NEBB's Sound and Vibration Measurement Program provides for certification of firms and qualification of individuals that meet criteria established by NEBB.

The program provides three certification options for Firms.  They are:

1. Perform Sound Measurements,
2. Perform Vibration Measurements or
3. Perform both Sound and Vibration Measurements.

Purpose of the Certification Program

The purpose of NEBB certification is to offer tangible proof of competent firms and supervisors qualified in the proper methods and procedures for sound and/or vibration measurement.

Objectives

The following objectives were created for this purpose:

To promote and advance industry standards and to establish procedures and specifications for the measurement and testing of sound and vibration in HVAC systems.

To set minimum education standards and other requirements for the qualification of personnel employed by firms who perform this work.

To establish an educational program of instruction that will educate personnel in the proper methods and procedures for the measurement and testing of sound and vibration in HVAC systems.

To certify as qualified to perform and administrate the measurement and testing of sound and vibration, those firms who meet the requirements for certification as established by NEBB, who comply with the objectives of NEBB, and who employ personnel who have met the qualifications established by NEBB.

To serve as a focal point for educational and technical materials pertinent to the measurement and testing of sound and vibration.

Sound & Vibration Certification Requirements

Certification for Sound and/or Vibration is open to firms that meet NEBB criteria, including:

Have operated for a minimum period of 12 months continuously as an installing piping contractor; installing sheet metal contractor; installing mechanical contractor or contractor engaged in TAB work.   Firms certified by NEBB in either Cleanroom Performance Testing, Building Systems Commissioning, or Fume Hood Testing, as well as firms engaged in sound and/or vibration measurement, are also eligible.

Enjoy a reputation for responsible performance.  Letters of endorsement from consulting engineers and architects in the firm's area are required upon application.   The letters of endorsement are not required for firm that are already  NEBB-certified in another discipline, i.e. TAB, Cleanroom Performance Testing, Building Systems Commissioning, or Fume Hood Testing).

Be a member in good standing of a local NEBB Chapter.

Possess, or have availability to, the various instruments listed below which are required for certification.

Confirm in writing that it will conform to the NEBB guidelines for the calibration and maintenance of the instruments required for certification.

Possess the current NEBB Procedural Standards for Measurement of Sound and Vibration.

Designate in writing one or more supervisors who hold a management position, who will represent this firm and be responsible for the supervision of sound and/or vibration measurement and testing.  A supervisor may hold one (1) of three qualifications by meeting the requirements outlined below.

Sound Qualification - The supervisor must meet the following:

Vibration Qualification - The supervisor must meet the following:

Additionally, there are qualification programs available to technicians employed by NEBB Certified S&V Firms working under the direction of a NEBB Qualified S&V Supervisor.  The requirements for the Technician Qualification are similar to the Supervisor Qualification. 

Suspension

A firm's certification shall automatically be suspended when the firm no longer meets all of the certification requirements listed above. The certification of a firm suspended will be automatically reinstated by NEBB at such time as it again meets the requirements for certification. The period of suspension will be no longer than one year at which time the firm will lose its certification automatically.

A certified firm must notify the local NEBB Chapter in writing within ten days of the temporary or permanent loss of the designated qualified supervisor.

Loss of Certification

Certification may be terminated for failure of the firm to abide by the objectives and performance standards of NEBB. Termination of certification by NEBB requires vote of the Board of Directors of NEBB provided that by similar vote the Board shall first find that certification is prejudicial to the best interests of the Bureau and provided further that the certified firm in question shall have had opportunity upon written notice of at least fifteen (15) days to show cause why the certification should not be terminated.

Instruments Required for Certification in Sound:

Instruments Required for Certification in Vibration:

Instruments for Required for Certification in both Sound and Vibration:

Notes:

1. Instruments must conform to requirements of Table 4-1 as specified in the current edition of the NEBB Procedural Standards for Measurement of Sound and Vibration (2006), Section 4.

2. NEBB does not endorse any proprietary instruments as compliant with NEBB requirements.