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| September 14, 2022 | CSLB #22-09 | |
CSLB Reminds Contractors of Requirements for
Mechanical Systems Acceptance Tests
SACRAMENTO, CA – The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) has an important reminder for contractors who perform mechanical systems acceptance tests. Any person performing these tests in a nonresidential building must be certified as an acceptance test technician (ATT) by an acceptance test technician certification provider (ATTCP). The mechanical systems ATT requirement is part of the Building Energy Efficiency Standards Energy Code Section 10-103.2.
Additionally, an ATT certification has been required to perform the lighting controls acceptance tests in compliance with the Energy Code for all newly installed or modified lighting controls in nonresidential buildings since July 2014.
Certification:
The minimum requirements for ATT certification eligibility are as follows:
Three years minimum installation or design experience
A member of one of the following industry groups:
Mechanical Systems:
i. HVAC Installers
ii. Mechanical Systems Contractors
iii. Testing and Balancing Certified Technicians
iv. Professional Engineers
v. Licensed Architects
vi. Controls Installation and start-up contractors
vii. Certified Commissioning Professionals
Lighting Controls:
i. Electrical Contractors
ii. Certified General Electricians
iii. Professional Engineers
iv. Licensed Architects
v. Controls Installation and start-up contractors
vi. Certified Commissioning Professionals
To determine eligibility for certification, please contact any of the following Acceptance Test Technician Certification Providers (ATTCPs):
Mechanical Systems ATTCPs:
Homepage | California State Pipe Trades Council (calpipes.org)
National Energy Management Institute Committee (NEMIC)
Also referred to as The Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing Bureau (TABB)
National Environmental Balancing Bureau (NEBB)
Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES)
Lighting Controls ATTCPs:
National Lighting Contractors Association of America (NLCAA)
California Advanced Lighting Controls Training Program (CALCTP)
Background:
On April 14, 2021, the California Energy Commission (CEC) approved the enforcement of requirements that are intended to help contractors and building inspectors deliver on energy efficiency projections for newly installed heating, ventilating, and air conditioning equipment. The CEC established October 1, 2021, as the enforcement date for the new requirements for all new project permits.
Under the 2013 Energy Code, the CEC developed a program to help improve compliance with the mechanical systems and lighting controls acceptance test requirements. The ATTCP program provides training, certification, and oversight of ATTs who perform the acceptance tests required by the Energy Code, as well as the Acceptance Test Employers (ATEs) that employ ATTs. ATTCPs are professional organizations that are approved by the CEC to provide training curriculum for ATTs and ATEs, certification procedures, compliant resolution (including disciplinary procedures), quality assurance, and accountability measures.
While the Lighting Controls ATTCP certification has been required since July 2014, it is only recently the CEC determined that the Mechanical Systems ATTCP certification will be enforced, having met the regulatory threshold, and set the recommended enforcement date to October 1, 2021, for all newly issued permits.
Outreach and Education
CEC staff is offering a one-hour course as an introduction to the ATTCP program and the certified ATT requirements for lighting controls and mechanical systems. Topics that will be addressed include – why acceptance testing is required in the Energy Code, what role the ATTCP program plays, recent actions by the CEC that make mechanical systems ATT certification mandatory, and how contractors and inspectors can use the program to their best advantage. The intent of this course is to provide a basic understanding of the responsibilities and benefits to the builder, contractor, ATT, and the building inspector.
As a result of attending this course:
Builders and contractors will learn the following:
How the ATTCP program can effectively demonstrate compliance with the Energy Code and streamline the inspection process with the AHJ.
Steps the contractor needs to take to secure an ATT certification.
How the engineer or architect of record can rely on the ATTCP program to verify lighting controls and mechanical systems installations.
AHJs will learn the following:
How the ATTCP program can effectively enforce Energy Code requirements.
Why inspectors can rely of the efficacy of the ATTCP program.
Additional check the inspector can make to ensure that the acceptance tests are performed and performed correctly.
For additional information, please see the CEC’s ATTCP website or contact:
Energy Standards (Title 24) Hotline
916-654-5106
800-772-3300, toll-free in California
Title24@energy.ca.gov