Mechanical Acceptance Testing is a physical verification that a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system operates as designed. If completed by skilled, trained, and certified technicians, owners and building patrons can be confident that the expected Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and Energy Efficiency goals will be achieved.
While the forms have been required since 2005 in California, the lack of workforce standards for technicians performing the acceptance tests resulted in physical verifications that did not necessarily meet the intent of the forms. With technician certification a requirement, as of October 1st, California will take a significant step towards achieving the required energy efficiency and IAQ goals.
The California Energy Commission (CEC) released a Public Notice, on June 28, 2021, with expectations for the Mechanical Inspectors verifying successful test completion prior to occupancy:
Notice to authorities having jurisdiction
- The mandatory requirement that any person performing a mechanical systems acceptance test (Title 24, Part 6, Section 120.5) in a nonresidential building must be certified as an acceptance test technician (ATT) by an acceptance test technician certification provider (ATTCP) took effect on April 14, 2021.
- To allow a reasonable time for training and implementation of additional acceptance test technicians, the California Energy Commission (CEC) expects authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ) to enforce the mechanical systems ATT requirements to all nonresidential permit applications submitted on or after October 1, 2021