CAL SMACNA, National SMACNA & National Energy Management Institute Seminars
New HVAC Related Building Codes for 2026
What Do You Need To Know?
California’s 2025 Title 24 Building Codes became effective on January 1, 2026. Significant updates to these codes have been implemented to promote cleaner, healthier, and more energy-efficient buildings. In addition to Title 24, there are many other code and standards updates for the HVAC industry happening in 2026.
In partnership with the National Energy Management Institute (NEMI) and National SMACNA, CAL SMACNA is offering a series of in-person seminars focused on new code and standards changes that impact sheet metal and HVAC contractors in California. These presentations will cover 2026 updates in the following code areas:
- CA Energy Code – Title 24 Changes for 2026 Mechanical Systems and Design
- Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC) – 2026 Updates to Duct Leakage Testing Requirements, SMACNA’s System Air Leakage Testing (SALT) Manual, and SMACNA’s TAB Manual
- Fire Codes – Updates to NFPA 80, 90, 105 and 204 for Fire and Smoke Damper Inspections
- Acceptance Testing Program – NEW Updates on the ATTCP Program
- IAQ – ASHRAE’s latest and state legislation etc.
- Updates on SMACNA Standards – SMACNA will go over all recent releases, new editions and revisions for SMACNA Standards and Manuals coming in 2026-27
These 3-hour in-person seminars are intended to help contractors understand how these changes affect day-to-day project delivery, testing and documentation requirements, and the role of ICB certifications in maintaining compliance. Both breakfast and lunch will be served.
This valuable seminar is free of charge to ALL CAL SMACNA members!
When and Where?
We will be hosting two Northern California and one Southern California seminar.
Seminar: 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Wednesday, February 25, 2026 - Fairfield JATC
Thursday, February 26, 2026 - San Jose JATC
Friday, March 6, 2026 - Southern California JATC
A future online webinar presenting this information will also be made available to those who cannot physically attend these sessions. *That being said, please note this will be a lengthy presentation and in-person attendance is encouraged to maximize the benefits of two-way participation and getting all your questions answered.
These seminars will be by Steven Winstead, Western Region Representative NEMI with participation from Eli Howard, Executive Director of Technical Services SMACNA, and Geoff Parks, Senior Project Manager, Technical Services SMACNA.
Steven Winstead is the Western Region Representative for the National Energy Management Institute (NEMI), where he works with mechanical contractors, testing agencies, and code officials on TAB, commissioning, and energy code compliance.
Prior to joining NEMI, Steven spent more than a decade in the sheet metal and HVAC industry, with hands-on experience in Building Automation, TAB, Commissioning, and Mechanical Acceptance Testing. His background includes field execution, system programming, and project management for complex commercial and industrial HVAC systems.
Steven has implemented advanced HVAC control strategies, supported California Title 24 compliance efforts, and delivered technical training and industry presentations for contractors, technicians, and engineers: connecting code requirements to practical field execution and reducing project risk.
At NEMI, Steven advances workforce development, certification programs, and policy initiatives impacting the mechanical industry, including technician qualifications, and evolving energy code provisions across Western states.
Eli P. Howard, III, is the Executive Director of Technical Services for SMACNA. Mr. Howard has been with SMACNA for over 25 years and is responsible for all SMACNA Technical Standards, Manuals, and Guidelines for the HVAC, industrial, residential and architectural sheet metal industry.
In his role, Eli has additional responsibilities as both a voting member and liaison to other national standards developers in the industry, such as the International Code Council (ICC), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), International Association of Plumbing & Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), United States Green Building Council (USGBC), Building Services and Engineering Association (BESA-UK) and Australian Mechanical Contractors Association (AMCA).
Howard’s prior experience includes both mechanical design with the worlds largest hotel corporation and project management with full service mechanical contractors.
Geoff Parks
Geoff Parks is a Senior Project Manager in the SMACNA Technical Resources department with over 30 years of experience in the sheet metal industry. His background includes completing a union sheet metal apprenticeship program and working in shop fabrication, CAD/BIM, estimating, project management, and senior leadership at a major East Coast sheet metal company.
Please mark your calendars and if you have any questions please email Emily Mills at emily@cal-smacna.org.
