Working For Building Owner

TAB
j o u r n a l
S U M M E R
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Serving the HVAC Test and Balance and Engineering Industries
WORKING FOR THE BUILDING OWNER

AABC
Associated Air Balance Council
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
INVEST IN YOUR FUTURE

with a career in the Test and Balance Industry
The field of testing and balancing is a growing segment of the Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) industry. Building owners and design engineers are placing more emphasis on the need for professional, independent test and balance services. Consequently, AABC member companies are seeking reliable individuals with a desire to learn and develop unique skills in connection with the testing and balancing and commissioning process. A variety of positions offering excellent salary potential are available that include both entry and advanced levels of performance. THE TEST AND BALANCE INDUSTRY HAS POSITIONS OPENING IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: TAB Technicians Commissioning Engineers Test & Balance Engineers TAB Management Professionals
C A N D I D AT E S S H O U L D P O S S E S S T H E F O L L O W I N G
A working knowledge and understanding of HVAC Systems Test and Balance Experience Technical background, preferably one that includes testing and balancing Sharp Analytical Skills Associates Degree in Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning, or an Engineering Degree Ability to work with others in the field Automatic temperature control experience
Ideally, candidates should hold a degree in engineering or an associates degree in HVAC or other related disciplines. If you would like information on how to enter the challenging and rewarding field of testing and balancing, contact AABC National Headquarters at (202) 737-0202, or e-mail us at aabchq@aol.com. For more information on AABC and our member companies, feel free to visit our website at www.aabchq.com.
CONTENTS
TAB
journal
Associated Air Balance Council Board of Directors and Officers President William K. Thomas, P.E. Thomas-Young Associates, Inc. Executive Vice President Rick L. Cox Technical Air Balance, Inc. Secretary/Treasurer William A. Derse Professional System Analysis, Inc. Vice President/Eastern Zone-1 Patrick H. Kelly American Testing Inc. Vice President/Central Zone-2 Mike Young Test and Balance Corp. Vice President/Western Zone-3 Robert A. Conboy American Air Balance Co., Inc. Immediate Past President Ralph Meacham Kahoe Air Balance Company Director, Canadian Chapter Surrinder Singh Sahota Designtest & Balance Co. Ltd. Executive Director Kenneth M. Sufka TAB Journal Editor Brian G. Hutchings Editorial Office 1518 K Street, N.W., Suite 503 Washington, D.C. 20005 (202) 737-0202 FAX: (202) 638-4833 E-mail: aabchq@aol.com TAB Journal is published quarterly by the Associated Air Balance Council. It is distributed free to AABC members and by subscription to non-members at $24 per year. TAB Journal is an open forum for the free expression of opinions and information. The views expressed are not necessarily those of AABC, its officers, directors, or staff. Letters, manuscripts, and other submissions are welcome. However, TAB Journal accepts no responsibility for unsolicited material. All rights reserved. Copyright 1998 by the Associated Air Balance Council.
Independent Testing-An Owners Perspective

Thomas E. ODell
.......................
Accuracy Counts - Sheave, Belt and Speed Adjustments . . . . . . . . . . 8

Bob Severin
Readers Forum
Richard Miller, P.E. Rick Cox
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Cooling Tower Troubleshooting

Don F. C. Mowat
Pressurization the Key to Smoke Management

Joseph Weisman
Testing Constant Volume Outside Air Fans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 The Effects of Cooling Tower Bypass Piping on System Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Joseph E. Baumgartner, III, P.E.
The Art of Balancing Fan Terminals

Les Milewski
................................
17
What Owners, Architects and Engineers Can Do to Ensure a Properly Functioning System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Sutton G. Page
From the Publisher

Profound changes are taking place in the TAB market, and perhaps none is more significant than the evolving relationship between TAB agencies and building owners. Increasingly, owners are using TAB agencies as their advocates on projects to ensure that their project is done right the first time. Consequently, they are hiring TAB firms directly and are incorporating the TAB firms experience and knowhow early on in the design and development stage. This issue of TAB Journal, entitled Working for the Building Owner, focuses on the growing relationship between TAB agencies and the owner, and shows what TAB agencies can do to take advantage of this developing trend. The article by Thomas ODell provides a unique look at the owners perspective, and explains the importance for the TAB agency to develop a relationship with the owner early on. Sutton Pages exceptional article takes this thought one step further and includes what architects and engineers, as well as the owner, can do to ensure a properly functioning system. This issue of TAB Journal also includes a new edition of AABCs technical newsletter TechTips, featuring four case study articles, including two on cooling tower troubleshooting. We thank all of the authors for their contributions, and for helping to make this another outstanding issue of TAB Journal. As always your letters, articles, and comments are sincerely welcome.
Independent Testing An Owners Perspective

Thomas E. ODell Quorum Health Resources, Inc.
change is taking place in the HVAC testing and balancing market and many testing firms are at risk of being left behind. From fast food facilities, to hospitals, to specialized manufacturing, owners are hiring independent test and balance firms directly rather than as a part of the mechanical subcontractors scope of work. Direct accountability and need for services and data not provided by mechanical contractors are the primary reasons responsible for the trend toward direct contracting. However, there are also fundamental differences in how these firms choose to provide their services in the marketplace. How can an independent testing firm benefit from this trend? A review from one owners perspective may offer some insight into why this trend is growing, and what you can do to take advantage of it.
submitted their bid to is selected by the general contractor, who, in turn, must be selected by the owner. As a known entity to the project owner, the HVAC contractor may be able to avoid this frustrating process. Also, as a known entity, the HVAC contractor is not forced to sit and wait, hoping that they submitted the lowest bid to the mechanical contractor.
independent testing and balance firms. These services may include:

s Reviewing the design for
constructability.
s Verifying the system can be
balanced as designed.
s Checking the financial and
mathematical specs.
As owners seek to do it right the first time, they are choosing front-end services from independent testing and balance firms.
If, as an HVAC contractor, you know the owner and have some type of ongoing professional relationship, you may have the chance to negotiate the job directly. As a result, you will gain a better understanding of the job and its requirements as you have direct access to the owner during the bid process.
s Checking to insure that all necessary
parts are included in the design (and installed during construction).

s Reviewing the specifications to
make sure the right equipment is specified and properly incorporated. Owners want an objective assessment of the projects system, they want to know what problems were encountered during installation and how they were corrected. Basically, owners want to know what work is being done and if the system is functioning as designed, and they are hiring testing firms because they want someone to be their advocate.
Opportunity Knocks
In my work with the Facility Development department of Quorum Health Resources, Inc., I use the bid system to ensure the best pricing for my companys projects. However, I also know that price must be backed by professionals who can offer the best products and services for my company. As the project owner, it is helpful if I know you well enough to call when I have a question or specific testing demand for a project. The diligent HVAC contractor knows this, and has already developed a relationship with me before bidding takes place. In the bid system, HVAC contractors only have an opportunity to do a project when the mechanical contractor they
Owner Advocate
Usually, most problems are worked out between the contractor and engineer. However, when a problem is brought to the attention of the owner, it usually requires additional time and/or money to resolve. Most of the time the problem, and proposed solution, involves technical expertise beyond the capability of the owner. In these situations, the testing firm can provide an objective view on defining the problems and identifying who is responsible for solutions.
Pre-Construction Services Wanted

Most owners recognize that time and money spent at the initial phase of the project, ends up saving substantially more time and money over the life of the project. They know that doing it right the first time will save them headaches down the road. As owners seek to do it right the first time, they are choosing front-end services from
TAB Journal
Testing technicians are usually involved in a project only during the last phases of construction. As a result, they are exposed to a variety of systems and a diversity of system complications and problems, not to mention numerous owners, engineers and contractors. In the end, the technician usually sees more kinds of problem resolutions than anyone else on the project. With this kind of experience, these technicians are well suited in their roll as the owners advocate as they review proposed solutions and offer suggestions which are in the owners best interest. Finally, when the owner hires the testing firm first-hand, the owner benefits from full disclosure. Instead of getting a balance report showing the CFMs for each diffuser, the owner gets an audit
trail of problems and solutions via the testing firms daily report status. The owners comfort level is increased because he gains an increased understanding of the big picture, and is confident that the money being spent wisely, and that the project is done right the first time.
Marketing the Owner

For the most part, owners are approachable. Most owners recognize that they have a technical disadvantage when it comes to negotiating HVAC system solutions. They tend to appreciate the knowledge testing technicians bring to them as owner advocates. The most accessible owners are most likely the ones who you are currently working on a project for indirectly, either through the mechanical or general contractor.
Another path to the owner is through the architect. Most architects also recognize the advantage of having the testing firm work directly for the owner and see the benefit of having a technical review of the design. Architects have long standing relationships with owners, and they are credible resources for the owner. On your current project, approach the architect with your proposed services. Ask the architect for help in approaching the owner. My guess is you will receive more successes than rejections.
TAB Journal
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Associated Air Balance Council
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(202) 737-0202
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TECHNICAL ADJUSTMENTS
Accuracy Counts - Sheave, Belt and Speed Adjustments

Bob Severin Kahoe Air Balance
heave adjusting or changing, and belt tensioning are some of the most frequently repeated tasks TAB technicians perform in the field. With this article, I will discuss some of the basic math calculations along with the mechanical and physical operations required to make these adjustments. The first rule of order is to remember that any speed increase will increase the fan motor load by the cube of the percent of speed increase. In other words, a ten-percent increase in fan speed will result in a motor load increase of 33%. As always, consult your fan law applications when increasing the fan speed. It is also recommended that you check the catalog ratings for the fan you intend to speed up. You do not want to exceed the fans critical speed, or run the fan up to a speed which puts it into an unstable point on its operating curve. Variable pitch (VP) sheaves are generally easy to use, but can sometimes be hard on belts. If you must make a sheave change, it is better to replace a variable pitch sheave with a fixed pitch sheave. Doing this will help to increase overall belt life, and will also help to eliminate or reduce belt flop. Also, you must consider the cost of a new variable pitch sheave. In the case of multi-belt applications (three or more), the cost of a new variable pitch sheave can easily exceed $500.00. A new fixed sheave could be installed for significantly less. Adjusting variable pitch sheaves requires the use of basic hand tools,
knowledge of how the sheave works, and the ability to properly align the tension of the fan belts. Fractional horsepower (FHP) sheaves are probably the most prevalent. These sheaves have one movable side, which is locked into position by an Allen-type setscrew (usually 5/32 diameter). First, loosen the setscrew, and then turn the movable side of the sheave in or out as necessary. You will probably have to hold the nonmovable side of the sheave with a pair of channel locks, or vise-grip pliers. After adjusting the sheave, be sure to tighten the setscrew on a flat spot, and not on the threads of the adjustable portion of the sheave. FHP sheaves generally offer a 1 change in pitch diameter from minimum position to maximum position. This can vary due to the belt width and type used, but 1 is a good rule of thumb.
and attempt to pull the key out using pliers. It helps if you first tap the key with a drift pin and hammer to break it loose. Sometimes, you will need vise-grip pliers. Grasp the key with the vise-grips, and use the side of the sheave as a fulcrum. Now, pry against the vise-grips with the screwdriver to help persuade the key out. When replacing the key, after the sheave adjustment is made, it is a good practice to clean it with steel wool, or sand cloth, before re-installing. Variable pitch (VP) sheaves generally fall into the 4.5 to 7.5 range and offer approximately a 1.2 change in pitch diameter from minimum to maximum position. LVP or locking ring variable pitch sheaves are the next step up. These sheaves are usually used for larger belts, on higher horsepower applications, and are generally used with B section belts. The size range for these sheaves is from 3.5 to 7.0 in diameter. These sheaves offer approximately a 1.2 change in pitch diameter from minimum to maximum positions. The basic difference between these sheaves and VP sheaves is a locking ring that is used in conjunction with the key to lock the moveable portion of the sheave in place. This ring is usually kept in place with the aid of two 3/16 setscrews. Tightening these setscrews puts stress on the threads of the sheave and creates a binding affect on them, helping to make the movable portion of the sheave tight. The keyway is also used to keep the sheave locked in place. Removal is similar to that of a VP sheave. Sometimes, the backside
(Continued on next page)
...remember that any speed increase will increase the fan motor load by the cube of the percent of speed increase.
VP sheaves are one step above FHP sheaves, and can be purchased for one or two belt applications. These sheaves differ from FHP sheaves, in that they use a key and setscrews to lock the adjustable portion of the sheave in place. Removing the key can sometimes present a problem. Loosen the setscrews
TAB Journal
(Continued from previous page)
setscrews of the locking ring can be difficult to access without first removing the sheave. This is generally due to the lack of clearance between the motor and the side of the locking ring. If you grind down the short side of a 3/16 Allen wrench to approximately 1/4 in length, you can usually access the locking ring setscrew without removal of the sheave. MVP sheaves require two or more belts, and are used for even higher horsepower applications. These sheaves utilize multiple locking rings, and all grooves of the sheaves are adjusted by turning the outer adjustment ring only. The locking ring setscrews are loosened similar to those of the LVP sheave. The locking ring has two or four round holes on the outside of the collar. After loosening the locking ring setscrews, use a spanner wrench (ideally) in the outside holes to turn the locking ring. Since you probably wont have a spanner wrench, the next best alternative is a long 1/4 Allen wrench, and a hammer. Insert the Allen wrench into the hole, and tap on it until the sheave begins to move. Once it does move, and, if youre having considerable luck, the sheave will move by hand. If not, continue beating the Allen wrench until you finish your adjustment. When the adjustment is complete, be sure to re-tighten all the setscrews. These sheaves can be quite stubborn, and we have found that inserting a screwdriver between the movable portions of the sheaves, and carefully, very carefully, wiggling it back and forth, will aid you in making the adjustment. Be very careful not to be too aggressive
in your wiggling, as youre apt to crack or break the sheave, which can be a very costly mistake. These sheaves range in size from 3.5 to 9.4 and offer approximately a 1.4 change in pitch diameter from minimum to maximum position. They can be purchased for two to six belt applications.
After adjusting the sheave, it will be necessary to adjust the motor so that proper belt tension can be attained.
Belt dust and rust are enemies of adjustable or variable sheaves. If the system has been running for any length of time at all, you can be certain that belt dust is present in the threads, or the movable portion of the sheave. Once the unit is shut down and locked out, remove the belts, and tap the sheave with a hammer. You will see the results of your efforts immediately on the floor below the sheave. If, after using the procedures listed previously, the sheave does not move, you may need two pairs of large channel locks to help persuade the sheave to move. Sometimes the aid of a pipe wrench, or chain wrench is necessary on stubborn cases. Dont forget the magically wonderful WD-40 (red gage oil also works, if youre still using manometers), just be sure to wipe
off the excess when you finally get the sheave loosened up and moving. It helps to clean the threads with a wire brush, to aid in future adjustments, and to ease your adjustment effort. In the most extreme of cases, it may become necessary to completely remove the sheave and lock it into a vise to make the adjustment. Usually, this only occurs when the sheave is very old, rusted excessively, or has been severely beaten during installations or a previous adjustment. After adjusting the sheave, it will be necessary to adjust the motor so that proper belt tension can be attained. Proper belt tension is something you must attain a feel for. I have attempted to use belt-tensioning tools, but have not had much success with these. Usually, I have found the tension to be too great after using this tool. As a good rule of thumb, and a good starting point, I like to adjust the belts so that I can depress the belt approximately 1/2 at the midpoint between the motor and the fan. If the belts dont squeal upon start-up, youve probably got the tension right. If they do squeal, make small adjustments until the squealing stops. By small adjustments, I mean approximately 1/4 at a time. Try not to achieve what I call the banjo string adjustment. If you can play a tune on the belts, they are probably too tight. Recently, we have seen units being shipped with fewer belts than we have been accustomed to in the past. I am not sure of the reason for this, other than an economy move on the manufacturers part. What used to be a
Sheave Type FHP VP (2VP) LVP (2VP) MVP (2-6 Belts)

Table 1
Size Range 2.5 to 4.5 3.5 to 7.5 4.5 to 7.0 3.5 to 9.4
Pitch Change Min. to Max. 1.0 1.2 1.2 1.4
Belts Commonly Used 4L, 5L, A, B 4L, 5L, 5V, A, B A, B A, B, 5V
TAB Journal
Belt Type FHP FHP FHP A B C 5V

Table 2
Listed Size 3L600 4L600 5L600 A-60 B-60 C-60 5VX600
Outside Length Pitch Length 60 60 60 62.2 63 64.2 60 59.3 59 58.8 61.3 61.8 62.9 Not Listed
power is not the answer. During the removal process, if you remove a sheave that has a bushing, always use all the jack bolts to push the sheave off the bushing. Using only two of three bolts puts undo stress on both the bolts and the bushing, and may break either one or both in the process. Once the sheave is loose from the bushing, you may have to use a puller to remove the bushing. If the bushing is a split taper type, you can usually spread it open enough with the aid of a screwdriver. This may help to loosen the bushing enough to slide it off the shaft. Do not pound the screwdriver into the bushing and use minimal force to avoid cracking the bushing. If you are installing a new sheave that uses a bushing, always check for the proper bushing torque ratings. If you have never checked these ratings, you may be surprised how little torque they actually require. Always torque the bolts evenly, but be warned, they are very easy to over-torque and, if youre not careful, the bushing can be cracked or broken. It is not difficult to torque these bushings anywhere from 50 to 70 foot-pounds. When over-torqued, the sheaves will probably wobble. Never, never, use any type of lubricant on the
two-belt application, is now a one-belt application, and so on up the line. The belt of choice currently is the notched belt. These belts are supposed to have higher torque ratings, carry higher horsepower ratings, and last longer. My experience has shown that the notched belt requires far more tension, dries out sooner, seems to slip more readily, and breaks more easily than the smooth belt. When changing sheaves, always check for motor adjustments. If you do not have adequate forward or backward adjustment, you may need new belts. To calculate the new belt length use the following formula: (D-d)2 Belt length = 2C + 1.57(D+d) + 4C Where: D = Pitch diameter of large sheave d = Pitch diameter of small sheave C = Center to center distance of sheaves The following is a chart indicating different belts and comparisons on how you can determine their actual size. In general, 3L, 4L, and 5L belts are as long as the middle two numbers (4L430 = 43). A belts are 2.2 longer than their listed size. B belts are 3 longer than their listed size. C belts are 4.2
longer than their listed size. 5VX belts are the same length as the middle two numbers in their listed size 5VX600 = 60).
If you are installing a new sheave that uses a bushing, always check for the proper bushing torque ratings.
When changing sheaves, it is usually better to remove the existing sheave using a sheave puller. Two and three arm pullers are available. The two arm puller is easy to use and not as cumbersome as the three arm. Its a matter of personal choice, although the three arm unit does offer less stress across the diameter of the sheave, since its pulling in a triangular pattern. Its a rare occasion when you can pop a sheave off without the aid of a puller. It is certainly easier in the long run to make the extra trip out to the car or truck to get the puller, rather than to fight and struggle for half an hour and mash your knuckles and pinch your fingers. Remember, use the right tool for the job, muscle
Bushing Type P H Q, R SH SK SF SDS

Table 3
Torque Specs in foot pounds 16 7.9 28.8 9 15 30 9
TAB Journal
sheave or bushing during installation. Sometimes, it may be necessary to clean the mating surfaces with steel wool or sand cloth to remove any paint or rust that may be present. Remember, always torque the bolts evenly to avoid possible sheave wobble. Once the new sheave is close to being in place, you must check your belt alignment. I have found it is always easier to take some type of measurement prior to removal of the old sheave. Installing the new sheave in the same location goes a long way towards attaining proper belt alignment. If you can sight along the belt length and the belts appear to enter both sheaves in a straight-in fashion and not at an angle, they are probably aligned. To do this, use a straight edge along the backside or the fixed side of a variable pitch sheave up the fan sheave. The straight edge should hit all the backside edges, both leading and trailing, of both sheaves, for proper alignment. It is also possible to use a string for this purpose, but you must have a very steady hand. If you cant use the backside, I like to attempt to align the middle of the sheaves. Although more difficult, it assures perfect alignment for the entire drive package. Changing, or adjusting sheaves need not be a difficult task, if you follow some basic procedures, and approach each one with the proper tools and equipment. For most applications, the ratio of the sheave change is directly proportional to the speed, and in most cases is in direct proportion to the expected volume change. Though high pressure and VAV systems do not always follow the direct volume change theory, the speed change does. Remember that changing the fan sheave results in an inverse reaction to the percent of change. In other words, a ten-percent increase in size will result in a ten-percent reduction in speed. A final note on changing sheaves always attempt to purchase a sheave that is the same type as the one you are
replacing. Replace a BK sheave with another BK sheave. This will usually save you on the cost of a new bushing, and will help to assure that the pitch diameters will be what you expect. Often, sheaves will have similar numbers depicting their respective sizes (TA 11000, TB1100, B5V1100), but the pitch diameters for your belts will probably be different. Check the catalog
ratings for the pitch diameter of the sheave you are considering. The sheaves referred to in this article are Browning. I understand that there are other manufacturers of sheaves, but Browning seems to be the most widely used and the most recognizable.
10
TAB Journal
Introducing The New AABC Test & Balance Procedures

The Associated Air Balance Council introduces an invaluable companion piece to the AABC National Standards, the new TEST & BALANCE PROCEDURES. This comprehensive, practical guide contains over 200 pages of detailed procedures for testing and balancing all types of HVAC systems and components. The procedures outlined in this guide were written and compiled by members of the AABC Technical Procedures are organized logically in 5 key sections from the most basic measurements to complicated system testing & balancing. S ECTION 1: Prerequisites to
beginning field test and balance work.
Procedure Highlights
NC TEST & BALAREE PROCEDU S
Committee to standardize procedures and help ensure that quality services are provided to the customer. Striving for the highest standards and a steadfast commitment to the industry, AABC is confident that these procedures, when properly applied, will help to produce quality installa-
S ECTION 2: Basic Measurements required by all component and system procedures.
NCIL E COU ALANC AIR B IATED ASSOC
tions that meet design objectives.
S ECTION 3: The Component

Procedures methods for testing the various HVAC system components.
A K e y R e f e r e n c e F o r Te s t & B a l a n c e Te c h n i c i a n s
The most comprehensive reference guide in the industry. Field tested procedures ensure accurate and repeatable results. Standardizes TAB reports submitted by AABC members (and non-members as well). Helps produce quality installations that meet design objectives.
S ECTION 4: Air Systems. S ECTION 5: Hydronic Systems

and component testing for successful system balancing.
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Readers Forum
his is in response to the article regarding the article entitled Minimum Outside Airflow by Robert Recar (Fall 1997 TAB Journal). I agree the return fan, if there is one, should be increased, but only proportionally to the supply fan so the same proportion of outside air remains, not the same amount of CFM higher or lower. For example; if a system is designed for 10,000 CFM and outside air is 20%, then increasing the supply to 10,600 and the return to 8,600 CFM the outside air drops to 18.9%. Lets look at this same example with a VAV system. If the VAVs go to minimum, is that enough to maintain outside air requirements, and enough to compensate for building exhaust which doesnt vary? In the 10,600 CFM system, we have a system minimum of 25% or 2,650 CFM. At this system minimum, the return would be 2,120 CFM and the outside air would drop to 530 CFM. This outside air is nowhere near the design minimum of 2,000 CFM and, as a result, we have a very negative building that doesnt meet ASHRAE 62-89, nor the makeup for the exhaust. We also must remember that if the control subcontractor is setting the outside air damper to 20% open, the actual damper flow is not linear. According to AMCA 502-89, parallel blades, with 10% resistance, the flow is 40%. This flow varies in parallel blade dampers from 17% to 77% total flow based on the damper resistance. At 1% resistance, the
flow is 77% and at 50% resistance, the flow is 17% of maximum when opened at 20. The opposed blade damper is better, but again, not linear. This flow varies, with resistance from 1% and 44% flow and with 50% resistance, 3% flow. Therefore setting the damper through a computer should be accomplished by physically measuring the flows and marking the damper so the control contractor can set the outside air at the proper opening to attain the required amount. The remaining problem with outside air settings is maintaining the minimum required outside air to meet ASHRAE62-89 which calls for specific amounts depending on number of people located in the building, their activities, and the buildings use. Usually the outside air will be required as makeup air for the building exhaust and if we do not account for this, the building will become negative and pull the untreated air in. This can be uncomfortable in the winter and disastrous in the summer if we are attempting to maintain a certain relative humidity and cooling temperature. Last but not least, if the unit has an economizer mode, without a relief fan, what happens to the doors? They stand open, of course. We must ascertain that HVAC equipment is sized to take the increased outside air at extreme weather design conditions and be able to warm and/or cool as need be. How many
times have you seen the building engineer close the outside air damper in winter and again in summer to maintain temperatures, but in reality they are adding to the problems of drawing unconditioned air in due to building negativity? Please be careful. We have found instances where exhaust air is controlled by the variable frequency supply signal. This results in no exhaust from the toilets, and become positive. This, of course, results in unpleasant order problems. Richard Miller, P.E. Systems Testing and Analysis
12
TAB Journal
N e w s l e t t e r
F r o m
T h e
A s s o c i a t e d
A i r
B a l a n c e
C o u n c i l
Occasionally, AABC receives short case study type technical papers from our members. These papers usually focus on observations made by AABC members working on a project in the field, in which they explain a certain problem they have encountered, and what corrective actions they instigated to overcome that problem. Each of these papers presents certain problems or challenges to the test and balance professional, and provides insight into how these situations can be resolved. These papers are relatively short but may hold special appeal for others involved with the everyday experience of testing and balancing. We therefore decided to publish these papers as a collection of articles in Tech Tips, a technical newsletter inside TAB Journal that can be removed for your convenience. We hope you enjoy this latest addition to TAB Journal, and trust that youll consider sending us your own Tech Tip that you feel may be of interest to others in the industry. In This Tech Tips: Cooling Tower Troubleshooting Pressurization the Key to Smoke Management Testing Constant Volume Outside Air Fans The Effects of Cooling Tower Bypass Piping on System Operation TAB Journal
Cooling Tower Troubleshooting

Richard Cox, Technical Air Balance, Inc. A couple of years ago on a hospital in our area, there was a problem with the condenser water flow and temperatures through an absorption chiller. The chiller manufacturer was contending that the water flow was insufficient while the tower manufacturer was contending that his tower had the correct flow. In order to help resolve this matter, both parties reviewed the Test & Balance Report. On the cover letter of the report, or firm had stated that at design flow the tower overflowed at the top where the water returned, and that the only recourse we had was to cut the pump back to 90% flow. We further stated that even at the reduced GPM, the tower could and would occasionally overflow a little. The cooling tower representative called me and we met at the site. I brought along a technician and an Ultra-Sonic Flow Meter to verify the pump flows. We spent 2 days testing the flows on and through 4 pumps, 2 Absorption Chillers and 2 Towers. Everything pointed to the fact that the pumps were OK and the flows we read were correct. However, the problem with the chillers staying on line due to insufficient flow still remained. We learned on the second day that the flows required by the manufacturer were the minimum required (usually normal) but, in this case going below this minimum by even one percent would take the chiller down. As a result, the margin for error was almost nonexistent. The tower representative believed that the pumps were moving too much water, when they were at what our firm believed was the correct setting. His contention was that our readings could not be correct because the tower manufacturer he represented was the best on the market. He believed that it could not be a tower problem but instead, must be a pump flow or a chiller problem. During the two days we took temperatures and flows backward and forwards. We had tried every scenario of flow possible. All of this came to nothing. By late afternoon on the second day, I was pretty well spent and flustered. As I sat and thought about the entire system and how it worked, I pictured the flows through each component and followed them up to the top of the tower. As the water filled the top return basin, I saw the nozzles which meter the water flow evenly over the entire cell deck area. When the nozzles came into view in my mind, I knew what the problem was. The nozzles were too small. The wrong size had inadvertently been placed in this tower and would not allow the GPM required to flow through the tower without overflowing the top of the tower. I gathered all of the parties that were with us for these tests and sat them down to explain what I thought the problem might be. Everyone with the exception of my technician had the look that I had just been released from a mental institution and that this could never happen. The comment was made that we (as a balance firm) may be trying to shift the focus on someone else other than ourselves. Eventually, I was able to talk everyone into at least allowing me to count all of the nozzles and measure the orifice size of each one. After the counting and measuring was completed, we were able to calculate the amount of water which would flow through a given size in a minute and determined that the nozzles were too small. The manufacturer was informed and immediately shipped out the proper size, which was installed by the manufacturers representative. Once the correct nozzles were installed, the problem was solved. On a positive note, the tower representative was and still is a very staunch supporter of ours and relies on our ability to troubleshoot problems and find solutions. Although the solution in this case pointed to a needed correction of his equipment, he was very cordial and very apologetic and even offered to pay us for all our extra time.
Pressurization the Key to Smoke Management

Don F. C. Mowat, DFC Mechanical Testing & Balancing LTD The past 30 years have seen a steadily increasing concern for smoke in building fires. A series of high-rise fires in the 1960s prompted the National Research Council of Canada to take the lead in identifying the nature and extent of the fire challenge in high-rise style buildings. The most significant and challenging issue was smoke spread caused by what is referred to as stack effect and by HVAC system operation. The management of smoke is a key component in providing life safety in the event of a fire. The main goal of an engineered (managed) smoke control system is to facilitate safe exit for the buildings occupants, reduced damage to contents, and facilitate fire fighting operations. As modern building designs evolve, smoke management systems design is becoming more sophisticated and is most evident in the construction of high-rise buildings. Studies of the chimney effect and observations of smoke movement in fires indicate a need to prevent the movement of smoke through the elevator, stair, or other vertical shafts to the upper stories of a high building. Modern building codes require fire safety features to prevent or limit smoke beyond the area of floor of origin. The basic idea is to keep the area of fire origin at a lower pressure than all the adjacent spaces so that air flows in towards the zone of fire origin, rather than out of the fire zone. Among the suggested systems to accomplish this included stair shaft pressurization, HVAC system shutdown, fire floor venting or exhausting, and automatic sprinkler protection. The means of smoke control in buildings which has received the most attention in the building codes and on which most testing has been performed, is stairwell pressurization. While this method appears to provide a simple and effective means of maintaining exit paths free of smoke, there is a controversy on specific arrangements. The controversy is centered around the location for injection of air in to the stair shaft. Mechanical fans are used to produce airflows and pressure differences creating barriers to limit smoke movement. The objective is to inject sufficient air from outdoors to provide air pressures in stairshafts, and in one or more protected elevator shafts by: top pressurization, bottom pressurization; pressurization of the stair shaft with a pressurized vestibule; and pressurization of multiple levels. Top pressurization of a stairwell by air injection at the upper most level demonstrated that the stairwell would remain free of smoke, however, several issues 14 arise from this application. Chief among these was that high noise level of the large high-velocity pressurization unit required to achieve pressurization often became objectionable. Where air is injected only at the top of the stairwell, there is likely to be a pressure gradient between the top and bottom of the stairwell. This may produce pressure differences of sufficient magnitude to interfere with the opening of doors into the stairwell at the higher levels. Recent studies have shown that air supply requirements for stairwells with an open door at grade level can cause a substantial non-uniform pressure distribution over the height of the stairwell. This problem may be avoided by injecting air at several levels rather than only at the top. Bottom pressurization of a stairwell concluded that the direction of airflow in the stairs should be upward at all levels. This would prevent any initial smoke and gases which may have entered the stairwell from traveling downward. The roof exhausting of smoke and gases was also considered to be preferable to street level exhausting where fire fighters would be entering and occupants leaving. It was also learned that when more than three doors were opened into the stairwell, the pressurization was defeated. In addition, the same problems with the force needed to open the door into the stairwell was encountered as with the top pressurization system. The bottom pressurization with the vestibule pressurized system concluded that the stairwell pressurization of 0.15 inches of water column combined with vestibule pressurization prevented smoke movement from the fire area of the stairwell with the stairwell doors closed. In addition, the open-door flow rate used by stairwell and vestibule supply fans prevented the movement of smoke into the stairwell when the vestibule and stairwell doors were held open to the fire area for several minutes. Stairwell pressurization will continue to be one of the most tested and utilized systems in high-rise structures. Verifying that components operate appropriately in response to signals from the fire alarm system, that fans actually deliver the design airflow, measuring the pressure differentials actually maintained by the system, verifying that door opening forces are within limits, and verifying the direction of airflow at openings are part of a practical test method which should always be implemented in order to confirm high-rise occupant safety.
Stairwell pressurization will continue to be one of the most tested and utilized systems in high-rise structures.
Tech Tips
Testing Constant Volume Outside Air Fans

Joseph Weisman, Weisman, Inc.
The Design
The systems are located in a multi-story office building. There are two supply fans in the penthouse which are to produce a constant volume of outside air, but are equipped with variable speed drives. Each floor has at least two variable volume air handling units, with variable speed drives, serving the powered mixing boxes. The air handling units are located in mechanical equipment rooms (MER) and the outside air duct is not directly connected to the units. An open end duct with an automatic temperature control (ATC) damper is in each equipment room. The intent was for the outside air fan to maintain a constant volume of air by the variable speed drive reacting to a static pressure sensor and maintaining a constant pressure in the duct riser. While modulation of the air handling unit volume was compensated for by opening or closing the ATC dampers located in the MERs. air. These blades were then secured in a closed position while the remaining blades were reattached to the control linkage. This allowed full range of the motor output to be used for tracking the air handling units capacity. The static pressure setpoint in the outside air riser was then measured. The ATC contractor had been instructed to install the sensors two-thirds of the way down the duct system, as would be the normal case for a VAV system. In this system, because of the negative pressure in the MERs, the pressure at the location picked by the contractor was less than 0.1 W.G. This was uncontrollable and at times has even gone negative resulting in a false signal to the variable speed drive of the outside air fans. We recommended that the sensors be relocated closer to the discharge of the outside air fans where the static is over 1.0 W.G., and would be controllable by the ATC system. The next step was to increase each air handling unit individual in six steps by increments of 14% (30%, 44%, 58%, etc.). From minimum to maximum and to measure the outside air. The ATC damper output was adjusted in order to maintain design airflow. The result was a matrix of damper output relative to the hertz setting of the air handling unit variable speed drive. During this testing the static pressure in the outside air riser was monitored, and was found not to change significantly as the air handling units modulated.
On the upper floors, the dampers had to be throttled almost closed in order to obtain the design airflow.
Testing the System

Prior to starting the test of the outside air fans, all of the air handling units had to be balanced to their required maximum and minimum air flows. Then, with the air handling units at minimum airflow (30%) and the outside air ATC dampers wide open, the outside air fan was set for total air. Each open end duct was to be balanced for design airflow by positioning the ATC damper, and a static pressure setpoint was to be obtained. This is when problems first started to become apparent. The ATC dampers used were parallel blade dampers and the design velocity across each damper ranged from 250 to 400 RPM. On the upper floors, the dampers had to be throttled almost closed in order to obtain the design airflow. This reduced the incremental output available for throttling the damper as the air handling units increased the negative pressure in the MERs. We decided to disconnect the linkage of the ATC dampers and close individual blades of the dampers until we were able to measure design outside
Conclusions
To date, the recommendation to relocate the static pressure sensor has not been implemented and is still causing problems with system performance. When the static pressure control is functioning properly the system will perform as intended. We feel that more reliable results could have been achieved by using a constant volume pressure independent mixing box and eliminating the static pressure control for the outside air fans. These changes would have offset each other in initial cost and would have resulted in a more flexible and reliable system.
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The Effects of Cooling Tower Bypass Piping on System Operation

Joseph E. Baumgartner, III, P.E., Baltimore Air Balance Company We have addressed a number of flow problems on towers over the years in TAB Journal, but two have recently popped up again and are worth noting. One involves an ejector tower and the other, a mechanical draft tower. We will discuss the ejector tower in this Tech Tips and save the mechanical draft for another issue. Our testing further showed that under a full flow condition to the tower, no noise was associated with the operation of the system. However, under a full bypass condition, significant noise was generated. It was this noise that radiated from the mechanical room to the guest rooms. The noise originated at the bypass balancing valve. The contractor had adjusted the bypass valve to keep the pumps from going off in overload during bypass operation. A review of the tower submittal indicated that the required nozzle pressure for design flow was 60 psi. Accordingly, to maintain design flow under a bypass condition, a 60 psi differential had to be created in the bypass line. To achieve that loss, the 4 inch bypass plug valve was nearly closed. The result was excessive noise. The owner did not want to consider variable speed pumping for capacity control. To eliminate the noise, it was recommended that a second balancing valve be installed in the bypass line. The additional valve was to be identical to the existing valve and located at least 36 inches downstream from the existing valve. With this approach, both valves could be throttled to achieve the required bypass pressure drop. After we installed the additional valve, we adjusted both of the valves to create the required 60 psi differential and the noise was eliminated. In closing, variable speed or staged pumps should be used for capacity control with ejector towers. When bypass piping is used in conjunction with constant speed pumps, the method to achieve the required differential in the bypass line must be considered.
Ejector Tower
The ejector tower does not contain fill and does not use a mechanical air moving device. The condenser waters spray velocity induces airflow through the tower. To create the aspirating effect, the ejector tower requires high pressure at its spray nozzles. To lower energy costs during periods of reduced loads, variable speed or staged pumping systems are normally used. However, constant speed, non-staged pumps have also been used. Our case involves a constant speed, non-staged pump. The project involved a hotel. The system complaint that we received was excessive noise. Our site review of the system indicated an ejector tower and a constant speed pump. Capacity controlled was achieved through tower bypass piping. Our review included the cycling of the condenser water pump and the bypass control valve through their full operating range. During this operation, we recorded the water flows and systems pressures under the various sequences. The measurements verified that the water flow remained within 5 to 10 percent of design throughout the entire range of operation.
Techtips are written for and by our readers, members of the Associated Air Balance Council. We thank them for sharing their valuable experiences and providing solutions to problems in our industry.
Do you have a Tech Tip that you would like to share with our readers? If so, please contact AABC at:
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Tech Tips
B A L A N C I N G FA N T E R M I N A L S
The Art of Air Balancing Fan Terminals

Les Milewski Metal Industries, Inc.
he art of balancing fan terminals is somewhat more sophisticated than ordinary single-duct VAV throttling terminals. If done incorrectly, damaging mishaps, such as motor burnouts and heater failures, can occur which usually wont happen with a single-duct terminal. There are two major types of fan terminals: The first is known as the Intermittent or Parallel or Side Pocket type; and the other is the Series Fan Terminal.
specified, it is sequenced to operate after the VAV terminal has reached its minimum flow setting. Keep in mind, the minimum flow for reheat is determined by the amount of heat (design) required. For example, if the engineer calculated that at 70F the room would lose 10,000 BTUs/hr in the peak winter (design) days, he/she had to add this amount of heat to the room to overcome these losses. However, if the air entering the room is too hot, it will not leave the ceiling and mix properly to warm the rest of the room. Additionally, if the space has a sidewall diffuser at head level, this might result in excessively hot air blowing on a passerby. Because of this, engineers typically target heating air temperatures at the 95110F levels.
To get 10,000 BTUs into a 70F room, with say 110F heated air, the basic formula is: BTUs/hr = temperature difference x CFM x a conversion factor for air of 1.08 or; BTUs = CFM x temperature rise x 1.08. In the above case, 10,000 = CFM x (110-70F) x 1.08. Solving for CFM, we get approximately 230 CFM. The engineer would specify that the VAV terminals minimum (heating) CFM be 230. However, because he/she is applying the heat to the 55F cold supply air instead of directly to the 70F room air (as would be the case if they were using an under the window (UTW) fan coil for example), the engineer must up the BTUs required to preheat the colder 55F air. Re-using the formula to calculate how many additional BTUs are required for the reheat process, we get: BTUs = 230 CFM x (770-55F) x 1.08 = 3725 BTUs. Thus, in a single-duct reheat VAV terminal, we would require 13,725 BTUs and a minimum flow of 230 CFM. With the intermittent fan terminal, return air is drawn from the ceiling plenum and applies the heat directly to it, then blows it into the supply duct downstream of the VAV terminal. (Heating return air is not unlike the UTW fan coil and only 10,000 BTUs are required). You also can allow the cooling supply duct to close so it wont needlessly chill the
Intermittent Fan Terminal

The intermittent type of terminal (Figure 1) utilizes a basic single-duct VAV throttling terminal operating in a typical mode. The single-duct terminal varies the air flow to the downstream duct in response to a thermostat signal. In a single-duct VAV terminal, if reheat is
Figure 1: Intermittent Fan Unit with Electric Heat in Return Path
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room. The increased importance of indoor air quality (IAQ) has impacted this last step so that the terminals are reduced to ventilation flows instead of shutoff. This change does require some additional heat to cancel the added cooling. However, ventilation flows are usually well below the heating CFMs required in straight VAV terminals.
10,000 BTUs = CFM x (95-70) x 1.08 or 370 CFM, a much better number for room circulation purposes, than the 230 CFM calculated earlier. Basically, we treat the intermittent fan terminal much like a single-duct reheat terminal only we heat return air instead of reheating cold air. Bear in mind that the fan motor, located in the return air path, adds to the heating of the air. As a matter of fact, since the air is being recirculated, 100% of the electrical energy ultimately goes to heating the air so the air circulation is free, if the basic heat is electric anyway. Why not take some of the electricity going into the heater and run a blower? If hot water is the basic heat, then swapping the cost of electricity for the blower, verses the cost of whatever energy used to heat an equivalent amount of water, is still a bargain and almost free, especially if the water heater is electric.
to specifications using the same procedures as a single duct VAV terminal, and you can utilize a flow hood for these settings. Setting the heating CFM isnt really critical. In the above example, the flow could be anywhere between 230 and 370 CFM and still function properly. Engineers often spec by a single number for heating, such as 250 CFM, and balancers spend too much time trying to calibrate it to that number, when anything between 230 CFM and 370 CFM would work just as well. The primary concern should be to test the electric heater for proper operation (if that is what its supplied with). Ill discuss this after the series fan terminals explanation since the testing problem exists with both.
...if the air entering the room is too hot, it will not leave the ceiling and mix properly to warm the rest of the room.
An extra plus with the intermittent fan terminal is added circulation. In the VAV situation, the engineer limited the heating air flow to the minimum necessary for heat in order to avoid adding too much cold air and increasing the heating BTUs. With a fan terminal he/she could select, say 95F air temperature at discharge. This would require
Series Fan Terminals

Series terminals (Figure 2) are a different animal completely. The only thing in common with parallel types is that they both have blowers, and are both applied to single duct VAV systems.
Balancing
Balancing the intermittent fan terminal is only slightly more difficult than a single duct VAV. You set the cooling side
Concept
A series fan terminal works in conjunction with a single duct VAV type terminal. This VAV portion operates similar to the one in the parallel unit with one difference, instead of feeding its output air to the downstream duct, it dumps it into an enclosure containing the intake side of the blower. The continuously operating blower takes the air from this enclosure and discharges it into the downstream ductwork. The idea is, as the VAV portion closes, the fan will draw increasing amounts of air from the ceiling plenum and discharge this into the downstream duct. To the occupant of the room, the system would appear more like a constant volume dual duct, or single duct reheat system. Both provide a relatively constant flow of air to the space which varies in temperature.
Figure 2: Series Fan Unit with Heat in Return Path (Anti-Backspin Design)
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TAB Journal
Balancing
Balancing series fan box terminals can be extremely difficult. The problem is, there is no exact way to measure primary air flow with any confidence of accuracy. The easiest air flow measurement in a series fan box is through heating (induced) CFM. For this measurement, close the primary damper completely, even if a minimum is normally desired. You can now use a flow hood on the diffuser and read the fan CFM. You can also adjust it to the proper value using whatever means is provided by the manufacturer, and if you are really lucky, you may not have to readjust it. However, depending on how much resistance there is in the return air path when you go to the full cooling mode, you remove all this resistance from the fan curve, and as a result, the relieved fan (driven by a load sensitive psc motor) picks up speed and delivers more CFM into the downstream duct. Return path resistance is a function of casing opening. This includes any hot water coils in the return path, filters, ducted returns to a grille in the zone, or quieting additions such as baffles or intake acoustical boots. Even if you were capable of setting the design primary (cooling) valve to the exact same flow as the heating, the flow to the room would still increase, delivering a mix of design primary flow plus some induced flow. This occurs because the fan enclosure will still be negative and draw in plenum air. To explain, lets start with a fan set at 1000 CFM heating, delivering air to a downstream duct against .15 static. Because its sucking air into the enclosure through a filter or coil, lets say the suction side of the fan is at 0.1 negative, for a total static load on the fan of .25. Now, as you start opening the primary valve, and forcing cold air into the enclosure, the 0.1 negative will begin to disappear because you are force feeding air to the fan, so it doesnt have to
fight the filter/coil for it. Theoretically, at 100% primary cooling, the enclosure static must be 0.0. If its still negative, it will draw plenum air in and mix it with the primary, raising the discharge temperature. If it goes positive, youll be wasting precious cooling air flow by spilling some of it back through the filter/coil into the ceiling plenum. This swing in flow can only be reduced by reducing its impact on the overall load on the fan. In the above case, if the fan terminal had a discharge volume damper (most do), you could put a dummy load of say 0.3 to the .15 for a .45 discharge static on the fan. Now a 0.1 swing to 0.0 has a lot less impact on fan total load than the original setting of 0.15 discharge. This unfortunately, has the undesirable side effect of increasing the noise.
So how do you set the primary valve? There are several approaches, none of which are without their limitations. From best to worst, these are as follows:
A. Pitot traverse inlet to terminal.

This is the historical method of balancing used for years and has a proven track record when done properly. Theres the problem. By the book, the balancer gets to survey the duct system and select his traverse site(s). Also by the book, he/she applies a uniformity test to the selected location and (theoretically at least) rejects it if it fails. Only with no choice can he/she use a non-uniform location but must increase their traversing points to hopefully minimize the risk error. However, a takeoff to a terminal may be flexed and curved. So even though the engineer traverses properly, (many just manually move the pitot tube, eyeball the variations and take what looks like the average) the risk of error is much greater than in a nice straight duct section.
If balancing occurs during hot environments, always check for air flow over heaters before activating.
One of the most simple balancing steps that can be taken is political. Get the engineer to allow the heating flow to be up to 15% less than the cooling flow. Since heating flow is again not as critical as the cooling (which is carefully apportioned to the various zones, and often is in limited supply), the engineer should agree with this. Basically, with electric heat the leaving air temperature, not the BTU delivery will change. With hot water heat, there is some drop in BTU delivered (approximately 7-8%) with a 15% reduction in air flow across the coil. If the engineer is aware of the flow swing, he/she can take it into consideration when sizing zones.
B. Use the manufacturers flow sensor and flow chart.

This is another common method of balancing, however, it is not without its problems either. First, the manufacturers sensor doesnt have the luxury of selecting its location. At least in option A, the balancer has some freedom and usually can move upstream to a straighter position. As a result, option B cant beat the balancer with his/her freedom of pitot reading location. Also, the manufacturers flow sensor (which averages pressure readings) is inherently wrong in its concept. Note the difference: In a pitot traverse, the balancer takes a series of velocity pressure readings, mathematically converts each to velocity readings, and averages velocities. This is the correct way. On the other hand, the manufacturers flow
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sensor averages the velocity pressures, not the velocities. The greater the variation in velocity pressures at the flow sensor, the greater the resultant flow reading error. For more on this subject, see Computerized Balancing: Garbage in, Garbage Out Heating, Piping and Air Conditioning, May, 1994. Re-calibrating the flow sensor, as described above significantly increases the flow sensor accuracy to a useful point.
The best way to improve this situation is to have intake boots, or filters, or any heat on the return opening. These tend to stabilize the turbulence at the opening. Why not a backdraft damper? See Series fan motor blower failures TAB Journal, Summer 91. What about setting the minimum? In both approaches C and D, once you know the motor contribution, you can calculate the correct minimum by measuring supply return and discharge temperatures.
primary, and (2) no heat passes over the motor. With todays high minimums for ventilation, this advantage must be balanced with the rear round energy losses in a downstream location. Heaters located on the return opening have the disadvantage of heating the ambient surrounding the motor during heating, and do not heat the primary minimum flow. As a result, for heat calculation purposes, you must deduct the minimum cooling flow from the total flow in order to get net flow over heater. The pluses of intake heaters are; an aid to balancing (as mentioned above), bigger/lower pressure drop coils, minimized air contamination, easier cleaning, and lower year round energy consumption. Testing systems with hot water or electric heater on the discharge is less troublesome since a miss-adjusted or malfunctioning primary damper will not hamper anything. But, testing systems with return intake heaters can result in overheating of components and electric heater failures. First problem - was the design engineer cognizant of the heater location on the terminals actually provided to the job? (He/she should be, having approved the submittal). The problem occurs if the engineer designed with downstream flows and temperatures, and a terminal with upstream heat gets approved. If the engineer used a 20% mix of primary (55F) and return (70F) air as their entering air temperature (EAT), they would have used 67F when EAT was actually 70F. Not bad so far, but, the building is finishing up in August, and the ACs not on yet. So, the ambient is closer to 90-95F. Also, only 80% of the air is flowing over the heater, so if the engineer was expecting a 40-45F rise, they are going to get more like a 50F+ rise on top of a 90-95F ambient for a heater leaving air temperature (LAT) of 140F+. This will kick the auto safeties on electric heaters and is going to create some excessive ambient surrounding the
C. Monitor inlet and discharge temperatures.

To do this, set the fan flow to full heating first (I suggest 10% below desired cooling for starters) then switch to full cooling. Vary the primary setting, watching the discharge temperature relative to the primary temperature. (Note, theyll never be the same, the full wattage of the motor converts to heat and must be added to the primary). The problem with this method is its easier to tell when you dont have enough primary air flow, but hard to tell when you have too much. The mixed temperature starts to slowly level out as you reach 100% primary. But it will continue to drop with increasing primary flows (along with increasing back spillage into the ceiling).
Testing The Heaters

Series and parallel fan terminals may be supplied with no heaters, HW coil heat, or electric heaters. (Side observationelectric outsells HW as the heat of choice). Additionally, these heaters may be located on either the return intake, or in the outlet downstream. An occasional model shows up in the intermittent type with the heater coil on the discharge of the fan, but not in the primary air flow. These should be viewed with a wary eye. One look at the standard velocity distribution at the outlet of a blower, will tell you the coil performance data (hot water) cannot approach ARI certified performance. Electric heaters can get away with this location if they concentrate their windings in the high velocity area of the blower. Discharges of fan terminals are smaller than the return intake. So, heaters on the discharge of terminals are smaller and have higher pressure drops. This means higher watt densities in electric heaters and less output, (or more multirow coils) with hot water. Additionally, the pressure losses in a discharge arrangement are year round, consuming fan energy even in the peak of summer when no heat is needed. Finally, hot water coils in a discharge arrangement contaminate at a very rapid pace because they handle year round flows instead of flows only during heating. The pluses are: (1) the heat is applied to the return and minimum
D. Monitor return opening air patterns.

Sometimes this is more simple than (C) above, but it can be tricky on terminals with open plenum ports. A smoke gun helps. Again, set the heating flow first (10%), then switch to full cooling. With a low primary, the draft into the terminal will be obvious, and with a high primary, so will the spillage. But neutral? Tough, but not impossible. Air will most likely be spilling out one side and drawing in on the other. Close examination however, may reveal that the spilled air often results in being drawn back in on the other side.
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motors (which also have auto thermal safeties). Add to this the possibility of the primary minimum flow being set too high on a series terminal, and your electric heater is going to cycle itself to death on its auto limit. If balancing occurs during hot environments, always check for air flow over heaters before activating. If possible, disable elements during balancing. Pull a wire off in the safety path, or a fuse if so equipped. Dont disable control power or youll have no way to observe steps pulling in.
3 Parallel Fan Units

A. Use hood to set cooling max/min and
C. Set the primary valve to specification
fan. During cooling adjustments, note manufacturers pick-up readings for future use (by yourself, building maintenance, or DDC people if so equipped).
B. Testing electric heat is not a major
by pitot traverse while checking manufacturers flow sensor at same time.

D. Hood total flow, if it exceeds spec by
10% or more, readjust the fan to get back within the spec range.
E. Set the primary minimum via pitot
problem, but dont leave it on for long periods in hot environments.

C. Heating CFM usually can run higher
or recalibrated manufacturers flow sensor.

F. Re-check heating CFM (with spec
than spec without problems. Minimize your adjustment labor to assuring at least the minimum specified.
4 Series Fan Units
A. Disable intake electric heaters during
Conclusion
1 Use flow hoods whenever possible.
minimum) if the swing in total flow is unacceptable, your only recourse is to increase resistance on the discharge side of fan as mentioned earlier. Authors Note: Another solution, new to the market for series fan terminals, is a static sensing SCR fan flow controller which, once the fan is set in heating mode, maintains fan flow constant from full heat to full cool, and results in the quietest solution.
Theyre immensely faster and eliminate the risk of all possible math errors in the (more accurate) pitot traverse.
2 Dont use manufacturers flow
the air balance portion, in case the minimums are too high which will starve the heater.
B. Start with fan flow (with hood), close
calibration until youve either recalibrated the curve, or confirmed its accuracy.
primary completely. Set the fan to the low side of the spec (-10 - 15%).
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What Owners, Architects and Engineers Can do to Ensure a Properly Functioning System
Sutton G. Page Austin Air Balancing Corporation
he following discussion is the direct result of a panel discussion prepared for the local chapter of the American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) addressing What engineers and contractors can do to ensure a properly functioning system. Taking this issue a step further, we included what the architect and owner can do as well since this is where all projects start. This is a topic which is often discussed among engineers, contractors, and TAB firms, but one on which little has been written, particularly from the owners and architects perspective. What follows covers some of the more important issues regarding mechanical system design, installation, and operation from the perspective of the testing, adjusting, and balancing (TAB) firm who will be responsible for making the systems work in accordance with the design intent. With few exceptions, the current approach is to build a project at the lowest possible cost, with mechanical systems high on the list of things to be sacrificed in favor of other amenities. This can be a costly mistake. Perhaps nowhere is the adage you get what you pay for more applicable than to air conditioning, heating, and ventilation systems.
ing costs, on the other hand, accumulate throughout the life of the building. Everyone involved in the project has the expectation that the purpose of any mechanical system is to provide precise response to temperature set points, and to provide superior indoor air quality at the lowest operating cost. To accomplish this, the owner and architect must keep two things in mind: 1. When it comes to mechanical systems, cost cutting is almost always to the detriment of system performance. 2. Though a superior mechanical system will have a higher initial cost, the pay back is lower operating costs and occupant satisfaction with the quality of their indoor environment. The testing and balancing agency has the ultimate responsibility to make the mechanical systems work according to the design intent to the extent that the various systems will permit. However, no heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system can be expected to operate correctly unless it is properly designed, properly installed, properly balanced, and properly maintained. Of course errors and omissions can and do occur for any number of reasons, however, to avoid these problems owners, architects, engineers, and contractors should utilize the perspective and experience of TAB firms. Certified TAB firms can produce balanced conditions or, they can explain why such conditions cannot be obtained without major modifications.
On the path of ensuring a properly functioning system, there are a number of considerations that are common to the owner, architect, and engineer, and those that are specific to each.
Common Considerations
Project planning should include a presentation by the mechanical engineer as to what types of mechanical systems would best suit this particular project. At a minimum, this presentation should include the advantages/disadvantages of each type of system, the anticipated first costs, projected operating costs, maintenance costs, expected system response to temperature variations, and system flexibility to meet future building use. Proposed systems should also avoid extremes. Low-end systems will not provide the capacity or response set out as one of the goals that the system must achieve. On the other hand, overly elaborate systems tend to be difficult and costly to maintain. The initial load calculations and equipment selection is based on the original plans and specifications for the building envelop. Substitutions and change orders that affect the buildings load characteristics should not be approved without first evaluating the impact on mechanical system performance. For example, a change order eliminating a thermal break in the glazing of a high rise office building resulted in mullion temperatures of 135F - an additional 1.5 kW per office of unplanned heat load, which resulted in much higher operating costs. Attention to detail is everything.
Mechanical System Design and Installation

Regardless of the type of system, it is extremely important to understand that the initial cost of a mechanical system is a one-time proposition. Monthly operat-
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Always try to allow sufficient time for testing and balancing to be completed before beneficial occupancy. Occupancy makes the task of balancing far more difficult. Furniture and partitions may make access to balancing devices difficult if not impossible. To ensure proper balancing, the firm should be an independent agency that only engages in testing and balancing. The agency should be hired by the owner through an allowance in Division 1 of the specifications. Approved agencies should be listed by name, but allow qualified firms to submit proposals.
To receive maximum benefit of testing and balancing, the owner should require a minimum warranty of one year. During the warranty period, the TAB firm should do a complete walk through with the owners maintenance personnel to show them how the systems were balanced and what the balanced conditions are. Any proposed modifications to any mechanical system should be reviewed by the TAB firm in the context of the original test and balance report to determine if sufficient capacity is available and if the change would adversely affect system performance.
tems are difficult if not impossible to change, and when change is possible, it tends to be costly. The architect should allow sufficient space for mechanical systems to allow for proper connections, maintenance and service. Mechanical equipment and components that are difficult to access will probably go unserviced. Provide access doors to mechanical system components that are located above or behind inaccessible areas such as plaster ceilings. While these access systems may not be architecturally pleasing, they are absolutely necessary for balancing and servicing. Also, be alert to change orders or substitutions that may adversely affect building loads and compromise mechanical system performance.
The Owners Perspective

Commercial building owners and property managers would do well to follow the lead of industrial and manufacturing companies that have one or more TAB firms under contract at all times to advise them on mechanical system performance. This way, the firm is available to run periodic tests and retests to ensure that components are operating properly on an ongoing basis. In the industrial arena, no mechanical system modifications are ever made without careful consideration of the impact it may have on other systems such as production lines. Unfortunately, this is uncommon in the commercial buildings. All too often, after the building is occupied, modifications (an additional VAV terminal, an additional grille or two, etc.) are made to mechanical systems without considering the impact it will have on other areas and on the system as a whole. To prevent potential problems with modifications, it is in the best interests of the building owner or manager to develop a long term relationship with the TAB firm that balanced the various systems and components. The TAB firm should be consulted before systems are modified in order to determine the impact of such modification on the previously balanced condition.
Substitutions and change orders that affect the buildings load characteristics should not be approved without first evaluating the impact on mechanical system performance.
The best advice to building owners is to resist the temptation of allowing other than qualified independent TAB firms to save you money by providing their own balancing services at a lower cost when spaces are remodeled. Having the TAB firm available on an ongoing basis is the owners best insurance that HVAC systems will continue to operate at peak performance and that tenant satisfaction continues.
The Mechanical Engineers Perspective

Always insist on sufficient time to do the necessary planning and calculations, and ensure that the mechanical engineer present alternative systems that are appropriate for the project. At a minimum, this presentation should include the advantages/disadvantages of each type of system, the anticipated first costs, projected operating costs, maintenance costs, expected system response to temperature variations, and system flexibility to meet future building use. The mechanical engineer should utilize the plan review services of a qualified TAB firm before the project is let for bid. This will help assure that all necessary balancing devices and test ports are properly located and noted on the drawings. Another benefit of this process is that it can eliminate any number of addenda that would otherwise be necessary to clarify the designs intent. If the TAB firm must be hired by someone other than the owner, insist that the firm be hired at the outset of the project. This will allow the firm sufficient time to do the necessary project write up and to do timely site inspections.
The Architects Perspective

Most importantly, the architect should allow their consulting engineer sufficient time and money to do his/her job. Also, remember that sacrificing mechanical system integrity for architectural detail is costly to the owner over the life of the system. Once installed, mechanical sys-
24
TAB Journal
Design Considerations
Repeated tests have proven that common plenum systems that utilize the space between the ceiling and the deck above do not work as expected. Trace smoke tests illustrate conclusively that the return air path in common plenum systems is through occupied space until it reaches a point where a sufficient pressure differential is developed to draw air up through return air grilles, around the ceiling grid, and up through the ceiling tile itself. At the buildings perimeter the differential is insufficient for return air to enter the plenum. The result is deficient interior space temperature performance. To counter this deficiency, the load calculations for interior spaces must increased. If the owner wants precise environmental conditions they must accept the added cost of ducting the return air from each zone. The duct need not terminate at a return air grille, it can be stubbed out above the ceiling. This establishes a return air path that avoids the interior spaces and the added cost of additional cooling. The result is superior system performance and lower operating cost over the life of the building. If a common plenum must be used, review structural details to make sure that there are no conflicts that would compromise system performance. This is particularly true of structural beams that may be only a few inches above the finished ceiling. All specifications list associations and agencies that govern various industries and standards and set the requirements under which various mechanical system components are tested and certified. In addition to listing them, consultants should be familiar with how various components are tested and certified. Understanding these requirements will help avoid improper selection and application of various system components. Fans and pumps must be selected and specifically designed for the task with inlet and discharge connections in
accordance with the procedures used to rate and certify them. In all cases, the design must conform to the test setup used to certify the component if proper operation is to be expected.
terminal because they know that the installed conditions are different than the design. When terminals are selected at the upper end of their performance curves, deficient performance is virtually ensured in all but the most ideal conditions because the performance curves are developed without outlet ducts and under ideal inlet conditions - conditions that are rare in the real world. To avoid problems, select the next larger size terminal - it can easily be calibrated to a lower flow and it will have reserve capacity for future use. This is one of the rare cases in mechanical system design where a little bigger is better. Component sizing in hydronic loops is also a major consideration. In this case, bigger is not better. For precise control, control valves, balancing valves, and other specialties should be selected to operate at a near-open position the majority of the time. When control or balancing valves must operate at or be set to an almost closed position, the pressure drops that were designed out in the first place are added back during the balancing process, and precise control is lost. Chilled and hot water systems must be properly cleaned. This is particularly true when automatic flow control valves are specified. The specification must require that all coils, control valves, and specialities be bypassed during cleaning and flushing. Additionally, the loop must be flushed until near potable conditions are achieved. To ensure compliance, the specification should require that the work be completed by an independent company specializing in water treatment. Thorough cleaning avoids rust particles, welding slag, and other debris from becoming trapped in coils, valve seats, and flow control valve orifices. Where necessary, spool pieces can be installed in place of specialties that would
When terminals are selected at the upper end of their performance curves, deficient performance is virtually ensured...
The performance ratings for VAV terminals, grilles, and registers are under ideal conditions. The designs details for connection to the inlets to these devices should be identical to the as tested and certified the manufacturer used. Connections to these devices usually allow two or three diameters of hard pipe into the inlet. Sharp turns of flex duct into these devices reduces the available net free area, and greatly diminishes performance of these devices. In the case of VAV terminals, precise flow control is lost due to the turbulence at the inlet. Where space is limited due to as-built conditions, a long radius of hard pipe (as long as possible) should be specified. While these specialities add somewhat to the cost of the project, they are absolutely necessary if optimum performance is to be achieved. Incorporating correct connections significantly reduces system pressure, and lowers the owners operating costs over the life of the systems. Also, VAV terminal units are tested and certified without discharge ducts. Yet most specifications call for the boxes to be factory calibrated. But calibrated to what? It is impossible for the consultant or manufacturer to know what the actual external static pressure will be in asbuilt conditions. The TAB firm should always be on hand to field calibrate each
TAB Journal
25
otherwise be subject to fouling during the cleaning process. This procedure eliminates the need for all strainers (and associated pressure losses) except for the one ahead of the pump, and even this one can be removed once the system is cleaned. To prevent future contamination, a strainer should be installed in the makeup water line to trap scale and debris that could be introduced from the municipal water supply. Once balanced, the pump(s) impellers should be trimmed to match the actual head. This allows all primary balancing valves at the pumps and chillers to operate in the fully opened position. This reduces loop pressure, prevents valve erosion, and ensures that the valves can provide tight close off during future service. It is imperative that test ports be properly located for balancing. On large pumping loops, each riser should have a flow measuring station and balancing valve, to assure that balancing can be competed in a reasonable amount of time. Repeated adjustments to 20 or 30 coils on each riser to obtain balanced conditions is a difficult, time consuming, and costly process. Mechanical engineers should also require and enforce duct leakage testing. Not only is duct leakage costly, it can severely impair balancing. Adjustments intended to move air from one grill to another are likely to be lost to leakage. This is particularly true in the medium pressure ducts serving a VAV system. While the mechanical contractor should be allowed to do these tests, they must be witnessed by the engineer or the TAB firm. Future indoor air quality is compromised when air handling systems are allowed to be operated during construction without permanent filters and construction filters in place. The accumulation of dust in the supply duct
that results provides the medium to support the development of mold and mildew. As necessary the units can be locked out to prevent unauthorized operation Where the work of the consulting engineer involves modifications to existing systems or that reuses existing components, insist on a preaudit of existing conditions and actual capacities of the mechanical equipment involved. System audits are not costly and can provide valuable information to the engineer for use in designing the modifications. Having access to actual performance data eliminates, or at least minimizes, flawed design based on faulty assumptions, not to mention the risk of litigation by the owner based on a claim that the systems worked fine before.
possible, make a journeyman available to make any repairs or additions necessary for the TAB firm to do its job with a minimum of delays. While most TAB firms will make a repair or two (such as reconnecting a flex duct that might have come loose) to speed the balancing process, the firm cannot be expected to correct major deficiencies.
Conclusions
The purpose of this article has been to inform the owner, architect, engineer, and contractor as to what they can do to ensure the best possible performance of the various mechanical systems and components. They must understand, that attention to detail is critical and that, in the final analysis, value engineering is of little or no benefit to the owner. To the contrary, it is to the owners detriment, and usually results in performance deficiencies. The simple fact is, value engineering almost always results in higher operating costs over the life of the system. In the end, the TAB firms ultimate obligation is to the owner. To maximize the value that the TAB firm can offer, the owner should require an extended two year warranty. Additionally the owner should look to the TAB firm to provide support and assistance (balancing and rebalancing) on an ongoing basis and as necessary to meet the changing use and occupancy throughout the building. Arbitrary system modifications will upset a previously balanced condition. Arbitrarily increasing the load on any system that is marginal to begin with will result in deficient performance overall. The bottom line is that unless qualified TAB firms are involved in the design review and construction phases of building projects, the odds of deficient performance will be much higher. And, as long as first cost is the only consideration in the construction process, deficient performance is virtually a given.
The owner should look to the TAB firm to provide support and assistance (balancing and rebalancing) on an ongoing basis and as necessary
Finally, requiring six month calibration for every balancing instrument needlessly adds to the cost of a project. Instead, the specification can simply state that the instrumentation used on this project shall be of recent calibration in accordance with the manufacturers recommendations.
Mechanical Contractor
The mechanical contractor should make sure all balancing devices are easily located and accessible. Work with the general contractor to assure that access doors are properly located and of sufficient size to allow easy access for balancing and servicing. Also, where
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TAB Journal
A A B C N AT I O N A L M E M B E R S H I P
ALABAMA
Alabama International Test and Balance (A.I.T.B.), Inc. Columbiana, Alabama (205) 669-7834 Systems Analysis, Inc. Birmingham, Alabama (205) 802-7850
FLORIDA
Air Balance Associates, Inc. Altamonte Springs, Florida (407) 834-2627 Bernie Moltz Inc. Rockledge, Florida (407) 631-6411 Environmental Balance Corporation Jacksonville, Florida (904) 724-7881 Perfect Balance, Inc. Jupiter, Florida (407) 575-4919 The Phoenix Agency, Inc. Lutz, Florida (813) 908-7701 Southern Balance, Inc. Pensacola, Florida (850) 433-8933 Southern Independent Testing Agency, Inc. Lutz, Florida (813) 949-1999 Test and Balance Corporation Tampa, Florida (813) 933-4171 Test & Balance Corporation of Orlando Orlando, Florida (407) 894-8181
Weisman, Inc. Towson, Maryland (410) 296-9070
NORTH CAROLINA
Air Balance Corporation Greensboro, North Carolina (336) 275-6678 The Phoenix Agency of North Carolina, Inc. Winston-Salem, North Carolina (910) 744-1998 Test and Balance Corporation Winston-Salem, North Carolina (910) 759-8378
MASSACHUSETTS
Thomas-Young Associates, Inc. Marion, Massachusetts (508) 748-0204
ARIZONA
Arizona Air Balance Company Scottsdale, Arizona (602) 998-1191 General Air Control, Inc. Tucson, Arizona (520) 887-8850 General Air Control, Inc. Mesa, Arizona (602) 964-0187 Penn Air Control, Inc. Tempe, Arizona (602) 438-2664 Precisionaire of Arizona, Inc. Phoenix, Arizona (602) 944-4644 Systems Commissioning & Testing, Inc. Tucson, Arizona (520) 884-4792 Technical Air Balance, Inc. Phoenix, Arizona (602) 492-0831
MICHIGAN
Aerodynamics Inspecting Company Dearborn, Michigan (313) 584-7450 Airflow Testing, Inc. Lincoln Park, Michigan (313) 382-8378
OHIO
Engineered Air Balance Co., Inc. Houston, Texas (281) 873-7084 Engineered Air Balance Co., Inc. San Antonio, Texas (210) 736-9494 Precisionaire of Texas Houston, Texas (281) 449-0961 Professional Engineering Balancing Services, Inc. Dallas, Texas 75355 (214) 349-4644
GEORGIA
Hydro-Air Associates, Inc. Atlanta, Georgia (770) 997-1116 Tab Services, Inc. Atlanta, Georgia (404) 872-1861 Test and Balance Corporation Atlanta, Georgia (404) 255-8295
CALIFORNIA
(ABCO) Air Balance Company, Inc. Fullerton, California (714) 773-4777 American Air Balance Co., Inc. Anaheim, California (714) 693-3700 American Air Balance Co., Inc. Escondido, California (760) 737-0190 Carter Air Balance, Inc. Napa, California (707) 252-4859 Circo System Balance, Inc. Sacramento, California (916) 387-5100 JAS Air Service, Inc. Canoga Park, California (818) 703-0907 National Air Balance Co., Inc. Fremont, California (510) 623-7000 Palt Company Santa Maria, California (805) 739-1669 Penn Air Control, Inc. Cypress, California (714) 220-9091 Penn Air Control, Inc. Petaluma, California (707) 763-7155 Penn Air Control, Inc. San Marcos, California (760) 744-2951 Precision Air Balance Co., Inc. Anaheim, California (714) 630-3796 Raglen System Analysis, Inc. Folsom, California (916) 351-9842 San Diego Air Balance Escondido, California (760) 741-5401 San Diego Air Balance Fullerton, California (714) 870-0457 Technical Air Balance Escondido, California (760) 737-6816 Winaire, Inc. Huntington Beach, California (714) 901-2747
HAWAII
Test and Balance Corporation Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 593-1924
ILLINOIS
United Test and Balance Service, Inc. Addison, Illinois (630) 543-1210
INDIANA
Fluid Dynamics, Inc. Fort Wayne, Indiana (219) 482-1326
IOWA
Systems Management & Balancing, Inc. Des Moines, Iowa (515) 270-8755
KENTUCKY
Thermal Balance, Inc. Lexington, Kentucky (606) 277-6158 Thermal Balance, Inc. Paducah, Kentucky (502) 744-9723
LOUISIANA
Coastal Air Balance, Inc. Metairie, Louisiana (504) 834-4537 Tech Test Inc. of Louisiana Baton Rouge, Louisiana (504) 752-1664
MARYLAND
American Testing Inc. Ellicott City, Maryland (800) 535-5594 Baltimore Air Balance Company Baltimore, Maryland (410) 661-2515 Baltimore Air Balance Company Annapolis, Maryland (410) 266-5854 Chesapeake Testing & Balancing Easton, Maryland (410) 820-9791 Environmental Balancing Corp. Clinton, Maryland (301) 868-6334 Test & Balancing, Inc. Laurel, Maryland (301) 953-0120
CONNECTICUT
James E. Brennan Company, Inc. Wallingford, Connecticut (203) 269-1454 CFM Test & Balance Corporation Bethel, Connecticut (203) 778-1900
Airdronics Inc. Swanton, Ohio (419) 825-1437 R.H. Cochran and Associates, Inc. MINNESOTA Euclid, Ohio Mechanical Data Corporation (216) 731-0163 Wayzata, Minnesota Heat Transfarr, Inc. (612) 473-1176 Columbus, Ohio Systems Management & Balancing, Inc. (614) 848-4303 Brooklyn Park, Minnesota Kahoe Air Balance (Cincinnati) (612) 339-8861 Cincinnati, Ohio MISSISSIPPI (513) 248-4141 Coastal Air Balance of Mississippi, Inc. Kahoe Air Balance (Columbus) Terry, Mississippi Lewis Center, Ohio (601) 878-6701 (614) 548-7411 Kahoe Air Balance (Dayton) Systems Analysis, Inc. Bellbrook, Ohio Kosciusko, Mississippi (513) 848-8115 (601) 290-0729 Kahoe Air Balance Company MISSOURI Eastlake, Ohio Envirosystem Analysis, Inc. (216) 946-4300 St. Charles, Missouri PBC, Inc. (Professional (314) 947-6324 Balance Company) Miller & Associates Testing & Balancing Willoughby, Ohio St. Louis, Missouri (216) 975-9494 (314) 961-4018 OKLAHOMA Miller Certified Air Eagle Engineering Company St. Louis, Missouri Cushing, Oklahoma (314) 352-8981 (918) 225-1668 Precisionaire of the Midwest Grain Valley, Missouri PENNSYLVANIA (816) 228-3271 Butler Balancing Company Senco Services Thorndale, Pennsylvania St. Louis, Missouri (610) 383-5104 (314) 432-5100 Flood & Sterling Systems Testing and Analysis Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Creve Coeur, Missouri (717) 232-0529 (314) 567-6011 Kahoe Air Balance (Pittsburgh) NEVADA McMurray, Pennsylvania (412) 941-3335 (ABCO) Air Balance Company, Inc. WAE Balancing, Inc. Las Vegas, Nevada Mercer, Pennsylvania (702) 597-1905 (412) 662-5743 American Air Balance Company, Inc. Boulder City, Nevada PUERTO RICO (702) 255-7331 LABTECH Land Air Balance Technology Penn Air Control, Inc. Humacao, Puerto Rico Las Vegas, Nevada (809) 850-1866 (702) 385-5227 Penn Air Control, Inc. SOUTH CAROLINA Las Vegas, Nevada Hall Technology, Inc. (702) 221-9877 Leesville, South Carolina Raglen System Balance, Inc. (803) 532-1132 Reno, Nevada TENNESSEE (702) 747-0100 Technical Air Balance, Inc. Environmental Test & Balance Company Las Vegas, Nevada Memphis, Tennessee (702) 736-3374 (901) 373-9946 Winaire, Inc. Systems Analysis, Inc. Las Vegas, Nevada Hermitage, Tennessee (702) 262-9606 (615) 883-9199 United Testing & Balancing, Inc. NEW JERSEY Nashville, Tennessee Effective Air Balance, Inc. (615) 331-1294 Totowa, New Jersey United Testing & Balancing, Inc. (973) 790-6748 Knoxville, Tennessee Enercon Testing & Balancing Corp. (615) 922-5754 Scotch Plains, New Jersey TEXAS (800) 696-0760 Aerodynamics Inspecting Company NEW YORK San Antonio, Texas Air Conditioning Test & Balance (210) 349-2391 Great Neck, New York Air Engineering & Testing (516) 487-6724 Dallas, Texas Enercon Testing & Balancing Corp. (972) 386-0144 New York, New York Austin Air Balancing Corporation (212) 696-0760 Austin, Texas Mechanical Testing, Inc. (512) 477-7247 Schenectady, New York Delta-T, Inc. (518) 374-9440 Dallas, Texas Precision Testing & Balancing, Inc. (214) 348-7430 Bronx, New York Engineered Air Balance Co., Inc. (718) 994-2300 Dallas, Texas (972) 239-4800
UTAH
R. and S. Balancing Company Salt Lake City, Utah (801) 485-1411
VIRGINIA
Arian Tab Services, Inc. Vienna, Virginia (703) 319-1000 Technical Engineering Services Co. Chesterfield, Virginia (804) 739-6155
WASHINGTON
Eagle Engineering Company Bellevue, Washington (206) 747-9256 Penn Air Control, Inc. Auburn, Washington (206) 939-4293
WISCONSIN
Professional System Analysis, Inc. Germantown, Wisconsin (414) 253-4146
AABC CANADIAN CHAPTER

A.H.S. Testing and Balancing Ltd. Winnipeg, Manitoba (204) 224-1416 Accu-Air Balance Co. (1991) Inc. Windsor, Ontario (519) 256-4543 Air Movement & Mechanical Services, Ltd. Winnipeg, Manitoba (204) 233-7456 Airwaso, Ltd. Windsor, Ontario (519) 252-3064 Airwaso, Ltd. London, Ontario (519) 438-1234 Caltab Air Balance Inc. Essex, Ontario (519) 259-1581 Controlled Air Management Ltd. Moncton, New Brunswick (506) 852-3529 Designtest & Balance Co. Ltd. Richmond Hill, Ontario (905) 886-6513 D.F.C. Mechanical Testing & Balancing, Ltd. Winnipeg, Manitoba (204) 694-4901 Dynamic Flow Balancing Ltd. Mississauga, Ontario (905) 828-8088 Equilibration dair Danco, Inc. Sherbrooke, Quebec (819) 823-2092 Equilibration dair Danco Quebec, Inc. Quebec, Quebec (418) 847-6049 Kanata Air Balancing & Engineering Services Kanata, Ontario (613) 839-2163 Pro-Air Testing, Ltd. Toronto, Ontario (416) 233-2700 Scan Air Balance 1990 Ltd. Moncton, New Brunswick (506) 857-9100 Scotia Air Balance (1996) limited Antigonish Co., Nova Scotia (902) 232-2491 Systems Balance Limited Halifax, Nova Scotia (902) 465-5554 Thermo Mechanical Services Ltd. Edmonton, Alberta (403) 451-4762 VPG Associates Limited Etobicoke, Ontario (416) 674-0644

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TAB

Serving the HVAC Test and Balance and Engineering Industries

WORKING FOR THE BUILDING OWNER

INVEST IN YOUR FUTURE

Independent Testing-An Owners Perspective

Accuracy Counts - Sheave, Belt and Speed Adjustments . . . . . . . . . . 8

Cooling Tower Troubleshooting

Pressurization the Key to Smoke Management

The Art of Balancing Fan Terminals

From the Publisher

WORKING FOR THE BUILDING OWNER

Independent Testing An Owners Perspective

independent testing and balance firms. These services may include:

s Checking to insure that all necessary

parts are included in the design (and installed during construction).

Pre-Construction Services Wanted

Marketing the Owner

Easy to install and easy to learn.

es giv B er TA rit Cw stom ust E SP u cu in j ! yo pecs utes S n mi

SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY PRICE $49.95!

1518 K Street NW, Suite 503

Accuracy Counts - Sheave, Belt and Speed Adjustments

(Continued from previous page)

Sheave Type FHP VP (2VP) LVP (2VP) MVP (2-6 Belts)

Pitch Change Min. to Max. 1.0 1.2 1.2 1.4

Belts Commonly Used 4L, 5L, A, B 4L, 5L, 5V, A, B A, B A, B, 5V

Belt Type FHP FHP FHP A B C 5V

Listed Size 3L600 4L600 5L600 A-60 B-60 C-60 5VX600

Bushing Type P H Q, R SH SK SF SDS

Torque Specs in foot pounds 16 7.9 28.8 9 15 30 9

(Continued on next page)

(Continued from previous page)

Introducing The New AABC Test & Balance Procedures

NC TEST & BALAREE PROCEDU S

S ECTION 2: Basic Measurements required by all component and system procedures.

NCIL E COU ALANC AIR B IATED ASSOC

tions that meet design objectives.

S ECTION 3: The Component

S ECTION 4: Air Systems. S ECTION 5: Hydronic Systems

AABC Member Cost: $25.00

Non-Member Cost: $50.00

Card Number ___________________________________________ Exp. Date __________ Name of Cardholder ___________________________________________________________

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Complete order form and return along with payment to:

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Cooling Tower Troubleshooting

Pressurization the Key to Smoke Management

Testing Constant Volume Outside Air Fans

Testing the System

The Effects of Cooling Tower Bypass Piping on System Operation

The Art of Air Balancing Fan Terminals

Intermittent Fan Terminal

Figure 1: Intermittent Fan Unit with Electric Heat in Return Path

(Continued from previous page)

Series Fan Terminals

A. Pitot traverse inlet to terminal.

B. Use the manufacturers flow sensor and flow chart.

(Continued from previous page)

C. Monitor inlet and discharge temperatures.

Testing The Heaters

D. Monitor return opening air patterns.

3 Parallel Fan Units

Card Number _ Exp. Date Name of Cardholder ___________________