What HVAC Contractors and TAB Professionals Need to Know
California JATCs, SMACNA chapters, NEMI Host Statewide Seminar Series for HVAC Industry Professionals
NEMI was proud to collaborate with the California Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committees (JATCs) and regional SMACNA chapters to host a successful statewide California Title 24 and California Mechanical Code (CMC) Update Seminar Series.
The events brought together HVAC contractors, sheet metal workers, apprentices, engineers, suppliers, building officials, inspectors, and code enforcement professionals to learn about the latest changes impacting California’s construction industry.
The seminar series was held at JATC training centers in Castroville, Fresno, Sacramento, and Ventura, in an effort to provide high-quality, up-to-date education for as much of California’s sheet metal and HVAC workforce as possible.
The training was made possible through a collaborative effort between Tri-Counties SMACNA, Central Valley SMACNA, Northern San Joaquin SMACNA, Sacramento SMACNA, the Monterey Bay Area Sheet Metal Contractors Association, SMART Local 104, and the National Energy Management Institute (NEMI).
Steven Winstead, Western Region Representative for NEMI, and Chris Ruch, Codes and Standards Representative for SMART Local 104, lead the presentations at each seminar location. Together, they provided attendees with an overview of California’s latest code changes, evolving industry standards, and emerging opportunities for the sheet metal and HVAC industries.
Special thanks go to the apprenticeship coordinators who helped host and make these events possible, including Alex Titchener, Brad DeYoung, Eric Priest, and John Kroon. Their efforts ensured a successful program in each region.
Key Topics Covered during the Seminars
Each seminar featured engaging presentations and interactive discussions covering many of the most significant regulatory and industry changes taking effect throughout California.
Topics included:
- 2025 California Energy Code (Title 24) updates
- California Mechanical Code (CMC) changes
- Recent ASHRAE standards and their impact on HVAC design, testing, and installation
- Emerging opportunities within California’s expanding residential HVAC and heat pump market
- Oakland Fire Code amendments establishing workforce qualification requirements for the periodic inspection and testing of:
- Fire and Smoke Dampers (FSD)
- Smoke Control Systems (SCS)
- Mechanical Smoke Removal Systems (MSRS)
- Smoke and Heat Vents (SHV)
Attendees represented a broad cross-section of the industry, including HVAC contractors, technicians, engineers, suppliers, apprenticeship instructors, building officials, and code enforcement professionals. The collaborative environment fostered meaningful discussions on code compliance, workforce qualifications, building safety, energy efficiency, and indoor air quality.
This kind of training is what sets TABB-certified professionals apart. Because TABB works through the International Certification Board (ICB) — an independently accredited certifying body — building owners, architects and engineers can trust that TABB-certified technicians are tested to a rigorous, up-to-date standard, including the code changes covered at these seminars.
Supporting California’s High-Road Workforce
As part of their commitment to ongoing workforce education, SMART Local 104 and NEMI plan to provide attendees with a series of technical one-sheet reference guides and additional educational resources covering each topic presented during the seminars.
The strong participation from building officials and inspectors also highlighted the growing demand for specialized code education. In response, SMART Local 104 and its SMACNA partners are working to expand training opportunities specifically for building inspectors, plan reviewers, and code enforcement professionals.
These programs will help promote consistent implementation of California’s evolving mechanical, energy, and fire safety codes while supporting safer, healthier, and more energy-efficient buildings throughout the state.
Through partnerships like these, California’s JATCs continue to provide industry-leading education that prepares apprentices, journey-level workers, contractors, and industry partners for the future of the sheet metal and HVAC industry.
As a national labor-management fund, NEMI looks forward to future opportunities to collaborate and promote successful labor-management efforts with SMART local unions and regional SMACNA chapters.
The National Energy Management Institute (NEMI) works with public, private, and government organizations, as well as companies nationwide, to make environments safer for people in schools, hospitals and commercial buildings nationwide.
NEMI also creates training and certification opportunities, verifies the indoor air quality in schools, and makes sure the heating and air conditioning systems in office buildings are energy efficient. — are at the top of their industry and experts in their field.
