HVAC - Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing (TAB) Guideline

Specifications
Division 230593

PART 1 – GENERAL
1.01 RELATED DOCUMENTS
A. All Division 23 specification sections, drawings, and general provisions of the
contract apply to work of this section, as do other documents referred to in this
section.
1.02 SCOPE OF WORK
A. The Division of Engineering and Contract Administration will directly contract with a
certified testing, adjusting, and balancing contractor (“TAB Agency”) to test, adjust,
and balance the HVAC systems.
B. This specification section is included herein to assist and inform the Contractor of the
standards, requirements and scope of the work to be performed by the
Commonwealth’s TAB Agency.
1.03 PREPARATION AND COORDINATION REQUIREMENTS – GENERAL
A. Shop drawings, submittal data, up-to-date revisions, change orders, and other data
required for planning, preparation, and execution of the TAB work shall be provided
to the TAB Agency no later than 30 days prior to the start of TAB work.
B. System installation and equipment startup shall be complete prior to the TAB
Agency’s being notified to begin.
C. The building control system shall be complete and operational. The Building Control
system (sub)contractor shall install all necessary computers and computer programs,
and make these operational. Assistance shall be provided as required for
reprogramming, coordination, and problem resolution.
D. All test points, balancing devices, identification tags, etc. shall be accessible and
clear of insulation and other obstructions that would impede TAB procedures.
E. Qualified installation or startup personnel shall be readily available for the operation
and adjustment of the systems. Assistance shall be provided as required for
coordination and problem resolution.
1.04 PREPARATION AND COORDINATION REQUIREMENTS – HVAC CONTROLS
A. Written notice shall be submitted through the General Contractor to the Architect-
Engineer stating that the Control System is operating and controlling the HVAC
System. This letter is to be provided to the DECA Project Manager and the TAB
Agency prior to any balancing.
B. The Contractor/Control (sub)contractor shall have entered all data needed for the
TAB Agency to begin work.
C. The Contractor/Control (sub)contractor shall be available to correct any problems
that the TAB Agency may encounter with the systems.
D. All costs for additional work by the TAB Agency due to the Contractor’s failure to
comply with the above shall be paid by the Contractor and any subcontractor(s) for
HVAC controls.
1.05 PREPARATION AND COORDINATION REQUIREMENTS – MECHANICAL

230593 – HVAC - Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing (TAB) Guideline Specifications– August 28, 2014 1
 E. Written notice shall be submitted through the General Contractor to the Architect
stating that the HVAC system is operational and ready for the TAB Agency. This
letter is to be provided to the DECA Project Manager and the TAB Agency prior to
any balancing.
A. The Contractor/Mechanical subcontractor shall have proved all units operational and
all air outlets in the full open position.
B. The Contractor/Mechanical subcontractor shall be available to correct any problems
that the TAB Agency might have with any equipment or systems.
C. The Contractor/Mechanical subcontractor shall furnish and install any replacement
sheaves, pulleys and drive belts required for flow adjustments, as determined by the
TAB Agency. Adjustable sheaves shall be selected so that the final adjustment
position is in the middle third of the total adjustment range.
D. All costs for additional work by the TAB Agency due to the Contractor’s failure to
comply with the above shall be paid by the Contractor and any subcontractor(s) for
mechanical work.
1.06 PREPARATION AND COORDINATION REQUIREMENTS – DUCTWORK
A. Ductwork air leakage testing shall be performed by the TAB Agency.
B. The ductwork/sheetmetal subcontractor shall promptly correct any related problems
discovered by the leakage tests.
C. All costs associated with retesting and/or delays or other problems which impede the
TAB Agency from performing such testing shall be paid by the contractor and any
subcontractor(s) for ductwork.
1.07 WORK BY TAB AGENCY
A. The work included in the remainder of this section consists of furnishing labor,
instruments, and tools required in testing, adjusting and balancing the HVAC
systems, as described in these specifications or shown on accompanying drawings.
Services shall include checking equipment performance, taking the specified
measurements, and recording and reporting the results. This work shall be
performed by the TAB Agency under direct contract to the owner. The remainder
herein is also for the information of the Contractor and all subcontractors.
B. The items requiring testing, adjusting, and balancing include the following:
[Consultant to edit list as required]
AIR SYSTEMS:
Supply Fan AHU
Return Fans
Relief Fans
Exhaust Fans
Zone branch and main ducts
Diffusers, Registers and Grilles
Coils (Air Temperatures)
HYDRONIC SYSTEMS:
Pumps
System Mains and Branches
Chillers
Cooling Towers
Boilers
Coils
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1.08 QUALIFICATIONS
A. Agency qualifications: The TAB Agency shall be a current member of a nationally
recognized balance organization (“National Organization”). This Organization shall
provide the owner with National Guarantee document certifying the work of the TAB
Agency. Acceptable organizations are Associated Air Balance Council (AABC) or
National Environmental Balancing Bureau (NEBB).
1. The selected TAB Agency must provide proof of certification for the total
project (air, water, sound, vibration, etc.).
2. The selected TAB Agency shall be provided access to computers, cables or
any software needed to operate the building control system during the
balancing phase.
A. All work shall be in accordance with the latest edition of the National Standards, as
published by the National Organization affiliated with the TAB Agency.
1.09 SUBMITTALS
A. Qualifications: The TAB Agency shall submit a company resume listing personnel
and project experience in air and hydronic system balancing and a copy of the
agency’s test and balance engineer (TBE) certificate. Certification in noise, vibration,
and air quality shall be submitted as the job requires. At minimum, the balance
technician shall possess their technician certification.
B. Procedures and agenda: The TAB Agency shall submit the TAB procedures and
agenda proposed to be used.
1.10 REPORTS
A. Final TAB Report – The TAB Agency shall submit the final TAB report for review by
the engineer. All equipment including but not limited to fans, outlets, traverses, static
pressure profiles, pumps, coils, etc. shall be identified in the report. The report must
also include, at minimum, electronic drawings that correspond to all test points for
additional report clarification. The TAB Agency shall submit an “National Project
Performance Guaranty” assuring that the project systems were tested, adjusted and
balanced in accordance with the project specifications and National Standards.
Submit three (3) electronic copies of the Final TAB Report to the Architect-Engineer,
and (1) electronic copy to the Project Manager from the Division of Engineering and
Contract Administration. A maximum of three (3) additional hard copies shall be
submitted on request.
Payments for the TAB work shall be contingent upon the proper submittal and
approval of the TAB reports.
1.11 DEFICIENCIES
A. Any deficiencies in the installation or performance of a system or component
observed by the TAB Agency shall be brought to the attention of the appropriate
responsible person. Also notify the mechanical project representative from the
Division of Engineering and Contract Administration.
B. The work necessary to correct items on the deficiency listing shall be performed and
verified by the affected contractor before the TAB Agency returns to retest.
Unresolved deficiencies shall be noted in the final report.

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PART 2 – INSTRUMENTATION
A. All instruments used for measurements shall be accurate and calibrated. Calibration
and maintenance of all instruments shall be in accordance with the requirements of
the National Standards.

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PART 3 – EXECUTION
3.01 GENERAL
A. The specific systems shall be reviewed and inspected for conformance to design
documents. Testing, adjusting and balancing on each identified system shall be
performed. The accuracy of measurements shall be in accordance with national
Standards. Adjustment tolerances shall be + or – 10% unless otherwise stated.
B. Equipment settings, including manual damper quadrant positions, manual valve
indicators, fan speed control levers, and similar controls and devices shall be marked
to show final settings.
C. All information necessary to complete a proper TAB project and report shall be per
National Organization’s standards unless otherwise noted. The descriptions for work
required, as listed in this section, are guides to the minimum information needed.
3.02 AIR SYSTEMS
A. The TAB Agency shall verify that all ductwork, dampers, grilles, registers, and
diffusers have been installed per design and set in the full open position. The TAB
Agency shall perform the following TAB procedures in accordance with the National
Standards:
For supply fans:
1. Fan speeds – Test and adjust fan RPM to achieve maximum or design CFM.
Confirm proper rotation direction.
2. Current and Voltage – Test and record motor voltage and amperage, and
compare data with the nameplate limits to ensure fan motor is not in or above
the service factor.
3. Pitot-Tube Traverse – Perform a Pitot-tube traverse of main supply and return
ducts, as applicable to obtain total CFM.
4. Outside Air – Test and adjust the outside air on applicable equipment using a
Pitot-tube traverse. If a traverse is not practical use the mixed-air
temperature method if the inside and outside temperature difference is at
least 20 degrees Fahrenheit or use the difference between Pitot-tube
traverses of the supply and return air ducts.
5. Static Pressure – Test and record system static profile of each supply fan.
For return fans:
1. Fan speeds – test and adjust fan RPM to achieve maximum or design CFM.
Confirm proper rotation direction.
2. Current and Voltage – Test and record motor voltage and amperage, and
compare data with the nameplate limits to ensure fan motor is not in or above
the service factor.
3. Pitot-Tube Traverse – Perform a Pitot-tube traverse of the main return ducts
to obtain total CFM.
4. Static Pressure – Test and record system static profile of each return fan.
For relief fans:
1. Fan speeds – Test and adjust fan RPM to achieve maximum or design CFM.
Confirm proper rotation direction.

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 2. Current and Voltage – Test and record motor voltage and amperage, and
compare data with the nameplate limits to ensure fan motor is not in or above
the service factor.
3. Static Pressure – Test and record system static profile of each relief fan.
4. Pitot Tube Traverse – If possible, per system ductwork, perform a traverse to
determine Relief Air CFM.
For exhaust fans:
1. Fan speeds – Test and adjust fan RPM to achieve maximum and design
CFM. Confirm proper rotation direction.
2. Current and Voltage – Test and record motor voltage and amperage, and
compare data with the nameplate limits to ensure motor is not in or above the
service factor.
3. Pitot-tube Traverse – Perform a Pitot-tube traverse of main exhaust ducts to
obtain total CFM.
For zone, branch and main ducts:
1. Adjust ducts to within design CFM requirements. As applicable, at least one
zone balancing damper shall be completely open. Multi-diffuser branch ducts
shall have at least one outlet or inlet volume damper completely open.
For diffusers, registers and grilles:
1. Tolerances – Test, adjust, and balance each diffuser, grille, and register to
within 10% of design requirements. Minimize drafts.
2. Identification – Identify the type, location, and size of each grille, diffuser, and
register. This information shall be recorded on air outlet data sheets.
For coils:
1. Air Temperature – Once air flows are set to acceptable limits, take wet bulb
and dry bulb air temperatures on the entering and leaving side of each
cooling coil. Dry-bulb temperature shall be taken on the entering and leaving
side of each heating coil.
3.03 HYDRONIC SYSTEMS
A. The TAB Agency shall, as applicable, confirm that all hydronic equipment, piping,
and coils have been filled and purged; that strainers have been cleaned; and that all
balancing valves (except bypass valves) are set full open. The TAB Agency shall
perform the following testing and balancing functions in accordance with the National
Standards:
For pumps:
1. Test and adjust chilled water, hot water, and condenser water pumps to
achieve maximum or design GPM. Check pumps for proper operation.
Confirm proper rotation direction. Pumps shall be free of vibration and
cavitation. Record appropriate gauge readings for final TDH and Block-
Off/Dead head calculations.
2. Current and Voltage – Test and record motor voltage and amperage, and
compare data with the nameplate limits to ensure pump motor is not in or
above the service factor.
For system mains and branches:
1. Adjust water flow in pipes to achieve maximum or design GPM.
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 For chillers:
1. Verify that chillers have been started by others and are in operation. Test
and adjust chiller water flows to achieve maximum or design GPM.
2. Current and Voltage – Test and record motor voltage and amperage, and
compare data with the nameplate limits to ensure compressor motor is not in
or above the service factor.
3. Test and record temperature profiles of chillers.
For cooling towers:
1. Verify that cooling towers have been filled and started by others, and are in
operation. Confirm proper rotation direction for all motors.
2. Test and adjust water flows to balance tower cells and flows between towers.
3. Test and record temperature profiles for water and air side operation.
For boilers:
1. Verify that boilers have been filled and started by others, and are in
operation.
2. Current and Voltage – As applicable, test and record motor voltage and
amperage, and compare data with the nameplate limits to ensure motor is not
in or above the service factor.
3. Test and adjust water flow through water boilers.
4. Test and record temperature and pressure profiles of water or steam boilers.
For coils:
1. Tolerances – Test, adjust, and balance all chilled-water and hot-water coils
within 10% of design requirements.
2. Verification – Verify the type, location, final pressure drop and GPM of each
coil. This information shall be recorded on coil data sheets.
3. All automatic flow control devices shall be measured for correct differential
pressure and flow. Each devices shall be included in the report with the
appropriate information.
3.04 OPTIONAL TAB SERVICES-----
[THESE OPTIONS CAN BE REQUIRED ON A PER JOB BASIS. CONSULTANT
SHALL EDIT AS REQUIRED.]
A. Preconstruction Plan Check and Review:
The TAB Agency shall review the project documents and contractor submittals for
their effect on the TAB process and overall performance of the HVAC system. It
shall submit recommendations for enhancements or changes to the system within 30
days of document review.
B. Job Site Inspections:
During construction, the TAB Agency shall inspect the installation of pipe systems,
sheet metal work, temperature controls, and other component parts of the HVAC
systems. Inspections shall be conducted a minimum of two times. (Typically, these
are performed when 60% of the total system is installed and again when 90% of the
total system is installed, prior to insulation of the duct and piping). The TAB Agency
shall submit a written report of each inspection.

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 C. Duct Leakage Testing:
[Note to Consultant: duct leakage testing shall be done on a per-diem basis, e.g.
Unit price for travel to/from job site plus hourly rate for actual test work, as requested
by the Contractor and approved by the Project Manager. Otherwise, the number of
required trips is very difficult for the TAB bidder to estimate in advance.
Include a unit price in the TAB procurement package for duct testing, along with an
estimated number of daily trips to be included in the TAB bid price.]
The installing contractor shall isolate and seal sections of ductwork for testing. The test
pressures required and the amount of duct to be tested shall be described by the
engineer in the appropriate duct classification section. All testing shall be based on
one test per section only unless otherwise noted.
D. Temperature Testing:
To verify system control and operation, a series of three temperature tests shall be
taken at approximately two-hour intervals in each separately controlled zone. The
resulting temperatures shall not vary more than two degrees Fahrenheit from the
thermostat or control set point during the tests. Outside temperature and humidity
shall also be recorded during the testing periods. (Random zones my be selected by
the Engineer if such a test is needed to prove building system.)
E. Fume hood Testing:
The TAB Agency shall test and adjust fume hood total air flow by duct Pitot-tube
traverse or best possible method. If a Pitot-tube traverse is not practical, an
explanation of why a traverse was not made must appear on the appropriate data
sheet. Test and record face velocities under design operating conditions using a
maximum of a one square foot grid pattern across the entire open face. The TAB
Agency shall set sash height on hoods to obtain face velocities within 20% to 100
feet per minute unless specified otherwise. It shall test and adjust VAV controllers to
obtain design exhaust air flows and make-up air flows to maintain design hood
pressures and face velocities, and design room pressurization. The TAB Agency
shall test for turbulence and proper air flow patterns at the face and inside the hoods
using a hand-held smoke puffer or other approved smoke-emitting device.
F. Kitchen Hood Testing:
The TAB Agency shall test and adjust kitchen hood total airflow by duct Pitot-tube
traverse or best possible method, if applicable under local code. All sealing of test
holes in the exhaust duct to be by others per local code requirements. The TAB
Agency shall test and record face velocities in accordance with design requirements.
It shall test and adjust makeup airflow (if included) to meet design face velocities and
pressurization and to minimize turbulence.
G. Building/Zone Pressurization:
The TAB Agency shall test and adjust building/zone pressurization by setting the
design flows to meet the required flow direction and pressure differential. For
positive pressure areas, it shall set the supply air to design flow, and gradually
reduce and exhaust air rate to obtain the required flow or pressure difference. For
negative pressure areas, it shall set the supply air to design flow, and gradually
increase the exhaust air rate to obtain the required flow or pressure difference.
H. TAB Verification
The TAB Agency is to include time to verify a minimum of 10% of all readings or
maximum of 1 day.

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 END OF SECTION 230593

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