General Construction Specifications
SECTION 15990
TESTING, ADJUSTING, AND BALANCING
PART 1 - GENERAL
1.01 SECTION INCLUDES
A. Testing, adjustment, and balancing of systems.
1.02 RELATED SECTIONS
A. Section 01410 - Quality Control: Testing laboratory services.
B. Section 01650 - Starting of Systems.
C. Section 11354 - Chemical Storage and Feed Equipment.
D. Section 15885 - Air Cleaning.
E. Section 15890 - Ductwork.
F. Section 15910 - Ductwork Accessories.
G. Section 15940 - Air Outlets and Inlets.
1.03 REFERENCES
A. AABC - National Standards for Total System Balance.
B. NEBB - Procedural Standards for Testing, Balancing and Adjusting of Environmental Systems.
C. SMACNA - HVAC Systems Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing.
1.04 SUBMITTALS
A. Submit under provisions of Section 01300.
B. Submit name of adjusting and balancing agency for approval within 60 days of testing procedure.
C. Field Reports: Indicate deficiencies in systems that would prevent proper testing, adjusting, and balancing of systems and to achieve specified performance.
D. Submit draft copies of report for review prior to final acceptance of Project. Provide final copies for Engineer and for inclusion in operating and maintenance manuals.
E. Include detailed procedures, agenda, sample report forms and copy of AABC National Project Performance Guaranty prior to commencing system balance.
F. Test Reports: Indicate data on AABC National Standards for Total System Balance forms.
G. Forms shall include the following minimum information:
1. Title Page:
a. Name of Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing Agency
b. Address of Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing Agency
c. Telephone Number of Testing, Adjusting and Balancing Agency.
d. Project name
e. Project location
f. Project Engineer
g. Project Altitude
h. Report Date
2. Summary Comments:
a. Design versus final performance
b. Notable characteristics of system
c. Description of systems operation sequence
d. Nomenclature used throughout report
e. Test conditions
3. Instrument List:
a. Instrument
b. Manufacturer
c. Model number
d. Serial number
e. Range
f. Calibration date
4. Air Moving Equipment:
a. Location
b. Manufacturer
c. Model number
d. Serial number
e. Arrangement/class/discharge
f. Air flow, specified and actual
5. Exhaust Fan Data:
a. Location
b. Manufacturer
c. Model number
d. Serial number
e. Air flow, specified and actual
6. Electric Motors:
a. Manufacturer
b. Model/frame
c. HP/BHP
d. Phase, voltage, amperage; nameplate, actual, no load.
e. RPM
f. Service factor
g. Starter size, rating, heater elements
h. Sheave make/size/bore
7. V-Belt Drive:
a. Identification/location
b. Required driven RPM
c. Driven sheave, diameter and RPM
d. Belt, size and quantity
e. Motor sheave, diameter and RPM
f. Center to center distance, maximum, minimum, and actual
8. Electric Heater:
a. Manufacturer
b. Identification/number
c. Location
d. Model number
e. Design kW
f. Number of stages
g. Phase, voltage, amperage
h. Test voltage (each phase)
i. Test amperage (each phase)
j. Air flow, specified and actual
k. Temperature rise, specified and actual
1.05 PROJECT RECORD DOCUMENTS
A. Submit record documents under provisions of Section 01720.
1.06 QUALITY ASSURANCE
A. Agency: Company specializing in the adjusting and balancing of systems specified in this Section with minimum three years experience certified by AABC.
B. Perform Work under supervision of AABC Certified Test and Balance Engineer. NEBB Certified Testing, Balancing and Adjusting Supervisor.
PART 2 - PRODUCTS
A. NOT USED.
PART 3 - EXECUTION
3.01 EXAMINATION
A. Verify that systems are complete and operable before commencing work. Ensure the following Conditions:
1. Systems are started and operating in a safe and normal condition.
2. Proper thermal overload protection is in place for electrical equipment.
3. Final filters are clean and in place. If required, install temporary media in addition to final filters.
4. Duct systems are clean of debris.
5. Fans are rotating correctly.
6. Access doors are closed and duct end caps are in place.
7. Air outlets are installed and connected.
8. Duct system leakage has been minimized.
9. Chemical feed flow rates.
B. Submit Field Report: Report defects or deficiencies noted during performance of services which prevent system balance.
C. Promptly report abnormal conditions in mechanical systems or conditions to Engineer.
D. Beginning of work means acceptance of existing conditions.
3.02 PREPARATION
A. Provide instruments required for testing, adjusting, and balancing operations. Make instruments available to Engineer to facilitate spot checks during testing.
B. Provide additional balancing devices as required.
3.03 INSTALLATION TOLERANCES
A. Air Outlets and Inlets: Adjust total to within plus 10 percent and minus 5 percent of design to space. Adjust outlets and inlets in space to within ±10 percent of design.
3.04 ADJUSTING
A. Ensure recorded data shall represent actually measured, or observed condition.
B. After adjustment, take measurements to verify balance has not been disrupted or that such disruption has been rectified.
C. Leave systems in proper working order, replacing belt guards, closing access doors, closing doors to electrical switch boxes, and restoring thermostats to specified settings.
END OF SECTION
