Air Duct Cleaners of Virginia

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TRAINING & CERTIFICATION

All technicians employed by Air Duct Cleaners of Virginia are tested on their practical knowledge of HVAC systems prior to consideration for employment. Service technicians are continually trained and tested in-house to ensure they maintain a high level of awareness of the latest tools and technology associated with IAQ cleaning. All crew supervisors are required to take and pass the National Air Duct Cleaners Association NADCA ASCS certification exam.

Quality Through Knowledge

NADCA began a program to certify professionals in the air duct cleaning industry in November of 1995. Since then, more than 500 contractors have passed the NADCA exam and have been certified as "Air System Cleaning Specialists"(ASCS). Certification can be obtained by passing the NADCA certification examination.

The NADCA examination focuses on the ability to apply knowledge such as industry codes, ethical principles, and basic principles with public health implications Evaluating HVAC system cleanliness problems, determining corrective measures, providing proper recommendations, performing cleaning services, and detecting unsafe conditions are heavily emphasized. These are the skills that underlie the public health importance of HVAC system cleaning, as well as its typical work and professionalism of Air Duct Cleaners of Virginia.

Description of Examination
NADCA administers a multiple-choice, written examination. This examination measures the knowledge required for safe and effective HVAC system cleaning for both residential and commercial settings.

The Pass-Fail Score
The pass-fail cutoff score is based on the difficulty of the questions that comprise the test.

Recommended Reading

Questions on the NADCA examination test a candidate's knowledge of the procedures and information required for safe and effective HVAC System cleaning. Recommended reading begins with the following documents:

Introduction to HVAC System Cleaning Services
NADCA Standard 01-1992, Mechanical Cleaning of Non-Porous Air Conveyance System Components
NADCA Standard 05-1997, Requirements for the Installation of Service Openings in HVAC Systems
Understanding Microbial Contamination in HVAC Systems
Hand & Power Tools (OSHA PUB. #3080)
Confined Space Entry (OSHA PUB. #3138)
Control of Hazardous Energy (OSHA PUB. # 3120)
Hazardous Communication (OSHA PUB. # 19101200)
Safety Standard for Stairways and Ladders used in the Construction Industry (OSHA PUB. #3124)
Fall Protection (OSHA PUB. # 3146)
Respiratory Protection (OSHA PUB. #3079)
Controlling Electrical Hazards (OSHA PUB. #3075)
Personal Protective Equipment (OSHA PUB. # 3077)
ASHRAE Standard 52.1: Gravimetric and Dust Spot Procedures for Testing Air Cleaning Devices
ASHRAE Standard 62: Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology
Residential Duct Systems - Manual D by Air Conditioning Contractors of America.
Cleaning Fibrous Glass Insulated Air Duct Systems - Recommended Practice
The Inside Story, a Guide to Indoor Air Quality
Building Air Quality - A Guide for Building Owners and Managers

Examination Content
The examination includes questions from a variety of subject areas pertaining to HVAC system cleaning and related indoor environmental issues. These subject areas are divided into four principle "domains." Within each domain, there are several sub-categories. Listed below are each of the four domains. The percentage of examination questions drawn from each domain appears to the right of each domain.

Domain	Percentage of Questions
A. Assessing Problems	13% to 17%
B. Assessing Mechanical Systems	22% to 28%
C. Protecting the Health and Safety of Employees, Building Occupants, and the Indoor Environment	22% to 28%
D. Performing the cleaning	31% to 39%

809 Live Oak Drive, Suite 30 Chesapeake, Virginia 23320-2600
Ph: 757-366-5237 | E-mail: [email protected]