The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) and SoCalGas, a Sempra Energy utility, are proud to announce that the newly redesigned Natural Gas Foodservice Equipment Installer Training and Certification program will be offered again after a two-year postponement due to the pandemic.

The training program, which was initially three days long, has been expanded to four days and is designed to provide additional hands-on activities as well as the training and expertise necessary for installers of commercial kitchen equipment in food-service facilities to install this equipment safely, efficiently and in accordance with the manufacturers' intended use and installation instructions.

Training will be done with actual appliances and equipment, providing attendees with an up-close and personal training experience that will be both interesting and interactive. Also discussed during the program will be the relevant provisions from the codes and standards that impact these installations, basic kitchen design and layout, installation and equipment safety, natural gas piping and gas distribution, boilers and water heaters, important plumbing concepts, equipment utilizing computerized technology, and the California Energy Wise rebates and website.

"IAPMO is a world-renowned organization that is not only the authority on plumbing and mechanical codes, but also has expert educators in maintaining manufacturer equipment specifications," said Will Morris, senior program advisor at the Food Service Equipment Center. "The position of the Natural Gas Commercial Foodservice Equipment Installer Certification is in high demand and is a must for food-service restaurants, installers, technicians, facilities groups and channel partners looking to learn."

The program will conclude with the certification exam. Attendees who pass the exam will be credentialed as Certified Natural Gas Foodservice Equipment Installers.

"IAPMO is very excited to continue our partnership with SoCalGas by relaunching this program after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic," said Tony Marcello, senior vice president of Training and Credential Services at IAPMO. "However, we didn't sit idly by during this time. IAPMO and SoCalGas worked diligently on improving the program to provide an even better fit for what the industry needs."

Roger Fuller, retired chief building official for Sacramento County, California, brings 40 years of industry experience and 18 unique inspector certifications to his instruction of the program, which will be presented at SoCalGas' Energy Resource Center in Downey, California.

"Holding these classes at SoCalGas' Downey location provides a unique opportunity to provide detailed training using actual equipment and appliances that are commonly found in food-service facilities, making this program very dynamic and highly interactive," Marcello said. "This is another great benefit of working closely with SoCalGas on this initiative."

The newly revised program will debut March 21-24. For more information or to register, visit https://bit.ly/34OVtMb.