The partnership allows for International Certification Board (ICB)-certified fire and smoke damper inspections completed by contractors who have trained and certified technicians on staff. To date, Local 293 has about 50 technicians who have earned the certification necessary to do the inspections, Tolentino said.

In Hawaii, a signed document isn’t needed to enforce the inspections. When the partnership happens organically, with educational opportunities for all involved, why push the issue, Tolentino said.

“It’s a real warm environment for us,” he added. “Without the support of Gen. President Joseph Sellers, Jr., NEMIC (National Energy Management Institute Committee) Administrator David Bernett, and committee members of NEMI (National Energy Management Institute) and NEMIC, we wouldn’t be where we are today.”

Many times, the dampers are properly installed but changes are made to them after installation that renders them inoperable. Hence the reason for inspections, says Kyong Tae Chang, owner of Preferred Mechanical, a Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA) contractor in Honolulu.

“These inspections will be good for that factor,” he said. “For a contractor like us, having certified men I can send in will take photos of that, make a report and take it back to the building owner and show what needs to be resolved.”

Once the inspection report is complete, the fire department will be presented with it when they come to do their inspections. Sharing knowledge is an avenue to keep people safe, Tolentino says. 

From the fire chief to legislators, the buy-in was unanimous. The Honolulu Fire Department, created in 1850, also has added a fire life safety section to its website.

“They know what works,” says Ann Kobayashi, Honolulu city councilwoman. “I didn’t even know any of this existed, but when he explained what he needed to be done, that this works, it was important for all of us.”

“We learn a lot as well,” Neves said. “As firefighters, we respond to all types of emergencies — from the mountains to the sea — and we can’t know everything, which is why we rely on the expertise of these folks. It’s good all the way around for everybody to work together.”

“Whatever we can do to make it safer for our firefighters and the public, we’re all in,” Lee says.

NEMIC is a not-for-profit organization jointly funded by SMACNA and SMART, the International Association of Sheet Metal Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (formerly the Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association). NEMIC identifies opportunities, seeking to create or expand employment for SMART members and programs that assist SMACNA contractors.

For more information on emerging market opportunities in the sheet metal and air conditioning industry, contact NEMIC at TABBCertified.org or call 800-458-6525.