studies reflect, building commissioning and indoor air quality (IAQ) are areas providing excellent growth opportunities for both organizations.

FMI defines building commissioning as a systematic process of ensuring facility and systems performance meet the specified design intent and operational needs. The study found that the market for new buildings is over $1 billion and mechanical contractors represent as much as 40 percent of that market.

The survey of the indoor air quality market also reveals positive results. Based on FMI's definition of indoor air quality - the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of air in the indoor environment which can be measured by temperature, humidity, ventilation, and concentrations of unwanted pollutants and contaminants - FMI found the IAQ market includes $1.2 billion in investigations and $5.5 billion in remediation. Furthermore, the study suggested that 35 percent of remediation is performed by a mechanical contractor.

The research prompted many questions for the conference attendees. The questions led to a discussion as contractors shared problems they have faced and the solutions that were applied.

NEMI and FMI plan a follow-up seminar that will assist contractors wishing to expand into the Building Commissioning, Energy Retrofit or Indoor Air Quality markets. This seminar will be held late Spring 2003.

After being motivated by FMI's market research, conference attendees paused for lunch. The luncheon provided an opportunity to hear remarks from outgoing SMACNA president Ron Rodgers and American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Journal Editor Fred Turner. Rodgers reflected upon accomplishments this past year - specifically work with the "Best Practices Task Force." Turner's presentation focused on four areas: mold, environmental tobacco smoke, energy efficiency and how ASHRAE is responding to those issues.

Michael J. Sullivan, General President of the SMWIA, addressed the audience early in the afternoon. "Most of you do not know how much thought and time has gone into the TABB Certification. This was just a thought a few years ago and to be standing here today gives me a lot of pride," Sullivan said, praising the labor and management representatives who make up the ICB.

Sullivan informed the audience that his top priority is to organize and control the market with signatory contractors. "Competition is good…and we want to get our contractor partners into regions they would not necessarily compete in and the TABB Certification encourages this competition," he said.

The conference then offered two break out sessions; one with renowned industry expert Dr. James Woods, Executive Director of the Building Diagnostics Research Institute, the other an open session to voice questions and concerns directly to the ICB.

Dr. Woods' seminar described an approach to achieve and assure continued HVAC and whole building performance through design, construction and operations. He made the important point that registered engineers do not normally have health training, yet essentially serve as building inspectors. He then explained the ways to prevent building degradation.

"An accountable person must be explicitly identified for each phase of a building's life and that person should be empowered with the authority to assure building performance and occupant protection," said Woods. "That's why the TABB Certification is so important."

After all the scheduled events, presentations and seminars concluded, conference attendees left with a sense of pride regarding their certification program and were motivated to expand market share by exercising the knowledge gained at the conference.

"This certification is about honesty and integrity," said Theodore Abbett, a TABB Technician for Air Flow Associates in Randolph, MA. "It means a lot to see all these people who believe in this as strongly as I do."