The Year 2001 In Review
By Erik S. Emblem

Tom Kelly, President of SMWIA Local 19, greeting reporters at a Philadelphia TABB Roll-Out Event.

This has been a banner year for NEMI (National Energy Management Institute), NEMIC (National Energy Management Institute Committee) and the flagship program, TABB (Testing, Adjusting and Balancing Bureau). We have made great strides so far and are continuing to grow our certification program to supply the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) industry with quality-assured contractors, technicians, and supervisors.

Before I get into specifics, I must thank all those who have been instrumental in getting the TABB program off the ground. There are many who have spent countless hours revising curriculum, teaching classes, attending meetings, and providing administrative support and I personally thank each and everyone one of these contributors Ð members of the International Certification Board, TABB Task Force, Testing, Adjusting and Balancing Bureau, International Training Institute, Supervisor Training Course Committee and of course, the NEMI staff Ð for their time and efforts. With your assistance, patience and support, TABB has had a successful year.

We accomplished much in 2001- here's just the short list:

• Through the identification of target communities, NEMI has increased visibility and garnered accolades for TABB and its stringent certification.
• The energy crisis in California provided a chance for NEMI to demonstrate the effects of ineffective ventilation and air conditioning on major infrastructure it causes a total breakdown, causing brownouts and blackouts that need not have happened. NEMI representatives were active in the media toting solutions and creating visibility for the industry.
• The TABB Supervisor Exam has been developed by top-level balancers and engineers who are well respected within the industry to ensure that questions are both fair and test for depth of knowledge of the TABB industry. Contact the Director of Certification for more information.
• The Supervisor Home Study Course is available through the International Training Institute (ITI). A 350-page textbook, along with other materials will prepare prospective TABB Supervisors for their exam.
• New TABB Training Modules were developed to hone the skills of TABB-recognized Certified Technicians and TABB Certified Supervisors. Thus far, 20 modules have been created with such topics as: Energy Management, Direct Digital Controls (DDC), Fans, IAQ, and Sound and Vibration to name a few.
• NEMI has launched a new marketing and visibility campaign to garner attention to TABB across the United States and Canada. It began with a successful TABB rollout event in Philadelphia at Local 19 in August, which received significant media and political attention. These efforts will translate into new projects for contractors and jobs for TABB-recognized Certified Technicians.
• The TABB Pilot Program provided participants an invaluable learning experience in preparation for TABB Certification. The objective of the TABB Pilot Program was to give both basic and advanced level participants intensive training in the subjects necessary for successful certification in testing, adjusting and balancing. The TABB Pilot Program proved to be a success with 106 participants in its debut year.
• Effective January 1, 2002, the Chicagoland contractors and technicians who are certified by the Testing and Balancing Institute for Certification (TABIC) will be grandfathered under the TABB umbrella. The TABIC curriculum was the starting point for the TABB curriculum so there are obvious similarities.
• The State of Illinois test and balance certification known as SMARTA has requested to be recognized by TABB and seeks to have its contractors and technicians certified by TABB. All SMARTA rules and regulations will be reviewed by TABB at their January 2002 meeting. If TABB accepts their request, then all current SMARTA-certified technicians and contractors, although retaining the SMARTA name, will be grandfathered in under the TABB umbrella, further building the credibility of TABB.
• TABB has officially approved and is planning production of the first annual TABB Conference on Saturday October 19, 2002, at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, one-day prior to the annual SMACNA convention, October 20-23, 2002. At the conference, TABB contractors, supervisors and decision makers will convene to discuss trends in the HVAC industry and give input on their experiences with TABB, which will influence the future of the TABB certification. In addition, several continuing education classes will be scheduled for supervisors. The one-day conference will include a presentation on TABB markets and the expansion of those markets post-September 11.

Due to the tragic events of and since September, the renewed interest in the work we do is evident. TABB has something very important to bring to the policy table. We will expand and build upon our existing alliances to further the goals of the HVAC industry. It is a story of clean air and energy efficiency. It is a story of safety and timely action. And it is a joint labor management story.

This has been a year of tangible success for NEMI, through TABB. We intend to make the coming year one of even greater impact and growth for our membership, and the public.

It is with heartfelt sadness that we at NEMI extend our condolences to colleagues who lost loved ones in the terrorist events of September 11 and subsequent incidents.