By Jeff Dalaba, North American Contractor Certification (NACC) program
In recent years, U.S. construction insurance rates have spiked, with water infiltration and losses related to water damage as top risks. A survey of over 340 industry professionals cited most defects and failures were caused by glazing subcontractor and/or installer insufficiencies.
What if there were a way to ensure better building envelopes with less chance of leaks and fewer headaches for owners, facility managers, and construction managers? The North American Contractor Certification (NACC) and Architectural Glass and Metal Technician (AGMT) certification programs work in tandem to directly address primary building envelope risk factors, giving peace of mind to owners and the entire design, construction, and facility team that projects will be completed safely, efficiently, and with the highest quality commitment.
What is the NACC Program?
NACC is North America’s only credential for glazing contractors, recognizing those who consistently demonstrated quality and safety excellence. NACC is an ANSI-accredited third-party credential for companies having completed a significant and time-intensive evaluation that establishes a baseline for competency, business practices, and adherence to industry-accepted guidelines. By assessing all aspects of a glazing contractor’s business, the well-rounded certification process benchmarks the means and methods that drive high performance and high quality in the industry. The International Risk Management Institute, Inc. (IRMI) awarded NACC its Horizon Award for commitment to improving construction risk management.
What is the AGMT Program?
AGMT is North America’s only credential for individual glaziers. It is a personnel certification featuring a third-party, independent assessment of a glazier’s knowledge, skills, and abilities via written and hands-on testing. AGMT demonstrates that a glazier can perform work in a manner that will minimize defects and failures and conform to customer requirements, driving a stronger workforce and better worker development requirements. AGMT reduces subjective personnel criteria, provides a consistent competency benchmark for glaziers, and offers peace of mind to all project stakeholders.
Why choose certified glazing installers for your project team?
Professional installation of glass and glazing systems is crucial for today’s building performance needs. Every stakeholder benefits from competency. NACC offers a qualitative means for an owner or general contractor to reduce the risk associated with selecting a glazing subcontractor. AGMT offers proof that the glazing workforce is qualified and skilled to perform the work. Certifications mean improved job site and public safety, minimized subcontractor defaults, fewer construction claims, and better building envelopes. The NACC and AGMT programs are open to union and non-union members, reshaping quality across the industry.
Rhode Island becomes first state to mandate NACC and AGMT.
In June, Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee signed a bill requiring certain public works projects to be completed by glazing contractors certified by the NACC program. The companies must also employ at least one glazier certified under the AGMT program. The law takes effect in 2024. Both programs have grown rapidly since the initiative began in 2015, with certified contractors now in 22 states and Canada (including every Mid-Atlantic state), and over 1,500 certified glaziers. It is likely that other states will soon follow Rhode Island’s lead.
Specify, enforce, and achieve with NACC and AGMT.
When you specify NACC and AGMT credentials for your projects or enforce the specifications by hiring NACC and AGMT glazing installers, you can support better project outcomes and better buildings. Learn more at naccprogram.com and agmtprogram.com.
Jeff Dalaba is director of Program Development for both the NACC and AGMT programs with AMS, Inc. A Navy veteran, Jeff has served in executive management roles for 25+ years.