TEST AND BALANCE
Why TAB?
Most artificial comfort systems in building are created by careful consideration to the use of the building and the environmental conditions in which the building is to be maintained. For many years, engineers specialized in air conditioning and climate design have studied and standardized on the optimal conditions for different occupancies and uses of spaces. This design begins with the intent to build a system with certain characteristics and workmanship to accomplish the goal of the artificial environment. Mechanical engineers are typically tasked with the design and selection of equipment and the energy delivery mechanisms that are to be constructed by the construction team. One of the ways in which these coordinated efforts are effectively organized is by creating construction documents as a blueprint of the work and materials that need to be procured in order to achieve the design goals. These documents are typically called Plans and Specifications (Plans and Specs).
Once a system has been constructed there is a final step in ensuring that the energy is transported within the artificial space to the proper location and that equipment is allowed to do what it was intended to do. But shouldn't the equipment and the duct just work ? Most of the time the answer is no. When engineers design these systems they are not able to take into account every single detail of how the ductwork and how the units are installed ( after all they are not the ones that are going to build it ). Any deviation although slight may cause an unbalanced system. Also, engineers design to a certain range of parameters which can change during the life of a building, for example the amount of air needed in a room may change based on adding additional computers or printers. It may also be that the insulation on the walls is not as intended and now more air is needed to cool the room. In short engineers typically must over-design to overcome unforeseen difficulties in the field.
Testing and Balancing of an HVAC system is the one of the final steps of fine tuning to ensure that designed system and the workmanship put forth by the contractors has been achieved. HVAC testing and balancing is typically a fraction of the total cost of the system and more so of the operational cost of a system. Would you buy a car not have it tested and adjusted at the factory? In many ways, the construction process is like building a custom car in the field as there are many hands involved
Some of The Goals Of T&B
1. Maximize Comfort
A properly balanced HVAC system means that the building occupants are more likely to be comfortable and able to perform better in the facility.
When the building occupants are comfortable, there is less of a likelihood that they will need to constantly adjust the thermostats or complain that one room is hot while the others are cold. This saves on overall energy costs as well as managing costs. Increased productivity is something that an owner may think about when creating an environment to foster growth to their business.
2. Ventilation
In commercial buildings, testing and balancing ensures that the proper amount of ventilation air enters the space. Too much fresh air may result in other adverse conditions to the artificial environment, such as humidity and mold growth. Too little fresh air may result in high levels of carbon dioxide and spread of diseases within the space.
3. Disease Control
In hospitals, testing and balancing ensures that contaminated air is kept where it needs to be and clean fresh air is delivered to the proper locations. Pressure differentials between rooms are typically one of the main goals of testing and balancing.
4. Manufacturing Processes
For certain manufacturing processes the environmental conditions must be kept within certain parameters in order to keep production at its highest.
5. Existing Office Buildings:
Existing facilities can benefit from periodic rebalancing, especially if they have had changes in internal loads or space configurations.
6. Compliance With Building Codes
The importance of test and balance has been recognized and incorporated into most building codes in the United States. In Florida, building code requires that most new systems over 5000 sq. feet should be balanced by a certified balancing firm.
Most artificial comfort systems in building are created by careful consideration to the use of the building and the environmental conditions in which the building is to be maintained. For many years, engineers specialized in air conditioning and climate design have studied and standardized on the optimal conditions for different occupancies and uses of spaces. This design begins with the intent to build a system with certain characteristics and workmanship to accomplish the goal of the artificial environment. Mechanical engineers are typically tasked with the design and selection of equipment and the energy delivery mechanisms that are to be constructed by the construction team. One of the ways in which these coordinated efforts are effectively organized is by creating construction documents as a blueprint of the work and materials that need to be procured in order to achieve the design goals. These documents are typically called Plans and Specifications (Plans and Specs).
Once a system has been constructed there is a final step in ensuring that the energy is transported within the artificial space to the proper location and that equipment is allowed to do what it was intended to do. But shouldn't the equipment and the duct just work ? Most of the time the answer is no. When engineers design these systems they are not able to take into account every single detail of how the ductwork and how the units are installed ( after all they are not the ones that are going to build it ). Any deviation although slight may cause an unbalanced system. Also, engineers design to a certain range of parameters which can change during the life of a building, for example the amount of air needed in a room may change based on adding additional computers or printers. It may also be that the insulation on the walls is not as intended and now more air is needed to cool the room. In short engineers typically must over-design to overcome unforeseen difficulties in the field.
Testing and Balancing of an HVAC system is the one of the final steps of fine tuning to ensure that designed system and the workmanship put forth by the contractors has been achieved. HVAC testing and balancing is typically a fraction of the total cost of the system and more so of the operational cost of a system. Would you buy a car not have it tested and adjusted at the factory? In many ways, the construction process is like building a custom car in the field as there are many hands involved
Some of The Goals Of T&B
1. Maximize Comfort
A properly balanced HVAC system means that the building occupants are more likely to be comfortable and able to perform better in the facility.
When the building occupants are comfortable, there is less of a likelihood that they will need to constantly adjust the thermostats or complain that one room is hot while the others are cold. This saves on overall energy costs as well as managing costs. Increased productivity is something that an owner may think about when creating an environment to foster growth to their business.
2. Ventilation
In commercial buildings, testing and balancing ensures that the proper amount of ventilation air enters the space. Too much fresh air may result in other adverse conditions to the artificial environment, such as humidity and mold growth. Too little fresh air may result in high levels of carbon dioxide and spread of diseases within the space.
3. Disease Control
In hospitals, testing and balancing ensures that contaminated air is kept where it needs to be and clean fresh air is delivered to the proper locations. Pressure differentials between rooms are typically one of the main goals of testing and balancing.
4. Manufacturing Processes
For certain manufacturing processes the environmental conditions must be kept within certain parameters in order to keep production at its highest.
5. Existing Office Buildings:
Existing facilities can benefit from periodic rebalancing, especially if they have had changes in internal loads or space configurations.
6. Compliance With Building Codes
The importance of test and balance has been recognized and incorporated into most building codes in the United States. In Florida, building code requires that most new systems over 5000 sq. feet should be balanced by a certified balancing firm.