15992.doc

07-733 07-743

SECTION 15992 - TESTING, ADJUSTING AND BALANCING

PART 1 GENERAL

1.1

SCOPE OF WORK

A.

The balancer shall thoroughly familiarize himself with the systems and equipment and building controls in the areas of the buildings affected by this project.

B.

The balancer shall measure and record data and file a report for the existing conditions of the affected spaces and their pressure relationships with all contiguous spaces. These include terminal and terminal unit airflows, total duct airflows on exhaust systems and room pressure relative to all adjacent spaces. Following installation of the new exhaust hoods, the balancer shall adjust all systems as noted on plans and record all final data for the final report.

C.

The balancer shall be responsible to establish the airflows and pressure relationships between all rooms as indicated on the plans. As part of his testing requirements, the balancer shall measure and record the static pressure differential across each door to each room in the affected project areas.

1.2

DESCRIPTION

A.

Testing, adjusting and balancing (TAB) of heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) air and water systems including domestic and non-potable hot water recirculation systems.

B.

Testing, adjusting and balancing of other systems as may be directed under PART 3: EXECUTION.

C.

Definitions:

1.

Basic TAB terms used in this Section: Chapter 34, "Testing, Adjusting and Balancing" of the 1991 "HVAC Applications" ASHRAE Handbook.

2.

TAB: Testing, Adjusting and Balancing. The process of checking and adjusting HVAC systems to meet design objectives.

3.

AABC: Associated Air Balance Council.

4.

NEBB: National Environmental Balancing Bureau.

5.

Air Systems: All supply air, return air, exhaust air and outside air systems.

6.

Water Systems: All heating and chilled water systems and any auxiliary water system such as cooling tower circulation loops as may be described under PART 3 of this Section.

1.3

QUALITY ASSURANCE

A.

Qualifications of the TAB contractor.

1.

The TAB firm shall be a current certified member of the NEBB or AABC. Proof of current membership and certified status shall be submitted as credentials as required below.

2.

All air and water systems balancing shall be performed by the same TAB firm.

3.

The Contractor shall submit the name and credentials of the TAB firm for review and approval within 30 days after signing the construction contract.

a.

The TAB firm shall provide qualifications of the firm and of both the individual who is to do the test and balance. Provide proof of completed balancing work on at least five projects of similar size and scope, along with a list of references which may verify qualifications.

b.

Final approval of the TAB firm will be at the Engineer's discretion, based on the information submitted.

1.4

SUBMITTALS

A.

Submit the TAB firm's credentials for approval not less than 30 days after the construction contract is signed.

B.

After completion of all tests, submit a complete TAB report for approval. Where test results differ from specified design conditions, indicating a system deficiency, include explanatory comments in the report. The Contractor shall submit the final TAB report prior to requesting final inspection for the project. The format of the report shall be as described in PART 3 of this Section.

PART 2 TEST APPARATUS

A.

Instrumentation used for TAB procedures shall be professional quality and shall meet the requirements for type, range, accuracy and last calibration date as listed in the NEBB handbook entitled "Procedural Standards for Testing, Adjusting and Balancing of Environmental Systems," 1991 edition.

B.

A list of all instrumentation used for TAB procedures shall accompany the final report. The list shall include the instrument make, model, use and date of last calibration. A copy of the current certification certificate for each instrument used shall also be included in the submittal.

PART 3 EXECUTION

3.1

GENERAL

A.

The balancing contractor shall record complete data for each area prior to the start of any work and shall submit the data for owner review. The contractor shall measure and record the airflow to the two biological safety cabinets in room A305 and insure that these airflows have been unaffected by the system balancing at project completion. The final report shall also include all data for the initial conditions. Following installation of the new exhaust hoods, the balancer shall adjust system airflows to achieve the delivery and exhaust volumes and the pressure relationships as noted on the plans. The final test and balance report shall contain all information. The final balance data shall also be annotated on the “as-built” drawings.

B.

The balancing contractor shall coordinate TAB procedures with any phased construction requirements for the project so that increments of finished work may be accepted for beneficial occupancy.

C.

The TAB firm shall review the systems during construction and instruct the Contractor on any modifications or system appurtenances which may need to be included in the system in order to achieve final balance.

D.

Allow sufficient time in the construction schedule for TAB procedures to be carried out prior to final inspection for the project.

E.

Conduct TAB procedures only after each system has been completed and is in full working order. Put all HVAC systems into full operation and continue operation of the systems during each working day TAB procedures are being conducted.

3.2

TEST AND BALANCE

A.

General Requirements

1.

Adjust balance dampers and terminal units as necessary to achieve design air flow while maintaining the proper relative pressure orientation to each adjacent space.

2.

Verify that the existing operating conditions of the adjacent spaces have been maintained.

3.3

REPORT

A.

The Contractor shall submit a report listing the airflow for all supply and return air registers, diffusers, hoods, supply and exhaust constant volume air terminals, etc., and shall certify to their correctness. The report shall include drawings which depict the diffusers, registers, etc., to identify locations and diagrams of air handling systems to show arrangement of components and test point. The project plan sheet shall be used for recording both initial and final test and balance data.

B.

All information shall be bound into a single report beginning with a title sheet indicating the project title and location, the date(s) the TAB procedures were carried out and the firm name and signature of the individual responsible for the work.

C.

Data shall be submitted on forms printed by the balancing authority (AABC or NEBB) which certifies the TAB firm. All applicable data shall be filled in for each piece of equipment. Equipment shall be identified with the same abbreviations found on the drawings (e.g. EF-1, SD-2, etc.).

END OF SECTION 15992

RML AUTOCLAVE REPLACEMENT • NIH-NIAID RML • HAMILTON, MT

TESTING, ADJUSTING AND BALANCING 15992-1