A PUBLICATION FOR HVAC PROFESSIONALS

JOURNAL
Vol. I, No. 2 | FALL 2014

The Future of an Educated

and Skilled Workforce (ESW) in Buildings:
KNOWLEDGE OF
WHAT TO MEASURE

Better Building
Workforce Guidelines
Conference Highlights
ICB/TABB Journal / Vol. I, No. 2 / FALL 2014 1
ICB/TABB HVAC Certification Programs
Offer All of These Benefits:

Check Us Out!
First and only ANSI-accredited TAB and HVAC fire life safety level 1 and
level 2 technician and supervisor programs in the HVAC industry

Conforms to ISO/IEC 17024 International Certification Standard

Certification exams developed to be valid, reliable and defensible

Complies with the most extensive and comprehensive certification

testing standards

Stringent code of conduct

Endorsed by SMACNA

Decertification process

Quality assurance program and customer complaint process

Supported by 153 training centers nationwide

Supported by more than 200 testing locations nationwide

Expands the bidders’ pool while maintaining highest quality standards

Download model specs at [Link] 800-458-6525

Setting the performance standards for the HVAC Industry

INTERNATIONAL
CERTIFICATION BOARD /
JOURNAL
COMMENTARY
4
6
TESTING, ADJUSTING
& BALANCING BUREAU
8403 Arlington Blvd, Suite 100
Fairfax, VA 22031
Phone: 800-458-6525 INDUSTRY PULSE

13
Fax: 703-683-7615
[Link]

COMMITTEE MEMBERS
PAT LANDGRAF
Labor Co-Chairman LETTERS

14
JOHN BOSKE
Labor
CHRIS GRIFFEY
Labor
MATT SANO EVENTS

18
Management Co-Chairman
MARK KUKLA
Management

TECH TALK
FRANK BATTAGLINO
Management

22
ICB/TABB STAFF
JAMES PAGE
NEMIC Administrator
JOHN HAMILTON
ICB/TABB
FEATURE

41
Chief Operating Officer
KEVIN CASEY
ICB/TABB
Director of Certification CONTRACTOR’S
To subscribe to ICB/TABB Journal at no
charge, visit [Link]. CORNER
10
NEVAD A

In addition, we provide a rundown on exciting developments in the

From THE EDITOR City of Phoenix; discuss our key role on the DOE Better Building
Thank you for joining us for the second Workforce Guidelines advisory committee for the Commercial
edition of the ICB/TABB Journal. Our Workforce Credentialing Council (CWCC); answer the important
first issue was extremely well-received, question “How do I get certified?”; and recap our recent ICB/TABB
garnering positive comments from Conference in Cleveland.
our core audience of P.E. Mechanical And if you like our cover design, a version of it is available as a colorful
Engineers, HVAC technicians, supervisors poster suitable for framing. To obtain your copy, please contact Charlett
and contractors, as well as from colleagues Hardaway at chardaway@[Link]. We think it’s the perfect
and strategic partners. addition to any shop or office.
This issue’s Feature article is the second in a series by building
construction specialist James E. Woods, P.E., Ph.D. entitled “The Future Respectfully,
of an Educated and Skilled Workforce (ESW) in Buildings: Knowledge James Page
of What to Measure,” which takes up where the previous article NEMIC Administrator
left off. We hope you find the information interesting and useful.

ICB/TABB Journal / Vol. I, No. 2 / FALL 2014 3

 EMBRACING
CHANGE By James Page

Change. It can be the source of our biggest

headaches or our greatest opportunities. That was the
overarching theme at this year’s ICB/TABB Conference,
held in Cleveland May 19 – 23, and expressed in seminars,
workshops, classes and lunch presentations all aimed at
keeping sheet metal professionals aware and prepared.

Gary Andis, NEMI Director of Training, set the tone

early on when he told a room full of attendees, “We want
you to be aware of the kind of work that’s coming your
way. You will need to embrace it if you’re going to thrive.”

There is no doubt that our industry is evolving rapidly

and it is our job at ICB/TABB to stay ahead of the curve.
As traditional roles become less relevant, we feel a sense
of urgency to continue developing expanded work
opportunities for contractors and our SMART workforce
through certificate and certification programs. A number
of these opportunities were discussed in-depth at the
Conference by contractors and manufacturers already
enjoying success in these areas: marketing and bidding
HVAC fire life safety, USP 797 clean room standards,
commissioning of VRFs (Variable Refrigerant Flow), Of course, the more things change,
functional testing for ice storage systems, mechanical the more they stay the same, especially
acceptance testing in California, the American Society when it comes to good old fashioned sound
of Healthcare Engineering (ASHE) commissioning business practices. Many of our Conference
process, and many more. All are examined in greater presenters emphasized the importance of building
detail in subsequent sections of this issue of the ICB/ long term relationships with customers and
COMMENTARY

TABB Journal. suppliers, establishing trust, offering innovative

solutions and providing added value. Their results
The bottom line is that ICB/TABB certified technicians, speak for themselves (one contractor has been in
supervisors and contractors are well-positioned to business more than 60 years), proving that some
capitalize on these market opportunities, as certification ideas never go out of style. JOURNAL
and ANSI accreditation for HVAC Testing Adjusting
and Balancing and HVAC Fire Life Safety professionals
shows them to be competent, reliable and well-qualified.

4 ICB/TABB Journal / Vol. I, No. 2 / FALL 2014

 ARE YOU IN COMPLIANCE?
“A firefighting response is pretty much always the result of failure
in some part of the building system…Ultimately, burning buildings
and their occupants live or die according to code and it is very
difficult for us (the fire service) to outperform that reality.”
– Alan Brunacini, Phoenix Fire Department,
2006 Career Fire Chief of the Year

As a Building Owner or Manager, You Should Know That…

• The International Fire Code is in use or adopted in 43 states. (The
other seven states may have codes that are even more stringent.)

• The Code states that fire dampers shall be maintained according to

NFPA 80 and smoke dampers shall be maintained according to NFPA 105

• Both standards mandate that dampers be inspected and tested one

year after installation and every four years after that (every six
years for hospitals). Testing requires hands-on verification that the
dampers are operating properly, which includes code-compliant
access to the damper itself

• As a building owner, you are responsible for having these

inspections performed according to Code

• The successful operations of fire life safety building systems

may mean the difference between a nuisance fire and an
uncontrollable catastrophe

• Failure to comply with Code could void your insurance policy and
leave you vulnerable to criminal violations, lawsuits and financial loss

Our ICB/TABB-certified HVAC Fire Life Safety technicians and supervisors have the credentials to show
they are the best to inspect, test, maintain and repair fire and smoke dampers according to Code.

Visit [Link] to find

an ICB-certified professional in your area
A properly-functioning building system may save lives and protect your valuable investment.
It’s a small price to pay for peace of mind. And it’s the law.

Setting the performance standards for the HVAC Industry

 PHOENIX SHEET METAL WORKERS
HELP MAKE CITY SAFER THROUGH EDUCATION
by Tiffannie Bond

B eing in the right place at the right time just as opportunity opens doors is all well and good,
but actively taking advantage of those opportunities is often the pathway to success. Sheet Metal
Workers Local No. 359 in Phoenix illustrated this when they developed a relationship with the city
of Phoenix centered around exams and turned it into HVAC Fire Life Safety classes for city workers.

When the city of Phoenix adopted the 2012 codes, it looked at privatizing the testing process for the
journeymen mechanics and plumbers and worked with national and local groups to make that happen.
Local No. 359 was one of the groups that helped the city develop the mechanical and fuel and gas tests.

“Working with these groups, we developed a local and national option for these tests and certified
the groups for administering the exam,” said Mo Glancy, deputy director of the planning and
development department for the city of Phoenix. “It has resulted in a time savings for the city of
Phoenix and has greatly increased the number of opportunities for local tradesmen to take the
exams.”

The opportunity presented itself to allow Al Blanco and Mike Sapien, instructors at Local No. 359’s
training center, to educate Glancy on HVAC Fire Life Safety, which led to class development on the
subject for local fire officials and building inspectors.

The eight-hour course was held for the first time in March with a second class in May. The classes will
continue until everyone has been educated, Blanco said.

“We’ve gotten a very proactive response,” Blanco added. “It’s educational. Some of them had an
idea but not to this extent. They don’t realize these dampers should be inspected more often than
they are.”

“With the fire inspectors, our concerns were their concerns,” added Jeff Holly, Local No. 359 business
representative.

Fire and smoke dampers can be the line between life and death in building fires. A fire that starts
INDUSTRY PULSE

on the ground floor can create smoke that can kill patrons on the 23rd floor, because smoke travels
through the HVAC system. Fire and smoke dampers prevent that from happening, containing smoke
and allowing fire crews to do their jobs.

While sprinkler systems and fire alarms are there to protect property and lives, fire and smoke dampers
exist to allow people to escape and firefighters a chance to fight the fire out of harm’s way.

“When everyone thinks ‘fire life safety,’ they think to put the fire out, not how to evacuate people,”
Blanco said. “Dampers aren’t just to get the people out but they’re there to get the firefighters in.
You’ve got to deal with the reality that most of the people who die in fires don’t die because of the
flames. They die because of the smoke.”

“And they know that,” Holly added. “It just had to be brought to light.”

6 ICB/TABB Journal / Vol. I, No. 2 / FALL 2014

The first class of the year hosted inspectors from the planning and development department as well as
from the fire department and tradesman from the public works and aviation departments.

“The free course covers the need for mechanics behind fire and smoke dampers,
including examples of how installations can go wrong,” Glancy said. “It also stresses the
importance of maintenance of these devices to keep them functioning properly. Our

INDUSTRY PULSE
inspectors have found the class to be very helpful and it has increased their knowledge
of the different types of fire and smoke dampers.”

Mark Addler, senior airside application engineer for Climatec, said the class will evolve over time, and
it’s not a passing fad.

“It will be an ongoing thing, not for months, but for years to come,” Addler said. “We want every
building official, fire inspector, city planner and firefighter. It’s really important stuff, and they’re
willing to spend a whole day here. It’s a big commitment.”

When the class is over for the day, the relationship doesn’t end. Local No. 359 hopes to remain in
contact with the inspectors out in the field to ensure the safety of building occupants.

“To them, to the city, we’re a resource,” Holly said. “They know if they need anything, they can
come to us.” JOURNAL

From left, James Tucker, life safety fire protection specialist for Raytheon Missile Systems; Marvin Rose,city of Surprise fire inspector; Pete Pervi, city
of Surprise, and Laura Brown, city of Phoenix fire inspector check out correct and incorrect installations of fire and smoke dampers at Sheet Metal
Workers Local 359's training center during a free, eight-hour Fire Inspectors Course.

ICB/TABB Journal / Vol. I, No. 2 / FALL 2014 7

 ANSI ACCREDITATION:
THE PERFORMANCE ASSURANCE
ANSI (American National Standards Institute) is a private nonprofit organization
that has overseen the development of voluntary consensus standards for products,
services, processes, systems, and personnel in the U.S. for nearly a century. It accredits
processes developed by organizations, such as the ICB (International Certification
Board), which provides certified HVAC professionals to the industry.

An increasing number of engineers, architects, general contractors, and government

entities are mandating proof of qualifications. ICB/TABB-certified technicians and
supervisors are the first and only ANSI-accredited TAB and HVAC fire life safety
professionals in the HVAC industry.

• Expands the bidders’ pool for qualified HVAC contractors

• Positions ICB/TABB as a leader in meeting specification requirements
• ICB/TABB is required by ANSI to undergo an annual impartial and independent audit
• Sustains continual improvement through yearly exam reviews
• Requires valid, reliable and defensible exams
• Established knowledge bases promote consistency across the certification process

[Link]
Setting the performance standards for the HVAC Industry
 ICB/TABB Supports Better
Buildings Workforce Guidelines By Brian Rouff

INDUSTRY PULSE
Together with the National Institute of Building
Sciences (NIBS), the Energy Department convened
In September 2013, the Department of Energy launched
industry subject matter experts last October to develop
the Better Buildings Workforce Guidelines initiative
the Guidelines through a Commercial Workforce
to improve the quality and consistency of commercial
Credentialing Council (CWCC) comprised of private
building workforce training and certification programs
and public sector industry stakeholders. The Department
for five key energy-related jobs: Energy Auditor,
of Energy will recognize assessment-based certificate
Commissioning Professional, Energy Manager, Building/
and competency-based certification programs that
Stationary Engineer and Facility Manager. (ICB/TABB-
successfully implement the guidelines and achieve third-
certified technicians and supervisors are particularly well
party accreditation.
suited to perform the first three.)
ANSI ISO-IEC 17024, which provides an international
This government and industry partnership was developed
benchmark for personnel certification programs to
to advance commercial workforce quality by addressing
ensure that they operate in a consistent, comparable and
the absence of national guidelines for energy-related
reliable manner, is one such program. As the first and only
professional credentials, posing a major barrier to the
ANSI-accredited HVAC testing adjusting and balancing,
quality, consistency and scalability of this workforce. The
and HVAC fire life safety personnel certification program
patchwork of existing credentialing programs has created
in the HVAC industry, ICB/TABB was honored to serve
confusion and uncertainty while adding unnecessary
on the Board of Advisors for the CCWC. In the spirit of
costs to the industry.
cooperation and collaboration, we are also pleased that
These voluntary workforce guidelines also support the ASHRAE and other building organizations have joined
Better Buildings Initiative goal of making commercial the effort to improve our industry. We are confident they
buildings 20% more energy efficient over the next 10 years, will ultimately receive ANSI accreditation as well.
while helping businesses and communities save money by
According to the BBWG estimated timetable, a final
saving energy and creating new clean energy jobs across
draft of the Guidelines is expected to be released
the country.
in December of this year. ICB/TABB will be sure to
Improving the energy and operational performance keep you apprised of this significant development.
of commercial buildings requires highly-skilled and JOURNAL

qualified workers, particularly as building

technologies become more advanced. The
Better Buildings Workforce Guidelines align
with the development of high-quality training
and certification programs built upon a clear
set of industry-developed guidelines—to
the benefit of workers, employers, building
owners and policymakers, something ICB/
TABB wholeheartedly supports.

ICB/TABB Journal / Vol. I, No. 2 / FALL 2014 9

 FOCUS ON NFPA 92
Las Vegas is an appropriate venue for reviewing tragedies,
successes, and standards past and present.
By Tracy Vecchiarelli, P.E

L as Vegas is a popular spot for tourists, gamblers, and even fire protection enthusiasts. Vegas was home to one of the worst fire
tragedies in U.S. history and is currently home to some of the most unique fire protection systems in the world.

The fire protection industry has learned a lot from the 1980 MGM Grand Hotel and Casino fire, which resulted in 85 deaths. Of
these deaths, only 18 victims were located on the level of the fire origin. Sixty-one victims, located in the high-rise tower attached
to the casino, died from carbon monoxide inhalation. One of the many problems which contributed to this catastrophic event was
smoke spread. Unprotected vertical openings, substandard stair enclosures, excessive gaps in seismic separation joints, and the
HVAC system itself allowed the smoke to spread from the area of origin — a deli located on the ground floor — into the tower. The
majority of occupants were located 20 or more stories above the fire floor and died while in their guest rooms or in the corridor.
We learned a lot about fire protection as a result of this fire, including the importance of smoke control.

During a fire event in a large building like the MGM Grand, it is more likely that an occupant will be exposed to the smoke and
gases than the actual flames from a fire. Many occupants are unaware at how quickly smoke and gas can accumulate and travel
— both horizontally and vertically. In addition to the many passive and active fire protection systems installed in modern era
buildings, which were lacking in the MGM, a smoke control system is another way to protect occupants from the effects of fire.

Large Spaces” was published. In 2012 both standards

WORKING UNDER PRESSURE
were merged together into one, NFPA 92, “Standard for
Even before the MGM fire, discussions about use of
Smoke Control Systems.”
purpose-built or shared systems that could effectively
INDUSTRY PULSE

manage the smoke generation in a building had been

NFPA 92 covers two types of smoke control systems:
taking place within and between multiple organizations
smoke management systems and smoke containment
including NFPA, ASHRAE (and its predecessor - the
systems. Smoke management systems work to maintain
American Society of Refrigeration Engineers), National
tenable environments in the means of egress from large
Bureau of Standards (now NIST), GSA, and code
volume spaces or prevent the movement of smoke into
consulting firms.
surrounding spaces. Smoke containment systems keep
NFPA’s first smoke control document, NFPA 92A, smoke from entering specific areas using pressurization.
“Recommended Practice for Smoke-Control Systems” One of the most important design objectives for both
was published in 1988. During the next 21 years, NFPA smoke management systems and smoke containment
92A matured into a “standard” and NFPA 92B, “Standard systems is to maintain a tenable environment for evacuees
for Smoke Management Systems in Malls, Atria, and for a specified time period.

10 ICB/TABB Journal / Vol. I, No. 2 / FALL 2014

In large volume spaces, a smoke management system is often designed to keep or maintain
the smoke layer 6 ft above the highest walking surface for the duration of time it takes to
evacuate the building. This can be accomplished by providing a large unoccupied volume of
space for smoke to accumulate in or by using mechanical equipment to exhaust the smoke to
the outside or some unoccupied space in the building. The mechanical equipment can also
be used to prevent smoke from entering communicating spaces. NFPA 92 provides methods
for calculating smoke temperature, density, and flow rate. The smoke production properties

INDUSTRY PULSE
are used to determine the required size of the smoke reservoir or the size/quantity of fans that
should be installed.

Smoke containment systems use similar fans and mechanical equipment to create pressure
differences across smoke barriers. Smoke containment systems are used in stairwells,
elevators, and refuge areas. Upon activation, positive pressure is introduced into these areas
to prevent smoke from entering.

In order for a smoke control system to be effective, it needs to coordinate with a number of
other building systems including the fire alarm and HVAC systems. Automatic activation of
the system occurs when the system receives signals from the fire alarm control panel that a
detector has activated. The control panel is able to identify which detector has activated and
which smoke control function should operate. The panel also can shut down the HVAC system
upon detection of smoke — usually when detected in the supply air portion of the system.

IMPROVEMENTS IN PRACTICE ON THE STRIP

If given the chance to visit Las Vegas as a fire protection enthusiast (or tourist), be sure to
check out the Luxor. Something you might not notice are the eight faux rock structures
tucked into the corners of the pyramid. Each of these structures houses a fan that is actually
part of the smoke management system. The Luxor’s 820,000 m3 atrium is open to staggered
balconies lining the interior of the pyramid, which posed a unique challenge for the fire
protection engineers. Smoke movement in this type of atrium could compromise multiple
stories, affecting many hundreds of occupants. To keep smoke away from the balconies, the
engineers used multiple fans positioned in a way to create a vortex, directing smoke towards
the center of the pyramid. This one of a kind design uses the principles of NFPA 92 to achieve
life safety.

Not all systems require camouflaged fans and vortexes to contain or manage the smoke.
NFPA 92 provides detailed requirements for the design, installation, and testing of smoke
control systems. JOURNAL

[ Find additional information at [Link]/92. ES

]
References Best, R. (1982). Investigation Report on the MGM Grand Hotel Fire. Quincy:
National Fire Protection Association.
Article reprinted by permission of Engineered Systems Magazine.

ICB/TABB Journal / Vol. I, No. 2 / FALL 2014 11

 TAB MOBILE TRAINING STATIONS
PROVIDE SMALL SCHOOLS A BOOST IN TRAINING
By Tiffannie Bond

The International Training Institute, in conjunction with the National Energy Management Institute
Committee’s (NEMIC) efforts to promote increased testing, adjusting and balancing (TAB) training
and certification and meet the demand created by the California Energy Commission’s (CEC) Title
24 Mechanical Acceptance Testing Program, has loaned out mobile TAB training stations to affected
training centers.

The mobile air and water training stations can provide all (in TAB),” said Will Scott, training director at Local No.
hands-on experience needed on the job site. The trainers, 105 in Bakersfield, California. “This equipment is greatly
which can fit through a standard door frame, were loaned to appreciated, and it’ll help us get a jump start, putting on
training centers in California and Nevada directly affected classes as needed.”
by CEC’s Title 24 Mechanical Acceptance Testing Program.
Although Local No. 26 is in Reno, Nevada, many of
The mobile air trainers allow instructors to teach TAB the union contractors in the area have jurisdiction
students to balance branch zones and branch outlets; in California.
record a fan’s rotations per minute (RPM), motor volts
“We’re a very small local, and we didn’t have the funding
INDUSTRY PULSE

and motor amps; and traverse and draw a single line

(to build a TAB lab),” said Josh Morrow, training director
diagram of system components. On the water side,
at the school in Reno. “We’re directly affected by Title 24.
students can learn and practice tightening pump blocks
It’s going to help us prepare for the acceptance testing. It
and reading the pump, suction press and discharge press;
gives me a small TAB lab to work with. You can’t get guys
calculating GPM (gallons per minute); estimating on a
to take a class when there’s nothing hands-on to do. I can
curve; balancing individual circuits; and using various
take an HVAC apprentice and get him that experience.”
metering devices.
Because the CEC can be modified every six months,
In some instances, the trainers brought TAB labs to
schools will also use the mobile training stations to keep
schools that didn’t have them before or supplemented
up with any changes. JOURNAL
small ones already in existence.

“At our training center, we don’t have the proper

equipment to properly train apprentices and journeymen

12 ICB/TABB Journal / Vol. I, No. 2 / FALL 2014

 Letters To The
EDITOR
ICB/TABB has received a number of letters, emails and phone calls recently about how to maneuver through the certification
process. With this in mind, we have created the following step-by-step procedures. Applying is relatively fast and easy, but
it is important to understand it is a two-part process. The International Training Institute provides the training while ICB/

LETTERS
TABB is the certifying body.

After submittal, the applicant has one year from that date to
General processing of applications:
test. If he or she does not pass the first time, they can retest
For Technicians: To be eligible, the applicant must be an
after 30 days. Supervisor applicants pay a retest fee of $25.
individual with respect to whom contributions are payable
to the ITI or other individual who quaiifies as an ITI The JATC Coordinator will email ICB/TABB with a list of
participant. applicants, date, time and testing location, whether the test
is a paper or online exam, and who the proctor will be for
For Supervisors: To be eligible, the applicant must
the test.
be employed by a signatory contractor that provides
contributions directly to NEMIC and the employer must After ICB/TABB sets up the exam session, applicants will
be current on all financial obligations under that collective test on the specified day. If they pass, they will receive their
bargaining agreement. In addition, the applicant must meet certification documents (normally two weeks for online
the other requirements listed on the application. exams and four weeks for paper exams).

• Applicants will log into our website at [Link]. Renewals:

• Register a profile with all pertinent information. Applicants are certified for two years. Three to four months
prior to expiration, ICB/TABB will send out an email as
• Applicants select a certification they are interested in
a reminder to login to our website and submit a renewal
obtaining.
application. While essentially the same as the original
• Complete and submit the application. application process, the renewal application includes
Once received, the application is reviewed in its entirety. questions about Continuing Education Units (CEUs); all
There is no fee for technicians. Supervisors pay a $50 CEUs must be related to the specific field they are renewing,
application fee and are subject to more stringent eligibility such as TABB or HVAC Fire Life Safety. One hour of
requirements. training equals one CEU. This is the first year ICB/TABB is
requiring CEUs for technicians.
A Verification of Eligibility Form is sent to the local union
Business Manager for verification that the applicant is eligible. Technicians –Requirement is 4 hours for all certifications.

Once verified and approved, an email will be sent to the Supervisors (Commissioning, Sound & Vibration, IAQ) –
applicant confirming they are eligible to test and he or she Requirement is 6 hours.
needs to contact the local JATC Coordinator to set up a date Supervisors (TABB, HVAC Fire Life Safety Level 1 & 2) –
and time to test. Requirement is 12 hours.

For more detailed information, please visit the following sites:

[Link] | For supervisors, under the Resources tab on [Link]
[Link] | For technicians, under the Resources tab on [Link]
Note: We will address Contractor Certification in our next issue.

ICB/TABB Journal / Vol. I, No. 2 / FALL 2014 13

 ICB/TABB CONFERENCE
a success for contractors, sheet metal professionals
By Tiffannie Bond

M ore than 120 sheet metal technicians, supervisors, contractors, SMACNA chapter executives, training
coordinators and others attended the 13th annual ICB/TABB Conference May 19–23 at the historic Hyatt
Regency at the Arcade in downtown Cleveland.

This year’s conference offered numerous classes, Representatives from companies learned about codes
workshops and seminars on a variety of current and standards, marketing and bidding HVAC Fire
industry topics specifically geared toward working sheet Life Safety projects, USP 797 clean room standards,
metal professionals. Classes included HVAC Fire Life National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70E
Safety Level 1 and Level 2, sound and vibration, and labeling, energy management, Trane commissioning of
TAB, hosted by NEMI for supervisors and contractors. VRFs, commissioning of ice storage systems, and the
Certification testing for TABB supervisor, HVAC Fire American Society of Healthcare Engineering (ASHE)
Life Safety Levels 1 and 2 supervisor, and sound and commissioning process. In addition, administrator
vibration supervisor were offered as well. Certification Randall Krocka and industrial hygienist Charles Austin
communicates to customers and contractors that from the Sheet Metal Occupational Health Institute
technicians and supervisors are competent, reliable Trust (SMOHIT) were on hand to distribute safety and
and qualified professionals, which can help increase health information throughout the week.
employment and business opportunities.
“We’ve made good progress in the year since our
All in all, 14 participants passed the TABB Supervisor last conference. Certifications are up for technicians,
exam, 10 passed the HVAC Fire Life Safety Level 1 supervisors and contractors,” said James Page, NEMI/
Supervisor exam, six passed the HVAC Fire Life Safety NEMIC administrator. “The Department of Energy has
Level 2 Supervisor exam, seven passed the Sound and acknowledged that if you’re going to run a certification
Vibration Supervisor exam, 11 passed the Fume Hood program, you need to run it like this one. We are the
EVENTS

Performance Testing Technician exam, and one passed first labor group to get ANSI accreditation for its testing
the Total Building Energy Audit Technician exam. program. It’s all about making our program better
for our contractors and members and creating more
An addition to the schedule was the contractors’ daily
opportunities.”
workshop, where contractors were introduced to new
material, discussions and ideas to take back to their Although the recession is in the rearview mirror for
signatory companies across the country. contractors in many states, it’s still not out of recent
memory for the industry.
“They’ve added the contractors’ seminars, and that’s
been a good step,” said Denny Kapowitz, project “We want you to be aware of the kind of work that’s
manager and supervisor at TNT System Solutions coming your way,” Gary Andis, NEMI director of
Inc. near Austin, Texas. “The classes we’re in have training, told those in attendance. “You will need to
knowledgeable people and good subject matter.” accept it and embrace it if you’re going to thrive.”

14 ICB/TABB Journal / Vol. I, No. 2 / FALL 2014

At times, contractors get so caught up in the business and work side that they don’t take time to market the services
they’re offering. However, marketing a service such as HVAC Fire Life Safety can make a difference in a company’s
bottom line.

If a company offers a service, selling it when no one knows about it is difficult, said John Sickle, conference speaker,
SMACNA chapter executive for Cleveland and president of Duct Fabricators Inc.

“We want you to be aware of the kind of work that’s coming

your way,” Gary Andis, NEMI director of training, told those
in attendance. “You will need to accept it and embrace
it if you’re going to thrive.”

EVENTS
Using information already available and educating the Three main goals – comfort, equipment longevity and
facilities managers, fire inspectors and other local fire energy savings – help them look outside the box for
officials not only increases a company’s visibility but solutions to easy and complex problems alike.
its reputation.
“I see us as problem solvers,” Barnett said. “We figure out
“Use city, county, NFPA codes, ASHRAE standards and how and why we can make it better. We add value to the
manufacturers’ recommendations to sell HVAC Fire company (we’re servicing) and the owner. That’s how you
Life Safety testing. ICB/TABB has the qualified people differentiate yourself. It’s not just about moving air, it’s
to do this.” about establishing trust. There is a lot of work out there
to improve old buildings.”
Miguel Ibarra, coordinator for Local No. 104’s training
center in San Jose, California, is used to seeing things Joe Labraco, owner/member of HVAC Service Group
from the training perspective. The contractors’ in Bloomington, Illinois, left the conference with some
workshops helped him understand better where extra inspiration in his luggage.
the company owners were coming from and how to
“Their presentation was eye-opening,” Labraco said.
deliver the trained personnel they need to fill niches
“Just to sit and look and try to break down the problems
in the marketplace.
and help the customer solve them – it changed the way
“Not all the contractors are aware of what’s out there,” I’m looking at things now.”
Ibarra said. “When business is slow, there are ways to
Increasing market share also comes from looking at
expand into other market shares. I’ve heard what some
areas not being serviced and investigating how cost
do and the battle they have to try to sell it to customers.
effective it would be to enter that market. Susanna
Now, I need to do what I can to help the contractors sell
Hanson, application engineer for Trane/Ingersoll Rand,
it. It makes me more confident to approach contractors
presented functional testing for ice storage systems,
with suggestions.”
commonly used in hospitals and health care facilities, as
Dale Barnett, owner of Payson Sheet Metal in Payson, such a market.
Utah, has evolved how he looks at the market share in his
“Health care facilities are becoming more important to
60 years of ownership. He and his grandson, Rick DeGraw,
our industry,” she said. “Some contractors are making a
discussed case studies with contractors and shared ideas
full-time living at it.”
on how to take their businesses one step further.

ICB/TABB Journal / Vol. I, No. 2 / FALL 2014 15

 In addition to seminars and workshops, attendees attended a banquet at Sheet Metal Workers Local No. 33, located
in Parma, Ohio, just outside Cleveland. There, vendors showed off their latest technology and took tours of the new
TAB lab, where certification testing was completed earlier in the week. John Nesta, training coordinator for Local No.
33’s training center, also treated the group to an HVAC Fire Life Safety demonstration similar to one presented to fire
officials in Ohio.

Tim Adams, director of leadership development for ASHE, was impressed with the training center and its ability to
provide apprentices and journeymen a true place to learn. Having a space to troubleshoot the HVAC controls and
systems is priceless to students who would otherwise receive the training on the job when company time is at stake,
he said.

“The training center was extremely impressive, just by the functionality of it,” Adams added. “The ability to train in –
from the standpoint of TAB – and have a lab where you can do this sort of training is invaluable. It’s hard to learn things
in a live environment (on the job) when you can’t mess anything up.”

During lunch, mini-seminars took place to keep the education going. Mark Altorre, mechanical engineer for the
California Energy Commission Acceptance Test Technicians Certified Program (ATTCP), presented information
valuable to California attendees and the industry as a whole. After the presentation, Gary Andis emphasized the
importance because it is expected that other states will follow suit.

“The bar in California has been set high,” Andis said. “We have the training and expertise to make it work. It’s taken us
18 months to get to this point. We’re not there yet, but we’re close.”

Next year’s ICB/TABB Conference will take place in Austin, Texas, dates TBD.

Three awards were given during the 13th annual ICB/TABB Conference
on May 22 in Cleveland, including the TABB Hall of Fame. Current
Hall of Fame members Don Viningre and Vince Del Vacchio presented
the award to James Rosier, owner and operator of Equal Air Balance
Company in Orange, California.

“For the younger people in the group, there’s nothing better than being
EVENTS

involved,” Rosier said. “The more you know, the better you are.”

Other awards included an appreciation award to Erik Emblem, executive

administrator and chief operating officer of the Western States Council-
Sheet Metal Workers in Sacramento, California and Frank Battaglino,
president of Metro Test and Balance in Capitol Heights, Maryland for
presenting HVAC Fire Life Safety demonstrations to fire marshals in
his area.

In addition to the awards, Cleveland’s own Local No. 33 received

acknowledgement from the International Training Institute on behalf
of the sheet metal and air conditioning industry and TABB certifying
the local’s training center as an official testing lab. JOURNAL

16 ICB/TABB Journal / Vol. I, No. 2 / FALL 2014

Jim Page, left, NEMIC/NEMI administrator, gives opening remarks at the 2014 From left, Mike Coleman, Local No. 33 business manager, and John Nesta, Local No. 33's train-
ICB/TABB Conference in Cleveland as Charlett Hardaway, NEMIC/ICB/TABB ing director, show off the certifcate acknowledging the training center as a certified testing lab
certification systems coordinator, looks on. by the International Training Institute, the education arm of the unionized sheet metal and air
conditioning industry.

EVENTS
Rooftop air handlers and the city skyline are seen from the top of the Cleveland Clinic.

Smoke billows from the fire and smoke damper demonstration at Local No. 33's
training center in Cleveland, which hosted the closing reception and testing
during the conference. The demonstration is used to show local fire inspectors the
danger of malfunctioning dampers.
Mark Altorre, mechanical engineer for the
Calfornia Energy Commission's Acceptance
Test Technicians Certified Program (ATTCP),
addressed the attendees during a lunch and
learn mini-seminar about the importance of
the upcoming changes in California and how it
could impact the rest of the country.

New TABB Hall of Fame inductee, James Rosier, second from

right, of Equal Air Balance Company in Orange, California,
joined past inductees Don Viningre and Vince Del Vacchio,
center, as well as ICB/TABB board members Patrick Landgraf,
far left, and Matt Sano, owner of Fisher Balancing Co. in New
Jersey, far right, during the presentation of the TABB Hall of
Fame during the conference.

Dale Barnett, right, owner of Payson Sheet Metal in Payson, Utah, and
Kennedy Sanders, of P1 Group Inc. in Las Vegas, led the his grandson, Rick DeGraw, were popular speakers with contractors
Total Building Energy Audit Technician course during the who enjoyed stories of out-of-the-box problem solving skills that have
conference. resulted in satisfied customers and additional business.

ICB/TABB Journal / Vol. I, No. 2 / FALL 2014 17

 MANUAL DAMPERS
Guest Article by Steven Kidrowski, TABB Certified Test and Balance Supervisor, Local 10, Minneapolis

Manual dampers are a major component of any duct system. Their proper selection
and installation is critical to duct system efficiency. HVAC testing, adjusting and
balancing (TAB) professionals expend significant labor and money adjusting manual
dampers. A basic understanding of damper construction and selection will speed the
testing procedure and lesson future issues within the duct systems. A brief description
and implementation of manual dampers is listed below.

SINGLE ZONE SYSTEM

• Air does not understand or care if it is being
pushed or pulled. This means that supply air,
return air, and exhaust air all get manual dampers
to facilitate proper air volume proportioning of
TECH TALK

individual outlets. The proper locations are shown

on the illustration.

• Each branch duct has a volume damper to

proportion between branch ducts.

• The use of splitter type dampers, extractors,

and register face dampers is not recommended.
Splitter dampers are seldom installed properly.
When splitter dampers are used, the installation
should be as recommended by SMACNA
standards. Extractors cause duct turbulence and
noise. Register face dampers are noisy, not usually repeatable over the long term, and load easily. Register face
dampers used on exhaust or return duct systems commonly load and allow only reduced air volumes.

• Note: All manual dampers are to be installed as close to the duct main as practical and as far from outlets as
possible. Dampers cause noise and noise is an undesirable side effect of limiting air volume with dampers.

18 ICB/TABB Journal / Vol. I, No. 2 / FALL 2014

 ARM
FIG D DUCT
ELEVATION
TWO BLADE ARRANGEMENT
FIG C
ROUND DAMPER

CIRCULAR DUCTS

MIN.-12” ROD, WASHER,

LOCK NUT
OR HINGE DUCT DUCT
FLOW 3
_“ QUADRANT 1
_ “ QUADRANT
8 2

SET SCREW 1
3
_ “ PIN _“
8 2 ROD-PIN
1 ROD TO 24” DEPTH
2 RODS 25” TO 60”

12” MAX
3 RODS 61” & OVER

SPLITTER DAMPER 22 Ga. BLADE 16 Ga. BLADE

_ “ CLEARANCE ALL
1 _ “ CLEARANCE ALL
1
8 AROUND 8 AROUND
UP TO 18” 19” TO 48”

FIG A FIG B
NOTE: OVER 12” HIGH USE MULTIPLE BLADES.

STIFFEN AS
BEARING OPTION REQUIRED

ROD CONTINUOUS
NUT IN 2” WG CLASS

DUCT DEPTH
AND ON ALL
DAMPERS OVER

18”
D
12” DIA.
1
_“
2
ARM
FIG D DUCT FIG A OR B
ELEVATION SIDE ELEVATION
TWO BLADE ARRANGEMENT
FIG C

TECH TALK
ROUND DAMPER
RECTANGULAR DUCTS
CIRCULAR DUCTS
Fig 6-6 Volume Dampers SMACNA HVAC Testing Adjusting and Balancing •Third Edition

• 3
_“
The splitter damper detail spells out the requirement of a control rod(s) to secure the damper in a locked fashion.
QUADRANT
DUCT
1
_ “ QUADRANT
DUCT
8 2
(The metal gauge required can be found in the SMACNA duct construction guide. This is typical of all dampers).
3 1
_“
_ “ PIN
2 ROD-PIN
Many splitter damper installations have been installed improperly without a control rod and have failed to control
8
12” MAX

air volumes.
22 Ga. BLADE 16 Ga. BLADE

• In round or circular damper construction, note the use of continuous damper rod over 2.0" SP. (The good old
_ “ CLEARANCE ALL
1 _ “ CLEARANCE ALL
1
8 AROUND 8 AROUND

Duro Dyne type single blade damper and quadrant do not cover all applications).
UP TO 18”
FIG A
19” TO 48”

FIG B
NOTE: OVER 12” HIGH USE MULTIPLE BLADES.

• Regarding rectangular dampers, note maximum damper blade height of 12" and various quadrant construction
STIFFEN AS
based on duct width. REQUIRED

• The one detail not mentioned is the use of quadrant standouts when the duct system has external insulation.
DUCT DEPTH
18”

The use of standoffs allows for proper quadrant access and proper insulation over the duct surface area.
1
_“
2

FIG A OR B
• Refer to the sketch below for duct tap detail. SIDE ELEVATION

RECTANGULAR DUCTS

ICB/TABB Journal / Vol. I, No. 2 / FALL 2014 19

 MULTIZONE SYSTEM
• As shown in the illustration, each zone shall have a manual
damper installed to allow air volume proportioning
between individual zones.

• The dampers need to be installed as close as possible to

the hot deck cold deck dampers. The dampers shall be
constructed to SMACNA standards. (Air volume will be
greatly reduced if the manual dampers are installed in
different and/or distant duct pressure zones).

• The individual diffuser duct dampers within a zone shall

not be used in an attempt to proportion air volume from
one zone to another zone. This practice will not proportion air volume. It will effectively reduce or kill total air
volumes which are attempting to move to other zones. (Air volume proportioning is best done in similar duct
pressure zones. For example, the use of outlet dampers would require the outlet dampers to hold back sufficient
duct static pressure to force air to actually move to another zone duct.)

VARIABLE VOLUME VARIABLE TEMPERATURE SYSTEMS

• To properly adjust volume between zones, it is recommended
that manual dampers be installed in front of each VVT damper.
This method of damper installation allows for minimum system
resistance and efficient use of time during the TAB process. The
other common method of proportioning air volume would be to
limit volume by means of guessing maximum allowable damper
position. For example, if zone 3 is high, lower maximum damper
position to 80% as maximum open position. Retest outlets served, continue adjusting the VVT control damper
by means of the automation system, until air volume is within design tolerances in the zone being tested. This
TECH TALK

eliminates the process of chasing back to the human interface to make adjustments of the control damper. The
result is an increase in technician efficiency while reducing the possibility of the controls technician accidentally
deleting control damper setpoints.

• Manual dampers should be installed to serve each outlet.

DUCT TAP AND SMACNA DAMPER CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS

• Typical construction documents state a design intent and construction criteria. Frequently referring to SMACNA
standards for duct construction guidelines is recommended. A spin in collar with a volume damper is used to
serve a duct runout below 1000 FPM and static pressure below 0.50”. Above these parameters the damper may
vibrate loose and/or fatigue. The use of a conical duct tap is recommended. The length of the duct tap may play
into the damper placement. The duct tap either needs to be long enough for the damper to be out of the main duct
air stream or installed to slice the air, not scoop the air from the duct main. Scooping the air causes turbulence
and excessive torque on the damper which may cause premature damper failure.

• The SMACNA duct construction and damper construction portion is quite thorough and worth repeating.

20 ICB/TABB Journal / Vol. I, No. 2 / FALL 2014

OPPOSED BLADE OR PARALLEL BLADE DAMPERS
• Generally, opposed blade dampers are used for volume control. Damper construction varies based on duct static
pressure and velocity.

• As a rule, parallel blade dampers are used in mixing box application. Parallel dampers cause turbulence when used for
volume control within a duct and are not recommended.

• It is good practice for TAB technicians to review each control damper early in the TAB process.

VAV DAMPER CONSTRUCTION

• Referring to the attached details, the first is a design detail while the
second is a common installation duct configuration.

• The design intent was to create minimum duct system resistance,

a conical type duct tap from the medium pressure duct to the

TECH TALK
VAV, resulting in a well-drawn low pressure duct configuration. A
comparison of the air in the duct to driving a car best represents
what actually is happening in a duct system. The air is traveling at
interstate speeds in the medium pressure duct; it needs to turn and
flow past the VAV damper, through the reheat coil and into the low pressure duct, then through the low pressure duct
to the diffusers. The original design used the conical duct tap and the spacing of the duct taps on the low pressure duct
system to allow duct static pressure to aid in airflow control of volume and sound.

• Note: A manual damper shall not be installed in front of a VAV. First, the VAV has a damper. Secondly, the VAV inlet
has an airflow station installed. The manual damper is creating turbulence and causing faulty air volume reporting by
the airflow station.

• Conversely, the typical field installation has varied from the design. A damper was installed in front of the VAV; the
low pressure duct system has been modified by not adhering to the design detail. The first two outlets were installed
too close to the reheat coil. The last two outlets were tapped on or near the low pressure duct endcap, all creating a less
than desirable static pressure condition in the low pressure duct system. Let’s again compare airflow to driving a car.
Who turns their car 90 degrees at 60 MPH? A similar condition is happening in the duct system. Simply tweaking some
dampers to achieve design parameters between outlets will not get the job done. Dampers that hold back significant
duct pressure are sure to rattle loose in the future.

• Final note: Most volume dampers are not constructed for total shut off, just volume control. Total shut off dampers
have proper gaskets and construction for 100% shut off volume.

• Properly trained HVAC professionals, such as TABB Certified Technicians and Supervisors, possess knowledge of
correct manual damper construction and installation. Manual dampers are a critical portion of a duct system and
following the SMACNA standards guidelines for damper construction and installation location provides an improved
final product.

• The final air system will perform better when the manual damper selection and installation is done in accordance with
the system design intent and SMACNA guidelines.

• The general procedure of at least one damper open on each duct main, one branch duct full open, and one outlet
damper full open will result in the least duct system resistance. JOURNAL

ICB/TABB Journal / Vol. I, No. 2 / FALL 2014 21

 The Future of an Educated
and Skilled Workforce (ESW) in Buildings:
KNOWLEDGE OF
WHAT TO MEASURE
Second in a Series of ICB/TABB Journal Articles
FEATURE

22 ICB/TABB Journal / Vol. I, No. 2 / FALL 2014

 FEATURE
PART 1:
WHAT IS BUILDING
PERFORMANCE?
By James E. Woods, Ph.D., P.E.1

Many issues have changed, but others have not, in the ten years since my last series in TABB
Talk entitled: Current and Future Engineering Needs for TABB.2 This new series focuses on
opportunities for an educated and skilled workforce (ESW) to learn and practice the principles
that provide for the health, safety, security, and well-being of occupants while meeting the
functional requirements of the facility through energy efficient control of heating, ventilating
and air conditioning (HVAC) and other mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems.
The first article in this series described future challenges and opportunities that an ESW is
likely to face. This and the subsequent articles in this series expand on these challenges and
opportunities by addressing fundamentals for assuring quality building performance as determined
at the technician, supervisor, and contractor levels: Knowledge of What to Measure; Availability of
Appropriate Instrumentation; and Interpreting Measurements and Evaluating Building Performance.

Buildings primarily exist to: 1) provide safe, improved performance of buildings and their
healthy, and secure conditions, and 2) facilitate systems have intensified not only the need
the well being and productivity of occupants, for reliable and valid testing, adjusting and
owners, and managers. Throughout history, balancing (TAB) of HVAC, MEP, and other
evaluating and controlling the performance systems, but also for overall assurance that the
of buildings to achieve this purpose has been whole building is performing in accordance
pursued through available means and methods with the criteria needed to meet the design
of design, construction, and operations. intent and the owner’s functional requirements.
Vitruvius set a benchmark in about 15 BC: This understanding begins by addressing three
“Well building hath three conditions: firmness, questions:
commodity, and delight” (1). 3
1. What is the basis of these growing demands?
We have also learned from history that a
2. Do the current criteria used in TAB and
clear understanding of the purpose of a
other evaluation procedures adequately
building, together with knowledge of what
address these demands?
and what not to measure, are needed before
the performance of a building can be assured. 3. Who determines what and how to measure
Growing demands within the last 10 years for the parameters and values for these criteria?

1 Indoor Environment Consultant, Charlottesville, VA jewoods3@[Link].

2 Published in individual issues of TABB Talk, and as a set in 2003. Article 1: Current and Future Engineering Needs for TABB; Article 2: Diagnosing vs. Commissioning; Article 3: Procedures to Assure
Human Responses, Occupant Performance, and Productivity; and Article 4: Procedures to Ascertain HVAC and Whole Building Performance for Normal and Extraordinary Conditions.

3 See References at the end of Part [Link] this article.

ICB/TABB Journal / Vol. I, No. 2 / FALL 2014 23
 The objective of this article is to answer these questions as part of sales transactions. For these evaluations,
by focusing on the fundamental importance of defining expected building performance outcomes are calculated
a decisive set of measurable criteria for evaluating, in financial terms (e.g., present net value of the asset,
controlling, and assuring the intended performance estimated cost of repairs, market price, return on
of sub-systems, and the whole building as a system, investment). These outcomes can then be compared
throughout the phases of design and construction, to validated references or “benchmarks” that are
and during normal and extraordinary (e.g., natural, maintained by the industry. Similarly, the health care
accidental, and intentional disruptive events) operational industry has conducted evaluations and certifications
conditions.4 To meet this objective, this article describes for more than 50 years to assure that the facilities
means and methods by which these criteria can be perform within industry and governmental standards of
credibly defined and measured by the technicians, health and safety (e.g., infection rates) and economics
supervisors, and contractors who comprise the ESW. (e.g., benefits and costs per patient-day).

The knowledge base of the ESW must increase to meet Due to changes in policies, regulations, marketing
these growing demands. This article, which is presented drivers, and advances in technologies within the last 10
in three parts, is intended to encourage those with the years (2), expectations for “high-performance buildings”
talent and desire to accept these challenges by taking have resulted in the promulgation of additional criteria
advantage of career opportunities through programs that pertain to attributes such as energy use, green
developed and offered by the International Certification buildings, greenhouse gas emissions, and sustainability.
Board and the Testing, Adjusting and Balancing Bureau However, neither standardized methods of measurement
(ICB/TABB).5 nor benchmarks for these additional criteria have been
nationally accepted for occupied buildings.
Part 1: As indicated in Figures 1 and 2 in the previous article
What is Building Performance? (2), performance is not static but changes throughout
The first question6 leads to a focus on the meaning of the lifespan of a building: each building performs
“Building Performance,” which has evolved to have acceptably, or not, during “normal” and “extraordinary”
several connotations. The root of modern building periods of operation. Assurance of quality building
performance evaluations may be the real estate industry, performance requires contiguous evaluations of
in which “property condition assessment” and “due residual risks through measurements of “performance,”
diligence” reports have been prepared for decades “preparedness,” and “resiliency.”7

Rational Definition
To credibly evaluate how well a building is achieving its two-fold purpose at any time during its useful life, valid and
reliable measures of its performance are required. Based on principles of control theory and the assumption that a
FEATURE

building functions as a system, such a rational definition was proposed in 2008 (3):

Building performance is defined as a set of measured responses of the building,

as a system, to anticipated and actual forcing functions.

4 These phases and conditions were described in the first article of this series (refer to Figures 1 and 2).
5 ICB/TABB is the first program to gain ANSI accreditation under ISO 17024 for certification in the HVAC testing, adjusting and balancing and fire life safety industry. This certification is a statement that the technician, supervisor
and contractor demonstrate the highest level of professional expertise.
6 “What is the basis of these growing demands?”
7 Resiliency is defined as responsiveness and time to recover after an extraordinary event (5)
24 ICB/TABB Journal / Vol. I, No. 2 / FALL 2014
 • Initial measures of the capacity (e.g., heat and
In this definition mass transfer rates) and control (e.g., sensitivities,

FEATURE
response times, stability, resilience) factors should
Measured responses are expressed in terms of valid
be obtained as part of the TAB and Cx processes.
parameters and reliable values (i.e., criteria) that are
systemically linked as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 in the • Subsequent measures of these factors should be
previous article (2; 3; 4)8: obtained periodically and concomitantly with
occupant exposures during normal conditions;
Human responses are the primary outcomes of
and as needed in anticipation of, and recovery
building performance. They should be:
from, extraordinary conditions.
• Defined in terms of objective, perceptive, and
judgmental measures (e.g., health, safety, security, Resource utilization and economic performance are
accessibility, comfort, satisfaction, acceptability); the secondary outcomes of building performance.
• Measured periodically and concomitantly with They are the consequences of system performance and
occupant exposures during normal conditions; and occupant behavior (e.g., whole building energy and
water use, including renewable or recyclable resources;
• Measured as needed in preparation for, and
occupant performance; facility productivity; return
recovery from, extraordinary conditions.
on investment).
Occupant exposures are defined as the sub-set of • Initial measures of resource utilization (e.g.,
physical and social factors that directly affect human whole building energy and water use) should be
responses and system performance (e.g., physical obtained as part of the TAB and Cx processes
factors: temperature, humidity, and air movement; during specified loads (i.e., known forcing
luminance, contrast, and glare; noise and vibration; functions – see below).
indoor airborne contaminants; social factors:
• Subsequent measures of both resource utilization
demographics; proxemics; secular trends; aesthetics).
and economic performance factors should be
• Initial measures of the physical factors should be
obtained periodically during normal conditions
obtained as part of the TAB process, at or before
with documented physical and social forcing
occupancy; initial measures of the social factors
functions; and as needed in preparation for, and
should be obtained as part of the functional
recovery from, extraordinary conditions.
commissioning process (Cx).9
• Subsequent measures should be obtained Forcing functions are physical and social forces that
periodically and concomitantly with human perturb the building system and the measured responses
responses and system performance during during both normal and extraordinary conditions, as
normal conditions; and as needed in anticipation shown in Figs. 1 and 2 (2). To understand and interpret
of, and recovery from, extraordinary conditions. the results of the measured responses, it is necessary to
document, preferably by measurement, the magnitude or
System performance is defined as the sub-set influence of the concomitant forcing functions.11
of capacity and control factors10 that directly
affect occupant exposures, resource utilization, Sources of physical forces include climate (outdoor
and economic performance (e.g., air and water temperature and humidity conditions); wind, rain
distribution; luminous and acoustic radiant flux; and snow loads (hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards);
power consumption; durability and reliability; earthquakes; fires; floods; indoor and outdoor thermal,
maintainability). chemical and biological releases; and blasts.
8 Characteristics of the measurement instrumentation will be the subject of the next article: Availability of Appropriate Instrumentation.

9 See subsequent section on Commissioning and Diagnosing Building System Performance. Training on commissioning processes is now available through programs developed and offered by ICB/TABB.

10 Capacity factors affect system performance at full-load conditions; control factors affect system performance at all part-load conditions (5).

11 The subject of the fourth article in this series will be: Interpreting Measurements and Evaluating Building Performance. ICB/TABB Journal / Vol. I, No. 2 / FALL 2014 25
 Sources of social forces include aesthetics; economic Evidence indicates that a building is expected to perform
and other factors that motivate occupants, tenants under “normal conditions” during 90 – 95% of its lifespan
and owners; secular trends (e.g., policies on smoking, (5). Throughout this time, overall building performance
green practices, fashions); and threats (e.g., job is likely to change as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 (2): Changes
security, reliability of utilities, criminal intent, and in values of forcing functions cause changes in values
terrorist activities). of response functions, some of which then produce
By this definition, the set of response parameters and “feedback” effects on the forcing functions.
their values should remain consistent throughout design TAB and Cx programs in which basic sub-sets of
and construction and operations: rational site-specific criteria are defined, and methods
The parameters of the attributes should be defined and for measuring and evaluating them, are now available
selected to characterize a building for its intended through the International Training Institute (ITI).
performance during normal and extraordinary Advanced programs are being developed for technicians,
conditions. supervisors and contractors, in conjunction with ICB/
The values of the parameters should be defined TABB.
and evaluated within predetermined limits of
uncertainties or expected errors during the normal
or extraordinary conditions.12

Promisorial Definitions Related to Building Performance

The rational definition of building performance does not presume a predetermined quality of performance. Other definitions
have been promulgated that promise a certain quality of performance (e.g., green, high, net-zero energy, sustainable),
but they do not define the concomitant forcing or response functions in measurable terms so that the actual building
performance can be evaluated and assured under normal or extraordinary conditions.

Examples of these (as measured by Commercial Buildings Energy

Consumption Survey [CBECS] or Residential Energy
promisorial definitions are:
Consumption Survey [RECS] data from the Energy
Section 401(12) of EISA-2007 (6) defines a “high- Information Agency):
performance building” (HPB) as one that “integrates • reduces energy, water, and material resource use;
and optimizes on a life cycle basis all major high
• improves indoor environmental quality, including
performance attributes, including energy conservation, reducing indoor pollution, improving thermal
environment, safety, security, durability, accessibility, comfort, and improving lighting and acoustic
FEATURE

cost-benefit, productivity, sustainability, functionality, environments that affect occupant health and
and operational considerations.” productivity;
Section 401(13) of EISA 2007 (6) defines a ‘‘high- • reduces negative impacts on the environment
performance green building’’ (HPGB) as one “that, throughout the life-cycle of the building, including
during its life-cycle, as compared with similar buildings air and water pollution and waste generation;

26 ICB/TABB Journal / Vol. I, No. 2 / FALL 2014 12 See Section below on Uncertainties and Errors of Measurement.
 • increases the use of environmentally preferable • seeks to establish an indoor environment that
products, including biobased, recycled content, and supports the health of occupants, and
nontoxic products with lower life-cycle impacts; • enhances satisfaction and productivity of occupants

FEATURE
• increases reuse and recycling opportunities; through integration of environmentally-preferable
• integrates systems in the building; building materials and water efficient and energy-
efficient systems.”14
• reduces the environmental and energy impacts of
transportation through building location and site In these promisorial definitions, the physical or social
design that support a full range of transportation forcing functions for normal and extraordinary
choices for users of the building; and conditions are not identified, the hierarchy of the
response and forcing functions is not addressed, and
• considers indoor and outdoor effects of the
the italicized terms promise improvements of response
building on human health and the environment,
functions and processes that may not be measurable.
including:
1. improvements in worker productivity; These definitions also reveal that risks are inherent
in promising building performance that cannot be
2. the life-cycle impacts of building materials
objectively measured and evaluated for compliance
and operations; and
with predetermined and agreed upon criteria during
3. other factors that the Federal Director or the contiguous phases of design, construction, and
the Commercial Director consider to be operations. Some of the risks associated with the
appropriate.”13 unfulfilled promises of achieving HPGBs during the
ASHRAE Standard 189.1-2011 (7) defines an HPGB as design process have been discussed by Butters (8).
“a building designed, constructed and capable of being Similar risks are also expected as a result of unfulfilled
operated in a manner that: promises made to justify modifications, renovations, or
changes in operations within existing buildings.
• increases environmental performance and economic
value over time,

Benchmarks and Rating Scales

Within the last 10 years, the use of benchmarks and rating scales has become more common for evaluating certain attributes
pertaining to promised building performance, such as “green,” “sustainable,” and “energy-efficient.”

A benchmark is a “metric” identified to characterize a sub- Benchmarks may be expressed as quantitative averages
system, system, or whole building at a classified or specified (e.g., Energy Utilization Intensities or Gross Energy
level of performance.15 Benchmarks are typically established Intensities) or as qualitative descriptors (e.g., the overall
by modeling or obtaining measured data from a large number facility resilience associated with safety (seismic, wind, fire

of buildings and by normalizing the results with characteristics or flood) or security (blast, CBR or ballistic) events (9).

such as climatic zones, demographic zones, seismic and flood Benchmarks are typically established by authorities having
zones, threat potentials, building sizes, functional categories, jurisdiction (e.g., local, state, federal AHJs) or by owner’s
system types, and types of ownership. program requirements.

13 Neither the CBECS nor RECS database provides quantitative reference data for any response function in the EISA 2007 definitions of a HPB or a HPGB, except annual Gross Energy Intensity (Btu/GSF).

14 No database reference is cited in the ASHRAE 189.1-2011 definition of a HPGB with which either modeled or measured values can be compared.

15 Definition derived from (9). ICB/TABB Journal / Vol. I, No. 2 / FALL 2014 27
 Examples of benchmarks are: US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Energy
Star Rating Scale (14): A numerical rating is determined
• “On January 18, 2013, the District Department
as the ratio of inverse frequency distribution for
of the Environment published the final
normalized values of EUI to average CBECS values for
rulemaking for energy benchmarking of private
the same categories of buildings (zero to 100%). Scores
buildings in the D.C. Register (60 DCR 367). The
of 75% or higher may lead to a certification from
rulemaking is supported by multiple guidance
the EPA. This scale only includes ratings for energy
documents, with technical details on what needs
consumption for certain types of buildings; it does not
to be reported and how, including forms for
pertain to overall building performance.
requesting utility data, and instructions for the
adjustments being made to the program for its ASHRAE Building Energy Quotient (bEQ) (15): This
initial year” (10). building energy labeling program awards an energy
performance rating of A+ (i.e., net zero energy) to
• Section 422(c) of EISA-2007 sets a “goal” to
F (i.e., unsatisfactory). For existing buildings, an In
achieve zero-net energy16 in: any commercial
Operation label is offered based on measured energy
building newly constructed in the U.S. by 2030;
use. For new and renovation projects, an As Designed
50% of the commercial building stock of the U.S.
label is offered based on a comparison of modeled
by 2040; and all commercial buildings in the U.S.
energy use under as-built conditions to the modeled
by 2050 (6).
energy use under “standardized conditions.” This label
• Section 1.8.2 of the GSA P100-2014 states that does not pertain to overall building performance.
“To meet the goal of reducing total site energy
usage by 30 percent by 2015 as compared to a Note that the EPA Energy Star and ASHRAE bEQ rating
2003 baseline, energy targets are established for scales address only one attribute, energy consumption;
all new construction. The A/E must design all whereas, the LEED and GG rating scales also address
new buildings to have an energy performance some other attributes. However, none of these rating
below the EISA 2007 energy target or 30 percent scales pertain to measures of human response, safety,
below ASHRAE 90.1 [-2007], whichever is security, or system performance during normal or
lower” (11) extraordinary conditions.

A rating scale is a set of categories or a range of

numerical values designed to elicit information about
The basis of the growing demands for improved
a quantitative or a qualitative attribute.17 Rating scales
performance of buildings and their systems is the
may be used as a basis to set benchmarks. Examples
meaning of “Building Performance.” In Part 1, rational
of rating scales for building performance that are
and promisorial definitions have been discussed
currently popular in the US include:
together with the reliability of popular benchmarks
US Green Building Council LEED™ Rating Scale and rating scales that are being used for performance
(12): Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum building evaluations. As indicated in this Part, currently available
performance categories are awarded, depending on the promisorial definitions, benchmarks and rating scales,
number of “credits” applied for and allowed by a third- are likely to result in significant uncertainties with
party evaluator. regard to differences between measured and promised
FEATURE

Green Building Institute (GBI) Green Globe Rating whole building performance. Parts 2 and 3 in this article
Scale (13): One to four Green Globes for building are intended to introduce methods that are capable of
performance categories are awarded, depending on the reducing these uncertainties through techniques that
number of “points” applied for and allowed by a third can be used by an ESW. JOURNAL
party evaluator.

16 Section 422 (c) defines a “net-zero-energy commercial building” as “a high-performance commercial building that is designed, constructed, and operated (A) to require a greatly reduced quantity of energy to operate; (B) to meet
the balance of energy needs from sources of energy that do not produce greenhouse gases; (C) in a manner that will result in no net emissions of greenhouse gases; and (D) to be economically viable.”

28 ICB/TABB Journal / Vol. I, No. 2 / FALL 2014

17 Definition derived from Wikipedia, accessed 30 May 2013.
 PART 2:
WHAT IS BUILDING
PERFORMANCE?

FEATURE
By James E. Woods, Ph.D., P.E.18

The second question being addressed in this article is: “Do the current criteria used in TAB
and other evaluation procedures adequately address these demands?” This question focuses
on how the current TAB and other evaluation procedures can be used or modified to provide
reliable assurance that the primary purpose of a building is sustained when perturbed by forcing
functions. This performance can only be assured if the response functions remain balanced and
resilient when perturbed by forcing functions during normal and extraordinary conditions (i.e.,
in “dynamic equilibrium”).

Current TAB and functional Cx procedures typically result in data that pertain to discrete steady-
state responses of components and sub-systems during testing periods of minimum or unknown
loads (i.e., forcing functions). These procedures can result in significant time separations in
data acquisition, ranging from days to months, and contain significant uncertainties with regard
to dynamic equilibrium in supply and return air distribution, inter-zonal air pressurization,
air-side and hydronic-side balances of heat exchangers, and controls calibration. Moreover,
these procedures seldom provide concomitant data pertaining to occupant exposures, human
responses or rates of energy and water utilization.

18 Indoor Environment Consultant, Charlottesville, VA jewoods3@[Link].

ICB/TABB Journal / Vol. I, No. 2 / FALL 2014 29

 Relational Performance Criteria
As shown schematically in Fig. 1, a set of relational performance criteria is needed to evaluate the dynamic equilibrium
of the response functions among interactive subsystems, each interfacing through a building automation system:

Heat Rejection Equip:

Cooling Towers
Air-cooled Condensers Building Automation System:
Combustion Gas Discharge Central Stations External
Energy Recovery Devices Local Stations Internal Loads
Loads
Net Energy
Loss

Central Plant Equip:

Transformers
Distribution Equip: Zonal Devices:
Hydronic Electronic Switchboards Lighting Fixtures
and Switchgear Air
Air Handling Units Daylighting
Boilers
Outdoor Air Intakes VAV’s and CAVs
Chillers
Exhause Air Discharges Supply Air Diffusers
Pumps and Piping Electrical Hydronic
Humidifiers Return Air Grilles
Filters Radiant Panels
Energy
Consumption Pumps and Piping
Ductwork Electrical

Energy Resources:
Energy Waste
Non-renewables
Renewables Energy Waste

Central Plant Intermediate Distribution Zonal Subsystems

Subsystems Subsystems
Figure 1. Schematic of an HVAC system in dynamic equilibrium.

The zonal subsystems control occupant exposure concomitant changes in zonal demands and central
parameters within acceptable values of thermal, plant forcing functions by balancing:
visual, acoustic, and air quality in response to • Electrical and hydronic throughput power (e.g.,
changes in external and internal loads by balancing:
kW, Btu/hr) to the zonal subsystems;
• Electrical power to lighting fixtures and
• Conversion efficiencies of electrical and
controls to maintain acceptable illuminance,
hydronic power to air transport power (e.g.,
luminance, contrast, glare, and accessibility;
Btu/hr, lb/hr, cfm) through components
• Airflow rates to VAV and CAV terminal units, within the intermediate subsystems including:
supply air diffusers, return and exhaust air variable speed motors, outdoor air intakes,
grilles, and associated ductwork to maintain heat exchangers, humidifiers, air cleaners, and
acceptable temperature, relative humidity, associated ductwork and piping;
interzonal pressurization, contaminant
• Effectiveness of load diversification, and
concentrations, and noise levels in the zones;
switchover to emergency or standby equipment
• Hydronic or electrical power to radiant surfaces within the intermediate subsystems;
FEATURE

or other in-space heat exchange devices,

• Maintenance and operational requirements of
and associated piping or electrical circuits to
components;
maintain acceptable temperature in the zones;
• Safety and security requirements.
The intermediate distribution subsystems control
the performance parameters of the distribution The central plant subsystems control the performance
equipment within acceptable values in response to parameters of the central plant and heat rejection

30 ICB/TABB Journal / Vol. I, No. 2 / FALL 2014

equipment within acceptable values in response to: 1) • Energy and water utilization rates
concomitant changes in demands from the intermediate at the building boundary;
zones; 2) the availability of depleteable and renewable • Calculated source energy utilization
resources; and 3) the effectiveness of the heat rejection and GHG emission rates;
equipment by balancing:

FEATURE
• Economic performance (e.g., productivity,
• Conversion efficiencies of depleteable and renewable sustainability) of the whole building system.
resources to electrical power through transformers, The Building Automation System (BAS) interfaces with
switchgear, and raceways; and to hydronic power each subsystem and integrates the response functions
through boilers, chillers, and pumping and piping to achieve the dynamic equilibrium expected for the
systems; performance of the building at all peak and part-load
• Dissipation and reclamation efficiencies of rejected conditions. Because a human interface is required to
heat through combustion gas discharge equipment, assure the building performance, the sophistication of
cooling towers, air cooled condensers, energy the BAS must be compatible with the availability and
recovery equipment, and associated fans, ductwork, training of personnel who operate and maintain the
and pumping and piping systems; systems, including the effectiveness of: (2)19,20
• Effectiveness of load diversification, and switchover • Sensing, monitoring and controlling
to auxiliary equipment within the central plant, the indoor exposure conditions and alarms;
including: electrical power transfer stations; • Monitoring and interfacing with fire,
generators of electrical and thermal power from life-safety, and security systems;
renewable resources; emergency and standby
• Monitoring and controlling the energy utilization
electrical power generators; storage systems for
and operational costs at zonal, intermediate,
electrical and thermal power (e.g., batteries, fuel
central, and whole building thermodynamic
tanks, and hydronic storage tanks); and domestic
boundaries;
water storage tanks;
• Monitoring and controlling renewable energy
• Maintenance and operational requirements
production and delivery to the building and
of components and equipment;
to the grid.
• Safety and security requirements;

The use of relational performance criteria, introduced in this Part, is intended

to reduce the uncertainties inherent in the current benchmarks and rating
scales described In Part 1. The use of relational performance criteria to
evaluate “dynamic equilibrium” will enhance the current TAB and functional
commissioning procedures and provide increased reliability in the evaluations
of building performance during design, construction and operations. Part 3
further describes responsibilities and accountability for determining which
parameters and values to select when an ESW is evaluating or assuring the
performance of buildings. JOURNAL

19 See References at the end of Part [Link] this article.

20 Basic training in the operations of BAS is currently available through ITI.

The subject of the fourth article will be: Interpreting Measurements and Evaluating Building Performance.

ICB/TABB Journal / Vol. I, No. 2 / FALL 2014 31

 PART 3:
DEFINING AND USING MEASURABLE
PARAMETERS AND VALUES
By James E. Woods, Ph.D., P.E.21

The third question being addressed in this article is: “Who determines what and
how to measure the parameters and values for these criteria?” This question
focuses on the knowledge and responsibility of those defining the measurable
parameters and values (i.e., criteria) of attributes that can be used to evaluate,
control and assure, within acceptable limits of uncertainty or error, the
performance of a building during design, construction, and during normal and
extraordinary operations. This issue also leads to a broader question: who is
accountable for the performance of the building?

21 Indoor Environment Consultant, Charlottesville, VA jewoods3@[Link].

FEATURE

32 ICB/TABB Journal / Vol. I, No. 2 / FALL 2014 21 Indoor Environment Consultant, Charlottesville, VA jewoods3@[Link].
Codes, Standards, uncertainties when compared to actual
building performance.
and Guidelines • Contractors are accountable for obtaining

FEATURE
CURRENTLY IN THE U.S.: “permits” and for demonstrating compliance
Minimum criteria and requirements for occupant with the criteria and requirements during
health and safety, and more recently energy, new construction and major renovation
have been promulgated in model codes, which projects through “substantial completion”
are typically modified and enforced by local (i.e., initial occupancy); but not during
governmental “authorities having jurisdiction” operations beyond the warranty periods, or
(AHJ). for minor repair or renovation projects.

• Compliance with prescriptive criteria and • For fire and life-safety, the owners or managers
requirements, which can be demonstrated are accountable for maintaining occupancy
by observation and not necessarily by permits and for demonstrating compliance
quantitative measurement, is typically a “go with the criteria and requirements during the
or no-go” decision that does not address lifespan of the building.
limits of error or uncertainties of the forcing
Prescriptive and performance criteria for
and response functions.
additional attributes (e.g., security, energy and
• Compliance with performance criteria water consumption rates, indoor and outdoor
and requirements may be quantitatively environmental quality, materials use and
demonstrated by simulation and modeling, recycling, sustainability) are typically defined
based on assumed values of forcing functions in standards and guidelines that are developed
that may or may not be verifiable. Simulated and promulgated by voluntary (i.e., non-
values of the forcing and response functions governmental) organizations. Some of these
are likely to include significant errors and criteria may be adopted into model codes (16).

ICB/TABB Journal / Vol. I, No. 2 / FALL 2014 33

 • Unless these criteria are codified or adopted into (ESCOs). The objective of an ESCO contract is to realize
the contract documents, the contractors, building energy cost savings that exceed the cost of the contracted
owners, and managers are not liable for compliance. service to the owner.
Professional and general liability insurance
• A potential conflict of interest inherent in an ESCO
companies may preclude some of these criteria
contract is that compliance with other criteria, such
from coverage.
as health, safety, security, and productivity may
• Voluntary compliance with these criteria may be be compromised to realize the promised energy
demonstrated by a label or certificate22, often cost savings.
without obtaining measurements. The actual
• The ESCO is typically accountable only for the
building performance is not assured by these
energy cost savings; the owner remains accountable
certificates and labels.
for the overall performance of the building.
• Limits of error or uncertainties are typically not
• Limits of error or uncertainties in the data needed
addressed in these standards and guidelines.
to determine the energy cost savings are typically
Certain performance criteria may also be defined not defined or quantified in ESCO contracts.
in contracts between owners and contractors, such
as “energy service” or “energy savings” companies

Relational Criteria For consistency in evaluating the dynamic equilibrium

of the response functions among the interactive
and Procedures subsystems, the set of parameters and values must be
A knowledge gap exists as the current codes, rational, measurable, and relational during all phases of
standards and guidelines do not provide relational design, construction and operations:
criteria with which an ESW can evaluate or assure
• During design, the performance of the “virtual”
the dynamic equilibrium of a building’s performance
building should be analyzed, within acceptable
to within acceptable limits of error or uncertainties.
limits or error or uncertainties, by simulation of the
Comprehensive building performance can only be
intended response functions to expected magnitudes
assured when a set of relational criteria is defined,
of the normal and extraordinary forcing functions.
agreed upon by the accountable persons (e.g., owner,
designer, contractor), and used to evaluate the balance • During construction, including substantial
and resiliency of the response functions when perturbed completion, the response functions to actual or
by forcing functions during normal and extraordinary simulated forcing functions should be evaluated
conditions. For continuity, these criteria and corresponding by initial testing (e., TAB), functional Cx, and
procedures should be consistent for independent testing calibration of the BAS.
(TAB and functional Cx) and for continuous balancing • During operations, the response functions to
through the use of the BAS and BIM:23 actual forcing functions should be measured and
FEATURE

controlled by the BAS, and periodically verified by

Criteria for response functions must be demonstrably
independent testing and commissioning.
sensitive to perturbations of the forcing functions, as
described in the following sections and in more detail in
the next article in this series;24

22 See Benchmarks and Rating Scales, described above.

23 See discussion of BAS and BIM in the first article (2).

34 ICB/TABB Journal / Vol. I, No. 2 / FALL 2014 24 Article 3 will focus on Availability of Appropriate Instrumentation.
Optimization and lead to excessive false-positive or false-negative
errors. To perform a credible building performance
and Uncertainties evaluation, it is necessary to define acceptable limits of
Data points are currently installed in a BAS primarily error and to estimate the uncertainties associated with
as needed for monitoring and for direct digital the measured values of the forcing functions, objective

FEATURE
control (DDC) of the controlled devices in the zonal, functions, and constraints:
distribution, and central systems (see Fig. 1). However,
• Allowable deviations from expected accuracy
not all of these data points may be necessary to evaluate
should be identified and defined for each parameter
and assure the performance of the building to within
or variable to be used in optimizing building
an acceptable level of error or uncertainty. By applying
performance.
optimal control techniques, a decisive set of the data
points can be selected with which to “optimize” the • An uncertainty (i.e., propagation of error) analysis
performance of the building as a system (17). For should be conducted for each train of sensors,
example, certain measureable outcomes (e.g., secondary controllers, and controlled devices that provides
response functions of resource utilization, economic data for the optimization process described above.
performance) can be selected as “objective functions”
• A contingency matrix should be developed to
to be minimized (e.g., energy utilization rates, life-cycle
evaluate the acceptability of the uncertainties. It is
costs) or maximized (e.g., rate of return on investment,
not possible to minimize both false positive and
reliability, durability, productivity, sustainability) while
false negative errors.
operating within the limits defined for the “constraint
functions” (e.g., primary response functions of human • The consequences of committing a false positive
responses; intermediate factors of occupant exposures or a false negative error with each train of system
and system performance, central system performance, uncertainties should be evaluated.25
and forcing functions).
Programs on evaluating and assuring optimal building
All measures contain uncertainties. Unless controlled, performance are being developed for technicians,
the propagation of errors from measuring, controlling, supervisors and contractors, in conjunction with
and evaluating building performance can be significant ICB/TABB. 25 Article 4 will focus on Interpreting Measurements and Evaluating Building Performance.

How Do You Know

That Your Building’s HVAC Fire & Smoke Dampers
Were Really Inspected?
Any company can claim to perform proper inspections of HVAC fire life safety
systems. But firms that use ICB/TABB-certified HVAC fire life safety technicians
and supervisors deliver the goods.

• ICB/TABB-certified HVAC fire life safety technicians and supervisors are

qualified to inspect, test, maintain and repair fire and smoke dampers
according to fire life safety codes
• Ensures compliance with NFPA 80 and NFPA 105
• Provides comprehensive documentation showing every inspection point
and procedure
• ICB/TABB certification for HVAC fire life safety technicians and
ANSI Accredited Program
PERSONNEL CERTIFICATION supervisors is an ANSI-accredited program
TABB Technician and Supervisor
ICB/TABB HVAC FLS1 Technician and Supervisor
ICB/TABB HVAC FLS2 Technician and Supervisor

To find out more about the advantages of ICB/TABB, contact:

800-458-6525 [Link]
Setting the performance standards for the HVAC Industry

ICB/TABB Journal / Vol. I, No. 2 / FALL 2014 35

 Commissioning and • Identify faults or failures in building system
performance during design, construction,
Diagnosing Building and operations;
System Performance: • Evaluate dynamic equilibrium and optimal
While measurable parameters and values are useful performance of a building as a system for normal
in commissioning procedures (Cx), they are essential and extraordinary conditions.
in diagnostics procedures (Dx). These two procedures Dx may incorporate the use of BIM and BAS.
are related but not synonymous (18). Although these
procedures will be discussed in more detail in Article 4 of
this series, an overview of their differences is given here: The following is a brief outline of the Dx procedures for
a new or existing building:
Cx is not necessarily quantitative; it may only be
observational (i.e., check lists) or may include functional 1. Determine purpose and scope of the Dx: assurance
evaluation of the commissioned systems and assemblies, or fault/failure detection (this step will define the
qualitatively or quantitatively (19). Qualitative acceptable limits of error, or uncertainties) for
evaluations typically do not include uncertainty analyses. the process.

Dx is quantitative, based on uncertainty analyses, and 2. Determine level of desired accuracy of the Dx.
focuses on compliance with relational criteria. Cx may 3. Establish a set of performance criteria for acceptable
incorporate Dx procedures. accuracy and precision.
Dx may be used to: 4. Formulate and quantitatively test hypotheses.
• Assure performance of subsystems or the whole 5. Interpret and prognosticate results
building as a system; (see Article 4 for additional information).

Current and Future Needs for

“Test, Adjust, and Balance” (TAB)
The three processes that comprise TAB are, and will • ADJUSTING is the process of modifying the
continue to be, the essential core in assuring the components, subsystems and whole building system
performance of a building. Knowledge of these active to attain compliance with the specified performance
processes provides a solid base upon which the ESW criteria, after initial testing.
can evaluate dynamic equilibrium and optimal building Examples of adjusting are: sealing leaks, calibrating
performance throughout the lifespan of a building: and adjusting the control components, and
• TESTING is the process in which measurements retesting to assure compliance with the specified
are obtained through approved manual and performance.
automated procedures (i.e., protocols) to determine • BALANCING is the process of proportioning the
if the components, subsystems, and whole-building adjusted response functions of the components,
system are adequately performing in compliance sub-systems, and whole-building system to within
with the specified criteria for response and forcing acceptable tolerances (i.e., limits of error) of the
FEATURE

functions. specified values when perturbed by specific loads or

Examples of testing are: determining if the forcing functions.
leakage and flow rates (i.e., response functions) in Examples of balancing are: achieving proportional
components, sections, and assemblies of air and mass and heat transfer rates through supply and
water distribution systems are acceptable when return air and water distribution systems to within
challenged with specified static pressures (i.e., specified tolerances of the design intent.
forcing functions).

36 ICB/TABB Journal / Vol. I, No. 2 / FALL 2014

Currently, TAB focuses on assuring acceptable steady-state performance
of the “zonal” and “intermediate” air and water distribution subsystems
during normal conditions (see Fig. 1 in section 2). In the future, the
TAB processes will be enhanced for the ESW to evaluate and assure the
dynamic equilibrium among all of the interactive sub-systems, during

FEATURE
normal and extraordinary forcing functions. These enhanced processes
will also include evaluations of the concomitant occupant responses to
the zonal exposures (i.e., primary outcomes) and resource utilization
and economic performance (i.e., secondary outcomes).26
The scope of TAB processes available to the ESW is envisioned to include
evaluation and assurance of the dynamic equilibrium of all of the inter-
related systems in the building. Examples of these systems are:
• HVAC systems, including air-side and water-side performance.
• Plumbing systems, including supply, sanitary, and specialty systems.
• Other mechanical systems, including health care and other processes.
• Acoustic and vibration systems, including architectural, mechanical,
and electrical noise suppression.
• Lighting systems, including illuminance, luminance, contrast, glare,
and electrical and thermal loads.
• Other electrical power systems for balance and reliability.
• Building enclosure systems for thermal, moisture, and air resistance.
• Fire, life-safety, and security systems for sensitivity and reliability.
• Building automation and control and energy management systems
(i.e., BACS and EMS) for accuracy and reliability.

ICB/TABB Journal
26 Refer to the rational / Vol.
definition 2 / FALL above.
I, No. performance,
of building 2014 37
 TAB is not synonymous with Cx or Dx, but is essential to To become accountable for assuring specified building
both of these processes: performance through Cx and Dx procedures, TAB personnel
• Cx is a passive process that provides feedback to (i.e., technician, supervisor, and contractor) need:
the owner on whether components and subsystems • COMMON SENSE: This is a basic talent that can
have been designed and installed as intended, be augmented by education and training. Common
either by submitted checklists, or by observations of sense is the most important characteristic that an
functional tests. ESW can possess.
TAB is essential to Cx and should be completed • FORMAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING: These
before the functional component of Cx is acquired talents are important components in
initiated. understanding the why in relationships between the
TAB can maximize Cx effectiveness. physical and social forcing and response functions,
and, thus, the knowledge of what and what not to
• Dx is an active process that tests the acceptance or
measure.
rejection of a hypothesis27 regarding the performance
of a building as a system (18). • EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING:
Learning by doing and practicing what common
TAB is essential to Dx and should be conducted
sense dictates from formal education and training
after the hypothesis has been formulated.
defines the essential ESW.
Imbalances in dynamic equilibrium may be
causes of occupant complaints, or system faults
or failures.
TAB is also a critical process in remediation of 27 The “null hypothesis” is typically expressed in terms of accepting the performance of the functional
relationships among occupant responses, sources of occupant exposures, and system performance.

the faults or failures. The “alternative hypothesis (or hypotheses)” is typically expressed in terms of rejecting this
performance. The hypothesis is tested by measurements.

CONCLUSIONS
The first article in this series described future challenges Moreover, these procedures seldom provide data that
and opportunities that an ESW is likely to face. This article include uncertainty or limit of error analyses for normal
expands on the challenges and opportunities by focusing or extraordinary operational periods, or for concomitant
on three questions: 1) What is the basis of these growing data pertaining to occupant exposures, human responses
demands? 2) Do the current criteria for TAB and other or rates of energy and water consumption. As indicated
evaluation procedures adequately address these demands? in Fig. 1, a set of relational performance criteria is needed
3) Who determines what and how to measure the parameters with which to reliably evaluate the dynamic equilibrium
and values for these criteria? of the response functions among interactive subsystems,
1. The basis of the growing demands during the last 10 each interfacing through a building automation system.
years has centered on a concept described as “Building 3. No one entity is currently responsible or accountable
Performance.” By comparing a rational definition with for defining the measurable parameters and values
promisorial definitions, benchmarks and rating scales, it (i.e., criteria) of attributes that are needed to evaluate
is evident that perceived building performance has not yet and assure, within acceptable limits of uncertainty or
been rationalized with measured building performance. error, the performance of a building during design,
As the demand grows for documentable improvements construction, and during normal and extraordinary
in building performance, the need and accountability for operations. Codes, standards, guidelines, benchmarks,
FEATURE

reliable measures of response functions to actual forcing rating scales all have different methods for defining
functions during normal and extraordinary conditions the criteria and for assuring their compliance: permits,
will increase. contracts, rating scales, and labels. As new demands
2. Current TAB procedures typically result in initial occur, such as optimization control and uncertainty
data pertaining to discrete steady-state responses of analysis, the roles and opportunities of the ESW will
components and subsystems during testing periods of increase, including the opportunities of assuming
minimum or unknown loads (i.e., forcing functions). accountability for the performance of a building. JOURNAL

38 ICB/TABB Journal / Vol. I, No. 2 / FALL 2014

REFERENCES
1. Wikipedia. De Architectura (Ten Books of Architecture) by Vittuvius (ca. 15 BC). [Online] Wikipedia, January 9, 2014.

FEATURE
[Cited: February 16, 2014.] [Link]
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ICB/TABB Journal. 2014, Vol. 1, No. 1, pp 18-26.
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pp 37-46.
4. Woods JE, Sweetser R, Novosel D. Scientific Outreach Program Pilot: Final Report NCEMBT 090717 to U.S. DOE.
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Security, 2011.
10. The District of Columbia. About Benchmarking. District Department of the Environment. [Online] March 4, 2014.
[Cited: March 4, 2014.] [Link]
11. US General Services Administration. P100-2014: Facilities Standards for the Public Buildings Service. Washington, DC :
US GSA, 2014.
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[Link]/green-globes/.
14. USEPA. Use Energy Star Benchmarking Toods. [Online] USEPA, February 24, 2014. [Cited: February 24, 2014.]
[Link]
benchmarking-tools.
15. ASHRAE. Building Energy Quotient. [Online] ASHRAE, October 2013. [Cited: February 24, 2014.] http://
[Link]/files/brochure_oct2013.pdf.
16. __. Standard 90.1-2013: Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings. Atlanta : ANSI/ASHRAE/
IES, 2013.
17. Kirk, DE. Optimal Control Theory. s.l. : Dover Publications, 2004.
18. Woods, JE. Diagnostics vs. Commissioning. TABB TALK. 2003.
19. ASHRAE. Standard 202-2013: Commissioning for Buildings and Systems. Atlanta : ANSI/ASHRAE/IES, 2013.

ICB/TABB Journal / Vol. I, No. 2 / FALL 2014 39

What Does This ICB/TABB-Certified
Professional Know That You Don’t?
Forward-thinking sheet metal and air conditioning technicians, supervisors and
contractors are turning to ICB/TABB (International Certification Board/Testing
Adjusting and Balancing Bureau) certification to give them that all-important
competitive edge.

ICB/TABB-certified professionals are recognized as the most competent, reliable and

qualified in the HVAC industry.

ICB/TABB certification for TAB and HVAC fire life safety

technicians and supervisors is an ANSI-accredited program.

To find out more about the advantages of ICB/TABB, contact:

800-458-6525 [Link] [Link]

Setting the performance standards for the HVAC Industry

 DUCT
FABRICATORS’
JOHN SICKLE

CONTRACTOR’S CORNER
EXTOLS
VIRTUES OF
HVAC FIRE
LIFE SAFETY
By Brian Rouff

“I’m not here to tell you how to do your jobs or how to run
your businesses,” John Sickle told a roomful of contractors
attending the Marketing and Bidding HVAC Fire Life Safety
seminar at the ICB/TABB Conference on May 20. “This is
about the opportunity of expanding your business into the
fire life safety market, which also positively assists your cash
flow, especially in a down turn economy.”

Sickle, President of Duct Fabricators, Inc. in Cleveland

and the area’s SMACNA chapter president knows what he’s
talking about. His firm entered the emerging HVAC fire life
safety market in 2011 and never looked back. “It’s helped the bottom line,” Sickle said. “It’s growing by the month. It’s not
our main source of work – yet. It adds the extra tool to the component of our business. I thought it would be smart to get
into other entities. We install the dampers. Why not also verify the correct operation going forward? It’s like night and day,
soup and sandwiches, they go together. It just made sense.”

In the seminar, Sickle used his track record and experience to focus on topics such as getting started, minimizing risks,
maximizing benefits, and marketing.

ICB/TABB Journal / Vol. I, No. 2 / FALL 2014 41

 GETTING STARTED: KNOWLEDGE IS POWER.
Join the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for an annual fee of just $165. Become well-
informed about NFPA standards 80, 105, and 90A and B, which specifically address fire life safety issues. NFPA
also offers member discounts for its books and manuals. In addition, Sickle recommended membership in the
Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association (SMACNA), whose voluntary technical
standards and manuals have found worldwide acceptance by the construction and design community, as well as
local, national, and foreign government agencies.

MINIMIZING RISKS
As service verification companies, contractors entering the HVAC fire life safety arena should consider
investing in errors and omissions insurance, professional liability coverage that protects companies
and individuals against claims made by clients for inadequate work or negligent actions. Errors and omissions
insurance often covers both court costs and any settlements up to the amount specified on the insurance contract.
As an added way to mitigate risks, he recommended that contractors take before and after photos of all HVAC fire
life safety work.

MAXIMIZING BENEFITS
In addition to the aforementioned cash flow, advantages of working in this field include the strong
possibility of steady residual business and dealing directly with owners. Costs to enter the market are
relatively inexpensive and the positive financial impact can be great. Sickle said that HVAC fire life safety
work is keeping one-and-a-half ICB-certified technicians busy all the time, a number he predicts will continue
to grow. “That’s why it’s important to have a good relationship with your local JATC, to keep a steady supply of
CONTRACTOR’S CORNER

certified techs in the pipeline.”

MARKETING
Like many other presenters at the ICB/TABB Conference, Sickle emphasized the importance of
marketing and building long-term relationships with decision-makers and other strategic allies. “We’ve tried a
lot of things,” he told his audience, “and we’ve learned that our employees are our best outreach people. It’s about
education, whether we’re doing hands-on demonstrations for local fire officials and legislators, or networking with
healthcare engineers and facilities management personnel.”

Building owners, in particular, need to be educated. “Practically all owners are in denial at first. They think we’re
pulling their leg about inspection programs. Some believe they are getting the service already. It’s our job to teach
and educate them otherwise, to show them how important fire life safety inspections are and help them establish a
budget for this service. This process doesn’t happen overnight. HVAC fire life safety is a lifetime commitment. It’s
a marathon, not a sprint.”

[ Solid advice, not only for contractors

considering the HVAC fire life safety market,
but for business owners in general. ]
42 ICB/TABB Journal / Vol. I, No. 2 / FALL 2014
 SMACNA TAB Procedural Guide
The TAB Procedural Guide is intended for trained
TAB technicians to assure that the appropriate
procedures are followed in an effective manner. This
new publication includes general as well as specific
guidance for both air-and water-side HVAC system
adjusting and balancing. Variable air volume, multi-
zone, dual duct and exhaust air systems are examples
of the systems specifically covered and time-saving
forms are included for precise record keeping during
the conduct of a TAB project. The guide assists TAB
technicians with preplanning and establishing teams
so that energy use is minimized whether the work is
done in new or existing buildings.

Edition: 1st
Product Type: Technical Manual
Size: 116 pages

List Price Discount Price Format:

□ $109.00 $77.00 Hard Copy
□ $127.00 $89.00 CD-Rom
□ $177.00 $124.00 Combined CD-ROM/Hard copy
□ $109.00 $77.00 Download PDF

To order go to:
[Link]
ICB/TABB CERTIFICATION
MAKES THE DIFFERENCE
Only ICB/TABB HVAC Certification Offers All
of These Benefits:
• First and only ANSI-accredited Testing, Adjusting and
Balancing and HVAC fire life safety programs in the
HVAC industry
• Conforms to ISO/IEC 17024
• Exams developed to be valid, reliable and defensible
• Complies with the most extensive and comprehensive
certification testing standards
• Stringent code of conduct
• Endorsed by SMACNA
• Decertification process
• Quality assurance program
and customer complaint process
• Supported by 153 training centers nationwide
• Supported by more than 200 testing locations nationwide
• Expands the bidders’ pool while maintaining
the highest quality standards

ICB/TABB offers the following certifications:

• Testing Adjusting & Balancing • Commissioning
• Sound and Vibration • Indoor Air Quality
• Fume Hood Performance Testing • Total Building Energy Audit
• HVAC Fire Life Safety Level 1 – Fire and Smoke Damper Inspection
• HVAC Fire Life Safety Level 2 – Smoke Control and Management

Download model specs and locate

a local contractor in any of the above specialty areas
at [Link]
To find out more about the advantages of ICB/TABB, contact:
800-458-6525 [Link] [Link]

Setting the performance standards for the HVAC Industry