SAM SUGARMAN, CTAB

2012-01-22T11:10:00.000-08:00

The latest CTAB Professional is a mechanical engineer from Jordan working in Iraq.

2011-10-23T11:17:00.000-07:00

CTAB Preparatory Seminar for Exam and Certification for 2012. These are two-day seminars with the CTAB Exam available online following the seminar.
More details are on our new website CTABhvac.com or email me Sam@SamSugarman.net

2011-10-23T11:15:00.000-07:00

We completed CTAB training for the Federal Emergency Management Agency in Mt. Weather, VA. Training was September 20-22, 2011.

2011-07-18T13:23:00.000-07:00

Visit my website at www.SugarmanConsulting.info

2011-06-24T12:57:00.000-07:00

Our latest CTAB training and exam (June 6-8) was held at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO with a great group of guys.

Hello Sam,....I would like more information about the CTAB certification. How does Sugarman Consulting compare with NEBB, AABC, TABB, etc?

2011-04-20T13:57:00.000-07:00

Sugarman Consulting is an HVAC systems training organization. I teach subjects related to HVAC, including testing-adjusting-balancing, HVAC systems design and evaluation, energy management, commissioning, and indoor air quality. The CTAB certification is for individual recognition of proficiency (and critical thinking) in testing-adjusting-balancing. The CTAB certification is awarded to individuals based on education, test and balance experience and passing the CTAB Exam. The CTAB Candidate submits an application stating education and experience. The Exam is given after the Candidate has completed “industry standard” test and balance training through Sugarman Consulting. If the Candidate passes the Exam and is qualified by education and experience as attested to by members of the CTAB Board according to eligibility requirements, the candidate is awarded the CTAB designation. My understanding of AABC, NEBB and other similar ‘member test and balance company or agency’ organizations is that they train and certify their members. Please contact them for information. Email addresses are on my Resources page on my website, www.SugarmanConsulting.info

New HVAC Book

2011-03-07T11:09:00.000-08:00

HVAC Systems: Operation and Efficiency. This new book on CD from Sugarman Consulting helps you understand your HVAC systems and ensure that they provide maximum performance at minimum cost. This essential reference book helps you recognize and understand your HVAC systems and components and what you can do to optimize your systems for safety, energy efficiency, occupancy comfort and process function. This valuable reference is a must for HVAC engineers and designers, building owners and their representatives, facility engineers, plant engineers, chief engineers, utility engineers, energy managers, energy management technicians, energy auditors, commissioning agents and technicians, HVAC mechanics, technicians, operating & maintenance personnel, refrigeration mechanics, and air & water balancing companies and technicians. 255pp

Check it out on my website: www.SugarmanConsulting.info

Low introductory price!

ISBN-10 0982901135
ISBN-13 9780982901137

Publisher: Sugarman Consulting

2011-02-12T13:52:00.000-08:00

Q. I want to know the steps in order to become certified in testing and balancing. I have three friends that are mechanical contractors and I would like to know if it would be possible to do a class for us. Is your certification the same as NEBB.

A. I can provide testing and balancing training for you. It is the same industry standard training as done by NEBB or AABC. The CTAB Testing-Adjusting-Balancing HVAC Systems book you purchased is part of that training. You may want to purchase my CTAB Home Study Course or let me know if you and your friends are interested in in-house classes.

To get certification and work in testing and balancing (TAB) follow these steps:
1: Get training in testing and balancing through books, classes and on-the-job when possible
2: Complete the training and get a certification of successful completion of training
I can provide test and balancing training for you and upon completion issue a certificate of completion of training.
3: Prepare a resume with your training and experience in TAB. Seek employment with a balancing company or a mechanical contractor that is doing testing and balancing or wants TAB and continue your education

If, or when, you decide to start your own testing and balancing business:
1. Purchase TAB instruments and keep them calibrated.
2. Do marketing to get jobs by talking to mechanical contractors and engineers, building owners and engineers. Show your resume of training and jobs. Start bidding for small testing and balancing jobs. Continue marketing and getting bigger and bigger jobs. You may need a contractor license for your area. Your mechanical contractor friends should start marketing to businesses they already do projects for while they are getting TAB training.

Sugarman Consulting provides two types of certification. One for test and balance training and the widely-recognized Certified Testing-Adjusting-Balancing Professional Achievement (CTAB). Go to SugarmanConsulting.info to get requirements and an application for CTAB (Certified Testing-Adjusting-Balancing Professional Achievement.

Please check with the NEBB national headquarters to get their current requirements for membership and NEBB certification.

New HVAC Book

2010-11-29T14:37:00.000-08:00

My new reference book HVAC Systems: Operation and Efficiency is almost finished. I am looking forward to a publishing date in Mar 2011 by Sugarman Publishing. I have decided to initially publish it as an ebook.

2010-11-29T12:07:00.000-08:00

Q. Sam, I took a course with AEE that you taught in 2001, passed the CTAB exam, and have been doing TAB work since then. I am currently certified through AEE but my understanding is that they will no longer issue the certification. Could I renew my certification through you? When you renew the certificate what organization will be on it, or do you certify in your name? Also, when you give classes do you publish this information for someone like myself that would like to take courses for specific TAB activities?

A. You are correct, AEE no longer issues the CTAB certification and you can renew through me. My records show that you are certificate ##. Please email me a copy of your current certificate and I will update my records and issue you a Lifetime CTAB. I am doing this for all CTABs, like you, who took my CTAB training and exam sponsored by AEE and have an expiring certification. The CTAB® is now issued by Sugarman Consulting.

Presently I do only in-house training and have no plans for public training seminars in 2011, but I will put you on my mail list and let you know if anything changes with me or if I can recommend another course to you. I have published a new TAB ebook CD that may interest you (CTAB Testing-Adjusting-Balancing HVAC Systems) and I will publish a new HVAC ebook early in 2011. www.samsugarman.net

2010-08-25T13:46:00.001-07:00

Q. Sam, how reliable is the P-cone on the HVAC-MAU’s? An associate of mine likes to rely on it a lot instead of going inside the unit itself and taking the actual reading of the outside air across the pre-filter bank.

A. Pace, now Cleanpak, makes very good air handling equipment and the P-cone is optional air flow measuring equipment on their units. In my opinion the P-cone, as with all installed flow measuring devices should be confirmed by an air balancing technician that the device’s readings are correct on the initial air balance and then on some regular schedule. The air balance technician, where appropriate, will use the proper air balancing instruments and techniques to confirm the installed flow measuring devices reading. It is our job as air balancing technicians to confirm reliability and accuracy of equipment because any given flow measuring device may be bad from the manufacturer, installed incorrectly, have dirt and debris in it from the construction site, have a malfunction, etc.

New TAB book in binder format

2010-08-20T13:06:00.001-07:00

My latest TAB book has a new format. Check it out on my website, www.SamSugarman.net

CTAB Testing-Adjusting-Balancing HVAC Systems

A graphic text for the visual learner

First Edition

Is now in 8.5 x 11 binder format. It is a graphic, technical manual for the visual learner. It can be used as a stand-alone book or as a supplement to my Testing and Balancing HVAC Air and Water Systems. Written in short descriptive form with hundreds of photos, diagrams, schematics, forms, charts, and graphs. 350+ pages. $99.95 USD

2010-07-31T10:51:00.000-07:00

Q. Sam, we installed a few condenser water pumps in a building and the owners are requesting a water balancing be done. Can you recommend an instrument to use for that purpose.

A. Balancing water flow at the pumps will require a water differential pressure meter. You can use either analog or digital instruments. ITT Bell and Gossett(B&G) and Shortridge Instruments are among the many providers of these types of water instruments. If the pressure gauges on the suction and discharge sides of the pumps are new and calibrated you can use them as an installed flow meter.

2010-07-17T13:01:00.000-07:00

Q. Sam, I am interested in receiving a certification in air balancing. I am not close to any major metro areas, although this area is full of industrial plants. The balancing work for this area is usually done by out-of-town contractors that travel 3 hours or more. The company I work for does a lot work in these factories and is very interested in getting started in TAB but have found it very hard to get someone to help us get started. Do you have any suggestions? Most of the work requires one of the major certifications. Any info you could give us for training would be greatly appreciated.

A. I can help you with training. Look on my website, www.SugarmanConsulting.info, there you'll see that I have books, CDs, Home Study Courses, and in-house workshops on air balancing and HVAC systems and the Certified Testing-Adjusting-Balancing Professional (CTAB) achievement award. After successful completion of the CTAB Testing-Adjusting-Balancing HVAC Air and Water course I will issue you a Certificate of Successful Completion. However you get the training, you'll also need to purchase instruments and you'll have to do some marketing to get balancing jobs...the factories where you already do HVAC work is a good place to start since they know your work skills, ethics, ect. As you increase the number and size of your jobs, and therefore your experience, you may want to fill out an application to qualify for the Certified Testing-Adjusting-Balancing Professional (CTAB) achievement award.

2010-07-11T22:27:00.000-07:00

Q. Sam, I was going through your website and would like to inquire more about enrolling in your CTAB program. I'm interested in the becoming skilled and knowledgeable in the field of air testing and balancing. I hope you can help guide me in the right direction. Thank you for your consideration.

A. Thanks for the email. My CTAB program for individuals is the CTAB Testing-Adjusting-Balancing HVAC Air and Water Systems Home Study Course (HSC). It is composed of 15 Lessons which you can do in your own time. There is no time limit on completion. With the CTAB HSC you get my book Testing and Balancing HVAC Air and Water Systems - fourth edition. And I have just completed a new book, CTAB Testing-Adjusting-Balancing HVAC Systems, first edition eBook on CD which is more graphic (photos etc.) than my Testing and Balancing HVAC Air and Water Systems - fourth edition book. This new book on CD is now included in the CTAB HSC 2010. In each Lesson you will need to read some chapter(s) in the book and then answer questions on a quiz for that lesson. When you have finished Lesson 1 quiz email me the answers and any questions you have about the Lesson or any other air testing and balancing questions.
I will grade the quiz and email you back your score along with any comments I have for you and answers to all your questions. When you have completed all 15 Lessons with a passing grade of 70 or more I will mail you a CTAB certification of completion of the course. When you finish this course you will have a well-rounded knowledge of air testing and balancing. This course takes you through the physical and mathematical aspects of testing and balancing.
Thanks again for the inquiry. Even if you don’t take the course or buy one of my books you are always welcome to email me with any testing and balancing questions.

2010-07-03T13:43:00.000-07:00

My latest TAB book has launched.

CTAB Testing-Adjusting-Balancing HVAC Systems

A graphic text for the visual learner

First Edition, eBook on CD-ROM

It is a graphic, technical manual for the visual learner. It can be used as a stand-alone book or as a supplement to my Testing and Balancing HVAC Air and Water Systems. Written in short descriptive form with hundreds of photos, diagrams, schematics, forms, charts, and graphs. 350+ pages. $59.95 USD

Graphic Textbook

2010-04-25T09:13:00.000-07:00

I have decided to do a graphic text ebook on Testing-Adjusting-Balancing HVAC systems. It will be 300-400 pages and should be available in July 2010. Approximate cost: $55

2010-03-04T20:02:00.000-08:00

Q. The HVAC company where I work is very interested in getting started in TAB but have found it very hard to get someone to help us get started. Do you have any suggestions? Most work requires one of the major certifications. Any info you could give us for training would be greatly appreciated.

A. To get started your company will need to buy the required TAB instruments, get a couple HVAC techs trained and/or hire some TAB techs and start talking with management and engineers at firms where they currently have or have had HVAC projects. Since these firms know your company's work they may allow them to start with small balancing jobs.

As far as training goes, your company might purchase my TAB book, Testing and Balancing HVAC Air and Water Systems (some TAB company have bought a book for each of their techs) or get the Testing-Adjusting-Balancing HVAC Air and Water Systems Home Study Course (which includes my TAB book). It is a dialog correspondence course...meaning that I am here to answer any questions about the course material as well as any questions on TAB projects that you might be doing. Both are listed on my website. Also, the course is a step toward my CTAB Professional Achievement certification which might interest you, see my website for more information.

Hello and Welcome

2010-03-03T10:49:00.000-08:00

Thanks for visiting my blog. Please visit my website if you would like to buy some of my TAB, HVAC or EM books, home study courses or in-house instruction. My URLs are http://www.samsugarman.net/, http://www.samsugarman.com/, http://www.samuelsugarman.com/, http://www.certified-testing-adjusting-balancing.com/, and http://www.sugarmanconsulting.info/

As I state on my website you are always welcome to email any questions about test and balance (TAB) or energy management (EM) of heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.

I am writing a new reference book on HVAC Systems. I am shooting for a Fall 2010 publishing. As I work on Table of Contents and chapters I will post excerpts for you to view. As you read the excerpts you can make suggestions of what subjects you might like to have in the book. If you find that you like what you read about the book and you would like to get on the list to purchase the book at a 50% pre-publishing price please send me a request. You are under no obligation to buy the book but you will be offered the discount upon publication.

The book will probably be in a 11 x 8 format, about 300-400 pages and priced at $80 to $100 USD.