A positive step for Canada’s hydronics industry

Agreement on the knowledge standards that certified hydronic designers and installers need to master has been established by the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating (CIPH), La Corporation des Maîtres Mécaniciens en Tuyauterie du Québec (CMMTQ), the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) and the Thermal Environmental Comfort Association (TECA). The collaboration began in November 2013 when the organizations met to begin a coordinated review of their respective hydronics training programs with the goal of creating a national learning standard for hydronics certification. It is now moving to the next stage of engaging additional industry participants.

Moving forward, all partner organizations will seek to train or support training to the agreed upon learning standards, culminating in a certification exam that will be administered by the Canadian Hydronics Council (CHC) in partnership with the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT). Respective collaboration partners will not require that their members attain their course learning through NAIT, but course offerings will be expected to align with those learning standards so that their members are well prepared to challenge and pass the certification exam. 

“Working together makes sense for the entire hydronics industry. All of us want our members to continually strive to improve their qualifications and this collaboration amongst CMMTQ, CIPH, HRAI and TECA, will help guide them to a common recognized standard” said Marc Gendron, chairman, HRAI. 

Also, as part of this collaboration, an advisory body will ensure that the learning outcomes for certification meet the needs of industry. This body will consist of a couple of representatives from each organization with a commitment to complete a formal review on an as needed basis with a minimum of once per three year cycle. 

Though installation rules and standards often differ jurisdictionally, industry agreement on the educational competency requirements for hydronic designers and installers provides clarity to consumers, regulators and inspectors.

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