March 25, 2013

Quality assurance program for mechanical insulation to launch

B.C. INSULATION CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION

A new Quality Assurance Program for mechanical insulation in British Columbia is modelled after similar programs rolled out by the Roofing Contractors Association of B.C. and B.C.’s Master Painters and Decorators Association.

JESSICA KRIPPENDORF

correspondent

The B.C. Insulation Contractors Association (BCICA) is preparing to launch a Quality Assurance Certificate (QAC) Program aimed at ensuring appropriate levels of mechanical insulation are specified and properly installed in B.C. projects.

Under the program, project owners or owners’ representatives can register the insulation portion of a commercial, institutional or industrial job with the BCICA.

The association will notify bidding contractors and assign a certified insulation inspector (CII), who will ensure the installation meets the standards set out in the BCICA Quality Standards for Mechanical Insulation Manual.

Once the successful contractor notifies the BCICA that they’ve been awarded the contract, the CII reviews the specifications, scope of work and shop drawings prior to the work commencing.

“The objective at this stage is to ensure all concerned parties agree on the scope of work, types of finishes required and approved materials as detailed in the specifications,” said a news release from BCICA.

“The CII will then conduct a series of on-site inspections during various phases of construction, culminating with a final inspection and report certifying the project has been completed as per the specifications.”

BCICA has also spent a year developing a Certified Insulation Inspectors program in consultation with BCIT.

The online course teaches the fundamentals of insulation, how to read specifications and blueprints, installation best practices review and technical writing skills to properly report inspection findings.

Brian Hofler, a consultant to the BCICA, said some inspectors have completed the CII program through BCIT and a second offering will be wrapping up in late spring.

“This will ensure that once the QAC program is launched there will be enough inspectors to meet the needs of the industry,” he said.

BCICA’s Quality Standards for Mechanical Insulation Manual is currently being reviewed and updated by the association’s technical committee in consultation with a specifications writer. This will ensure it is up to date and lists acceptable materials.

“We would also really like to do a beta project to research energy conservation in conjunction with the launch,” he said.

“We are looking to partner with a couple of organizations to do an energy audit prior to installation.”

Disturbing trends of reducing insulation thickness or completely eliminating mechanical insulation as a cost saving measure have spurred the program’s development.

Steve Clayman, director of energy efficiency initiatives for the Thermal Insulation Association of Canada said the program will improve quality and accountability within the insulation trade.

“Insulation looks simple, like anyone can do it,” he said.

“Some people think all they need is a truck and a ladder and someone who will sell them the product and they can be in business.”

The lack of training, accreditation and experience among some contractors lowers the quality of workmanship for the entire industry.

“It permeates the entire industry and when the mechanical engineer comes through and sees the work is sloppy or incomplete they take a very negative view of the industry in general,” said Clayman.

“The QAP is going to create an experience level and a degree of accountability when these people undertake installations. BCICA is elevating the trade to a point where it will have a higher degree of respect on jobsites and indicate a level of expertise people can refer to.”

The program is modelled after successful QAPs developed by the Roofing Contractors Association of B.C. and B.C.’s Master Painters and Decorators Association.

Quebec’s provincial insulation contractors association, Association d’Isolation du Québec, has also had a program in place for several years.

“The roofing contractors and painters association programs have been extremely successful and accepted throughout the industry by government, specifiers and PPP builders,” said Hofler.

“They’ve proven that the industry is prepared for that kind of regulation and oversight.”

According to the BCICA, in almost every case where mechanical insulation is properly specified and installed, the operating cost savings can offset the installation cost of mechanical insulation in less than two years, and in some cases, a few months.

“It also has the added benefit of being extremely cost efficient for the end user both in lower operating costs and lower capital replacement costs on mechanical system equipment,” said the release.

The program is expected to significantly impact energy conservation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“Poor quality workmanship and materials do little to conserve energy or save money,” said Hofler.

“BCICA is taking a leadership role to insure that work done under the QAC Program will meet and exceed industry standards.”

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