Certificate of Achievement in Test, Adjust and Balancing Technician

Test, Adjust and Balancing (TAB) Technician is a registered apprenticeship program that is offered in partnership with the Sheet Metal Local 104 and Bay Area Training Fund. It is a 5-years apprenticeship program with 216 hours per year of day or evening class instruction and paid on-the-job training with a sheet metal contractor. This is a “green” construction field that is growing due to the needs for indoor air quality and energy efficiency compliance. The type of work performed can be ranging from pressure testing, adjusting and balancing of duct systems for energy efficiency to commissioning and completing documentation of HVAC systems in residential and commercial buildings. The work condition is ranging from light physical activity to maneuvering into limited access areas with tools and equipment. Good communication skills are needed to interact with clients. Technicians are held to a code of conduct to assure quality measurements. The program goal and objective are to offer a solid career opportunity with livable wages along with retirement and health benefits and provide a highly trained and skilled workforce for students/apprentices in the HVAC industry.

 

 

Prerequisite: Per California Code of Regulations, this program is limited to students admitted to the Sheet Metal Local 104 & Bay Area Industry Training Fund’s Test, Adjust, and Balancing (TAB) Technician program.

There are 80 students enrolled in the program currently. The program has about 90 to 95 percent retention rates because it offers students with employment opportunities. 9 students are projected to be graduating in 2020-21. 70 students are project to be graduating in 2025-2026

Test, Adjust and Balancing (TAB) Technician is a registered apprenticeship program that is offered in partnership with the Sheet Metal Local 104 and Bay Area Training Fund. It provides students with both in-class instruction and paid on-the-job training with the technical aspects of the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and the duct systems for energy efficiency in the construction industry. The program also prepares students to take the Test and Balance Certification from International Certification Board (ICB). The program goals and objectives are to offer a solid career opportunity with livable wages along with retirement and health benefits and provide a highly trained and skilled workforce for students/apprentices in the HVAC industry.

 

Students will learn how to:

·       Read plans and equipment performance data to determine the system design.

·       Measure airflow in HVAC systems using various instruments.

·       Adjust airflow values to achieve specified pressure differentials.

·       Make adjustment to system component for optimum efficient performance.

·       Prepare an IAQ report.

·       Perform room pressure differential readings.

·       Perform HEPA filter changes to industry standards.

 

Upon completion of the program, the students will be eligible to receive a Certificate of Achievement in Test, Adjust and Balancing Technician (TAB) Technician from Foothill College, an Apprenticeship Completion Certificate from the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS) and a Test and Balance Certification from International Certification Board (ICB). Career opportunities include but not limited to test, adjust, and air balancing technician, TABB certified supervisor, service technician, leadership in energy and environmental design (LEED) inspector, sheet metal fabricator, compliance tester, entrepreneur, HVAC educator, business agent, and training coordinator.

This program will require students to take 70 core units. 

Requirements	Title	Units	Sequence
Core Courses
APSM 171C	Safety Training for TAB Apprenticeship	2.5	Year 1, Fall
APSM 171A	HVAC Trade History & Introduction to Testing, Adjusting & Balancing	3	Year 1, Fall
APSM 171B	Basics of Airflow, Heat Energy & Heat Transfer	2.5	Year 1, Winter
APSM 172A	Basic HVAC Systems, Psychrometric, Air Pressures & Movement of Air	2.5	Year 1, Winter
APSM 172B	Proportional Balancing	2	Year 1, Spring
APSM 173A	Electrical Fundamentals, Electric Motors & Rotational Measurements	2.5	Year 1, Spring
APSM 173C	HVAC Fans, Fan Laws & V-Belt Drives	2.5	Year 2, Fall
APSM 173B	Temperature Measurements, Duct Systems, & Basic Controls	2.5	Year 2, Fall
APSM 174A	Hydronic Systems, Pumps & Hydronic Balancing	2.5	Year 2, Winter
APSM 174B	Balancing Documentation, Cooling Towers & TAB Related Skills	2	Year 2, Winter
APSM 175A	TABB Technician Certification	2	Year 2, Spring
APSM 174C	Fire Life Safety Level 1	2.5	Year 2, Spring
APSM 176A	Plans & Specifications, Codes & Standards	2.5	Year 3, Fall
APSM 176B	Basic Refrigeration & Brazing / Soldering	2.5	Year 3, Fall
APSM 172C	Duct Leakage Testing	2	Year 3, Winter
APSM 175C	Fire Life Safety Level 2	2.5	Year 3, Winter
APSM 175B	DDC Controls & Programs	2	Year 3, Spring
APSM 176C	Clean Room & HEPA Filter Testing	2	Year 3, Spring
APSM 177A	Title 24 Mechanical Acceptance Testing	2.5	Year 4, Fall
APSM 177B	Advanced DDC Controls / Commissioning of HVAC Systems	2	Year 4, Fall
APSM 177C	Energy Auditing	2.5	Year 4, Winter
APSM 178A	Indoor Air Quality	2	Year 4, Winter
APSM 178B	Green Construction & LEED Certification for HVAC	2.5	Year 4, Spring
APSM 178C	Foreman Training / Project Management for HVAC	2.5	Year 4, Spring
APSM 158A	Introduction to Directive. Digital HVAC	2	Year 5, Fall
APSM 157B	HVAC Energy Codes and Standards	2.5	Year 5, Fall
APSM 179A	Building & Cascading Pressure / Air Change Testing	2	Year 5, Winter
APSM 179B	Sound & Vibration in HVAC Systems	2.5	Year 5, Winter
APSM 179C	Biological Safety Cabinet / Laboratory Fume Hoods	2	Year 5, Spring
APSM 155B	Air Distribution & Efficient Duct Design	2.5	Year 5, Spring
Total Core Courses		70

This program is an addition to our existing CTE programs and registered apprenticeship programs.

According to the labor market report provided by SF Center of Excellence, there are five colleges in the Bay Region issued 17 awards on TOP 0946.10 - Energy Systems Technology and 9 in Silicon Valley Sub-Region. However, our program is unique because it provides comprehensive in-class instruction and paid on the job training. In addition, Test, Adjust and Balancing (TAB) Technician is a registered apprenticeship program that is offered in partnership with the Sheet Metal Local 104 and Bay Area Training Fund. I have notified Randy Bryant from De Anza College of this program offering.