Industry Code: 86413
This classification is for testing services specific to heat and air systems (air flow ducts, water heat and pressure, etc.) in new or refurbished buildings, and provided in the interests of building owners, sheet metal contractors, engineering firms, and mechanical contractors. The industry includes motor vibration analysis on stationary plant motors and programmable logic control (PLC) testing.
Operation Details:
Testing equipment such as voltmeters, anemometers, and flow heads are used to ensure heating and air conditioning systems are operating properly. Air flow in ducts and outlets, water heat and pressure, boiler pressures and other heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) components are tested.
Vibration analysis tests on stationary plant motors is used to determine the cause of a malfunction. A pick-up/amplifier unit is connected to the motor and the controls and switches on the vibration analysis equipment are set. A chart is produced and analyzed and any repairs or replacement parts required (bearings, valves, pistons, etc.) can be determined from this reading. The motors tested are often connected to power turbines, generator stations, trucks, and other heavy construction equipment.
Businesses which test programmable logic controls (PLC) in plants, machine shops, etc. do so by running computer programs. In some cases they also design/write programs. They hook up the laptop to a piece of equipment and run a type of "diagnostics" program. If they find a problem with the machine's program sequence, they can correct it by rewriting the programming sequence. If there is no problem in the PLC, they advise the plant owner who would then have to call in electricians/instrumentation specialists to repair the equipment. The only type of equipment these "testers" use is a laptop, volt meter and hand tools. They are not involved in the repair of the equipment either directly or through subcontractors. If the "testers" business involves the repair of the equipment, either directly or by subcontracting, the entire business is classified in industry 42124, Electrical Instrumental Contracting.
Businesses may use meters, gauges, handtools, ladders, and trucks and may employ technical staff, sales/estimators, and office/administrative staff.
Underwriting Considerations:
The work is exclusively testing and balancing; no repairs, servicing or installation is included in this classification. HVAC testing and motor vibration analysis may be conducted as a complementary service to a systems maintenance business operation.
Industry Custom Pricing: Waiving Cost Relief Option
This industry has chosen to participate in Industry Custom Pricing effective January 1, 2009. Costs related to the aggravation of a pre-existing condition will not be removed from the experience record of employers classified in this industry. In return, the portion of premiums collected to fund retroactive cost relief has been removed from the industry rate, resulting in a reduction in WCB premium rates for the industry.
Premium Rate History:
Activities:
Air Conditioning Systems, Testing and Balancing
Heating and Air Conditioning Systems, Balancing
Vibration Analysis, Motor
Programmable Logic Controls, Testing of
Rate Group History:
This rate group was established in 1993.
This classification is for testing services specific to heat and air systems (air flow ducts, water heat and pressure, etc.) in new or refurbished buildings, and provided in the interests of building owners, sheet metal contractors, engineering firms, and mechanical contractors. The industry includes motor vibration analysis on stationary plant motors and programmable logic control (PLC) testing.
Premium Rate History:
Activities:
Air Conditioning Systems, Testing and Balancing
Heating and Air Conditioning Systems, Balancing
Vibration Analysis, Motor
Programmable Logic Controls, Testing of
Operation Details:
Testing equipment such as voltmeters, anemometers, and flow heads are used to ensure heating and air conditioning systems are operating properly. Air flow in ducts and outlets, water heat and pressure, boiler pressures and other heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) components are tested.
Vibration analysis tests on stationary plant motors is used to determine the cause of a malfunction. A pick-up/amplifier unit is connected to the motor and the controls and switches on the vibration analysis equipment are set. A chart is produced and analyzed and any repairs or replacement parts required (bearings, valves, pistons, etc.) can be determined from this reading. The motors tested are often connected to power turbines, generator stations, trucks, and other heavy construction equipment.
Businesses which test programmable logic controls (PLC) in plants, machine shops, etc. do so by running computer programs. In some cases they also design/write programs. They hook up the laptop to a piece of equipment and run a type of "diagnostics" program. If they find a problem with the machine's program sequence, they can correct it by rewriting the programming sequence. If there is no problem in the PLC, they advise the plant owner who would then have to call in electricians/instrumentation specialists to repair the equipment. The only type of equipment these "testers" use is a laptop, volt meter and hand tools. They are not involved in the repair of the equipment either directly or through subcontractors. If the "testers" business involves the repair of the equipment, either directly or by subcontracting, the entire business is classified in industry 42124, Electrical Instrumental Contracting.
Businesses may use meters, gauges, handtools, ladders, and trucks and may employ technical staff, sales/estimators, and office/administrative staff.
Underwriting Considerations:
The work is exclusively testing and balancing; no repairs, servicing or installation is included in this classification. HVAC testing and motor vibration analysis may be conducted as a complementary service to a systems maintenance business operation.
Industry Custom Pricing: Waiving Cost Relief Option
This industry has chosen to participate in Industry Custom Pricing effective January 1, 2009. Costs related to the aggravation of a pre-existing condition will not be removed from the experience record of employers classified in this industry. In return, the portion of premiums collected to fund retroactive cost relief has been removed from the industry rate, resulting in a reduction in WCB premium rates for the industry.
Rate Group History:
This rate group was established in 1993.