GMCS Commentary: Employer association, industry
certification program for the construction community.
It’s time for the glazing community to step up its
game—or at least prove that its game is already there.
That was the general thinking in establishing the new
North American Contractor Certification for Architectural Glass and Metal
(NACC) program, which was developed through the sponsorship of the Finishing
Contractors Association (FCA International) and the administration of
Administrative Management Systems (AMS), the accredited body operating the
program.
According to its website, the voluntary program provides
“professionally administered third-party certification of [architectural glass
and metal] contractors,” with areas of focus in the program including business
practices, quality, competency and safety.
NACC began development a little over a year ago, and the
program opened for enrollment in January.
Nick Carrillo, western region vice president of FCA
International, says NACC was implemented primarily because of the desire of the
contractor community “to raise the bar” in the industry. “They want to give the
owners and end users value,” he says. “They want to be able to stand behind
work they’re doing.”
Adds John Kent, president of AMS, “There was a general
interest by the people involved early, a need to elevate the overall
performance of architectural contract glazing.” He says that while no one likes
added regulation, those involved in the program felt it was better to get ahead
of the curve with self-policing rather than waiting for an outside influence to
impose.
The program, according to its website, “is intended to
provide building owners, general contractors, specifiers, architects, and other
stakeholders, assurance that the [architectural glass and metal] fabrication
and installation processes will be performed in conformance with the
requirements laid out in the program.”
The “safety” aspect of NACC covers field and shop safety
practices, as well as a company’s health and safety programs. The “quality and
competency” aspect of certification looks at things like a company’s field and
shop quality processes and quality management system, as well as “competency of
key personnel.” Meanwhile, the “business practices” parameter focuses on a
company’s code of ethics, experience, financial standing and professional
references.
In addition to improving competency and helping level the
playing field among contractors, Kent says a key goal of the program is to
reduce the “significant” number of suit claims and re-works involving
architectural glass and metal installations.
“There are big dollars involved in re-works and suits
claims,” he says. “If we can chew away at even a small percentage of that, it
can have a significant effect.”
Companies that apply for certification undergo evaluation
of submitted documents and an on-site assessment, and they are required to
correct deficiencies before gaining certification and listing in the program.
Participating companies will have to meet annual requirements, including an
audit, to maintain certification.
Last year, a procedural guide for the program was
developed, fine-tuned and voted on by a balanced NACC governing board, which
consists of equal representation from the contractor community and the user
community—including architects, consultants, building owners, manufacturers and
suppliers.
The procedural guide was completed in mid-December. In
July, the first round of certified companies will be publicly announced.
According to Kent, the program will continue to adapt and adjust over time, but
the board thought it was important to get the process going this year. He says
there will be an annual meeting held in the fall, where any requirement changes
or additions for the following year can be discussed.
AMS is currently pursuing accreditation for the NACC
program with ANSI.
Download the NACC Procedural Guide here…
Source: U.S.
Glass News Network
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