Training Overview

NIA’s Thermal Insulation Inspector Certification
National Insulation Association’s (NIA) Thermal Insulation Inspector Certification Program, a two-part, four-day course to educate insulation inspectors on how to evaluate installation work and determine whether it is compliant with mechanical insulation specifications.

NIA Certified Thermal Insulation Inspector Benefits
This certification program will educate you on mechanical insulation, how to verify that the insulation is being installed to the specification, and how to identify potential areas of concern during initial installation or ongoing operations.

Who Should Take This Course
This certification-level course is designed for experienced insulation professionals ready to learn a new specialty and companies ready to offer insulation system inspection as part of their services. The course is beneficial for anyone who has responsibility for contracts, maintenance, business development, quality assurance (QA)/quality control (QC), project oversight, safety, inspections, estimating, management, product development, mechanical insulation system design, and specification development.

• Benefits for Engineers
• Benefits for Facility Owners
• Benefits for Contractors 

About the Program
To become a Certified Thermal Insulation Inspector, class participants must complete both levels of the 4-day course and receive a passing grade on the final examination at the end of each level.

Part 1: NIA’s Understanding Mechanical Insulation course
NIA’s Understanding Mechanical Insulation includes a review of the insulation industry market segments; the need and importance of inspection; the purpose of mechanical insulation systems and why that is important to the inspection process; primary insulation materials and protective coverings; the importance of Safety Data Sheets; and codes, standards, regulations, and guidelines, and how they are intertwined.

Part 2: NIA’s Thermal Insulation Inspector Certification course
NIA’s Thermal Insulation Inspector Certification course includes topics such as the roles and responsibilities of an inspector; the basis of inspection—what are you inspecting to; the inspection process in new construction and maintenance; inspection tools and techniques; common occurrences/ problem areas that may be encountered during an inspection; and inspection documentation and reporting.

Pre-qualifications for the Program
NIA’s Inspector Certification is developed for individuals who have good communication skills as well as the following:

• Have successfully completed the online Mechanical Insulation Basics course, resulting in an initial understanding of the principles and fundamentals of insulation and insulation systems, types of insulation products, mechanical insulation science and technology, maintenance, and more. The fee for this course is included as part of the registration fee, and a link to take the onDemand course will be sent to attendees after registering for the course.
• A minimum of 3 years of experience in commercial and/or industrial construction, process, and maintenance industry, inspection, or related fields
• Good communication skills and the ability to work in a team environment; and
• The ability to recognize potential basic safety concerns during facility visits and insulation system inspections.

Course Schedule and Materials
The course runs from approximately 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. which will include breaks throughout the day and for lunch.

Students will receive the following materials:

• Two professionally printed full-colour course manuals
• One copy of the 9th Edition of the North American Commercial & Industrial Insulation Standards

Students who pass the exam will also receive a certification marketing kit (certificate, electronic sample documents, marketing materials, etc.).

Exam Details

• Part 1: NIA’s Understanding Mechanical Insulation exam is taken on day 2 of the course.
• Part 2: NIA’s Thermal Insulation Inspector Certification Course exam is taken on day 4 of the course.
• Each exam has 50 questions and will cover information that was discussed in each section.
• Students must score 70% or higher on both exams to become a Certified Thermal Insulation Inspector.
• Students who do not score at least 70% on each exam will be notified by NIA about how to retake the exam after the class. Retake exams can be taken at a recognized testing center, and more information will be provided by NIA.

Recertification
Once a student completes the Thermal Insulation Inspector Certification Program and successfully passes the exam, they become certified as a NIA Certified Thermal Insulation Inspector for 3 years. The certification will expire December 31 of the third year, regardless of the month the certification was completed. During the third year, the student will receive a letter and email detailing the online recertification process. Additional details about the recertification process will be announced in 2020, at that time all Certified Insulation Inspectors will be contacted with more information.

Articles on the Benefits of Inspection and NIA’s Certification Course

• Prioritizing Insulation: Protecting People, Systems, and Investments in All Seasons
• Insulation Systems: The Value of Insulation and Maintenance
• What Engineers Need to Know and Where Support Can Be Found
• Insulation is an Investment and an Asset

AGENDA

Registration

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 23, 2022

Registration fees include: Two professionally printed full-colour course manuals; One copy of the 9th Edition of the North American Commercial & Industrial Insulation Standards; the online Mechanical Insulation Basics course (pre-qualification requirement); coffee breaks; and, a ticket to the TIAC Conference Manufacturer and Distributor Reception. Students who pass the exam will also receive a certification marketing kit (certificate, electronic sample documents, marketing materials, etc.).

Cancellation, Copyright and Liability Policies
Requests for refunds or cancellation must be made in writing and will be disbursed in the following manner:

• On or before September 15, 2022: full refund.
• On or after September 15, 2022, and no-shows: no refund. Substitute registrants will be accepted if the pre-requisite Mechanical Insulation Basics course has not been taken by the original registrant.

The National Insulation Association (NIA) holds the copyright for the name, logo, and the training course content and materials and is in the process of federally trademarking the program, logo, program name, and NIA Certified Insulation Inspector™. Pages, photos, or slides may not be reproduced, photocopied, or reprinted in any way without the written permission of NIA.

The Thermal Insulation Association of Canada (TIAC) sponsors the National Insulation Association’s (NIA) Thermal Insulation Inspector Certification™ (the Course) as a service to the commercial and industrial insulation industry. The certification is granted to individuals who complete the Course and successfully pass any tests administered as part of the program. TIAC and NIA are not responsible for the performance of any thermal insulation inspector who successfully completes the course. Attendees and their employer(s) acknowledge that any use of the knowledge and/or techniques gained through the program are at their own risk and agree to hold TIAC and NIA harmless from any liabilities (including attorney’s fees) relating to or arising from, directly or indirectly, the use of the knowledge and/or techniques gained through NIA’s Inspector Certification or attendee’s performance, actions, or omissions.

In-person Meeting Covid Considerations
We will be following all of the provincial indoor gathering guidelines, social distancing rules and mask policies that may be in place. For more information on Ontario’s reopening plan please visit https://www.ontario.ca/page/reopening-ontario.

Professional Instructors

The Conference Planning Committee is confirming speakers who will speak to both industry and general business strategies to provide you with insights to improve your day-to-day operations. Updated speaker information will be posted here so be sure to check regularly.

GARRY CAUDILL
	Based in Denver, Colorado, with more than 40 years of industry experience, Garry Caudill spent over 20 years with Johns Manville, serving in a wide variety of capacities within JM’s insulation businesses from sales management to product, marketing, and channel management. Prior to his recent retirement, Garry was the Product Management Leader for JM’s Industrial Insulation business. Previously, Garry worked for Thermal Ceramics for 22 years.
RON KING
	Based in Houston, Texas, and a 50-year veteran of the commercial and industrial insulation industry, Ron King held executive management positions with a national distributor/fabricator, an accessory manufacturer, and a specialty insulation contractor. He was awarded the NIA’s President’s Award in 1986 and again in 2001. Ron King is a Past President, Honorary Member, and Consultant for NIA.

Mechanical Insulation Basics

Online, self-directed learning.
Length: 2.5-2.75 hours

Successful completion of the Mechanical Insulation Basics online training is a prerequisite for the Thermal Insulation Inspector Certification course. Access to this online training will be provided starting later May. Registration fees must be paid in full to receive access to the course.

Following is an overview of each course module:
Module 1: Educational Series Introduction and Defining Mechanical Insulation
Provides an overview of the Mechanical Insulation Basics course, discusses mechanical insulation in comparison to other insulation segments, and includes demonstrations of the online simple energy, financial, condensation, safety, and other calculators available within the Insulation Design Guide.

Module 2: Benefits of Mechanical Insulation
“Why insulate?” is a complex topic with multiple components. Insulation can reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, increase available carbon credits, be an important part of sustainable design initiatives, be part of safety programs, increase manufacturing productivity, reduce corrosion under insulation, control condensation and mold growth, and provide an unrivaled return on your investment—so why is it a forgotten technology? This module provides a general overview of the power of mechanical insulation in the new construction, renovation, and maintenance arenas when designed, installed, and maintained properly.

Module 3: Mechanical Insulation Science & Technology
Insulation is applied but rarely engineered. With the best intentions, but not necessarily with thorough knowledge, many specifications have evolved over the years primarily based upon the modification of old documents. This practice, combined with the lack of mechanical insulation educational and awareness programs about the value of having a properly engineered, installed, and maintained mechanical insulation system, has led to the underutilization of mechanical insulation in energy conservation, emission reduction, process and productivity improvement, life-cycle cost reduction, personnel safety, life safety, workplace improvements, and a host of other applications. This module discusses the principles of understanding energy, what insulation is, how insulation works, psychrometrics, and mechanical insulation definitions and terminology.

Module 4: Mechanical Insulation Design Objectives and Considerations
Most engineers, architects, specifiers, and end users are familiar with the use of insulation to reduce heating and cooling loads and control noise in building envelopes. Insulations used for pipes, ducts, tanks, and equipment are not as familiar. As a result, mechanical insulation is often overlooked, undervalued, or improperly specified and maintained in commercial and industrial construction projects. Mechanical insulation may be used to satisfy one or more of the following design objectives: condensation control; energy, economics, and the environment; fire safety; freeze protection; personnel protection; process control; and noise control. In addition, a number of design considerations may require attention when designing a mechanical insulation system: abuse resistance, corrosion under insulation, indoor air quality, maintainability, regulatory considerations, service and location, and service life. On some projects, multiple design objectives and considerations must be satisfied simultaneously. This module discusses each of these objectives and considerations.

Module 5: Mechanical Insulation Maintenance
Insulation systems, like all mechanical systems, require periodic inspection and maintenance. While inspection and maintenance are the responsibility of the facility owner, most insulation systems are frequently ignored. With time, insulation systems can become damaged for a variety of reasons and, if not repaired or replaced, can become ineffective. Understanding the benefit of timely and proper maintenance can provide a significant return on investment.

Hotel Discounts

Accommodation
The training will be held at the Residence Inn Calgary Downtown/Beltline District.

Reservations must be made by September 30, 2022 to receive the discounted rate.

Traditional Rooms – $209 + fees and taxes

Book your room at: https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1660157495628&key=GRP&app=resvlink