Mechanical Acceptance Testing MATT/MATE Requirements Begin on October 1, 2021

by | Sep 22, 2021 | Politics and Industry News

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Title 24 – Mechanical Acceptance Testing Requirement Update

On April 14, 2021, the CA Energy Commission (CEC) approved the new requirement to only use certified MATTs working for certified MATE contractors to perform all mechanical acceptance testing in the State of California.  Importantly, the CEC delayed implementation of these new requirements until October 1st, 2021 to allow contractors and AHJs time to adapt.

Program begins on October 1st, 2021.  Beginning next Friday, October 1st the CEC is encouraging all local building inspectors and Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) to enforce these rules per their June 28, 2021 Public Notice. 

What does the CEC’s June 28th Public Notice say?

Public Notice on 6/28 – California Energy Commission (CEC) expects authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ) to enforce the mechanical systems ATT requirements to all nonresidential permit applications submitted on or after October 1, 2021.

While we expect most inspectors to follow the CEC guidance on enforcement, all SMACNA contractors should be aware that the MATT/MATE requirement could – under an obscure legal theory — be considered effective on April 14, 2021 for all projects regardless of permit date. This means some AHJs may decide to enforce these rules on projects in their area after April 14th.  In this case we urge all contractors to educate themselves about the language in CEC’s guidance so they can in-turn help educate the AHJs in their area as necessary.  Contractors should also have contingency plans in the event the AHJ decides to stubbornly disregard the CEC guidance.

Mechanical Acceptance Form Database Requirement Update

Since 2005, technicians have been completing the forms, using various methods, and without a specific platform.  As of October 1st, 2021, any project requiring a MATT, will need to be completed on an approved database as provided by the ATTCP they are certified under.

MechCheck is the approved database of NEMIC (jointly funded by SMACNA and SMART)

There is NO fee to submit forms using the MechCheck database:

  • $0 per form
  • $0 per user

However, the contractor will eventually be charged for the “at cost” price of the required audits on 1% of projects completed. This will work out to approximately $18.50 per project. However, NEMIC will only count jobs, permitted on or after October 1, 2021, towards the 1% audit calculation.  Meaning most of your projects for the next year can be completed on MechCheck without accruing any audit cost liability.

Contractors are encouraged to start completing the forms on MechCheck now so they can improve their crew’s knowledge and efficiency in the process.

IMPORTANT — MechCheck Updates and Related Resources

While your company can have multiple NEMIC Mechanical Acceptance Test Employers (MATE), one primary MATE must register the company on MechCheck.

How to Register on MechCheck:

  1. Click on MechCheck.org
  2. Click on Register and complete the form.
    1. You can look up your ATE (MATE) certification number through your org login or at attcp.org
  3. Click the Register button at the bottom of the page.
  4. Confirmation of your registration and approval will be sent by email.

MATT Eligibility Flowchart: https://www.dropbox.com/s/4w0hn2qklubk0px/MATT%20Eligibility%20Flowchart_V4_190926.pdf?dl=1

NEMIC MATT L1 & L2 Clarification: https://www.dropbox.com/s/7ucicyjdftyfcte/NEMIC%20MATT%20Tests%20List_2019_210405.pdf?dl=1

MATE Certification Process

  1. Go to org and complete an application for the Mechanical Acceptance Test Employer
  2. Once application approved you will receive access to the online self-paced MATE Course
  3. Once you complete the course you will receive access to the online MATE examination.

NEMIC ATTCP Website: https://www.attcp.org/

NEMI Inspector & Design Professional Online Training (You are welcome to use for internal training or provide to clients/inspectors)

  1. Click on https://training.nemionline.org/login/
  2. Create or enter your username and password for the NEMI Learning Management System
  3. Enter the course code wk2jdi
  4. Click “ENROLL”

NEMI MechCheck Online Training (MechCheck specific training with short films of procedures) (Contains multiple resources including 2016 & 2019 MATE Resource Guide)

  1. Click on https://training.nemionline.org/login/
  2. Create or enter your username and password for the NEMI Learning Management System
  3. Enter the course code 6ttiuz
  4. Click “ENROLL

CEC Website: https://www.energy.ca.gov/