Green HVAC Resources

Organizations

It’s readily apparent that skilled technicians who undergo extensive classroom, field and apprentice training consistently provide the desired economic, energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality results.

NEMI

Sheet Metal Contractors Association (SMCA)

The Sheet Metal Contractors Association, the local chapter of the Sheet Metal Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association, represents sheet metal contractors in the Philadelphia and Delaware Valley area. Established in 1919, the Association has a standing reputation of providing resources and services to help its contractors enhance their contracting businesses, as well as expand their markets and profitability.

LOCAL 19

Local 19 is the local affiliate of the Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association (SMWIA). SMCA contractors employ Local 19 workers to fabricate, assemble and install products in buildings and construction projects. Local 19 craftspeople develop and hone their skills in all aspects of sheet metal work, receiving certifications in heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC), sheet metal fabrication and welding; architectural metal installation; and the testing, adjusting and balancing of environmental systems through the Local’s state of the art training facility. It prides itself on its highly trained, ready workforce, and is prepared to meet technological advances.

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) advances technology to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world. Membership is open to any person associated with the field.

American Welding Society (AWS)

The American Welding Society (AWS) was founded in 1919 as a multifaceted, nonprofit organization with a goal to advance the science, technology and application of welding and related joining disciplines. From factory floor to high-rise construction, from military weaponry to home products, AWS continues to lead the way in supporting welding education and technology development to ensure a strong, competitive and exciting way of life for all Americans.

International Certification Board (ICB)

The International Certification Board (ICB) was developed to oversee the Testing, Adjusting and Balancing Bureau (TABB) in 2000. In July, 2001 a media event held in Philadelphia rolled out his new TAB program designed to certify both contractors and supervisors. It was also determined that TABB would also recognize the training and certification of other entities such as the International Training Institute (ITI), SMARTA and TABIC, who subscribed to a strict set of standards approved by TABB. This was a major event in the sheet metal industry – and the certification field. During TABB’s first years, it grew. And as it did, new ideas came to the forefront. One such idea was the TABB Conference: an event for those certified professionals to meet and exchange ideas once a year.

International Training Institute (ITI)

The International Training Institute (ITI) is jointly sponsored by Sheet Metal Worker’s International Association (SMWIA) and the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA). We offer apprenticeship and advanced career training for union workers in the sheet metal industry throughout the United States and Canada. Located in Alexandria, Virginia, ITI produces a standardized sheet metal curriculum supported by a wide variety of training materials.

LEED

Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system that verifies a building or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance across all the metrics that matter most: energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts.

National Energy Management Institute (NEMI)

The National Energy Management Institute (NEMI) is a not for profit organization sponsored by the Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association (SMWIA) and the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA). The mission of NEMI is to identify emerging markets and employment opportunities and to develop programs to capitalize on them. This mission encompasses a sense of purpose, a sense of community, a sense of commitment and a pledge to the future.

Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA), OSHA’s role is to assure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women; by authorizing enforcement of the standards developed under the Act; by assisting and encouraging the States in their efforts to assure safe and healthful working conditions; by providing for research, information, education, and training in the field of occupational safety and health.

Sheet Metal Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA)

The Sheet Metal Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association creates the standards that address all facets of the sheet metal industry—from duct construction standards and installation to air pollution control to energy recovering and roofing. SMACNA writes and publishes the Duct Construction Standards, standards are accepted by ASHRAE and the Building Code.

Sheet Metal Occupational Health Institute Trust (SMOHIT)

The Sheet Metal Occupational Health Institute Trust (SMOHIT) is a Joint Labor Management Trust whose mission is to provide industry-leading health and safety solutions to minimize occupational illnesses and injuries for sheet metal craftsmen.

Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association (SMWIA)

Local 19 is a long standing affiliate of SMWIA that works to protect and raise the living standards of more than 150,000 sheet metal workers in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

Testing, Adjusting and Balancing Bureau (TABB)

The Testing, Adjusting and Balancing Bureau (TABB) is committed to the welfare of the general public, engineers, building owners and design professionals to assure that all building environmental systems are installed properly and all systems are adjusted to these design specifications. TABB Certified Professionals subscribe to a strict Code of Conduct and pledge to regularly upgrade their skill level to meet cutting-edge technological advances in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning industry.

US Green Building Council (USGBC)

A national nonprofit organization, USGBC is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings.

Common Sheet Metal Terms

HVAC

This stands for heating ventilation and air conditioning.

Ducts

Used in HVAC work, ducts are used to deliver and remove air. Updated air ducts can help moderate indoor air quality and thermal comfort.

Zinc

A recyclable material that is commonly used for roofing. Zinc is a cool metal that reflects heat away from a building, and can significantly reduce HVAC consumption and reduces the contamination of rain water runoff (gray water).

Copper

A ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity, copper is a common material is used in sheet metal work. Based on recent studies, a strong case can be made that using copper in HVAC systems can be hygenic, reducing the level of unwanted airborne bacteria and improving indoor air quality.