The voluntary, TABB Certification Program was introduced to Local #40 in Hartford, Connecticut in January, 1991, with all of the member contractors participating. Review classes were held to prepare for the written portion of the extensive exam, utilizing fellow technicians as instructors for the group. The first, full day, written exam was taken in June by 18 technicians. The exam covered both air and hydronic systems, and both had to be successfully completely in order to move on to the field test portion. Ten candidates successfully passed both parts of the exam at this first sitting. October dates were set for the field tests, which required two days at the Philadelphia, PA Training Center. When the final scores were tabulated, 6 technicians had successfully completed the testing, with Dick Wing, of Wing's, earning one of the highest scores ever in the nation.

Today, the program continues to certify qualified candidates and has become the proficiency test used to graduate balancers from Apprentice to Journeyman in Local 40. The balancing contractors and technicians have both distinguished themselves nationally with the level of participation and success in the TABB Certification Program. For more information about Sheet Metal Workers Local Union #40, Hartford, CT visit www.smwlocal40.org

TABB Certification effectively assures the client that a competent, qualified professional is performing the hands-on field work by establishing a recognized standard of knowledge and competence. These credentials raise testing and balancing to a new level of professionalism which benefits all who utilize the service to operate today's sophisticated HVAC systems.

The TABB Certification Program also has Certified Supervisor and Certified Contractor credential programs, plus a written specification for Section 15990. Design professionals wishing to utilize this Certification as part of their quality assurance for testing and balancing agencies can download more information here.