Tab Journal Summer 07 Complete

n
Manual Volume Dampers for

Balancing Accuracy
n
Correcting VAV Valve and Excess
CO2 Problems
n
Outside Air and Occupant Comfort
Adjusting
Airflow
New AVM440
This simple to operate Thermal
Anemometer comes with straight or
articulated telescoping probe. It calculates
volumetric flow, and actual/standard velocity.
Rugged. Reliable. Professional.
Everything You ExpectAnd More
Rugged and Reliable
with a New Look
New RVA501
Digital Rotating Vane Anemometer that
is easy to use and provides accurate
and reliable readings of air velocity
and volumetric flow measurements.
EBT 721
This ultra light weight capture hood with a
detachable digital micromanometer can
be used with a velocity matrix, air flow,
temperature or temperature/humidity probes.
(Shown with accessories)
All these instruments shown include LogData2
downloading software.
Ask your local wholesale supplier for
Alnor brand test instruments today!
Questions? Contact us.
Phone 651 490 2811 Fax 651 490 3824
1 800 424 7427 customerservice@alnor.com www.alnor.com
Alnor 8.5 x 11.qxp 4/30/2007 10:23 AM Page 1
Manual Volume Dampers . 2.
Steve Young, TBE
Outside Air Introduction & Coil Performance Verifcation. 6.
Michael Ziegler, TBE
Air System Improvement. 8.
Serban Radu
Correcting an Excess C02 Problem. 10.
James E. Brennan, TBE
Powered Exhaust Fans. 11.
Charles Schwebach, TBE
Ultrasonic Method of Determining Flow Rates. 13.
Paul Thomas, TBE
Room Pressure Differentials in Critical Environments. 14.
Theodore Cohen, P.E., TBE
Tech Talk. 16
Minimum Outside Air Solution Dilemma . 19.
Dennis Aramil, TBE
Dampers and Plates Solve an Excess Airfow Problem. 20.
John A. Balanik, TBE
The Importance of Cooling Towers. 22.
Istvan Frohling
C ONT E NT S
TAB
j o u r n a l
From the Publisher
The.Summer.2007.issue.of.TAB Journal.focuses.on.a.number.of.ways.that.good.
test.and.balance.companies.adjust.airfow.to.provide.benefcial.results.In.Manual.
Volume.Dampers,.The.Phoenix.Agencys.Steve.Young.goes.into.great.detail.about.
these.unsung.heroes.of.system.balancing.Michael.Ziegler.of.TAB.Technology.
discusses.the.importance.of.introducing.of.large.quantities.of.outside.air.to.evaluate.
coil.performance.and.properly.temper.the.air,.while.AIRDRONICS.Incs.Serban.
Radu.explains.how.a.balancing.company.can.improve.occupant.comfort.by.making.
adjustments.to.VAV.valves.Finally,.in.Correcting.an.Excess.CO2.Problem.and.
Dampers.and.Plates.Solve.an.Excess.Airfow.Problem,.James.Brennan.and.John.
Balanik.provide.case.studies.involving.specifc.airfow.adjustments.needed.to.complete.
two.very.different.projects
Other.technical.articles.include.Room.Pressure.Differentials.in.Critical.
Environments.by.Ted.Cohen,.and.others.on.powered.exhaust.fans,.using.ultrasonic.
equipment.to.determine.water.fow.rates,.cooling.towers,.and.minimum.outside.air.
This.issues.edition.of.Tech.Talk.tackles.questions.on.DDC.system.monitoring,.
determining.total.CFM,.and.air.valve.fow.and.calibration.factors.If.you.have.a.
question.about.test.and.balance,.please.submit.themor.any.other.ideas,.comments,.
or.questionsto.us.at.info@aabccom
.
Associated Air Balance Council

BoArd of direCtors
And offiCers
President
Mike Young
Test and Balance Corporation
executive Vice President
Joseph E. Baumgartner, III, P.E.
Baumgartner, Inc.
secretary/treasurer
Michael Renovich
RS Analysis, Inc.
Vice President/eastern Zone-1
Daniel J. Acri
Flood and Sterling
Vice President/Central Zone-2
Jay A. Johnson
Thermal Balance, Inc.
Vice President/Western Zone-3
Michael Delcamp
Precisionaire of Texas
immediate Past President
Robert A. Conboy
American Air Balance Co., Inc.
director, Canadian Chapter
Marc Desjardins, P.Eng
Kanata Air Balancing &
Engineering Services
executive director
Kenneth M. Sufka
TAB Journal Editor
Ray Bert
Editorial Offce
1518 K Street, N.W., Suite 503
Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 737-0202 FAX: (202) 638-4833
E-mail: info@aabc.com
Website: www.aabc.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
offcers, directors, or staff. Letters,
manuscripts, and other submissions
are welcome. However, TAB Journal
accepts no responsibility for
unsolicited material.
All rights reserved. Copyright 2007
by the Associated Air Balance Council.
AABC
We are pleased to introduce the AABC National Standards for Total
System Balance, 2002 Edition, which has been completely rewritten
and re-organized to refect the latest advancements in the test and
balance industry.
This comprehensive manual details the minimum standards for total
system balance. Each chapter covers a specifc area in the test and
balance process, enabling the design professional to select those
items that are best suited for a particular project.
Additionally, the Standards will assist the design professional in
achieving design intent, provide a better understanding of the scope of
work required of the TAB agency, and ensure that proper methods and
procedures are followed in the test and balance process.
New features of the Standards include:
Illustrative tables and charts
Equations and examples
Sample specifcations
Expanded section of sample
report forms
New technologies, such as DDC
Updated testing procedures
Appendix with equations in both
English and Metric formats
The AABC National Standards
for Total System Balance
Name
Company
Shipping Address
City State Zip
Phone Fax
Email
Over 350 pages of standards for total system
balancing. Order your copy of the new
AABC National Standards for Total System
Balance today!
Non-Member Cost: $75.00
AABC National Standards 2002 @ $75 each x ________= $____________
Payment Information
Payment Type (Check one)
Check Enclosed MasterCard Visa American Express
Card Number Expiration Date
Name on Card
Signature
Please complete order form and return along with payment to:
1518 K Street, N.W., Suite 503 Washington, D.C. 20005
Credit card purchasers may fax orders to: (202) 638-4833
or order online at www.aabc.com/publications
AABC believes that by promoting the concept of Total System Balance,
the industry will be encouraged to adopt more consistent practices,
thus ensuring greater success for all parties involved in the design,
installation, start-up, operation and testing of HVAC systems.
For additional information on the Associated Air Balance Council or the
new AABC Standards, visit our website at www.aabc.com, or contact
AABC National Headquarters at 202-737-0202.
Industry Professionals!
A Must-hAve ResouRce foR
Manual Volume Dampers . 2.
Steve Young, TBE
Outside Air Introduction & Coil Performance Verifcation. 6.
Michael Ziegler, TBE
Air System Improvement. 8.
Serban Radu
Correcting an Excess C02 Problem. 10.
James E. Brennan, TBE
Powered Exhaust Fans. 11.
Charles Schwebach, TBE
Ultrasonic Method of Determining Flow Rates. 13.
Paul Thomas, TBE
Room Pressure Differentials in Critical Environments. 14.
Theodore Cohen, P.E., TBE
Tech Talk. 16
Minimum Outside Air Solution Dilemma . 19.
Dennis Aramil, TBE
Dampers and Plates Solve an Excess Airfow Problem. 20.
John A. Balanik, TBE
The Importance of Cooling Towers. 22.
Istvan Frohling
C ONT E NT S
TAB
j o u r n a l
Irom thc JubIishcr
The.Summer.2007.issue.of.TAB Journal.focuses.on.a.number.of.ways.that.good.
test.and.balance.companies.adjust.airfow.to.provide.benefcial.results.In.Manual.
Volume.Dampers,.The.Phoenix.Agencys.Steve.Young.goes.into.great.detail.about.
these.unsung.heroes.of.system.balancing.Michael.Ziegler.of.TAB.Technology.
discusses.the.importance.of.introducing.of.large.quantities.of.outside.air.to.evaluate.
coil.performance.and.properly.temper.the.air,.while.AIRDRONICS.Incs.Serban.
Radu.explains.how.a.balancing.company.can.improve.occupant.comfort.by.making.
adjustments.to.VAV.valves.Finally,.in.Correcting.an.Excess.CO2.Problem.and.
Dampers.and.Plates.Solve.an.Excess.Airfow.Problem,.James.Brennan.and.John.
Balanik.provide.case.studies.involving.specifc.airfow.adjustments.needed.to.complete.
two.very.different.projects
Other.technical.articles.include.Room.Pressure.Differentials.in.Critical.
Environments.by.Ted.Cohen,.and.others.on.powered.exhaust.fans,.using.ultrasonic.
equipment.to.determine.water.fow.rates,.cooling.towers,.and.minimum.outside.air.
This.issues.edition.of.Tech.Talk.tackles.questions.on.DDC.system.monitoring,.
determining.total.CFM,.and.air.valve.fow.and.calibration.factors.If.you.have.a.
question.about.test.and.balance,.please.submit.themor.any.other.ideas,.comments,.
or.questionsto.us.at.info@aabccom
.
1
BoArd of direCtors
And offiCers
President
Mike Young
executive Vice President
Joseph E. Baumgartner, III, P.E.
Baumgartner, Inc.
secretary/treasurer
Michael Renovich
RS Analysis, Inc.
Vice President/eastern Zone-1
Daniel J. Acri
Flood and Sterling
Vice President/Central Zone-2
Jay A. Johnson
Vice President/Western Zone-3
Michael Delcamp
immediate Past President
Robert A. Conboy
director, Canadian Chapter
Marc Desjardins, P.Eng
executive director
Kenneth M. Sufka
TAB Journal Editor
Ray Bert
Editorial Offce
1518 K Street, N.W., Suite 503
Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 737-0202 FAX: (202) 638-4833
Website: www.aabc.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
offcers, directors, or staff. Letters,
manuscripts, and other submissions
are welcome. However, TAB Journal
accepts no responsibility for
unsolicited material.
All rights reserved. Copyright 2007
by the Associated Air Balance Council.
AABC
We are pleased to introduce the AABC National Standards for Total
System Balance, 2002 Edition, which has been completely rewritten
and re-organized to refect the latest advancements in the test and
balance industry.
This comprehensive manual details the minimum standards for total
system balance. Each chapter covers a specifc area in the test and
balance process, enabling the design professional to select those
items that are best suited for a particular project.
Additionally, the Standards will assist the design professional in
achieving design intent, provide a better understanding of the scope of
work required of the TAB agency, and ensure that proper methods and
procedures are followed in the test and balance process.
New features of the Standards include:
Illustrative tables and charts
Equations and examples
Sample specifcations
Expanded section of sample
report forms
New technologies, such as DDC
Updated testing procedures
Appendix with equations in both
English and Metric formats
The AABC National Standards
for Total System Balance
Name
Company
Shipping Address
City State Zip
Phone Fax
Email
Over 350 pages of standards for total system
balancing. Order your copy of the new
AABC National Standards for Total System
Balance today!
AABC National Standards 2002 @ $75 each x ________= $____________
Payment Information
Payment Type (Check one)
Name on Card
Signature
1518 K Street, N.W., Suite 503 Washington, D.C. 20005
Credit card purchasers may fax orders to: (202) 638-4833
or order online at www.aabc.com/publications
AABC believes that by promoting the concept of Total System Balance,
the industry will be encouraged to adopt more consistent practices,
thus ensuring greater success for all parties involved in the design,
installation, start-up, operation and testing of HVAC systems.
For additional information on the Associated Air Balance Council or the
new AABC Standards, visit our website at www.aabc.com, or contact
AABC National Headquarters at 202-737-0202.
Industry Professionals!
A Must-hAve ResouRce foR
TAB Journal
M
anual.dampers.are.
adjusted.in.the.balance.
process.to.set.the.system.
fow.throughout.the.duct.system,.
establishing.the.system.characteristic.
curve.Manual.volume.dampers.
should.be.located.in.every.sub-main,.
branch,.take-off,.zone.and.last.duct.
run-out.Many.designers.forget.to.
show.a.damper.in.the.very.last.run-
out.when.the.duct.continues.straight.
after.the.last.branch.Perhaps.the.
thinking.is.this.will.be.the.worse.
case.line.and.will.not.need.a.damper
Unfortunately,.this.is.not.always.the.
worse.case.Included.with.this.article.
are.some.typical.details.for.damper.
installation.The.design.drawings.
should.include.details.for.the.
damper.construction.and.the.typical.
damper.installation.confguration.
In.addition.to.the.typical.locations,.
the.actual.locations.should.be.
shown.on.the.ductwork.drawings.
Further,.there.should.be.verbiage.
in.the.specifcations.as.to.quality,.
installation.and.typical.location.A.
number.of.designers.do.not.show.
damper.locations.on.the.ductwork.
plans,.but.instead.rely.upon.a.
drawing.detail.Most.designers.Ive.
talked.with.indicate.that.they.are.
afraid.if.they.miss.a.location.on.
the.ductwork.plan.the.contractor.
will.ask.for.an.extra.to.install.
the.damper.While.this.is.a.valid.
argument,.I.believe.including.both.
the.detail.and.the.actual.locations.
clearly.exhibit.the.intent.of.the.
designer.and.when.the.specifcations.
back.up.the.drawings,.there.is.
usually.no.argument
In.the.construction.of.the.damper,.
the.damper.blade,.pivot.rod.and.the.
hardware.must.be.made.of.suffcient.
strength.and.locking.capability.to.
hold.the.damper.in.place.without.
vibration.or.slippage.once.set.in.the.
air.stream.Damper.blades.should.
be.constructed.of.at.least.two.gages.
heavier.than.the.duct.in.which.they.
are.installed.and.no.lighter.than.
22.gauge.The.pivot.rod.holds.the.
damper.blade.in.the.air.stream.and.
without.allowing.the.blade.to.move.
In.a.multi-blade.damper,.the.pivots.
attach.to.a.frame.through.bearings.
holding.the.dampers.in.place.while.
the.frame.in.mounted.inside.the.
sheet.metal.duct.The.adjusting.
hardware.is.connected.to.one.shaft.
through.the.duct.wall.that.moves.all.
of.the.damper.blades.simultaneously.
Multiblade.dampers.are.either.
opposed.blade.or.parallel.(louver).
type.Opposed.blade.dampers.are.
used.for.balancing.since.the.leaving.
air.stream.is.more.evenly.distributed.
in.the.duct.The.parallel.blade.
damper.defects.the.air.stream.and.
is.not.suitable.for.uniform.fow.
Parallel.blade.dampers.are.used.for.
two.position.duty
With.single.blade.damper.installation,.the.
damper.is.usually.installed.in.a.duct.sleeve.that.
becomes.part.of.the.duct.system.The.pivot.
extends.through.the.wall.of.the.duct.with.a.
pivot.bearing.at.each.duct.wall.penetration.
Economical.dampers.use.just.the.duct.wall.
for.the.pivot.bearing.without.a.sleeve.between.
the.rod.and.the.wall.For.shop.built.dampers.the.
pivot.rods,.and.more.importantly,.the.fastening.
of.the.rod.to.the.damper.blade,.are.very.often.
one.of.the.weak.links.in.the.damper.construction.
Pivots.must.be.securely.fastened.to.the.damper.
blade.Pivot.rods.for.dampers.over.12.should.
be.of.X.stock.and.continuous.Dampers.
12and.less.can.have.non-continuous.pivot.
rods.Where.the.rod.penetrates.the.duct,.a.seal.
should.be.included,.but.this.is.rarely.seen.on.low.
pressure.duct.The.details.in.the.SMACNA.Duct.
Construction.Manual.Plate.2-.are.a.very.good.
guide.to.construction.of.the.damper
Adjustment.and.locking.hardware.should.be.
substantial.enough.to.adjust.the.damper.without.
vibration.and.to.permanently.lock.the.damper.
in.position.There.are.two.basic.types.of.damper.
adjustment.and.locking.hardware.The.frst.
kind.is.the.locking.quadrant.This.type.of.
hardware.has.the.pivot.rod.extending.through.
one.end.of.the.adjustment.lever.with.a.setscrew.
in.a.90.arc.channel.about.half.way.from.the.
pivot.rod.to.the.other.end.of.the.adjustment.
lever.This.allows.only.for.a.90.open-
close.action.and.gives.a.positive.lock.of.the.
adjustment.lever,.offset.from.the.pivot.rod.The.
other.type.of.locking.hardware.has.a.securing.
nut.on.the.pivot.rod.and.employs.two.different.
strategies.of.securing.the.damper.blade.at.the.
pivot.rod.The.frst.employs.a.grooved.locking.
ring.that.positively.locks.the.pivot.in.place.when.
the.damper.pivot.shaft.nut.is.tightened.and.
secured.The.other.type.of.pivot.lock.employs.a.
wing.nut.on.a.threaded.pivot.shaft,.tightening.
against.a.washer.on.the.outside.of.the.duct,.
relying.upon.friction.between.the.wing.nut.
and.washer.to.secure.the.pivot.and.damper.
Manual Volume Dampers
St e v e Yo ung , T BE
The Phoenix Agency, Inc.
Manual volume dampers are an integral part of just about every commercial heating, ventilating and air conditioning
system designed today. They are the unsung hero in the balancing of any system. Their importance is paramount,
not only to the successful balance of the system, but also to the longevity of the balance. Anyone who has adjusted
a damper to a specific flow can tell you, the ability and accuracy of the adjustment improves with the quality of the
damper. Hopefully, this article will help the designer better select and specify the appropriate damper to improve the
accuracy and longevity of the balance for the occupants comfort and system efficiency.
Quadrant Handle
Note the locking wing nut offset
from the damper rod
Continous rod > 12"
Quadrant on
stand-off
Friction lock
handle
Non continous
rod = 12"
Quadrant on
stand-off
Continous rod > 12"
End Bearing
Quadrant Handle
from the damper rod
Continous rod > 12"
Quadrant on
stand-off
Friction lock
handle
Non continous
rod = 12"
Quadrant on
stand-off
Continous rod > 12"
End Bearing
Quadrant Handle
from the damper rod
Continous rod > 12"
Quadrant on
stand-off
Friction lock
handle
Non continous
rod = 12"
Quadrant on
stand-off
Continous rod > 12"
End Bearing
Quadrant Handle
from the damper rod
Continous rod > 12"
Quadrant on
stand-off
Friction lock
handle
Non continous
rod = 12"
Quadrant on
stand-off
Continous rod > 12"
End Bearing
Damper Hardware
Figure 2
Outside Air
Return Air
Single Zone Unit with Riser
1
st
Floor
2
nd
Floor
3
rd
Floor
Manual volume dampers
should be located in every
sub-main, branch, take-off,
zone and last duct run-out.
TAB Journal
FIGURE 1
FIGURE 2
2 TAB Journal
M
anual.dampers.are.
adjusted.in.the.balance.
process.to.set.the.system.
fow.throughout.the.duct.system,.
establishing.the.system.characteristic.
curve.Manual.volume.dampers.
should.be.located.in.every.sub-main,.
branch,.take-off,.zone.and.last.duct.
run-out.Many.designers.forget.to.
show.a.damper.in.the.very.last.run-
out.when.the.duct.continues.straight.
after.the.last.branch.Perhaps.the.
thinking.is.this.will.be.the.worse.
case.line.and.will.not.need.a.damper
Unfortunately,.this.is.not.always.the.
worse.case.Included.with.this.article.
are.some.typical.details.for.damper.
installation.The.design.drawings.
should.include.details.for.the.
damper.construction.and.the.typical.
damper.installation.confguration.
In.addition.to.the.typical.locations,.
the.actual.locations.should.be.
shown.on.the.ductwork.drawings.
Further,.there.should.be.verbiage.
in.the.specifcations.as.to.quality,.
installation.and.typical.location.A.
number.of.designers.do.not.show.
damper.locations.on.the.ductwork.
plans,.but.instead.rely.upon.a.
drawing.detail.Most.designers.Ive.
talked.with.indicate.that.they.are.
afraid.if.they.miss.a.location.on.
the.ductwork.plan.the.contractor.
will.ask.for.an.extra.to.install.
the.damper.While.this.is.a.valid.
argument,.I.believe.including.both.
the.detail.and.the.actual.locations.
clearly.exhibit.the.intent.of.the.
designer.and.when.the.specifcations.
back.up.the.drawings,.there.is.
usually.no.argument
In.the.construction.of.the.damper,.
the.damper.blade,.pivot.rod.and.the.
hardware.must.be.made.of.suffcient.
strength.and.locking.capability.to.
hold.the.damper.in.place.without.
vibration.or.slippage.once.set.in.the.
air.stream.Damper.blades.should.
be.constructed.of.at.least.two.gages.
heavier.than.the.duct.in.which.they.
are.installed.and.no.lighter.than.
22.gauge.The.pivot.rod.holds.the.
damper.blade.in.the.air.stream.and.
without.allowing.the.blade.to.move.
In.a.multi-blade.damper,.the.pivots.
attach.to.a.frame.through.bearings.
holding.the.dampers.in.place.while.
the.frame.in.mounted.inside.the.
sheet.metal.duct.The.adjusting.
hardware.is.connected.to.one.shaft.
through.the.duct.wall.that.moves.all.
of.the.damper.blades.simultaneously.
Multiblade.dampers.are.either.
opposed.blade.or.parallel.(louver).
type.Opposed.blade.dampers.are.
used.for.balancing.since.the.leaving.
air.stream.is.more.evenly.distributed.
in.the.duct.The.parallel.blade.
damper.defects.the.air.stream.and.
is.not.suitable.for.uniform.fow.
Parallel.blade.dampers.are.used.for.
two.position.duty
With.single.blade.damper.installation,.the.
damper.is.usually.installed.in.a.duct.sleeve.that.
becomes.part.of.the.duct.system.The.pivot.
extends.through.the.wall.of.the.duct.with.a.
pivot.bearing.at.each.duct.wall.penetration.
Economical.dampers.use.just.the.duct.wall.
for.the.pivot.bearing.without.a.sleeve.between.
the.rod.and.the.wall.For.shop.built.dampers.the.
pivot.rods,.and.more.importantly,.the.fastening.
of.the.rod.to.the.damper.blade,.are.very.often.
one.of.the.weak.links.in.the.damper.construction.
Pivots.must.be.securely.fastened.to.the.damper.
blade.Pivot.rods.for.dampers.over.12.should.
be.of.X.stock.and.continuous.Dampers.
12and.less.can.have.non-continuous.pivot.
rods.Where.the.rod.penetrates.the.duct,.a.seal.
should.be.included,.but.this.is.rarely.seen.on.low.
pressure.duct.The.details.in.the.SMACNA.Duct.
Construction.Manual.Plate.2-.are.a.very.good.
guide.to.construction.of.the.damper
Adjustment.and.locking.hardware.should.be.
substantial.enough.to.adjust.the.damper.without.
vibration.and.to.permanently.lock.the.damper.
in.position.There.are.two.basic.types.of.damper.
adjustment.and.locking.hardware.The.frst.
kind.is.the.locking.quadrant.This.type.of.
hardware.has.the.pivot.rod.extending.through.
one.end.of.the.adjustment.lever.with.a.setscrew.
in.a.90.arc.channel.about.half.way.from.the.
pivot.rod.to.the.other.end.of.the.adjustment.
lever.This.allows.only.for.a.90.open-
close.action.and.gives.a.positive.lock.of.the.
adjustment.lever,.offset.from.the.pivot.rod.The.
other.type.of.locking.hardware.has.a.securing.
nut.on.the.pivot.rod.and.employs.two.different.
strategies.of.securing.the.damper.blade.at.the.
pivot.rod.The.frst.employs.a.grooved.locking.
ring.that.positively.locks.the.pivot.in.place.when.
the.damper.pivot.shaft.nut.is.tightened.and.
secured.The.other.type.of.pivot.lock.employs.a.
wing.nut.on.a.threaded.pivot.shaft,.tightening.
against.a.washer.on.the.outside.of.the.duct,.
relying.upon.friction.between.the.wing.nut.
and.washer.to.secure.the.pivot.and.damper.
Manual Volume Dampers
St e v e Yo ung , T BE
Manual volume dampers are an integral part of just about every commercial heating, ventilating and air conditioning
system designed today. They are the unsung hero in the balancing of any system. Their importance is paramount,
not only to the successful balance of the system, but also to the longevity of the balance. Anyone who has adjusted
a damper to a specific flow can tell you, the ability and accuracy of the adjustment improves with the quality of the
damper. Hopefully, this article will help the designer better select and specify the appropriate damper to improve the
accuracy and longevity of the balance for the occupants comfort and system efficiency.
Quadrant Handle
from the damper rod
Continous rod > 12"
Quadrant on
stand-off
Friction lock
handle
Non continous
rod = 12"
Quadrant on
stand-off
Continous rod > 12"
End Bearing
Quadrant Handle
from the damper rod
Continous rod > 12"
Quadrant on
stand-off
Friction lock
handle
Non continous
rod = 12"
Quadrant on
stand-off
Continous rod > 12"
End Bearing
Quadrant Handle
from the damper rod
Continous rod > 12"
Quadrant on
stand-off
Friction lock
handle
Non continous
rod = 12"
Quadrant on
stand-off
Continous rod > 12"
End Bearing
Quadrant Handle
from the damper rod
Continous rod > 12"
Quadrant on
stand-off
Friction lock
handle
Non continous
rod = 12"
Quadrant on
stand-off
Continous rod > 12"
End Bearing
Damper Hardware
Figure 2
Outside Air
Return Air
1
st
Floor
2
nd
Floor
3
rd
Floor
Manual volume dampers
should be located in every
sub-main, branch, take-off,
zone and last duct run-out.
3 TAB Journal
FIGURE 1
FIGURE 2
The.grooved.locking.ring.offers.
a.positive.lock.that.will.not.slip.
Friction.lock.dampers.can.slip.are.not.
suitable.for.balancing.systems.where.
a.pressure.drop.across.the.damper.
will.exceed.approximately.010.
WC.The.functional.problem.in.
the.balance.of.the.friction.lock.type.
of.hardware.is.tightening.the.wing.
nut.securely.The.tightening.process.
may.move.the.damper.from.its.set.
position.When.balancing.a.single.
blade.damper,.a.small.movement.of.
the.damper.blade.can.put.the.setting.
outside.of.allowable.tolerances.The.
wing.nut.cannot.be.tightened.before.
the.balance.as.the.damper.blade.
cant.move.Since.the.nut.cannot.be.
tightened.after.the.balance.because.
of.possible.damper.movement,.the.
nut.is.usually.tightened.to.the.point.
the.blade.is.stiff.The.pressure.
drop.across.the.blade,.along.with.
any.turbulence.at.the.blade,.may.set.
up.a.vibration.causing.movement.of.
the.damper.position.on.friction.lock.
hardware
The.required.quality.of.the.damper.
is.dependant.upon.its.service.The.
potential.pressure.drop.across.the.
damper.must.be.considered.As.stated.
above,.the.friction.lock.damper.should.
not.be.used.when.the.pressure.drop.
will.exceed.010.WC.The.damper.
blade.does.its.job.by.restricting.air.
fow.within.the.system.The.restriction.
causes.turbulence.at.the.damper.blade.
and.the.potential.for.blade.vibration.
is.high.Minute.vibration.in.the.blade.
may.not.be.noticeable.at.the.time.of.
balance,.but.start.stop.of.the.unit.or.
turbulence.over.this.damper.blade.
may.move.the.damper.position,.
over.time,.since.there.is.no.positive.
locking.mechanism.These.dampers.
are.suitable.for.small.systems.such.
as.the.low.pressure.side.of.variable.
volume.boxes.and.fan.coil.units.where.
the.pressure.is.low.and.the.damper.
size.does.not.exceed.12.On.systems.
with.an.external.static.of.greater.than.
050.WC.friction.lock.dampers.
should.not.be.allowed
Dampers.should.be.located.with.
adequate.access.for.adjustment.or.
remote.adjustment.mechanisms.
Figure 3
Outside Air
Return Air
Outside Air
Return Air
Zone 1
Zone 2
Zone 3
Zone 4
Zone 5
Single Zone Unit
Multizone Unit
January 22-24, 2008
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Javits Convention Center, New York, New York
Endorsed by: AABC ABMA AFE AMCA BI BPI CABA CTI GAMA GWAC HARDI IAQA IIAR LMA
MCAA MSCA NADCA NAFA NEBB PHCC RETA RPA RSES SMACNA SPIDA TABB USGBC ZigBee
Co-sponsors: Honorary sponsor:
Produced and managed by: tel: (203) 221-9232 e-mail: info@ahrexpo.com
For FREE Registration:
www.ahrexpo.com
.
New Products
.
New Technology
.
New Solutions
.
New Innovations
At TheWorldsLargest
HVAC&R Marketplace
Over 1,800 Exhibitors
SEE
TOUCH
COMPARE
specifed.The.damper.should.be.
located.close.to.the.branch.takeoff.to.
minimize.static.pressure.in.the.branch.
and.reduce.any.leakage.potential.The.
adjustment.lever.should.be.clearly.
visible.or.fagged.to.make.identifcation.
easy.for.adjustment.When.exterior.
duct.insulation.is.used,.the.adjustment.
hardware.should.be.on.a.standoff.
to.protect.the.insulation.and.vapor.
barrier.The.entire.handle.and.locking.
mechanism.should.be.accessible.for.
adjustment,.without.damaging.the.
insulation.Dampers.should.be.installed.
fully.functional,.without.obstructions.
and.the.damper.should.open.and.close.
freely.All.dampers.should.be.verifed.
by.the.installing.contractor.as.fully.
functional.and.left.in.the.wide.open.
and.securely.locked.in.preparation.for.
start-up.The.test.and.balance.agent.
does.not.adjust.every.damper.and.loose.
dampers.will.work.their.way.closed
By.specifying.properly.located,.
constructed.and.installed.dampers,.
accurate.and.long.lasting.balance.of.
any.HVAC.system.can.be.obtained.By.
specifying.an.AABC.certifed.Agency,.
quality.balancing.will.be.assured.
and.backed.by.the.tried.and.proven.
AABC.National.Project.Warranty.For.
information.on.Standards,.Procedures.
and.member.frms.visit.the.AABC.
website.at.wwwaabccom..
Single Zone Unit

Figure 3
Outside Air
Return Air
Outside Air
Return Air
Zone 1
Zone 2
Zone 3
Zone 4
Zone 5
Single Zone Unit
Multizone Unit
Multizone Unit
FIGURE 3
The.grooved.locking.ring.offers.
a.positive.lock.that.will.not.slip.
Friction.lock.dampers.can.slip.are.not.
suitable.for.balancing.systems.where.
a.pressure.drop.across.the.damper.
will.exceed.approximately.010.
WC.The.functional.problem.in.
the.balance.of.the.friction.lock.type.
of.hardware.is.tightening.the.wing.
nut.securely.The.tightening.process.
may.move.the.damper.from.its.set.
position.When.balancing.a.single.
blade.damper,.a.small.movement.of.
the.damper.blade.can.put.the.setting.
outside.of.allowable.tolerances.The.
wing.nut.cannot.be.tightened.before.
the.balance.as.the.damper.blade.
cant.move.Since.the.nut.cannot.be.
tightened.after.the.balance.because.
of.possible.damper.movement,.the.
nut.is.usually.tightened.to.the.point.
the.blade.is.stiff.The.pressure.
drop.across.the.blade,.along.with.
any.turbulence.at.the.blade,.may.set.
up.a.vibration.causing.movement.of.
the.damper.position.on.friction.lock.
hardware
The.required.quality.of.the.damper.
is.dependant.upon.its.service.The.
potential.pressure.drop.across.the.
damper.must.be.considered.As.stated.
above,.the.friction.lock.damper.should.
not.be.used.when.the.pressure.drop.
will.exceed.010.WC.The.damper.
blade.does.its.job.by.restricting.air.
fow.within.the.system.The.restriction.
causes.turbulence.at.the.damper.blade.
and.the.potential.for.blade.vibration.
is.high.Minute.vibration.in.the.blade.
may.not.be.noticeable.at.the.time.of.
balance,.but.start.stop.of.the.unit.or.
turbulence.over.this.damper.blade.
may.move.the.damper.position,.
over.time,.since.there.is.no.positive.
locking.mechanism.These.dampers.
are.suitable.for.small.systems.such.
as.the.low.pressure.side.of.variable.
volume.boxes.and.fan.coil.units.where.
the.pressure.is.low.and.the.damper.
size.does.not.exceed.12.On.systems.
with.an.external.static.of.greater.than.
050.WC.friction.lock.dampers.
should.not.be.allowed
Dampers.should.be.located.with.
adequate.access.for.adjustment.or.
remote.adjustment.mechanisms.
Figure 3
Outside Air
Return Air
Outside Air
Return Air
Zone 1
Zone 2
Zone 3
Zone 4
Zone 5
Single Zone Unit
Multizone Unit
January 22-24, 2008
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Javits Convention Center, New York, New York
Endorsed by: AABC ABMA AFE AMCA BI BPI CABA CTI GAMA GWAC HARDI IAQA IIAR LMA
MCAA MSCA NADCA NAFA NEBB PHCC RETA RPA RSES SMACNA SPIDA TABB USGBC ZigBee
Co-sponsors: Honorary sponsor:
Produced and managed by: tel: (203) 221-9232 e-mail: info@ahrexpo.com
For FREE Registration:
www.ahrexpo.com
.
New Products
.
New Technology
.
New Solutions
.
New Innovations
At TheWorldsLargest
HVAC&R Marketplace
Over 1,800 Exhibitors
SEE
TOUCH
COMPARE
specifed.The.damper.should.be.
located.close.to.the.branch.takeoff.to.
minimize.static.pressure.in.the.branch.
and.reduce.any.leakage.potential.The.
adjustment.lever.should.be.clearly.
visible.or.fagged.to.make.identifcation.
easy.for.adjustment.When.exterior.
duct.insulation.is.used,.the.adjustment.
hardware.should.be.on.a.standoff.
to.protect.the.insulation.and.vapor.
barrier.The.entire.handle.and.locking.
mechanism.should.be.accessible.for.
adjustment,.without.damaging.the.
insulation.Dampers.should.be.installed.
fully.functional,.without.obstructions.
and.the.damper.should.open.and.close.
freely.All.dampers.should.be.verifed.
by.the.installing.contractor.as.fully.
functional.and.left.in.the.wide.open.
and.securely.locked.in.preparation.for.
start-up.The.test.and.balance.agent.
does.not.adjust.every.damper.and.loose.
dampers.will.work.their.way.closed
By.specifying.properly.located,.
constructed.and.installed.dampers,.
accurate.and.long.lasting.balance.of.
any.HVAC.system.can.be.obtained.By.
specifying.an.AABC.certifed.Agency,.
quality.balancing.will.be.assured.
and.backed.by.the.tried.and.proven.
AABC.National.Project.Warranty.For.
information.on.Standards,.Procedures.
and.member.frms.visit.the.AABC.
website.at.wwwaabccom..
4
Single Zone Unit
Figure 3
Outside Air
Return Air
Outside Air
Return Air
Zone 1
Zone 2
Zone 3
Zone 4
Zone 5
Single Zone Unit
Multizone Unit
Multizone Unit
FIGURE 3
TAB Journal
Figure.D.is.the.best.solution.for.units.that.have.higher.
outside.air.quantities.than.25%.to.30%.In.the.desert.
southwest,.the.extremely.high.ambient.temperature.
outside.air.in.the.summer.can.overwhelm.a.standard.
Dx.coil.if.the.air.is.not.mixed.Likewise,.in.parts.of.
the.country.with.high.dew.points,.stratifed.air.will.not.
allow.the.coil.to.suffciently.wring.out.the.moisture.in.
the.outside.air.This.can.increase.the.dew.point.in.the.
conditioned.space.and.make.the.air.feel.stuffy
Stratifed.outside.air.can.also.cause.a.problem.in.the.
winter.Certain.units.that.have.two.stage.cooling.are.
two.separate.coils,.side.by.side.instead.of.integrating.the.
stages.in.a.single.coil.If.the.outside.air.is.not.mixed.and.
is.directed.over.the.frst.stage.cooling.coil,.it.can.cause.
the.coil.to.ice.up.Even.in.the.desert.southwest.where.we.
are,.this.was.a.problem.that.showed.up.during.a.new.
schools.frst.winter.The.same.problem.occurred.at.a.
Native.American.casino.during.its.frst.year.of.operation.
as.the.units.were.at.a.minimum.of.50%.outside.air
In.conclusion,.the.outside.air.introduction.can.be.
critical.to.function.of.the.heating.and.cooling.of.the.
air.tempering.devices.and.the.verifcation.of.these.
performances

Outside Air
InTRODUCTIOn
Mi c hae l Z i e g l e r , T BE
TAB Technology, Inc.
T
he.introduction.of.fairly.large.outside.air.
quantities.to.a.cooling.and.heating.system.can.
be.critical.to.obtaining.accurate.temperatures.
for.calculating.coil.performance.and.for.the.proper.
tempering.of.the.air,.whether.the.system.is.a.direct.
expansion.package.or.split.system,.or.a.water.coil.Air.
Handler
With.the.air.conditioning.industrys.ongoing.quest.to.try.
to.put.more.unit.in.a.smaller.package,.there.can.be,.and.
usually.is,.stratifcation.of.return.and.outside.air.as.the.
air.enters.evaporator.coil.See.Figure A.below
There.is.little.that.can.be.done.to.mix.the.airfow.
with.this.confguration.It.is.critical.for.performance.
calculations.that.the.mixed.air.temperature.be.
utilized.To.do.this,.the.following.outside.air.formula.
must.be.used:
The.outside.air,.Point.A,.and.the.return.air,.Point.
B,.wet.bulb.and.dry.bulb.temperatures.are.then.
located.on.a.psychometric.chart.on.the.next.page.
(Chart A).A.line.is.then.drawn.between.the.two.
designated.Points.and.the.calculated.mixed.air.
temperature.is.plotted.on.the.line.The.placement.of.
the.mixed.air.dry.bulb.temperature.on.the.line.will.
designate.the.mixed.air.wet.bulb.temperature.This.
is.the.temperature.(DB/WB).used.for.inlet.coil.See.
the.AABC.Technician.Training.Manual,.Chapter.
14,.Equation.141,.for.a.complete.explanation.and.
examples.of.the.outside.air.calculation
The.same.must.be.done.with.the.air.leaving.the.
evaporator.coil.In.the.case.of.Figure.A,.temperatures.
must.be.taken.at.the.top.of.the.coil.discharge.for.
the.tempering.of.the.outside.air,.Point.C,.and.at.the.
bottom.of.the.coil.discharge,.Point.D.The.same.
procedure.for.the.inlet.mixed.air.is.then.followed.for.
the.discharge.air.Plot.Points.C.and.D,.calculate.the.
mixed.air.discharge.temperature.and.plot.it.on.the.line
With.the.two.mixed.air.points,.coil.inlet.and.coil.
discharge,.enthalpies.can.be.determined.for.a.more.
accurate.unit.performance
Many.of.the.large.Air.Handlers.have.the.same.
confguration.in.varied.form.but.there.is.almost.always.
stratifcation.and.uneven.loads.on.the.coil.Some.very.
large.systems.will.have.the.outside.air.intake.on.the.
A.better.solution.is.Figure C.The.head.on.meeting.of.the.
return.and.outside.air.will.cause.more.mixing.of.the.air
The.best.solution.is.Figure D.The.meeting.of.the.return.
and.outside.in.this.confguration.generates.the.most.
mixing.of.the.airfows
MA = (RA% x Rat) + (OSA% x OSAt)
Where: MA -Mixed Air Temperature
RA% -Percentage of Outside Air
RAt -Return Air Temperature (DB)
OSA% -Percentage of Outside Air
OSAt -Outside Air Temperature (DB)
Chart A
OSA Duct
Filter
Return Air Duct
Evaporator Coil
Fan Coil
Figure B
OSA Door
Filter
Return Air Duct Return Air Duct
Evaporator Coil
Figure D
OSA Door
Return Air Duct
Filter
Evaporator Coil
Figure C
OSA Head
Point A
Point B
Point C
Point D
Filter
Return Air Duct
Evaporator Coil
Point A - Outside Air Temperature
Point B - Return Air Temperature
Point C - Outside Air Tempered
Point D - Return Air Tempered
Typical Package Unit
Figure A
&
Coil Performance
VERIFICATIOn
side.This.will.also.allow.for.some.stratifcation.and.
needs.to.be.taken.into.consideration
Fan.coils.usually.have.the.outside.air.ducted.to.mixed.air.
plenum.on.the.sideturn.air.is.ducted.straight,.Figure B.
This.can.allow.for.stratifcation
TAB Journal
7 TAB Journal
Figure.D.is.the.best.solution.for.units.that.have.higher.
outside.air.quantities.than.25%.to.30%.In.the.desert.
southwest,.the.extremely.high.ambient.temperature.
outside.air.in.the.summer.can.overwhelm.a.standard.
Dx.coil.if.the.air.is.not.mixed.Likewise,.in.parts.of.
the.country.with.high.dew.points,.stratifed.air.will.not.
allow.the.coil.to.suffciently.wring.out.the.moisture.in.
the.outside.air.This.can.increase.the.dew.point.in.the.
conditioned.space.and.make.the.air.feel.stuffy
Stratifed.outside.air.can.also.cause.a.problem.in.the.
winter.Certain.units.that.have.two.stage.cooling.are.
two.separate.coils,.side.by.side.instead.of.integrating.the.
stages.in.a.single.coil.If.the.outside.air.is.not.mixed.and.
is.directed.over.the.frst.stage.cooling.coil,.it.can.cause.
the.coil.to.ice.up.Even.in.the.desert.southwest.where.we.
are,.this.was.a.problem.that.showed.up.during.a.new.
schools.frst.winter.The.same.problem.occurred.at.a.
Native.American.casino.during.its.frst.year.of.operation.
as.the.units.were.at.a.minimum.of.50%.outside.air
In.conclusion,.the.outside.air.introduction.can.be.
critical.to.function.of.the.heating.and.cooling.of.the.
air.tempering.devices.and.the.verifcation.of.these.
performances

Outside Air
InTRODUCTIOn
Mi c hae l Z i e g l e r , T BE
TAB Technology, Inc.
T
he.introduction.of.fairly.large.outside.air.
quantities.to.a.cooling.and.heating.system.can.
be.critical.to.obtaining.accurate.temperatures.
for.calculating.coil.performance.and.for.the.proper.
tempering.of.the.air,.whether.the.system.is.a.direct.
expansion.package.or.split.system,.or.a.water.coil.Air.
Handler
With.the.air.conditioning.industrys.ongoing.quest.to.try.
to.put.more.unit.in.a.smaller.package,.there.can.be,.and.
usually.is,.stratifcation.of.return.and.outside.air.as.the.
air.enters.evaporator.coil.See.Figure A.below
There.is.little.that.can.be.done.to.mix.the.airfow.
with.this.confguration.It.is.critical.for.performance.
calculations.that.the.mixed.air.temperature.be.
utilized.To.do.this,.the.following.outside.air.formula.
must.be.used:
The.outside.air,.Point.A,.and.the.return.air,.Point.
B,.wet.bulb.and.dry.bulb.temperatures.are.then.
located.on.a.psychometric.chart.on.the.next.page.
(Chart A).A.line.is.then.drawn.between.the.two.
designated.Points.and.the.calculated.mixed.air.
temperature.is.plotted.on.the.line.The.placement.of.
the.mixed.air.dry.bulb.temperature.on.the.line.will.
designate.the.mixed.air.wet.bulb.temperature.This.
is.the.temperature.(DB/WB).used.for.inlet.coil.See.
the.AABC.Technician.Training.Manual,.Chapter.
14,.Equation.141,.for.a.complete.explanation.and.
examples.of.the.outside.air.calculation
The.same.must.be.done.with.the.air.leaving.the.
evaporator.coil.In.the.case.of.Figure.A,.temperatures.
must.be.taken.at.the.top.of.the.coil.discharge.for.
the.tempering.of.the.outside.air,.Point.C,.and.at.the.
bottom.of.the.coil.discharge,.Point.D.The.same.
procedure.for.the.inlet.mixed.air.is.then.followed.for.
the.discharge.air.Plot.Points.C.and.D,.calculate.the.
mixed.air.discharge.temperature.and.plot.it.on.the.line
With.the.two.mixed.air.points,.coil.inlet.and.coil.
discharge,.enthalpies.can.be.determined.for.a.more.
accurate.unit.performance
Many.of.the.large.Air.Handlers.have.the.same.
confguration.in.varied.form.but.there.is.almost.always.
stratifcation.and.uneven.loads.on.the.coil.Some.very.
large.systems.will.have.the.outside.air.intake.on.the.
A.better.solution.is.Figure C.The.head.on.meeting.of.the.
return.and.outside.air.will.cause.more.mixing.of.the.air
The.best.solution.is.Figure D.The.meeting.of.the.return.
and.outside.in.this.confguration.generates.the.most.
mixing.of.the.airfows
MA = (RA% x Rat) + (OSA% x OSAt)
Where: MA -Mixed Air Temperature
RA% -Percentage of Outside Air
RAt -Return Air Temperature (DB)
OSA% -Percentage of Outside Air
OSAt -Outside Air Temperature (DB)
Chart A
OSA Duct
Filter
Return Air Duct
Evaporator Coil
Fan Coil
Figure B
OSA Door
Filter
Return Air Duct Return Air Duct
Evaporator Coil
Figure D
OSA Door
Return Air Duct
Filter
Evaporator Coil
Figure C
OSA Head
Point A
Point B
Point C
Point D
Filter
Return Air Duct
Evaporator Coil
Point A - Outside Air Temperature
Point B - Return Air Temperature
Point C - Outside Air Tempered
Point D - Return Air Tempered
Typical Package Unit
Figure A
&
Coil Performance
VERIFICATIOn
side.This.will.also.allow.for.some.stratifcation.and.
needs.to.be.taken.into.consideration
Fan.coils.usually.have.the.outside.air.ducted.to.mixed.air.
plenum.on.the.sideturn.air.is.ducted.straight,.Figure B.
This.can.allow.for.stratifcation
6 TAB Journal
TAB Journal
The.particular.situation.to.which.we.refer.was.
an.addition.of.three.VAV.valves.and.a.relief.
valve.(bypass.valve).to.an.existing.constant.
volume.system.(Diagram.1)
After.the.system.was.altered,.the.tenants.
complained.that.the.supply.volume.at.their.
outlets.started.to.fuctuate.and.be.noisy.with.the.
increasing.of.the.airfow.supply.volume
Because.of.the.complaints,.a.testing.and.
balancing.contractor.was.called.to.pinpoint.the.
cause.of.malfunction.
The following deficiencies were found:
.The.actual.location.of.the.bypass.valve.was.
as.per.Diagram.2.and.not.Diagram.1.The.
valve.was.left.with.the.bypass.port.closed.on.
normally.open.condition.with.the.main.gate.
partially.closed
.The.duct.static.pressure.sensor.of.the.relief.
valve.was.left.hanging.in.the.ceiling.The.
control.diagram.supplied.by.the.manufacturer.
shows.that.the.sensor.should.be.installed.
before.the.valve.(Diagram.3)
V.A.V. - 1
V.A.V. - 2
By-Pass Relief Valve
M
a
i
n

D
u
c
t
V.A.V. - 3
V.A.V. - 1
V.A.V. - 2
Relief Valve
By-Pass
M
a
i
n

D
u
c
t
V.A.V. - 3
Static Pressure
Tap (Optional)
Inlet
Normally Closed
Gate
Outlet
By-Pass
Rotary Actuator
Controller
Main Air
B
M
H L
T
G
Air System
Improvement
S e r b a n Ra d u
AIRDRONICS Inc.
Wishing to increase the degree of comfort provided by the existing air systems, an increased number
of building owners and even tenants decided to install VAV valves on existing constant volume systems.
In some situations VAV valves were added to serve one tenant only, the rest of the system remaining to
work as a constant volume system.
In order to remedy the situation, the following
steps were taken:
1).The.bypass.(relief).valve.controller.was.
reset.for.a.Normally.Closed.confguration.
and.the.bypass.gate.was.secured.on.fully.
closed.position
2).The.duct.static.pressure.sensor.was.
installed.before.the.bypass.valve,.as.per.
manufacturers.Diagram.#3
3).Following.the.remedial.work,.the.three.
VAV.valves.were.balanced.close.to.design.
requirements.with.the.bypass.(relief).valve.
fully.close.(ie.bypass.gate.closed.and.
main.gate.closed).The.duct.static.pressure.
was.recorded.at.the.location.of.the.bypass.
valve.sensor
4).The.relief.valve.was.set.to.maintain.the.
duct.static.pressure.close.to.previous.
recorded.duct.static.pressure.while.the.
VAV.valves.were.set.successively.to.the.
minimum.position.
DIAGRAM 1 DIAGRAM 2
DIAGRAM 3
8 TAB Journal
The.particular.situation.to.which.we.refer.was.
an.addition.of.three.VAV.valves.and.a.relief.
valve.(bypass.valve).to.an.existing.constant.
volume.system.(Diagram.1)
After.the.system.was.altered,.the.tenants.
complained.that.the.supply.volume.at.their.
outlets.started.to.fuctuate.and.be.noisy.with.the.
increasing.of.the.airfow.supply.volume
Because.of.the.complaints,.a.testing.and.
balancing.contractor.was.called.to.pinpoint.the.
cause.of.malfunction.
The following deficiencies were found:
.The.actual.location.of.the.bypass.valve.was.
as.per.Diagram.2.and.not.Diagram.1.The.
valve.was.left.with.the.bypass.port.closed.on.
normally.open.condition.with.the.main.gate.
partially.closed
.The.duct.static.pressure.sensor.of.the.relief.
valve.was.left.hanging.in.the.ceiling.The.
control.diagram.supplied.by.the.manufacturer.
shows.that.the.sensor.should.be.installed.
before.the.valve.(Diagram.3)
V.A.V. - 1
V.A.V. - 2
By-Pass Relief Valve
M
a
i
n

D
u
c
t
V.A.V. - 3
V.A.V. - 1
V.A.V. - 2
Relief Valve
By-Pass
M
a
i
n

D
u
c
t
V.A.V. - 3
Static Pressure
Tap (Optional)
Inlet
Normally Closed
Gate
Outlet
By-Pass
Rotary Actuator
Controller
Main Air
B
M
H L
T
G
Air System
Improvement
S e r b a n Ra d u
AIRDRONICS Inc.
Wishing to increase the degree of comfort provided by the existing air systems, an increased number
of building owners and even tenants decided to install VAV valves on existing constant volume systems.
In some situations VAV valves were added to serve one tenant only, the rest of the system remaining to
work as a constant volume system.
In order to remedy the situation, the following
steps were taken:
1).The.bypass.(relief).valve.controller.was.
reset.for.a.Normally.Closed.confguration.
and.the.bypass.gate.was.secured.on.fully.
closed.position
2).The.duct.static.pressure.sensor.was.
installed.before.the.bypass.valve,.as.per.
manufacturers.Diagram.#3
3).Following.the.remedial.work,.the.three.
VAV.valves.were.balanced.close.to.design.
requirements.with.the.bypass.(relief).valve.
fully.close.(ie.bypass.gate.closed.and.
main.gate.closed).The.duct.static.pressure.
was.recorded.at.the.location.of.the.bypass.
valve.sensor
4).The.relief.valve.was.set.to.maintain.the.
duct.static.pressure.close.to.previous.
recorded.duct.static.pressure.while.the.
VAV.valves.were.set.successively.to.the.
minimum.position.
DIAGRAM 1 DIAGRAM 2
DIAGRAM 3
0 TAB Journal
A
s.often.happens,.we.were.
awarded.the.balancing.
contract.after.the.
construction.of.a.new.intermediate.
school.was.well.on.its.way.toward.
completion.We.successfully.
completed.the.majority.of.our.
work.but.found.a.problem.
regarding.the.computer.teaching.
rooms,.one.of.which.is.located.in.
the.center.of.each.of.10.pods.
for.the.school.The.requirements.
for.the.computer.rooms.were.
that.each.would.have.outside.
air.in.addition.to.the.fan.coil.
units.(which.are.800.CFM.each).
already.installed.There.would.be.
15.students.per.computer.room,.
requiring.15.CFM.each.of.outside.
air.for.a.total.of.225.CFM.for.
each.room
However,.those.in.charge.had.
simply.directed.the.contractor.to.
tap.off.the.discharge.side.of.the.
main.supply.unit.(16,000.CFM.
with.25%.fresh.air).for.each.pod.
The.main.units.supply.all.the.
classrooms.and.use.VAV.boxes.
We.immediately.advised.the.
engineer.and.contractor.that.the.
fresh.air.duct.that.was.installed.
is.not.all.fresh.air,.but.instead.
conditioned.mixed.air.No.action.
was.taken,.and.after.the.school.
attempted.to.use.the.rooms,.it.
was.found.that.the.CO2.levels.
exceeded.1,000.PPM,.and.was.
not.acceptable.At.that.point.they.
closed.the.computer.rooms.until.
the.problem.could.be.rectifed
We.suggested.two.possibilities.for.
them.to.consider:
1).Re-duct.the.fan.coil.units.to.
outside.air.with.the.necessary.
dampering.to.allow.225.CFM.
into.the.rooms.This,.however,.
would.require.review.of.the.
cooling.capabilities.of.these.units.
to.handle.this.amount.of.outside.
air
2).Add.an.800.CFM.VAV.box.off.
the.main.RTU,.which.would.then.
allow.200.CFM.of.fresh.air.to.
enter.the.computer.space.(800.
CFM.x.025.=.200.CFM).This.
is.still.low.but.if.the.main.RTU.
fresh.air.intake.were.increased.to.
30%,.then.240.CFM.would.be.
delivered.to.each.computer.space.
through.the.new.VAV.box
Adding.a.VAV.box.would.have.
minimal.effect.on.the.RTUs.
original.design,.since.no.diversity.
factor.was.utilized,.and.the.
building.design.would.never.
require.full.fow.to.all.areas.
simultaneously.A.review.of.
cooling.and.heating.capacities.in.
the.RTUs.should.be.performed.to.
ensure.that.the.increased.outside.
air.can.be.handled
The.owners.rejected.the.frst.
suggestion.With.10.systems.to.
deal.with,.they.did.not.want.to.
penetrate.the.exterior.walls,.nor.
did.they.want.to.see.any.grilles.
on.the.outside.walls.The.second.
suggestion.has.been.given.serious.
consideration
This.project.and.the.problematic.
situation.points.out.clearly.
the.need.to.award.the.test.and.
balance.contract.early,.so.that.a.
proper.review.of.the.plans.and.
specifcations.can.be.made.Had.
that.been.done.in.this.case,.the.
problem.could.have.been.caught.
while.it.was.much.easier.to.fx.
Correcting

an Excess
CO2 Problem
J a me s E . Br e n n a n , T BE
J a me s E . Br e n n a n Co mp a n y, I n c .
T e C h n i C A l T i p s f o r T h e h V A C i n d u s T r y
Do you have a
Tech Tip that you
would like to share
with our readers?
If so, please
contact AABC at:
Associated Air
Balance council
1518 K Street NW, Ste 503
Washington, DC 20005
Fax 202.638.4833
http://www.aabc.com
Powered Exhaust Fans
Charles Schwebach, TBE, Raglen System Balance, Inc.
Rooftop A/C units with custom attached powered
exhaust fans are used to control room pressure.
Room pressure in single-zone areas can be critical
for proper operation of doors or environmental
control. There are two basic types: variable speed
pressure controlled, and single speed.
Applications
School classrooms, offce areas, and laboratories
are increasingly being designed with small
package A/C units and custom ft powered
exhaust fans. The advantages are:
separate controls for individual comfort control,
and individual DDC management during non-
occupied periods. The disadvantages are increased
installation cost and maintenance.
Single Speed
During minimum outside air operation, the
powered exhaust fan will remain off. This is
accomplished by adjusting the end switch. If
the room pressure exceeds .05 W.G., it may be
necessary to lower the minimum outside air CFM
until the room pressure is acceptable. Make sure
the minimum is still within the specifcations.
During economizer mode, the return air damper
will move toward the closed position while the
exhaust damper will travel toward the open
position. When the end switch contacts close, the
powered exhaust fan energizes.
The end switch may be either a mercury type,
microswitch, or auxiliary contacts built into the
damper actuator. As the dampers travel toward
the economizer position, adjust the end switch
to close, and start the exhaust fan. This should
happen somewhere around 75% opening of the
outside air damper. Measure the room pressure
and return air CFM. Room pressure typically is
specifed at +.03 to +.05 W.G. The fnal fan
speed is adjusted with the motor sheave.
Variable Speed
If the room pressure is being maintained, run the
economizer to 100% outside air. The VFD should
increase the motor Hz to 60 Hz or less, depending
on the integrity of the room. If the fan cannot
maintain room pressure at 60 Hz, adjust the
motor sheave to achieve .03 W.G. If the room
pressure is at or below .03 W.G., record the
frequency. The frequency should be something
greater than the manufacturers minimum +10%
for varying conditions.
The last item that should be checked is the tuning
for door opening and closing. This is referred
to as the PI Loop. If PI tuning is not performed,
unnecessary VFD modulation can occur and doors
will fail to close properly. To begin, set the unit to
100% outside air and measure the room pressure
using a manometer or magnehelic. Next, open
a door and allow the VFD to low down. Now let
the door close naturally. If the PI is tuned properly
the pressure will spike high momentarily and then
go below .03 W.G., allowing the door to close.
The pressure will then return to .03 and hold
steady. If the pressure modulates up and down
the PI needs adjustingfollow the manufacturers
instructions for setting the PI loop.
When adjusted properly, the room pressure
should be maintained at a steady pressure
with little to no VFD modulation and doors will
open and close properly under all economizer
conditions.

TAB Journal
10 TAB Journal
A
s.often.happens,.we.were.
awarded.the.balancing.
contract.after.the.
construction.of.a.new.intermediate.
school.was.well.on.its.way.toward.
completion.We.successfully.
completed.the.majority.of.our.
work.but.found.a.problem.
regarding.the.computer.teaching.
rooms,.one.of.which.is.located.in.
the.center.of.each.of.10.pods.
for.the.school.The.requirements.
for.the.computer.rooms.were.
that.each.would.have.outside.
air.in.addition.to.the.fan.coil.
units.(which.are.800.CFM.each).
already.installed.There.would.be.
15.students.per.computer.room,.
requiring.15.CFM.each.of.outside.
air.for.a.total.of.225.CFM.for.
each.room
However,.those.in.charge.had.
simply.directed.the.contractor.to.
tap.off.the.discharge.side.of.the.
main.supply.unit.(16,000.CFM.
with.25%.fresh.air).for.each.pod.
The.main.units.supply.all.the.
classrooms.and.use.VAV.boxes.
We.immediately.advised.the.
engineer.and.contractor.that.the.
fresh.air.duct.that.was.installed.
is.not.all.fresh.air,.but.instead.
conditioned.mixed.air.No.action.
was.taken,.and.after.the.school.
attempted.to.use.the.rooms,.it.
was.found.that.the.CO2.levels.
exceeded.1,000.PPM,.and.was.
not.acceptable.At.that.point.they.
closed.the.computer.rooms.until.
the.problem.could.be.rectifed
We.suggested.two.possibilities.for.
them.to.consider:
1).Re-duct.the.fan.coil.units.to.
outside.air.with.the.necessary.
dampering.to.allow.225.CFM.
into.the.rooms.This,.however,.
would.require.review.of.the.
cooling.capabilities.of.these.units.
to.handle.this.amount.of.outside.
air
2).Add.an.800.CFM.VAV.box.off.
the.main.RTU,.which.would.then.
allow.200.CFM.of.fresh.air.to.
enter.the.computer.space.(800.
CFM.x.025.=.200.CFM).This.
is.still.low.but.if.the.main.RTU.
fresh.air.intake.were.increased.to.
30%,.then.240.CFM.would.be.
delivered.to.each.computer.space.
through.the.new.VAV.box
Adding.a.VAV.box.would.have.
minimal.effect.on.the.RTUs.
original.design,.since.no.diversity.
factor.was.utilized,.and.the.
building.design.would.never.
require.full.fow.to.all.areas.
simultaneously.A.review.of.
cooling.and.heating.capacities.in.
the.RTUs.should.be.performed.to.
ensure.that.the.increased.outside.
air.can.be.handled
The.owners.rejected.the.frst.
suggestion.With.10.systems.to.
deal.with,.they.did.not.want.to.
penetrate.the.exterior.walls,.nor.
did.they.want.to.see.any.grilles.
on.the.outside.walls.The.second.
suggestion.has.been.given.serious.
consideration
This.project.and.the.problematic.
situation.points.out.clearly.
the.need.to.award.the.test.and.
balance.contract.early,.so.that.a.
proper.review.of.the.plans.and.
specifcations.can.be.made.Had.
that.been.done.in.this.case,.the.
problem.could.have.been.caught.
while.it.was.much.easier.to.fx.
Correcting

an Excess
CO2 Problem
J a me s E . Br e n n a n , T BE
J a me s E . Br e n n a n Co mp a n y, I n c .
T e C h n i C A l T i p s f o r T h e h V A C i n d u s T r y
Do you have a
Tech Tip that you
would like to share
with our readers?
If so, please
contact AABC at:
Associated Air
Balance council
1518 K Street NW, Ste 503
Washington, DC 20005
Fax 202.638.4833
http://www.aabc.com
Powered Exhaust Fans
Charles Schwebach, TBE, Raglen System Balance, Inc.
Rooftop A/C units with custom attached powered
exhaust fans are used to control room pressure.
Room pressure in single-zone areas can be critical
for proper operation of doors or environmental
control. There are two basic types: variable speed
pressure controlled, and single speed.
Applications
School classrooms, offce areas, and laboratories
are increasingly being designed with small
package A/C units and custom ft powered
exhaust fans. The advantages are:
separate controls for individual comfort control,
and individual DDC management during non-
occupied periods. The disadvantages are increased
installation cost and maintenance.
Single Speed
During minimum outside air operation, the
powered exhaust fan will remain off. This is
accomplished by adjusting the end switch. If
the room pressure exceeds .05 W.G., it may be
necessary to lower the minimum outside air CFM
until the room pressure is acceptable. Make sure
the minimum is still within the specifcations.
During economizer mode, the return air damper
will move toward the closed position while the
exhaust damper will travel toward the open
position. When the end switch contacts close, the
powered exhaust fan energizes.
The end switch may be either a mercury type,
microswitch, or auxiliary contacts built into the
damper actuator. As the dampers travel toward
the economizer position, adjust the end switch
to close, and start the exhaust fan. This should
happen somewhere around 75% opening of the
outside air damper. Measure the room pressure
and return air CFM. Room pressure typically is
specifed at +.03 to +.05 W.G. The fnal fan
speed is adjusted with the motor sheave.
Variable Speed
If the room pressure is being maintained, run the
economizer to 100% outside air. The VFD should
increase the motor Hz to 60 Hz or less, depending
on the integrity of the room. If the fan cannot
maintain room pressure at 60 Hz, adjust the
motor sheave to achieve .03 W.G. If the room
pressure is at or below .03 W.G., record the
frequency. The frequency should be something
greater than the manufacturers minimum +10%
for varying conditions.
The last item that should be checked is the tuning
for door opening and closing. This is referred
to as the PI Loop. If PI tuning is not performed,
unnecessary VFD modulation can occur and doors
will fail to close properly. To begin, set the unit to
100% outside air and measure the room pressure
using a manometer or magnehelic. Next, open
a door and allow the VFD to low down. Now let
the door close naturally. If the PI is tuned properly
the pressure will spike high momentarily and then
go below .03 W.G., allowing the door to close.
The pressure will then return to .03 and hold
steady. If the pressure modulates up and down
the PI needs adjustingfollow the manufacturers
instructions for setting the PI loop.
When adjusted properly, the room pressure
should be maintained at a steady pressure
with little to no VFD modulation and doors will
open and close properly under all economizer
conditions.

11 TAB Journal
TAB Journal
ACG COmmISSIONING
GuIDelINe
Name
Company
Shipping Address
City State Zip
Phone Fax
Email
Order your copy of the new
ACG Commissioning Guideline today!
ACG Commissioning Guideline @ $50 each x ________= $____________
payment information
payment Type (Check one)
Name on Card
Signature
The ACG CommissioninG Guideline
provides a standardized methodology for
everyone involved with the commissioning
process to follow.
Detailed, step-by-step
methodologies for
the various types of
commissioning
Roles and responsibilities

of each commissioning
team member
The scope of services

performed in commissioning
The benefts of
commissioning
Sample forms, specifcations

and RFPs for commissioning
services
The ACG Commissioning Guideline is designed to help fll the
industry need for a single, standardized methodology for everyone
involved with the commissioning process.
ACG COMMISSIONING GUIDELINE
For Bui l di ng Owner s, Desi gn Pr of essi onal s
and Commi ssi oni ng Ser vi ce Pr ovi der s
One of the clearest descriptions of the commissioning
process that weve seen. Environmental Building News
ACG
1518 K Street, NW Suite 503 Washington, DC 20005
Phone: 202.737.7775 Credit card purchasers may fax orders
to (202) 638-4833 or order online at www.commissioning.org
The Commissioning Guideline includes:
A.
local.facilities.manager.of.
an.existing.fve-story.offce.
building.had.requested.
that.our.frm.perform.water.fow.
measurements.at.ceiling-hung.fan.
coil.units.The.testing,.which.would.
involve.GPM.fow.rates.at.each.hot.
and.chilled.coil,.was.prompted.by.
frequent.employee.complaints.about.
uncomfortable.temperatures
The.facilities.manager.informed.
us.that.the.building.has.had.many.
renovations.Many.of.the.individual.
offces.had.been.moved,.been.made.
larger,.or.do.not.exist.as.per.the.
original.design.of.the.building.This.
all.was.done.without.consideration.
of.the.HVAC.equipment.and.
terminals
If.an.offce.was.made.larger.they.
would.tap.off.of.another.system.
in.the.zone.or.the.closest.possible.
Flex.duct.was.used.with.no.volume.
dampers.If.an.offce.was.removed.
or.made.smaller,.the.terminals.
were.simply.removed.Most.
removed.terminals.were.runs.of.
fex.with.end.caps.lying.above.the.
ceiling.Thermostats.and.sensors.
were.relocated.as.for.where.the.
construction.team.felt.necessary.
As.for.the.hot.and.chilled.water.
system,.no.piping.modifcations.
were.made
We.told.the.manager.that.we.
suspect.the.temperature.problems.
are.more.than.just.water.fow,.
something.that.the.manager.already.
knew.Money.was.a.problem,.as.
they.did.not.have.the.income.to.
support.the.changes.needed.to.the.
HVAC.equipment
Our.frm.mentioned.that.GPM.fow.
rates.could.be.obtained.although.
airfows.should.also.be.measured.to.
compare.fow.rates.needed.to.satisfy.
temperature.The.manager.agreed
A.few.days.later,.we.started.
investigating.the.hydronic.system.
only.to.fnd.no.circuit.setter.or.
readout.devices.were.installed.Each.
coil.was.equipped.with.an.ATC.
valve,.supply.and.return.ball.valves
We.brought.the.facilities.manager.
up.to.speed.on.the.hydronic.
problem.we.were.facing.We.told.
him.the.cost.to.have.a.mechanical.
company.install.circuit.setter.or.
pressure.taps,.and.he.indicated.he.
could.not.consider.it.We.then.
explained.that.our.frm.could.
provide.an.ultrasonic.fow.meter,.
using.the.clamp.on.method,.along.
with.pipe/water.parameters.set.into.
the.meters.program,.to.produce.
GPM.readings.The.manager.agreed,.
especially.since.the.building.was.
occupied.24.hours.per.day,.making.
a.systems.shutdown.impossible
We.explained.the.savings.from.
installing.circuit.setters.or.readout.
devices.could.be.used.to.hire.a.
design.frm.to.help.in.developing.
design.airfow.and.GPM.fow.rates.
for.his.spaces.The.manager.agreed
We.proceeded.in.using.the.
ultrasonic.fow.meter.at.the.fan.coil.
unit.coils.and.gathered.all.GPMs.
necessary.We.generated.a.report.
for.the.building.and.he.passed.it.on.
to.a.local.design.frm.to.review.and.
respond
Our.frm,.the.design.team,.and.the.
facilities.management.had.a.meeting.
to.evaluate.the.new.design.criteria.
for.the.building.We.had.balanced.
the.systems.using.the.new.design.for.
air.terminals.and.water.terminals.
Thanks.to.the.ultrasonic.fow.meter.
a.cost.savings.from.installing.many.
readout.devices.was.eliminated
The.use.of.the.design.frm.was.a.
fraction.of.the.cost.of.what.it.would.
have.been.to.install.numerous.
circuit.setters.We.were.able.to.
set.the.new.GPM.rates.and.give.
higher/lower.rates.for.future.simply.
by.stating.ball.valve.positions.on.
requested.mains.and.units.
Ultrasonic Method of
Determining Flow Rates
P a u l T h o ma s , T BE
Butler Balancing Company, Inc.
13 TAB Journal
ACG COmmISSIONING
GuIDelINe
Name
Company
Shipping Address
City State Zip
Phone Fax
Email
Order your copy of the new
ACG Commissioning Guideline today!
ACG Commissioning Guideline @ $50 each x ________= $____________
payment information
payment Type (Check one)
Name on Card
Signature
The ACG CommissioninG Guideline
provides a standardized methodology for
everyone involved with the commissioning
process to follow.
Detailed, step-by-step
methodologies for
the various types of
commissioning
Roles and responsibilities

of each commissioning
team member
The scope of services

performed in commissioning
The benefts of
commissioning
Sample forms, specifcations

and RFPs for commissioning
services
The ACG Commissioning Guideline is designed to help fll the
industry need for a single, standardized methodology for everyone
involved with the commissioning process.
ACG COMMISSIONING GUIDELINE
For Bui l di ng Owner s, Desi gn Pr of essi onal s
and Commi ssi oni ng Ser vi ce Pr ovi der s
One of the clearest descriptions of the commissioning
process that weve seen. Environmental Building News
ACG
1518 K Street, NW Suite 503 Washington, DC 20005
Phone: 202.737.7775 Credit card purchasers may fax orders
to (202) 638-4833 or order online at www.commissioning.org
The Commissioning Guideline includes:
A.
local.facilities.manager.of.
an.existing.fve-story.offce.
building.had.requested.
that.our.frm.perform.water.fow.
measurements.at.ceiling-hung.fan.
coil.units.The.testing,.which.would.
involve.GPM.fow.rates.at.each.hot.
and.chilled.coil,.was.prompted.by.
frequent.employee.complaints.about.
uncomfortable.temperatures
The.facilities.manager.informed.
us.that.the.building.has.had.many.
renovations.Many.of.the.individual.
offces.had.been.moved,.been.made.
larger,.or.do.not.exist.as.per.the.
original.design.of.the.building.This.
all.was.done.without.consideration.
of.the.HVAC.equipment.and.
terminals
If.an.offce.was.made.larger.they.
would.tap.off.of.another.system.
in.the.zone.or.the.closest.possible.
Flex.duct.was.used.with.no.volume.
dampers.If.an.offce.was.removed.
or.made.smaller,.the.terminals.
were.simply.removed.Most.
removed.terminals.were.runs.of.
fex.with.end.caps.lying.above.the.
ceiling.Thermostats.and.sensors.
were.relocated.as.for.where.the.
construction.team.felt.necessary.
As.for.the.hot.and.chilled.water.
system,.no.piping.modifcations.
were.made
We.told.the.manager.that.we.
suspect.the.temperature.problems.
are.more.than.just.water.fow,.
something.that.the.manager.already.
knew.Money.was.a.problem,.as.
they.did.not.have.the.income.to.
support.the.changes.needed.to.the.
HVAC.equipment
Our.frm.mentioned.that.GPM.fow.
rates.could.be.obtained.although.
airfows.should.also.be.measured.to.
compare.fow.rates.needed.to.satisfy.
temperature.The.manager.agreed
A.few.days.later,.we.started.
investigating.the.hydronic.system.
only.to.fnd.no.circuit.setter.or.
readout.devices.were.installed.Each.
coil.was.equipped.with.an.ATC.
valve,.supply.and.return.ball.valves
We.brought.the.facilities.manager.
up.to.speed.on.the.hydronic.
problem.we.were.facing.We.told.
him.the.cost.to.have.a.mechanical.
company.install.circuit.setter.or.
pressure.taps,.and.he.indicated.he.
could.not.consider.it.We.then.
explained.that.our.frm.could.
provide.an.ultrasonic.fow.meter,.
using.the.clamp.on.method,.along.
with.pipe/water.parameters.set.into.
the.meters.program,.to.produce.
GPM.readings.The.manager.agreed,.
especially.since.the.building.was.
occupied.24.hours.per.day,.making.
a.systems.shutdown.impossible
We.explained.the.savings.from.
installing.circuit.setters.or.readout.
devices.could.be.used.to.hire.a.
design.frm.to.help.in.developing.
design.airfow.and.GPM.fow.rates.
for.his.spaces.The.manager.agreed
We.proceeded.in.using.the.
ultrasonic.fow.meter.at.the.fan.coil.
unit.coils.and.gathered.all.GPMs.
necessary.We.generated.a.report.
for.the.building.and.he.passed.it.on.
to.a.local.design.frm.to.review.and.
respond
Our.frm,.the.design.team,.and.the.
facilities.management.had.a.meeting.
to.evaluate.the.new.design.criteria.
for.the.building.We.had.balanced.
the.systems.using.the.new.design.for.
air.terminals.and.water.terminals.
Thanks.to.the.ultrasonic.fow.meter.
a.cost.savings.from.installing.many.
readout.devices.was.eliminated
The.use.of.the.design.frm.was.a.
fraction.of.the.cost.of.what.it.would.
have.been.to.install.numerous.
circuit.setters.We.were.able.to.
set.the.new.GPM.rates.and.give.
higher/lower.rates.for.future.simply.
by.stating.ball.valve.positions.on.
requested.mains.and.units.
Ultrasonic Method of
Determining Flow Rates
P a u l T h o ma s , T BE
Butler Balancing Company, Inc.
T
he.committee.decided.
to.publish.this.standard.
with.a.minimum.room.
pressure.difference.for.these.
spaces.of.001.in.WC.Although.
many.experienced.professionals.
in.the.industry.believe.that.the.
minimum.pressure.difference.
should.be.at.least.002.or.003.in.
WC,.there.is.not.as.yet.enough.
established.research.to.prove.such.
a.position.Such.research.would.
be.of.great.beneft.to.the.industry
The.following.is.a.case.study.
that.uses.a.higher.room.pressure.
differential.to.achieve.the.
intended.air.distribution.between.
a.critical.room.and.adjacent.
spaces
In.2005,.I.was.asked.by.the.
Animal.Institute.of.the.Albert.
Einstein.College.of.Medicine.
in.New.York.City.to.prepare.
a.proposal.to.provide.HVAC.
and.ventilation.service.for.an.
animal.room.The.room.was.to.
be.constructed.outside.of.the.
Animal.Institute.area.where.
the.ventilation.ensures.a.safe.
atmosphere.for.the.research.
facility
The.area.for.the.new.space.is.
adjacent.to.a.common.corridor.
where.the.delivery.of.products.
and.services.to.the.buildings.are.
made.From.the.standpoint.of.
ventilation.I.considered.the.air.in.
the.common.corridor.to.be.dirty,.
so.I.decided.that.while.the.new.
Room Pressure
Differentials in
Critical Environments:
T h e o d o r e Co h e n , P. E . , T BE
Air Conditioning Test and Balance Co., Inc.
Recently, the ASHRAE standards committee agreed to publish a standard for Ventilation of Healthcare Facilities (SPC-170).
During discussions, one point of contention was room pressure differentials that are to be maintained between critical
rooms and adjacent spaces such as infectious disease rooms, protective environment rooms, and operating rooms.
animal.room.was.required.to.be.
negative.in.pressure.with.respect.
to.the.adjacent.corridor.I.felt.that.
it.would.be.unwise.to.draw.dirty.
air.in.from.the.corridor.in.order.
to.keep.the.animal.room.at.the.
required.static.pressure
Based.on.this.situation.I.requested.
that.an.anteroom.be.added.to.
the.design.of.the.space,.and.that.
was.accepted.The.HVAC.service.
to.this.facility,.which.includes.
the.Animal.Institute.facilities.
and.other.research.facilities,.are.
primarily.100%.OAI.systems.
with.HEPA.fltration.that.ensure.a.
clean.air.supply
With.these.services.available,.I.
proposed.to.supply.clean.HVAC.
supply.air.to.the.anteroom.and.
the.animal.room.The.supply.air.
volumes.were.selected.to.provide.
a.minimum.of.10.air.changes.per.
hour.to.each.room.The.controls.
were.established.to.maintain.
the.anteroom.at.a.positive.static.
pressure.with.respect.to.the.
common.corridor.
An.exhaust.fan.that.draws.
air.from.the.animal.room.
was.selected.to.operate.under.
automatic.control.to.maintain.
the.animal.room.at.a.negative.
anteroom.This.combination.of.
air.fow.volumes.ensures.a.clean.
supply.of.air.to.the.anteroom.and.
the.animal.room.The.positive.
pressure.in.the.anteroom.prevents.
dirty.air.from.the.corridor.from.
entering.the.suite.The.negative.
pressure.difference.between.the.
anteroom.and.the.animal.room.
maintains.the.required.air.fow.to.
be.into.the.animal.room.and.also.
ensures.that.the.air.drawn.into.the.
animal.room.is.clean
We.provided.a.static.pressure.
controller.to.maintain.the.
negative.room.pressure.difference.
between.the.animal.room.and.the.
anteroom.The.differential.control.
varies.the.exhaust.air.volume.
drawn.from.the.animal.room.
to.maintain.the.required.static.
pressure.difference
The.fnal.TAB.report.indicated.the.
following.operation:
1.The.animal.room.is.negative.
with.respect.to.the.anteroom.
by.004.inWC
2.The.anteroom.is.positive.in.
common.corridor.by.0015.in.
WC
3.The.animal.room.has.a.supply.
air.change.rate.of.11.ACH,.
and.an.exhaust.air.change.rate.
of.20
We.achieved.the.design.conditions.
and.the.room.operated.safely.
The area for the new
space is adjacent to
a common corridor
where the delivery of
products and services to
the buildings are made.
The corridor air was
considered dirty.
A CAS E S TUDy
5 TAB Journal
Casework &
Equipment Plan
We provided a static
pressure controller to
maintain the negative
room pressure difference
between the animal room
and the anteroom.
The differential control
varies the exhaust air
volume drawn from the
animal room to maintain
the required static
pressure difference.
Part Plan
for Animal
Research Room
T
he.committee.decided.
to.publish.this.standard.
with.a.minimum.room.
pressure.difference.for.these.
spaces.of.001.in.WC.Although.
many.experienced.professionals.
in.the.industry.believe.that.the.
minimum.pressure.difference.
should.be.at.least.002.or.003.in.
WC,.there.is.not.as.yet.enough.
established.research.to.prove.such.
a.position.Such.research.would.
be.of.great.beneft.to.the.industry
The.following.is.a.case.study.
that.uses.a.higher.room.pressure.
differential.to.achieve.the.
intended.air.distribution.between.
a.critical.room.and.adjacent.
spaces
In.2005,.I.was.asked.by.the.
Animal.Institute.of.the.Albert.
Einstein.College.of.Medicine.
in.New.York.City.to.prepare.
a.proposal.to.provide.HVAC.
and.ventilation.service.for.an.
animal.room.The.room.was.to.
be.constructed.outside.of.the.
Animal.Institute.area.where.
the.ventilation.ensures.a.safe.
atmosphere.for.the.research.
facility
The.area.for.the.new.space.is.
adjacent.to.a.common.corridor.
where.the.delivery.of.products.
and.services.to.the.buildings.are.
made.From.the.standpoint.of.
ventilation.I.considered.the.air.in.
the.common.corridor.to.be.dirty,.
so.I.decided.that.while.the.new.
Room Pressure
Differentials in
Critical Environments:
T h e o d o r e Co h e n , P. E . , T BE
Air Conditioning Test and Balance Co., Inc.
Recently, the ASHRAE standards committee agreed to publish a standard for Ventilation of Healthcare Facilities (SPC-170).
During discussions, one point of contention was room pressure differentials that are to be maintained between critical
rooms and adjacent spaces such as infectious disease rooms, protective environment rooms, and operating rooms.
animal.room.was.required.to.be.
negative.in.pressure.with.respect.
to.the.adjacent.corridor.I.felt.that.
it.would.be.unwise.to.draw.dirty.
air.in.from.the.corridor.in.order.
to.keep.the.animal.room.at.the.
required.static.pressure
Based.on.this.situation.I.requested.
that.an.anteroom.be.added.to.
the.design.of.the.space,.and.that.
was.accepted.The.HVAC.service.
to.this.facility,.which.includes.
the.Animal.Institute.facilities.
and.other.research.facilities,.are.
primarily.100%.OAI.systems.
with.HEPA.fltration.that.ensure.a.
clean.air.supply
With.these.services.available,.I.
proposed.to.supply.clean.HVAC.
supply.air.to.the.anteroom.and.
the.animal.room.The.supply.air.
volumes.were.selected.to.provide.
a.minimum.of.10.air.changes.per.
hour.to.each.room.The.controls.
were.established.to.maintain.
the.anteroom.at.a.positive.static.
common.corridor.
An.exhaust.fan.that.draws.
air.from.the.animal.room.
was.selected.to.operate.under.
automatic.control.to.maintain.
the.animal.room.at.a.negative.
anteroom.This.combination.of.
air.fow.volumes.ensures.a.clean.
supply.of.air.to.the.anteroom.and.
the.animal.room.The.positive.
pressure.in.the.anteroom.prevents.
dirty.air.from.the.corridor.from.
entering.the.suite.The.negative.
pressure.difference.between.the.
anteroom.and.the.animal.room.
maintains.the.required.air.fow.to.
be.into.the.animal.room.and.also.
ensures.that.the.air.drawn.into.the.
animal.room.is.clean
We.provided.a.static.pressure.
controller.to.maintain.the.
negative.room.pressure.difference.
between.the.animal.room.and.the.
anteroom.The.differential.control.
varies.the.exhaust.air.volume.
drawn.from.the.animal.room.
to.maintain.the.required.static.
pressure.difference
The.fnal.TAB.report.indicated.the.
following.operation:
1.The.animal.room.is.negative.
with.respect.to.the.anteroom.
by.004.inWC
2.The.anteroom.is.positive.in.
common.corridor.by.0015.in.
WC
3.The.animal.room.has.a.supply.
air.change.rate.of.11.ACH,.
and.an.exhaust.air.change.rate.
of.20
We.achieved.the.design.conditions.
and.the.room.operated.safely.
The area for the new
space is adjacent to
a common corridor
where the delivery of
products and services to
the buildings are made.
The corridor air was
considered dirty.
A CAS E S TUDy
13 TAB Journal
Casework &
Equipment Plan
We provided a static
pressure controller to
maintain the negative
room pressure difference
between the animal room
and the anteroom.
The differential control
varies the exhaust air
volume drawn from the
animal room to maintain
the required static
pressure difference.
Part Plan
for Animal
Research Room
Q
Tech Talk
Tech Talk is a regular feature in which AABC shares questions weve received
and the responses from the associations experts. We hope that others have
had similar questions and therefore will beneft from the answers, and also
that this new feature will encourage others to submit their questions. Better
communication and understanding of proper balancing procedures has
been part of AABCs mission for more than 40 years, and helps to produce
buildings that operate as designed and intended.
have a Question?
To submit a question for
Tech Talk, email us at
info@aabc.com, or visit the
Tech Talk section of the
AABC website at
www.aabc.com/techtalk.
the Associated Air Balance council
frequently felds technical questions
from engineers, contractors, owners
and others regarding proper air and
water balancing procedures.
These questions are answered by the
most qualifed people in the industry:
AABC Test & Balance Engineers
(TBEs).
VAV Systems and DDC System Monitoring
Question: With the advent of newer variable air volume (VAV) systems
that can measure and control the airfow at each zone, what is AABCs
position on balancing an air system using these electronic methods instead of
adjusting a manual damper and, say, an opposing blade damper (OBD)? It
is now possible to set and control air fow electronically without ever
touching a mechanical device. I am not sure how reliable this method is
does your organization approve balancing by these electronic methods?
AABC: VAV.systems.have.had.the.capability.to.ascertain.box.fow.and.
adjust.its.damper.for.30.years,.dating.back.to.mechanical.controllers.DDC.
systems.are.obviously.more.sophisticated;.however,.the.approach.is.still.the.
same:.Box.total.airfow.is.measured.and.the.box.controls.are.calibrated.
to.maintain.design.via.the.boxs.internal.damper.Outlets.downstream.are.
balanced.using.duct.volume.dampers.
The.only.time.a.duct.inlet.volume.damper.would.come.into.play.is.when.
the.system.static.exceeds.the.box.rating.causing.the.box.damper.to.throttle.
excessively.and.create.noise.An.inlet.volume.damper.could.be.used.to.create.
additional.pressure.loss.allowing.better.control.with.the.box.damper
If.you.are.referring.to.a.variable.volume.and.temperature.(VVT).system,.that.
is.essentially.a.method.to.make.a.constant.volume.system.into.a.VAV.system.
by.utilizing.a.bypass.duct.for.capacity.control
Earlier.versions.did.not.have.the.capacity.to.measure.airfow.Those.systems.
were.essentially.balanced.as.a.constant.volume.system.with.all.of.the.VVT.
dampers.open.and.the.airfows.adjusted.via.duct.volume.dampers.Set.points.
for.the.bypass.dampers.were.then.determined.Later.versions.have.added.the.
capability.to.measure.airfow.Some.work.well,.others.do.not.If.duct.volume.
dampers.are.provided,.we.essentially.balance.these.as.constant.volume.
systems.with.all.VVT.dampers.open,.again.using.duct.volume.dampers.This.
is.assuming.that.there.is.no.diversity.in.the.system.Diversity.complicates.
matters.in.these.VVT.systems
To.be.clear.on.one.other.point:.DDC.system.monitoring.is.not.to.be.used.
for.the.balancing.Field.measurements.must.be.taken.to.determine.VAV.box.
airfows.
Joe Baumgartner, P.E., TBE, Baumgartner Inc.
"The airfow measuring of the
unit ventilator would require
the expertise of a TBE to
review the specifc installation
and determine what
instruments to use in order to
meet the AABC standards for
airfow measurement."
Q
Proper CFM Procedure for Public Schools
Question: A public school system is telling us to follow AABC
procedures for balancing foor mounted, non-ducted, packaged unit
ventilators.
Units are three-speed, with steam heating coil, face and bypass
dampers. The units are mounted on outside wall with no ductwork, but
using existing outside air louvers. Units get signal to start and stop from
building automation system (BAS) and individual users can change the
units speed to high/medium/low.
We are looking for an established, proven written procedure that
establishes the total CFM, outside air CFM, and return air CFM
quantities that can be verifed by the commissioning agent.
AABC: The.airfow.measuring.of.the.unit.ventilator.would.require.the.
expertise.of.a.TBE.to.review.the.specifc.installation.and.determine.what.
instruments.to.use.in.order.to.meet.the.AABC.standards.for.airfow.
measurement.It.would.also.be.up.to.the.TBE.to.write.a.procedure.to.
produce.repeatable.results.AABC.does.not.have.a.written.procedure.for.
every.possible.combination.or.confguration.of.equipment.or.systems.
Steve Young, TBE, The Phoenix Agency, Inc.
Q
Establishing Air Valve Air Flow and Calibration Factor
Question: In reference to single duct, pressure independent VAV Boxes
with or without reheat, the AABC National Standards procedure says to
record and report, among other things, Design and actual supply airfow
(by Pitot tube traverse) and Air valve manufacturer size, model, total
airfow (design and actual, minimum and maximum), calibration factor.
What method does AABC recommended to establish air valve air fow
and calibration factor? Is pitot traverse required for each VAV box/air
valve? Most manufacturers tout their inlet sensors as being almost
independent of inlet conditions. Do we need a calibration factor if this is
true?
AABC: The.AABC.National.Standards.do.not.state.specifcally.how.the.
airfow.should.be.measured.However,.the.airfow.must.be.measured.and.
one.cannot.rely.solely.on.the.computer.readout
Generally.the.outlets.are.measured.When.the.outlets.cannot.be.measured.
or.their.accuracy.is.suspect,.a.traverse.of.the.inlet.is.made.to.determine.
the.actual.VAV.airfow.Once.the.actual.airfow.is.determined,.the.
calibration.factor.is.applied.to.have.the.computer.readout.match.the.
actual.measured.airfow
J.B.
TAB Journal TAB Journal
Q
Tech Talk
Tech Talk is a regular feature in which AABC shares questions weve received
and the responses from the associations experts. We hope that others have
had similar questions and therefore will beneft from the answers, and also
that this new feature will encourage others to submit their questions. Better
communication and understanding of proper balancing procedures has
been part of AABCs mission for more than 40 years, and helps to produce
buildings that operate as designed and intended.
have a Question?
To submit a question for
Tech Talk, email us at
info@aabc.com, or visit the
Tech Talk section of the
AABC website at
www.aabc.com/techtalk.
the Associated Air Balance council
frequently felds technical questions
from engineers, contractors, owners
and others regarding proper air and
water balancing procedures.
These questions are answered by the
most qualifed people in the industry:
AABC Test & Balance Engineers
(TBEs).
VAV Systems and DDC System Monitoring
Question: With the advent of newer variable air volume (VAV) systems
that can measure and control the airfow at each zone, what is AABCs
position on balancing an air system using these electronic methods instead of
adjusting a manual damper and, say, an opposing blade damper (OBD)? It
is now possible to set and control air fow electronically without ever
touching a mechanical device. I am not sure how reliable this method is
does your organization approve balancing by these electronic methods?
AABC: VAV.systems.have.had.the.capability.to.ascertain.box.fow.and.
adjust.its.damper.for.30.years,.dating.back.to.mechanical.controllers.DDC.
systems.are.obviously.more.sophisticated;.however,.the.approach.is.still.the.
same:.Box.total.airfow.is.measured.and.the.box.controls.are.calibrated.
to.maintain.design.via.the.boxs.internal.damper.Outlets.downstream.are.
balanced.using.duct.volume.dampers.
The.only.time.a.duct.inlet.volume.damper.would.come.into.play.is.when.
the.system.static.exceeds.the.box.rating.causing.the.box.damper.to.throttle.
excessively.and.create.noise.An.inlet.volume.damper.could.be.used.to.create.
additional.pressure.loss.allowing.better.control.with.the.box.damper
If.you.are.referring.to.a.variable.volume.and.temperature.(VVT).system,.that.
is.essentially.a.method.to.make.a.constant.volume.system.into.a.VAV.system.
by.utilizing.a.bypass.duct.for.capacity.control
Earlier.versions.did.not.have.the.capacity.to.measure.airfow.Those.systems.
were.essentially.balanced.as.a.constant.volume.system.with.all.of.the.VVT.
dampers.open.and.the.airfows.adjusted.via.duct.volume.dampers.Set.points.
for.the.bypass.dampers.were.then.determined.Later.versions.have.added.the.
capability.to.measure.airfow.Some.work.well,.others.do.not.If.duct.volume.
dampers.are.provided,.we.essentially.balance.these.as.constant.volume.
systems.with.all.VVT.dampers.open,.again.using.duct.volume.dampers.This.
is.assuming.that.there.is.no.diversity.in.the.system.Diversity.complicates.
matters.in.these.VVT.systems
To.be.clear.on.one.other.point:.DDC.system.monitoring.is.not.to.be.used.
for.the.balancing.Field.measurements.must.be.taken.to.determine.VAV.box.
airfows.
Joe Baumgartner, P.E., TBE, Baumgartner Inc.
"The airfow measuring of the
unit ventilator would require
the expertise of a TBE to
review the specifc installation
and determine what
instruments to use in order to
meet the AABC standards for
airfow measurement."
Q
Proper CFM Procedure for Public Schools
Question: A public school system is telling us to follow AABC
procedures for balancing foor mounted, non-ducted, packaged unit
ventilators.
Units are three-speed, with steam heating coil, face and bypass
dampers. The units are mounted on outside wall with no ductwork, but
using existing outside air louvers. Units get signal to start and stop from
building automation system (BAS) and individual users can change the
units speed to high/medium/low.
We are looking for an established, proven written procedure that
establishes the total CFM, outside air CFM, and return air CFM
quantities that can be verifed by the commissioning agent.
AABC: The.airfow.measuring.of.the.unit.ventilator.would.require.the.
expertise.of.a.TBE.to.review.the.specifc.installation.and.determine.what.
instruments.to.use.in.order.to.meet.the.AABC.standards.for.airfow.
measurement.It.would.also.be.up.to.the.TBE.to.write.a.procedure.to.
produce.repeatable.results.AABC.does.not.have.a.written.procedure.for.
every.possible.combination.or.confguration.of.equipment.or.systems.
Steve Young, TBE, The Phoenix Agency, Inc.
Q
Establishing Air Valve Air Flow and Calibration Factor
Question: In reference to single duct, pressure independent VAV Boxes
with or without reheat, the AABC National Standards procedure says to
record and report, among other things, Design and actual supply airfow
(by Pitot tube traverse) and Air valve manufacturer size, model, total
airfow (design and actual, minimum and maximum), calibration factor.
What method does AABC recommended to establish air valve air fow
and calibration factor? Is pitot traverse required for each VAV box/air
valve? Most manufacturers tout their inlet sensors as being almost
independent of inlet conditions. Do we need a calibration factor if this is
true?
AABC: The.AABC.National.Standards.do.not.state.specifcally.how.the.
airfow.should.be.measured.However,.the.airfow.must.be.measured.and.
one.cannot.rely.solely.on.the.computer.readout
Generally.the.outlets.are.measured.When.the.outlets.cannot.be.measured.
or.their.accuracy.is.suspect,.a.traverse.of.the.inlet.is.made.to.determine.
the.actual.VAV.airfow.Once.the.actual.airfow.is.determined,.the.
calibration.factor.is.applied.to.have.the.computer.readout.match.the.
actual.measured.airfow
J.B.
16 TAB Journal 17 TAB Journal
De n n i s Ar a mi l , T BE
PEBSCO
SUPPLY AIR DESIGN CRITERIA
6,020 basement cfm
3,510 1st foor cfm
5,115 2nd foor cfm
14,645 total cfm
12,565 return air cfm
2,080 outside air cfm
EXHAUST AIR
DESIGN CRITERIA
2,780 basement cfm
640 1st foor cfm
640 2nd foor cfm
4,060 total cfm
The.owner.proceeded.to.advise.the.consultant.of.the.negative.1980.cfm.and.
-002.wc.building.pressure.condition.An.attempt.at.a.solution.was.made.by.
increasing.the.outside.air.capacity.at.the.AHU.to.4,200.cfm,.which.left.the.
building.under.neutral.pressurization.conditions.during.the.summer.months.
However.this.did.not.work.very.well.in.winter.months.due.to.minimum.VAV.
airfow.settings.specifed.at.1,751.total.cfm.Although.the.climate.is.relatively.
mild.during.the.winter.months,.the.end.user.continues.to.contend.with.less.
than.desirable.pressurization.and.in.some.areas.temperature.complaints.for.a.
minimum.of.60.calendar.days.each.year
In.conclusion,.we.have.encountered.many.specifcations.requiring.document.
review.as.well.as.many.that.do.not.In.most.cases,.we.have.noticed.a.defnitive.
increase.in.owner.satisfaction.when.we.are.allowed.to.properly.prepare.to.
deliver.TAB.services.The.failure.to.procure.a.TAB.agent.until.after.construction.
and.HVAC.installation.has.begun.results.in.lesser.options.to.resolve.simple.
issues.economically.
Although.TAB.ideally.commences.during.the.design.phase.of.a.project,.in.most.
instances.projects.are.well.underway.before.the.TAB.agent.is.notifed.that.they.
are.required.at.the.project.site.In.the.worst.cases,.the.TAB.agency.is.asked.to.
provide.pricing.and.then.be.prepared.to.be.onsite.the.next.day
On.a.recent.project,.we.encountered.an.unsolvable.pressurization.condition.
that.could.have.been.easily.discovered.by.the.TAB.agent.during.the.document.
review.phase.of.design,.or.at.least.have.been.discovered.during.a.construction.
phase.inspection.However,.when.called.upon.to.deliver.TAB.services.at.the.
onset.of.owner.move-in.activities,.there.is.sometimes.little.that.can.be.done.to.
economically.resolve.simple.defciencies.satisfactorily
On.what.appears.to.be.a.simple.three-story.project,.the.drawings.show.a.
building.conditioned.by.one.air.handling.unit.and.approximately.21.variable.
volume.terminal.units.with.associated.supply.diffusers.The.following.design.
airfow.criteria.were.pointed.out.by.technicians.to.the.owner.during.the.TAB.
feld.process,.revealing.a.less.than.desirable.pressurization.condition.for.the.
owner.to.contend.with
Minimum Outside
Air Solution
Order Both Today!

Call AABC at (202) 737-0202
or see www.aabc.com
Get the skills, knowledge and confdence you need to
meet tough HVAC challenges head-on, realize your full
potential, and perform at your peak!
AnIntroductiontotheTestandBalanceProcess
HowtoTakeaPilotTubeTraverse
BalancingaSingle-zoneSystem
BalancingaMulti-zoneSystem
The AABC Technician Training video series consists of:
AABC Technician Training Manual
and Instructor's Guide
Newlyrevisedandexpanded,thisin-depthmanual
designedfortrainingtestandbalancetechnicianscovers
allaspectsoftotalsystembalance,includingdiagrams,
illustrationsandreviewquestions.AcompanionInstructors
Guideisalsoincludedtofacilitatethelearningprocessand
helpgaugeprogress.
Technician
Training
Materials
Now Available
On DVD!
9 TAB Journal
De n n i s Ar a mi l , T BE
PEBSCO
SUPPLY AIR DESIGN CRITERIA
6,020 basement cfm
3,510 1st foor cfm
5,115 2nd foor cfm
14,645 total cfm
12,565 return air cfm
2,080 outside air cfm
EXHAUST AIR
DESIGN CRITERIA
2,780 basement cfm
640 1st foor cfm
640 2nd foor cfm
4,060 total cfm
The.owner.proceeded.to.advise.the.consultant.of.the.negative.1980.cfm.and.
-002.wc.building.pressure.condition.An.attempt.at.a.solution.was.made.by.
increasing.the.outside.air.capacity.at.the.AHU.to.4,200.cfm,.which.left.the.
building.under.neutral.pressurization.conditions.during.the.summer.months.
However.this.did.not.work.very.well.in.winter.months.due.to.minimum.VAV.
airfow.settings.specifed.at.1,751.total.cfm.Although.the.climate.is.relatively.
mild.during.the.winter.months,.the.end.user.continues.to.contend.with.less.
than.desirable.pressurization.and.in.some.areas.temperature.complaints.for.a.
minimum.of.60.calendar.days.each.year
In.conclusion,.we.have.encountered.many.specifcations.requiring.document.
review.as.well.as.many.that.do.not.In.most.cases,.we.have.noticed.a.defnitive.
increase.in.owner.satisfaction.when.we.are.allowed.to.properly.prepare.to.
deliver.TAB.services.The.failure.to.procure.a.TAB.agent.until.after.construction.
and.HVAC.installation.has.begun.results.in.lesser.options.to.resolve.simple.
issues.economically.
Although.TAB.ideally.commences.during.the.design.phase.of.a.project,.in.most.
instances.projects.are.well.underway.before.the.TAB.agent.is.notifed.that.they.
are.required.at.the.project.site.In.the.worst.cases,.the.TAB.agency.is.asked.to.
provide.pricing.and.then.be.prepared.to.be.onsite.the.next.day
On.a.recent.project,.we.encountered.an.unsolvable.pressurization.condition.
that.could.have.been.easily.discovered.by.the.TAB.agent.during.the.document.
review.phase.of.design,.or.at.least.have.been.discovered.during.a.construction.
phase.inspection.However,.when.called.upon.to.deliver.TAB.services.at.the.
onset.of.owner.move-in.activities,.there.is.sometimes.little.that.can.be.done.to.
economically.resolve.simple.defciencies.satisfactorily
On.what.appears.to.be.a.simple.three-story.project,.the.drawings.show.a.
building.conditioned.by.one.air.handling.unit.and.approximately.21.variable.
volume.terminal.units.with.associated.supply.diffusers.The.following.design.
airfow.criteria.were.pointed.out.by.technicians.to.the.owner.during.the.TAB.
feld.process,.revealing.a.less.than.desirable.pressurization.condition.for.the.
owner.to.contend.with
Minimum Outside
Air Solution
Order Both Today!

Call AABC at (202) 737-0202
or see www.aabc.com
Get the skills, knowledge and confdence you need to
meet tough HVAC challenges head-on, realize your full
potential, and perform at your peak!
AnIntroductiontotheTestandBalanceProcess
HowtoTakeaPilotTubeTraverse
BalancingaSingle-zoneSystem
BalancingaMulti-zoneSystem
The AABC Technician Training video series consists of:
AABC Technician Training Manual
and Instructor's Guide
Newlyrevisedandexpanded,thisin-depthmanual
designedfortrainingtestandbalancetechnicianscovers
allaspectsoftotalsystembalance,includingdiagrams,
illustrationsandreviewquestions.AcompanionInstructors
Guideisalsoincludedtofacilitatethelearningprocessand
helpgaugeprogress.
Technician
Training
Materials
Now Available
On DVD!
19 TAB Journal
TAB Journal
Our.company.recently.balanced.a.
high.end.multi-story.assisted-living.
apartment.building.for.the.elderly.
with.two.foors.being.renovated
The.HVAC.system.consisted.of.
vertical.furnace-style.water.source.
heat.pumps.installed.in.a.utility.closet.
in.each.apartment.The.ductwork.was.
concealed.in.a.sofft,.which.ran.the.
length.of.the.apartment.with.sidewall.
supply.registers.for.each.room
Right.away.it.became.evident.we.were.
going.to.have.problems.The.motors.
for.these.units.were.multi-speed.direct.
drive,.which.at.the.slowest.setting.
resulted.in.the.units.producing.30.
to.40.percent.above.design.airfow.
requirements.The.design.engineer.
had.sized.the.heat.pumps.for.07.
external.static.pressure.At.the.present.
airfow,.most.units.were.in.the.04.to.
05.wc.range
To.make.matters.worse,.the.sheet.
metal.contractor.had.decided.not.
to.install.balance.dampers.in.the.
ductwork.By.the.time.balancing.
began,.the.ceilings.in.these.apartments.
were.fnished,.which.meant.that.even.
if.the.dampers.had.been.installed,.
they.would.either.not.have.been.
accessible.or.a.number.of.access.
doors.would.have.been.necessary.
throughout.each.apartment
In.their.present.condition.the.units.
were.already.quite.drafty.and.noisy.
We.attempted.to.balance.airfow.
using.the.opposed.blade.dampers.at.
the.face.of.each.grille.This.resulted.
in.an.extremely.objectionable.noise.
throughout.the.apartment,.which.was.
totally.unacceptable.to.the.building.
owners,.not.to.mention.the.new.
occupants
A.meeting.was.called.for.all.involved.
parties,.which.included.the.owner,.the.
engineer,.the.architect,.the.sheet.metal.
contractor,.the.unit.manufacturers.
representative.and.our.company.At.
the.meeting,.there.was.a.large.amount.
of.heated.discussion.and.fnger.
pointing.Several.possible.options.
were.presented:
1).Installation.of.a.main.damper.at.
the.discharge.of.each.unitdue.to.
transitions.and.the.confguration.
of.the.discharge.plenums,.this.was.
not.a.viable.option
2).Installation.of.a.speed.controller.
on.the.motorthe.manufacturer.
indicated.that.this.would.void.the.
warranty
3).Cutting.access.doors.at.each.supply.
grille.take-off.and.installing.a.
balance.damper.at.each.location
The.third.option.was.eventually.
chosen.To.ensure.that.this.was.
going.to.become.the.fnal.solution,.
one.apartment,.which.was.not.yet.
occupied.was.used.as.a.test.suite
The.dampers.were.installed.and.we.
once.again.returned.to.perform.test.
and.balance.using.the.newly.installed.
dampers.As.the.ductwork.had.a.very.
short.distance.from.the.main.to.the.
supply.registers.(three.feet.or.less.in.
most.cases),.the.results.were.not.much.
better.than.had.been.observed.with.
the.opposed.blade.dampers
By.now,.a.considerable.amount.
of.time.and.expense.had.been.
expended.from.all.the.meetings,.duct.
modifcations,.and.re-balancing.The.
building.owner.was.becoming.quite.
discouraged.and.annoyed.that.the.
problem.could.not.be.resolved.The.
design.engineer.was.in.an.awkward.
position,.as.the.owner.was.placing.
all.of.the.blame.squarely.on.his.
shoulders.The.owner.was.seriously.
considering.removing.the.units.
entirely.and.installing.smaller.units.at.
the.engineers.expense
In.an.effort.to.resolve.this.situation,.
we.agreed.to.give.the.engineer.one.
day.of.our.services.and.try.different.
scenarios.to.possibly.fnd.a.viable.
solution.that.would.be.acceptable.to.
all.parties
The.engineer.hired.a.new.sheet.metal.
contractor.and.the.three.of.us.met.on.
the.job.site.to.put.our.heads.together.
We.fnally.came.up.with.a.possible.
solution:.The.fan.in.these.heat.pumps.
could.be.removed.through.the.front.
of.the.unit.by.loosening.a.couple.of.
screws.and.pulling.it.straight.out.in.
one.piece
We.had.the.sheet.metal.shop.make.
several.round.plates.from.perforated.
metal.The.perforations.were.in.
several.different.sizes,.ranging.from.
3/16.holes.up.to.1/2.holes.We.then.
secured.these.round.plates.over.the.
fan.intake.openings.to.cause.enough.
restriction.to.reduce.the.amount.of.
airfow.We.didnt.want.to.just.blank-
off.the.opening.with.metal.for.fear.of.
possibly.over.heating.the.motor.by.
reducing.the.airfow.over.the.motor.
windings
We.interchanged.these.plates.until.the.
correct.airfow.was.obtained.This.
signifcantly.reduced.the.amount.of.
noise.created.by.the.unit.As.an.added.
beneft,.we.cut.a.hole.in.the.discharge.
plenum.at.the.top.of.the.unit.and.
installed.duct.lining
What.started.as.a.simple.furnace.
project.had.turned.into.a.true.
brainteaser.lasting.several.months,.but.
in.the.end.the.owner.got.a.properly.
functioning.system.
Dampers and Plates
Solve an Excess Airflow Problem
J o h n A. Ba l a n i k , T BE
R.H. Cochran and Associates, Inc.
"The contractor
had decided
not to install
balance dampers
in the ductwork."
21 TAB Journal
Our.company.recently.balanced.a.
high.end.multi-story.assisted-living.
apartment.building.for.the.elderly.
with.two.foors.being.renovated
The.HVAC.system.consisted.of.
vertical.furnace-style.water.source.
heat.pumps.installed.in.a.utility.closet.
in.each.apartment.The.ductwork.was.
concealed.in.a.sofft,.which.ran.the.
length.of.the.apartment.with.sidewall.
supply.registers.for.each.room
Right.away.it.became.evident.we.were.
going.to.have.problems.The.motors.
for.these.units.were.multi-speed.direct.
drive,.which.at.the.slowest.setting.
resulted.in.the.units.producing.30.
to.40.percent.above.design.airfow.
requirements.The.design.engineer.
had.sized.the.heat.pumps.for.07.
external.static.pressure.At.the.present.
airfow,.most.units.were.in.the.04.to.
05.wc.range
To.make.matters.worse,.the.sheet.
metal.contractor.had.decided.not.
to.install.balance.dampers.in.the.
ductwork.By.the.time.balancing.
began,.the.ceilings.in.these.apartments.
were.fnished,.which.meant.that.even.
if.the.dampers.had.been.installed,.
they.would.either.not.have.been.
accessible.or.a.number.of.access.
doors.would.have.been.necessary.
throughout.each.apartment
In.their.present.condition.the.units.
were.already.quite.drafty.and.noisy.
We.attempted.to.balance.airfow.
using.the.opposed.blade.dampers.at.
the.face.of.each.grille.This.resulted.
in.an.extremely.objectionable.noise.
throughout.the.apartment,.which.was.
totally.unacceptable.to.the.building.
owners,.not.to.mention.the.new.
occupants
A.meeting.was.called.for.all.involved.
parties,.which.included.the.owner,.the.
engineer,.the.architect,.the.sheet.metal.
contractor,.the.unit.manufacturers.
representative.and.our.company.At.
the.meeting,.there.was.a.large.amount.
of.heated.discussion.and.fnger.
pointing.Several.possible.options.
were.presented:
1).Installation.of.a.main.damper.at.
the.discharge.of.each.unitdue.to.
transitions.and.the.confguration.
of.the.discharge.plenums,.this.was.
not.a.viable.option
2).Installation.of.a.speed.controller.
on.the.motorthe.manufacturer.
indicated.that.this.would.void.the.
warranty
3).Cutting.access.doors.at.each.supply.
grille.take-off.and.installing.a.
balance.damper.at.each.location
The.third.option.was.eventually.
chosen.To.ensure.that.this.was.
going.to.become.the.fnal.solution,.
one.apartment,.which.was.not.yet.
occupied.was.used.as.a.test.suite
The.dampers.were.installed.and.we.
once.again.returned.to.perform.test.
and.balance.using.the.newly.installed.
dampers.As.the.ductwork.had.a.very.
short.distance.from.the.main.to.the.
supply.registers.(three.feet.or.less.in.
most.cases),.the.results.were.not.much.
better.than.had.been.observed.with.
the.opposed.blade.dampers
By.now,.a.considerable.amount.
of.time.and.expense.had.been.
expended.from.all.the.meetings,.duct.
modifcations,.and.re-balancing.The.
building.owner.was.becoming.quite.
discouraged.and.annoyed.that.the.
problem.could.not.be.resolved.The.
design.engineer.was.in.an.awkward.
position,.as.the.owner.was.placing.
all.of.the.blame.squarely.on.his.
shoulders.The.owner.was.seriously.
considering.removing.the.units.
entirely.and.installing.smaller.units.at.
the.engineers.expense
In.an.effort.to.resolve.this.situation,.
we.agreed.to.give.the.engineer.one.
day.of.our.services.and.try.different.
scenarios.to.possibly.fnd.a.viable.
solution.that.would.be.acceptable.to.
all.parties
The.engineer.hired.a.new.sheet.metal.
contractor.and.the.three.of.us.met.on.
the.job.site.to.put.our.heads.together.
We.fnally.came.up.with.a.possible.
solution:.The.fan.in.these.heat.pumps.
could.be.removed.through.the.front.
of.the.unit.by.loosening.a.couple.of.
screws.and.pulling.it.straight.out.in.
one.piece
We.had.the.sheet.metal.shop.make.
several.round.plates.from.perforated.
metal.The.perforations.were.in.
several.different.sizes,.ranging.from.
3/16.holes.up.to.1/2.holes.We.then.
secured.these.round.plates.over.the.
fan.intake.openings.to.cause.enough.
restriction.to.reduce.the.amount.of.
airfow.We.didnt.want.to.just.blank-
off.the.opening.with.metal.for.fear.of.
possibly.over.heating.the.motor.by.
reducing.the.airfow.over.the.motor.
windings
We.interchanged.these.plates.until.the.
correct.airfow.was.obtained.This.
signifcantly.reduced.the.amount.of.
noise.created.by.the.unit.As.an.added.
beneft,.we.cut.a.hole.in.the.discharge.
plenum.at.the.top.of.the.unit.and.
installed.duct.lining
What.started.as.a.simple.furnace.
project.had.turned.into.a.true.
brainteaser.lasting.several.months,.but.
in.the.end.the.owner.got.a.properly.
functioning.system.
Dampers and Plates
Solve an Excess Airflow Problem
J o h n A. Ba l a n i k , T BE
R.H. Cochran and Associates, Inc.
"The contractor
had decided
not to install
balance dampers
in the ductwork."
TAB Journal TAB Journal
.Existing.spray.systems.can.be.
greatly.improved.by.installing.non-
corroding.square.spray.ABS.plastic.
nozzles
HEAT TRAnSFER SERVICES
.The.most.dramatic.improvement.
in.the.performance.of.the.tower.
can.be.obtained.by.retroftting.
cellular.fll.(available.from.a.
number.of.manufacturers).Whether.
it.be.counter.fow.or.cross.fow.
confguration.change.to.high.
effciency.dense-flm.fll.(also.
known.as.cellular.fll).can.result.in.
improvements.from.10-15.F.This.
colder.water.could.provide.a.50%.
increase.in.tower.capacity
.The.main.reason.for.this.
extraordinary.improvement.is.that.
with.conventional.splash.bars,.the.
water.must.bounce.from.slat.to.slat.
on.its.way.from.top.to.bottom.of.
the.crossfow.or.counterfow.tower.
and.the.exterior.of.the.droplet.is.
cooled.If.a.high.enough.vertical.
travel.is.engineered,.the.water.will.
be.cooled.to.design.conditions.Bear.
in.mind,.however,.that.the.more.
wood.that.is.put.into.the.tower,.the.
higher.the.static.pressure.loss.and.
the.larger.horsepower.motor.and.
fan.diameters.will.be.required
.Cellular.fll.works.on.the.principle.
that.the.droplet.of.water.is.
stretched.into.a.thin.flm.as.
the.water.proceeds.vertically.
downward.through.the.cells.thereby.
permitting.the.available.crossfow.
or.counterfow.air.to.cool.the.entire.
droplet.more.rapidly
Energy Conservation Strategies
Cooling.towers,.because.they.seem.so.simple,.are.
usually.orphans.of.the.facilities.operation.and.the.
neglected.stepchildren.of.the.power.plant,.electric.power.
generating.station,.and.refrigeration.systems.While.
facility.engineers.are.well.convinced.of.the.importance.
of.their.sophisticated.equipment,.they.take.the.cooling.
towersand.the.cold.water.returning.from.themfor.
granted
Cooling.towers.are.hidden.bonanzas.for.energy.
conservation.and.dollar.savings.when.properly.
engineered.and.maintained.In.many.cases,.the.limiting.
factor.of.production.is.the.quality.and.quantity.of.
cold.water.coming.off.the.cooling.tower.The.savings.
accrued.in.energy.conservation.and.additional.product.
manufactured.can.be.an.important.factor.of.an.
operators.proftability
Energy.management.analysis.is.a.very.important.way.
to.compensate.for.todays.escalating.energy.costs.A.
thorough.engineering.inspection.and.evaluation.of.the.
entire.plant.can.leave.no.stone.unturned.in.the.search.to.
reduce.energy.consumption
Cooling.towers.play.a.major.role.in.waste.heat.removal.
and.should.be.thoroughly.inspected.and.evaluated.
by.engineering.specialists.This.can.be.performed.at.
nominal.cost.and.in.a.formal.report.submitted.with.
recommendations,.budget.cost,.and.evaluation.of.
thermal,.structural,.and.mechanical.conditions.of.the.
equipment
Practically.all.cooling.towers.can.be.upgraded.to.
perform.at.higher.effciency.levels.While.all.cooling.
tower.systems.might.not.provide.a.dramatic.cost.
payback,.the.return.of.investment.through.upgrading.
can.be.a.surprising.factor.of.operation.and.should.not.
be.neglected
Design.conditions.are.specifed.for.the.particular.job.
requirements.before.the.tower.is.purchased.After.it.
is.installed,.the.cold.water.temperature.or.volume.
can.becomes.inadequate.While.all.cooling.towers.
are.expected.to.function.at.100%.of.capability.in.
accordance.with.the.design,.the.level.of.operation.is.
often.much.lowersometimes.even.50%.for.a.few.
reasons:
.Present.service.is.greater.than.anticipated
.The.installation.originally.was.undersized.because.of.
the.Low.bidder.syndrome
.Slippage.due.to.defcient.maintenance
.Plant.expansion.requires.additional.volume.and.
possible.colder.temperature.of.water
The.Importance.of
I s t v a n F r o h l i n g
Airfow Testing, Inc.
State of the Art Upgrading
Owners.of.cooling.towers.are.not.
particularly.concerned.with.the.
thermal.analysis.or.checking.into.
information.on.principles.of.selections.
of.their.equipment,.rather.they.want.
an.investigation.and.report.to.the.
biggest.question.which.is:
We have this equipment which
is part of our facility. It is not
producing a suffcient level of cold
water. What can we do to remedy the
situation?
There.are.three.different.types.of.
methods.offered.by.the.industry
AIR HAnDlInG IMPROVEMEnT
.The.least.expensive.fx.to.improve.
air.handling.and.increase.the.
volume.is.to.change.the.pitch.of.the.
blades.to.move.up.to.a.maximum.
motor.horsepower
.Installation.of.velocity.regain.(VR).
fan.cylinders.which.will.have.an.
approximate.5-7%.air.volume.
increase.The.installation.of.a.
larger.horsepower.motor.could.
be.considered.to.increase.the.air.
fow.to.obtain.a.higher.level.of.
performance
WATER DISTRIBUTIOn
.Crossfow.water.distribution.
patterns.are.set.by.the.fow.
requirements.and.orifces.located.
in.the.hot.water.distribution.basin.
which.are.fxed.in.position.The.
conventional.orifce.drops.the.
solid.column.of.water.on.a.lattice.
work.of.wood,.which.splashes.
the.water.about.the.top.of.the.
fll.A.higher.level.of.performance.
can.be.obtained.by.removing.the.
splash.deck.and.replacing.it.with.
effcient.cellular.redistribution.
decks.or.target.orifce.nozzles.Both.
procedures.will.provide.a.more.
uniform.distribution.at.the.top.
of.the.tower,.thereby.utilizing.the.
entire.heights.for.cooling
Cooling Towers
The role of the cooling tower
is to remove waste heat from
a process production line.
Function of Lower Temperatures
The.role.of.the.cooling.tower.
is.to.remove.waste.heat.from.
a.process.production.line.It.is.
obvious.that.colder.condensing.
water.temperatures.will.increase.
unit.production.at.a.lower.unit.
cost.The.degree.of.elevation.of.
the.process.temperature.above.
ambient.condition.is.the.sum.
of.the.towers.approach.of.the.
cold.water.to.the.wet.bulb.
temperature,.the.cooling.range.
(which.equals.the.temperature.
rise.in.the.heat.exchanger),.
and.the.terminal.difference.in.
the.exchanger.A.reduction.in.
operating.temperature.always.
desirable.for.economic.reasons.
may.be.obtained.by.increasing.the.
capability.of.the.cooling.towers.
performance
The.importance.of.colder.water.
for.the.compression.of.gases.is.
evident,.since.all.compressors.
have.one.thing.in.common:.a.
major.portion.of.the.energy.
(80%).is.converted.to.heat.This.
rejected.heat.must.be.removed.
continuously.at.the.same.rate.it.
is.generated,.or.the.compressor.
will.overheat.and.eventually.shut.
down.Reducing.the.operating.
temperature.of.the.compressor.
will.proportionately.reduce.the.
energy.input.requirements.
In.other.words,.the.colder.the.
water.returning.to.the.equipment,.
the.less.energy.is.required.to.
produce.the.same.amount.of.work.
at.a.lower.cost.Enthalpy.charts.
indicate.that.for.every.degree.F..
of.colder.water.returning.from.
the.cooling.tower.within.the.
operating.range.of.the.compressor,.
3%.less.energy.will.be.required.
by.the.compressor.to.produce.the.
same.cooling.results.
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22 TAB Journal 23 TAB Journal
.Existing.spray.systems.can.be.
greatly.improved.by.installing.non-
corroding.square.spray.ABS.plastic.
nozzles
HEAT TRAnSFER SERVICES
.The.most.dramatic.improvement.
in.the.performance.of.the.tower.
can.be.obtained.by.retroftting.
cellular.fll.(available.from.a.
number.of.manufacturers).Whether.
it.be.counter.fow.or.cross.fow.
confguration.change.to.high.
effciency.dense-flm.fll.(also.
known.as.cellular.fll).can.result.in.
improvements.from.10-15.F.This.
colder.water.could.provide.a.50%.
increase.in.tower.capacity
.The.main.reason.for.this.
extraordinary.improvement.is.that.
with.conventional.splash.bars,.the.
water.must.bounce.from.slat.to.slat.
on.its.way.from.top.to.bottom.of.
the.crossfow.or.counterfow.tower.
and.the.exterior.of.the.droplet.is.
cooled.If.a.high.enough.vertical.
travel.is.engineered,.the.water.will.
be.cooled.to.design.conditions.Bear.
in.mind,.however,.that.the.more.
wood.that.is.put.into.the.tower,.the.
higher.the.static.pressure.loss.and.
the.larger.horsepower.motor.and.
fan.diameters.will.be.required
.Cellular.fll.works.on.the.principle.
that.the.droplet.of.water.is.
stretched.into.a.thin.flm.as.
the.water.proceeds.vertically.
downward.through.the.cells.thereby.
permitting.the.available.crossfow.
or.counterfow.air.to.cool.the.entire.
droplet.more.rapidly
Energy Conservation Strategies
Cooling.towers,.because.they.seem.so.simple,.are.
usually.orphans.of.the.facilities.operation.and.the.
neglected.stepchildren.of.the.power.plant,.electric.power.
generating.station,.and.refrigeration.systems.While.
facility.engineers.are.well.convinced.of.the.importance.
of.their.sophisticated.equipment,.they.take.the.cooling.
towersand.the.cold.water.returning.from.themfor.
granted
Cooling.towers.are.hidden.bonanzas.for.energy.
conservation.and.dollar.savings.when.properly.
engineered.and.maintained.In.many.cases,.the.limiting.
factor.of.production.is.the.quality.and.quantity.of.
cold.water.coming.off.the.cooling.tower.The.savings.
accrued.in.energy.conservation.and.additional.product.
manufactured.can.be.an.important.factor.of.an.
operators.proftability
Energy.management.analysis.is.a.very.important.way.
to.compensate.for.todays.escalating.energy.costs.A.
thorough.engineering.inspection.and.evaluation.of.the.
entire.plant.can.leave.no.stone.unturned.in.the.search.to.
reduce.energy.consumption
Cooling.towers.play.a.major.role.in.waste.heat.removal.
and.should.be.thoroughly.inspected.and.evaluated.
by.engineering.specialists.This.can.be.performed.at.
nominal.cost.and.in.a.formal.report.submitted.with.
recommendations,.budget.cost,.and.evaluation.of.
thermal,.structural,.and.mechanical.conditions.of.the.
equipment
Practically.all.cooling.towers.can.be.upgraded.to.
perform.at.higher.effciency.levels.While.all.cooling.
tower.systems.might.not.provide.a.dramatic.cost.
payback,.the.return.of.investment.through.upgrading.
can.be.a.surprising.factor.of.operation.and.should.not.
be.neglected
Design.conditions.are.specifed.for.the.particular.job.
requirements.before.the.tower.is.purchased.After.it.
is.installed,.the.cold.water.temperature.or.volume.
can.becomes.inadequate.While.all.cooling.towers.
are.expected.to.function.at.100%.of.capability.in.
accordance.with.the.design,.the.level.of.operation.is.
often.much.lowersometimes.even.50%.for.a.few.
reasons:
.Present.service.is.greater.than.anticipated
.The.installation.originally.was.undersized.because.of.
the.Low.bidder.syndrome
.Slippage.due.to.defcient.maintenance
.Plant.expansion.requires.additional.volume.and.
possible.colder.temperature.of.water
The.Importance.of
I s t v a n F r o h l i n g
State of the Art Upgrading
Owners.of.cooling.towers.are.not.
particularly.concerned.with.the.
thermal.analysis.or.checking.into.
information.on.principles.of.selections.
of.their.equipment,.rather.they.want.
an.investigation.and.report.to.the.
biggest.question.which.is:
We have this equipment which
is part of our facility. It is not
producing a suffcient level of cold
water. What can we do to remedy the
situation?
There.are.three.different.types.of.
methods.offered.by.the.industry
AIR HAnDlInG IMPROVEMEnT
.The.least.expensive.fx.to.improve.
air.handling.and.increase.the.
volume.is.to.change.the.pitch.of.the.
blades.to.move.up.to.a.maximum.
motor.horsepower
.Installation.of.velocity.regain.(VR).
fan.cylinders.which.will.have.an.
approximate.5-7%.air.volume.
increase.The.installation.of.a.
larger.horsepower.motor.could.
be.considered.to.increase.the.air.
fow.to.obtain.a.higher.level.of.
performance
WATER DISTRIBUTIOn
.Crossfow.water.distribution.
patterns.are.set.by.the.fow.
requirements.and.orifces.located.
in.the.hot.water.distribution.basin.
which.are.fxed.in.position.The.
conventional.orifce.drops.the.
solid.column.of.water.on.a.lattice.
work.of.wood,.which.splashes.
the.water.about.the.top.of.the.
fll.A.higher.level.of.performance.
can.be.obtained.by.removing.the.
splash.deck.and.replacing.it.with.
effcient.cellular.redistribution.
decks.or.target.orifce.nozzles.Both.
procedures.will.provide.a.more.
uniform.distribution.at.the.top.
of.the.tower,.thereby.utilizing.the.
entire.heights.for.cooling
Cooling Towers
The role of the cooling tower
is to remove waste heat from
a process production line.
Function of Lower Temperatures
The.role.of.the.cooling.tower.
is.to.remove.waste.heat.from.
a.process.production.line.It.is.
obvious.that.colder.condensing.
water.temperatures.will.increase.
unit.production.at.a.lower.unit.
cost.The.degree.of.elevation.of.
the.process.temperature.above.
ambient.condition.is.the.sum.
of.the.towers.approach.of.the.
cold.water.to.the.wet.bulb.
temperature,.the.cooling.range.
(which.equals.the.temperature.
rise.in.the.heat.exchanger),.
and.the.terminal.difference.in.
the.exchanger.A.reduction.in.
operating.temperature.always.
desirable.for.economic.reasons.
may.be.obtained.by.increasing.the.
capability.of.the.cooling.towers.
performance
The.importance.of.colder.water.
for.the.compression.of.gases.is.
evident,.since.all.compressors.
have.one.thing.in.common:.a.
major.portion.of.the.energy.
(80%).is.converted.to.heat.This.
rejected.heat.must.be.removed.
continuously.at.the.same.rate.it.
is.generated,.or.the.compressor.
will.overheat.and.eventually.shut.
down.Reducing.the.operating.
temperature.of.the.compressor.
will.proportionately.reduce.the.
energy.input.requirements.
In.other.words,.the.colder.the.
water.returning.to.the.equipment,.
the.less.energy.is.required.to.
produce.the.same.amount.of.work.
at.a.lower.cost.Enthalpy.charts.
indicate.that.for.every.degree.F..
of.colder.water.returning.from.
the.cooling.tower.within.the.
operating.range.of.the.compressor,.
3%.less.energy.will.be.required.
by.the.compressor.to.produce.the.
same.cooling.results.
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TAB Journal
AABC NAT I oNAl MEMBERShI P
AlABAMA
Performance Testing &
Balancing
Cleveland, Alabama
(205) 274-4889
Southeast Test and Balance
Cleveland, Alabama
(205) 559-7151
Superior Tabs International, Inc.
Pelham, Alabama
(205) 620-2801
Systems Analysis, Inc.
Birmingham, Alabama
(205) 802-7850
ARIZoNA
Arizona Air Balance Company
Tempe, Arizona
(480) 966-2001
Bal-Tec Test and Balance, LLC
Phoenix, Arizona
(480) 540-1665
Environmental Testing &
Balancing, Inc.
Phoenix, Arizona
(602) 861-1458
General Air Control, Inc.
Tucson, Arizona
(520) 887-8850
Precisionaire of Arizona, Inc.
Phoenix, Arizona
(623) 580-1644
Systems Commissioning &
Testing, Inc.
Tucson, Arizona
(520) 884-4792
Tab Technology, Inc.
Mesa, Arizona
(480) 964-0187
Technical Air Balance SW, Inc.
Scottsdale, Arizona
(623) 492-0831
CAlIFoRNIA
(ABCO) Air Balance
Company, Inc.
Diamond Bar, California
(909) 861-5434
Anaheim, California
(714) 693-3700
Poway, California
(760) 737-0190
Los Angeles Air Balance
Company, Inc.
Upland, California
(800) 429-6880
National Air Balance Co., Inc.
Fremont, California
(510) 623-7000
Penn Air Control, Inc.
Cypress, California
(714) 220-9091
Fallbrook, California
(760) 451-2025
Petaluma, California
(707) 763-7155
RSAnalysis, Inc.
El Dorado Hills, California
(916) 358-5672
RSAnalysis, Inc.
Belmont, California
(650) 654-1340
San Diego Air Balance
Escondido, California
(760) 741-5401
Winaire, Inc.
Huntington Beach, California
(714) 901-2747
ColoRADo
AirDronics, Inc.
Parker, Colorado
(720) 220-1062
Plamondon Balancing
Company, LLC
Arvada, Colorado
(303) 870-0249
CoNNECTICuT
CFM Test & Balance
Corporation
Bethel, Connecticut
(203) 778-1900
James E. Brennan Company, Inc.
Wallingford, Connecticut
(203) 269-1454
FloRIDA
Air Balance Unlimited, Inc.
Altamonte Springs, Florida
(407) 383-8259
Bay to Bay Balancing, Inc.
Lutz, Florida
(813) 971-4545
Orlando, Florida
(407) 947-9996
Environmental Balance
Corporation
Jacksonville, Florida
(904) 724-7881
Gregor Hartenhoff, Inc.
Pompano Beach, Florida
(954) 786-3420
Perfect Balance, Inc.
(904) 332-8533
Jupiter, Florida
(561) 575-4919
Orlando, FL
(407) 947-8057
Precision Balance
Orlando, Florida
(407) 876-4112
Southern Balance, Inc.
Pensacola, Florida
(850) 478-3059
Southern Independent Testing
Agency, Inc.
Lutz, Florida
(813) 949-1999
Tamiami Air Balancing &
Commissioning
Fort Meyers, Florida
(239) 243-6793
Lutz, Florida
(813) 909-8809
Test & Balance Corporation
of Orlando
Orlando, Florida
(407) 894-8181
Lutz, Florida
(813) 908-7701
Thermocline Corp.
Merritt Island, Florida
(321) 453-3499
GEoRGIA
Hydro-Air Associates, Inc.
Norcross, Georgia
(770) 448-9858
TAB Services, Inc.
Atlanta, Georgia
(404) 329-1001
Roswell, Georgia
(678) 393-9401
GuAM
Tamuning, Guam
(671) 477-0325
hAWAII
Kapolei, Hawaii
(808) 485-8880
of the Pacifc
Honolulu, Hawaii
(808) 593-1924
IllINoIS
United Test and Balance
Service, Inc.
Glen Ellyn, Illinois
(630) 790-4940
INDIANA
Fluid Dynamics, Inc.
Fort Wayne, Indiana
(260) 490-8011
IoWA
Systems Management &
Balancing, Inc.
Des Moines, Iowa
(515) 270-8755
KENTuCKY
Ashland, Kentucky
(606) 929-9929
Lexington, Kentucky
(859) 277-6158
Paducah, Kentucky
(270) 744-9723
louISIANA
Coastal Air Balance, Inc.
Jefferson, Louisiana
(504) 834-4537
Tech Test Inc. of Louisiana
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
(225) 752-1664
MARYlAND
American Testing Inc.
Ellicott City, Maryland
(800) 535-5594
Baltimore Air Balance
Company
Bowie, Maryland
(301) 262-2705
Baumgartner, Inc.
Baltimore, Maryland
(410) 661-2515
Baumgartner, Inc.
Easton, Maryland
(410) 770-9277
Chesapeake Testing &
Balancing
Easton, Maryland
(410) 820-9791
Environmental Balancing
Corp.
Clinton, Maryland
(301) 868-6334
Test & Balancing, Inc.
Laurel, Maryland
(301) 953-0120
Weisman, Inc.
Towson, Maryland
(410) 296-9070
MASSAChuSETTS
Thomas-Young Associates, Inc.
Marion, Massachusetts
(508) 748-0204
MIChIGAN
Aerodynamics Inspecting
Company
Dearborn, Michigan
(313) 584-7450
Lincoln Park, Michigan
(313) 382-TEST
MINNESoTA
Air Systems Engineering, Inc.
Minnetonka, Minnesota
(952) 807-6744
Mechanical Data Corporation
Bloomington, Minnesota
(952) 473-1176
Mechanical Test and Balance
Corp.
Maple Plain, Minnesota
(763) 479-6300
Balancing, of Minnesota, Inc.
Center City, Minnesota
(651) 257-7380
MISSISSIPPI
Capital Air Balance, Inc.
Terry, Mississippi
(601) 878-6701
Terry, Mississippi
(601) 834-4537
MISSouRI
Envirosystem Analysis, Inc.
St. Charles, Missouri
(636) 661-5252
Miller Certifed Air
St. Louis, Missouri
(314) 352-8981
Precisionaire of the Midwest, Inc.
Grain Valley, Missouri
(816) 228-3271
Systems Testing and Analysis
St. Louis, Missouri
(314) 567-6011
Testing & Balance Co. of the
Ozarks, LLC
Saddlebrook, Missouri
(417) 443-4430
NEVADA
Las Vegas, Nevada
(702) 255-7331
Environmental Testing and
Balancing, Inc.
Las Vegas, Nevada
(702) 227-6950
Land Air Balance Technology
(LABTECH)
Las Vegas, Nevada
(702) 385-5227
Mechanical Test & Balance
Las Vegas, Nevada
(702) 737-3030
Las Vegas, Nevada
(702) 221-9877
Raglen System Balance, Inc.
Las Vegas, Nevada
(702) 740-5537
Reno, Nevada
(775) 747-0100
RSAnalysis, Inc.
Las Vegas, Nevada
(702) 524-3699
RSAnalysis, Inc.
Reno, Nevada
(775) 323-8866
Winaire, Inc.
Las Vegas, Nevada
(702) 262-9606
NEW JERSEY
Effective Air Balance, Inc.
Totowa, New Jersey
(973) 790-6748
Paramus, New Jersey
(201) 444-8777
NEW YoRK
Air Conditioning Test &
Balance Co.
Great Neck, New York
(516) 487-6724
Mechanical Testing, Inc.
Schenectady, New York
(518) 374-9440
Precision Testing & Balancing, Inc.
Bronx, New York
(718) 994-2300
NoRTh CARolINA
Air Balance Corporation
Greensboro, North Carolina
(336) 275-6678
e-n Tech Independent Testing
Services, Inc.
Winston-Salem, NC
(336) 896-0090
Palmetto Air and Water
Balance
Asheville, North Carolina
(828) 277-2256
Palmetto Air and Water Balance
Charlotte, North Carolina
(704) 494-4750
Raleigh, North Carolina
(919) 460-7730
The Phoenix Agency of North
Carolina, Inc.
Winston-Salem, North
Carolina
(336) 744-1998
Carolina
(336) 714-6173
NoRTh DAKoTA
Design Control, Inc.
Fargo, ND
(701) 237-3037
ohIo
Gahanna, Ohio
(614) 595-9619
Heat Transfarr, Inc.
Columbus, Ohio
(614) 262-6093
Kahoe Air Balance Company
Eastlake, Ohio
(440) 946-4300
Kahoe Air Balance
Milford, Ohio
(513) 248-4141
Kahoe Air Balance
Lewis Center, Ohio
(740) 548-7411
PBC, Inc. (Professional
Balance Company)
Willoughby, Ohio
(440) 975-9494
Precision Air Balance
Company, Inc.
Cleveland, OH
(216) 362-7727
R.H. Cochran and
Associates, Inc.
Wickliffe, Ohio
(440) 585-5940
oKlAhoMA
Eagle Test & Balance
Company
Cushing, Oklahoma
(918) 225-1668
oREGoN
Pacifc Coast Air
Balance Co.
Newberg, Oregon
(503) 537-0826
PENNSYlVANIA
Butler Balancing Company
Thorndale, Pennsylvania
(610) 873-6905
Flood & Sterling
New Cumberland,
Pennsylvania
(717) 232-0529
Kahoe Air Balance (Pittsburgh)
McMurray, Pennsylvania
(724) 941-3335
WAE Balancing, Inc.
Mercer, Pennsylvania
(724) 662-5743
PuERTo RICo
Naguabo, Puerto Rico
(787) 504-8118
SouTh CARolINA
Greenville, South Carolina
(864) 877-6832
TENNESSEE
Environmental Test & Balance
Company
Memphis, Tennessee
(901) 373-9946
Hermitage, Tennessee
(615) 883-9199
United Testing & Balancing, Inc.
Nashville, Tennessee
(615) 331-1294
United Testing & Balancing,
Inc.
Knoxville, Tennessee
(423) 922-5754
TEXAS
Company
McAllen, Texas
(956) 631-2166
Air Balancing Company, Ltd.
Fort Worth, Texas
(817) 572-6994
AIR Engineering and Testing, Inc.
Dallas, Texas
(972) 386-0144
Austin Air Balancing
Corporation
Austin, Texas
(512) 477-7247
Delta-T, Ltd.
Garland, Texas
(972) 494-2300
Engineered Air Balance
Co., Inc.
Addison, Texas
(972) 818-9000
Co., Inc.
Houston, Texas
(281) 873-7084
Co., Inc.
San Antonio, Texas
(210) 736-9494
On-Line Air Balancing
Company
Houston, TX
(713) 453-5497
PHI Service Agency, Inc.
San Antonio, Texas
(210) 224-1665
Austin, Texas
(512) 339-4757
Donna, Texas
(956) 464-1234
Houston, Texas
(281) 449-0961
Professional Balancing
Services, Inc.
Dallas, Texas
(214) 349-4644
Technical Air Balance, Inc.
Spring, Texas
(281) 651-1844
Texas Test and Balance
Kingwood, Texas
(281) 358-2118
uTAh
Danis Test and Balance
New Harmony, Utah
(435) 867-0158
RSAnalysis, Inc.
Sandy, Utah
(801) 255-5015
VIRGINIA
AITB, Inc.
Suffolk, Virginia
(757) 238-8144
Arian Tab Services, Inc.
Herndon, Virginia
(703) 319-1000
C&W TESCO
Richmond, Virginia
(804) 379-9345
HVAC Balancing &
Commissioning
Lynchburg, Virginia
(434) 525-5283
Mid-Atlantic Test and Balance,
Inc.
South Boston, Virginia
(434) 572-4025
WAShINGToN
Eagle Test & Balance Company
Bellevue, Washington
(425) 747-9256
Vancouver, Washington
(253) 472-6804
TAC Systems, LLC
Blaine, Washington
(360) 332-4789
WISCoNSIN
Professional System
Analysis, Inc.
Germantown, Wisconsin
(262) 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 Services, Ltd.
Winnipeg, Manitoba
(204) 233-7456
Airdronics, Inc.
Winnipeg, Manitoba
(204) 253-6647
Airwaso, Ltd.
London, Ontario
(519) 657-4968
Airwaso Canada, Inc.
London, Ontario
(519) 657-4968
Caltab Air Balance Inc.
Tecumseh, Ontario
(519) 259-1581
Controlled Air
Management Ltd.
Moncton, New Brunswick
(506) 852-3529
D.F.C. Mechanical Testing &
Balancing, Ltd.
Winnipeg, Manitoba
(204) 694-4901
Designtest & Balance Co. Ltd.
Richmond Hill, Ontario
(905) 886-6513
Dynamic Flow Balancing Ltd.
Oakville, Ontario
(905) 338-0808
Groupe Danco Televac, Inc.
Sherbrooke, Quebec
(819) 823-2092
Ottawa, Ontario
(613) 592-4991
Pro-Air Testing, Ltd.
Toronto, Ontario
(416) 252-3232
Scan Air Balance 1998 Ltd.
(506) 857-9100
Scotia Air Balance 1996 Ltd.
Antigonish Co., Nova Scotia
(902) 232-2491
VPG Associates Limited
King City, Ontario
(905) 833-4334
West Rockies Services
Abbotsford, British Columbia
(604) 859-9797
INTERNATIoNAl
MEMBERS
Energy 2000 Technical
Engineering Co., Ltd.
Songpa-gu, Seoul
South Korea
82-2-408-2114
Kangbuk-gu, Seoul
South Korea
82-2-982-0431
5
Have.an.Opinion?
An interesting case study? A new method?
Tell us about it.
TAB Journal welcomes submissions for publication. TAB Journal is published quarterly by
the Associated Air Balance Council. Send letters or articles to:
Editor TAB Journal
1518 K Street, NW, Suite 503 Washington, DC 20005 info@aabc.com
24 TAB Journal
AABC NAT I oNAl MEMBERShI P
AlABAMA
Performance Testing &
Balancing
Cleveland, Alabama
(205) 274-4889
Southeast Test and Balance
Cleveland, Alabama
(205) 559-7151
Superior Tabs International, Inc.
Pelham, Alabama
(205) 620-2801
Birmingham, Alabama
(205) 802-7850
ARIZoNA
Arizona Air Balance Company
Tempe, Arizona
(480) 966-2001
Bal-Tec Test and Balance, LLC
Phoenix, Arizona
(480) 540-1665
Environmental Testing &
Balancing, Inc.
Phoenix, Arizona
(602) 861-1458
General Air Control, Inc.
Tucson, Arizona
(520) 887-8850
Precisionaire of Arizona, Inc.
Phoenix, Arizona
(623) 580-1644
Systems Commissioning &
Testing, Inc.
Tucson, Arizona
(520) 884-4792
Tab Technology, Inc.
Mesa, Arizona
(480) 964-0187
Technical Air Balance SW, Inc.
Scottsdale, Arizona
(623) 492-0831
CAlIFoRNIA
(ABCO) Air Balance
Company, Inc.
Diamond Bar, California
(909) 861-5434
Anaheim, California
(714) 693-3700
Poway, California
(760) 737-0190
Los Angeles Air Balance
Company, Inc.
Upland, California
(800) 429-6880
Fremont, California
(510) 623-7000
Cypress, California
(714) 220-9091
Fallbrook, California
(760) 451-2025
Petaluma, California
(707) 763-7155
RSAnalysis, Inc.
El Dorado Hills, California
(916) 358-5672
RSAnalysis, Inc.
Belmont, California
(650) 654-1340
San Diego Air Balance
Escondido, California
(760) 741-5401
Winaire, Inc.
Huntington Beach, California
(714) 901-2747
ColoRADo
AirDronics, Inc.
Parker, Colorado
(720) 220-1062
Plamondon Balancing
Company, LLC
Arvada, Colorado
(303) 870-0249
CoNNECTICuT
CFM Test & Balance
Corporation
Bethel, Connecticut
(203) 778-1900
James E. Brennan Company, Inc.
Wallingford, Connecticut
(203) 269-1454
FloRIDA
Altamonte Springs, Florida
(407) 383-8259
Lutz, Florida
(813) 971-4545
Orlando, Florida
(407) 947-9996
Environmental Balance
Corporation
(904) 724-7881
Gregor Hartenhoff, Inc.
Pompano Beach, Florida
(954) 786-3420
(904) 332-8533
Jupiter, Florida
(561) 575-4919
Orlando, FL
(407) 947-8057
Precision Balance
Orlando, Florida
(407) 876-4112
Southern Balance, Inc.
Pensacola, Florida
(850) 478-3059
Southern Independent Testing
Agency, Inc.
Lutz, Florida
(813) 949-1999
Tamiami Air Balancing &
Commissioning
Fort Meyers, Florida
(239) 243-6793
Lutz, Florida
(813) 909-8809
Test & Balance Corporation
of Orlando
Orlando, Florida
(407) 894-8181
Lutz, Florida
(813) 908-7701
Thermocline Corp.
Merritt Island, Florida
(321) 453-3499
GEoRGIA
Hydro-Air Associates, Inc.
Norcross, Georgia
(770) 448-9858
TAB Services, Inc.
Atlanta, Georgia
(404) 329-1001
Roswell, Georgia
(678) 393-9401
GuAM
Tamuning, Guam
(671) 477-0325
hAWAII
Kapolei, Hawaii
(808) 485-8880
of the Pacifc
Honolulu, Hawaii
(808) 593-1924
IllINoIS
United Test and Balance
Service, Inc.
Glen Ellyn, Illinois
(630) 790-4940
INDIANA
Fluid Dynamics, Inc.
Fort Wayne, Indiana
(260) 490-8011
IoWA
Balancing, Inc.
Des Moines, Iowa
(515) 270-8755
KENTuCKY
Ashland, Kentucky
(606) 929-9929
Lexington, Kentucky
(859) 277-6158
Paducah, Kentucky
(270) 744-9723
louISIANA
Jefferson, Louisiana
(504) 834-4537
Tech Test Inc. of Louisiana
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
(225) 752-1664
MARYlAND
American Testing Inc.
Ellicott City, Maryland
(800) 535-5594
Baltimore Air Balance
Company
Bowie, Maryland
(301) 262-2705
Baumgartner, Inc.
Baltimore, Maryland
(410) 661-2515
Baumgartner, Inc.
Easton, Maryland
(410) 770-9277
Chesapeake Testing &
Balancing
Easton, Maryland
(410) 820-9791
Environmental Balancing
Corp.
Clinton, Maryland
(301) 868-6334
Test & Balancing, Inc.
Laurel, Maryland
(301) 953-0120
Weisman, Inc.
Towson, Maryland
(410) 296-9070
MASSAChuSETTS
Thomas-Young Associates, Inc.
Marion, Massachusetts
(508) 748-0204
MIChIGAN
Company
Dearborn, Michigan
(313) 584-7450
Lincoln Park, Michigan
(313) 382-TEST
MINNESoTA
Air Systems Engineering, Inc.
Minnetonka, Minnesota
(952) 807-6744
Mechanical Data Corporation
Bloomington, Minnesota
(952) 473-1176
Mechanical Test and Balance
Corp.
Maple Plain, Minnesota
(763) 479-6300
Balancing, of Minnesota, Inc.
Center City, Minnesota
(651) 257-7380
MISSISSIPPI
Capital Air Balance, Inc.
Terry, Mississippi
(601) 878-6701
Terry, Mississippi
(601) 834-4537
MISSouRI
Envirosystem Analysis, Inc.
St. Charles, Missouri
(636) 661-5252
Miller Certifed Air
St. Louis, Missouri
(314) 352-8981
Precisionaire of the Midwest, Inc.
Grain Valley, Missouri
(816) 228-3271
Systems Testing and Analysis
St. Louis, Missouri
(314) 567-6011
Testing & Balance Co. of the
Ozarks, LLC
Saddlebrook, Missouri
(417) 443-4430
NEVADA
Las Vegas, Nevada
(702) 255-7331
Environmental Testing and
Balancing, Inc.
Las Vegas, Nevada
(702) 227-6950
Land Air Balance Technology
(LABTECH)
Las Vegas, Nevada
(702) 385-5227
Mechanical Test & Balance
Las Vegas, Nevada
(702) 737-3030
Las Vegas, Nevada
(702) 221-9877
Las Vegas, Nevada
(702) 740-5537
Reno, Nevada
(775) 747-0100
RSAnalysis, Inc.
Las Vegas, Nevada
(702) 524-3699
RSAnalysis, Inc.
Reno, Nevada
(775) 323-8866
Winaire, Inc.
Las Vegas, Nevada
(702) 262-9606
NEW JERSEY
Effective Air Balance, Inc.
Totowa, New Jersey
(973) 790-6748
Paramus, New Jersey
(201) 444-8777
NEW YoRK
Air Conditioning Test &
Balance Co.
Great Neck, New York
(516) 487-6724
Mechanical Testing, Inc.
Schenectady, New York
(518) 374-9440
Precision Testing & Balancing, Inc.
Bronx, New York
(718) 994-2300
NoRTh CARolINA
Air Balance Corporation
Greensboro, North Carolina
(336) 275-6678
e-n Tech Independent Testing
Services, Inc.
Winston-Salem, NC
(336) 896-0090
Palmetto Air and Water
Balance
Asheville, North Carolina
(828) 277-2256
Charlotte, North Carolina
(704) 494-4750
Raleigh, North Carolina
(919) 460-7730
The Phoenix Agency of North
Carolina, Inc.
Carolina
(336) 744-1998
Carolina
(336) 714-6173
NoRTh DAKoTA
Design Control, Inc.
Fargo, ND
(701) 237-3037
ohIo
Gahanna, Ohio
(614) 595-9619
Heat Transfarr, Inc.
Columbus, Ohio
(614) 262-6093
Kahoe Air Balance Company
Eastlake, Ohio
(440) 946-4300
Kahoe Air Balance
Milford, Ohio
(513) 248-4141
Kahoe Air Balance
Lewis Center, Ohio
(740) 548-7411
PBC, Inc. (Professional
Balance Company)
Willoughby, Ohio
(440) 975-9494
Precision Air Balance
Company, Inc.
Cleveland, OH
(216) 362-7727
R.H. Cochran and
Associates, Inc.
Wickliffe, Ohio
(440) 585-5940
oKlAhoMA
Eagle Test & Balance
Company
Cushing, Oklahoma
(918) 225-1668
oREGoN
Pacifc Coast Air
Balance Co.
Newberg, Oregon
(503) 537-0826
PENNSYlVANIA
Butler Balancing Company
Thorndale, Pennsylvania
(610) 873-6905
Flood & Sterling
New Cumberland,
Pennsylvania
(717) 232-0529
Kahoe Air Balance (Pittsburgh)
McMurray, Pennsylvania
(724) 941-3335
WAE Balancing, Inc.
Mercer, Pennsylvania
(724) 662-5743
PuERTo RICo
Naguabo, Puerto Rico
(787) 504-8118
SouTh CARolINA
Greenville, South Carolina
(864) 877-6832
TENNESSEE
Environmental Test & Balance
Company
Memphis, Tennessee
(901) 373-9946
Hermitage, Tennessee
(615) 883-9199
United Testing & Balancing, Inc.
Nashville, Tennessee
(615) 331-1294
United Testing & Balancing,
Inc.
Knoxville, Tennessee
(423) 922-5754
TEXAS
Company
McAllen, Texas
(956) 631-2166
Air Balancing Company, Ltd.
Fort Worth, Texas
(817) 572-6994
AIR Engineering and Testing, Inc.
Dallas, Texas
(972) 386-0144
Austin Air Balancing
Corporation
Austin, Texas
(512) 477-7247
Delta-T, Ltd.
Garland, Texas
(972) 494-2300
Co., Inc.
Addison, Texas
(972) 818-9000
Co., Inc.
Houston, Texas
(281) 873-7084
Co., Inc.
San Antonio, Texas
(210) 736-9494
On-Line Air Balancing
Company
Houston, TX
(713) 453-5497
San Antonio, Texas
(210) 224-1665
Austin, Texas
(512) 339-4757
Donna, Texas
(956) 464-1234
Houston, Texas
(281) 449-0961
Professional Balancing
Services, Inc.
Dallas, Texas
(214) 349-4644
Technical Air Balance, Inc.
Spring, Texas
(281) 651-1844
Texas Test and Balance
Kingwood, Texas
(281) 358-2118
uTAh
Danis Test and Balance
New Harmony, Utah
(435) 867-0158
RSAnalysis, Inc.
Sandy, Utah
(801) 255-5015
VIRGINIA
AITB, Inc.
Suffolk, Virginia
(757) 238-8144
Arian Tab Services, Inc.
Herndon, Virginia
(703) 319-1000
C&W TESCO
Richmond, Virginia
(804) 379-9345
HVAC Balancing &
Commissioning
Lynchburg, Virginia
(434) 525-5283
Mid-Atlantic Test and Balance,
Inc.
South Boston, Virginia
(434) 572-4025
WAShINGToN
Eagle Test & Balance Company
Bellevue, Washington
(425) 747-9256
Vancouver, Washington
(253) 472-6804
TAC Systems, LLC
Blaine, Washington
(360) 332-4789
WISCoNSIN
Professional System
Analysis, Inc.
Germantown, Wisconsin
(262) 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 Services, Ltd.
Winnipeg, Manitoba
(204) 233-7456
Airdronics, Inc.
Winnipeg, Manitoba
(204) 253-6647
Airwaso, Ltd.
London, Ontario
(519) 657-4968
Airwaso Canada, Inc.
London, Ontario
(519) 657-4968
Caltab Air Balance Inc.
Tecumseh, Ontario
(519) 259-1581
Controlled Air
Management Ltd.
(506) 852-3529
D.F.C. Mechanical Testing &
Balancing, Ltd.
Winnipeg, Manitoba
(204) 694-4901
Designtest & Balance Co. Ltd.
Richmond Hill, Ontario
(905) 886-6513
Dynamic Flow Balancing Ltd.
Oakville, Ontario
(905) 338-0808
Groupe Danco Televac, Inc.
Sherbrooke, Quebec
(819) 823-2092
Ottawa, Ontario
(613) 592-4991
Pro-Air Testing, Ltd.
Toronto, Ontario
(416) 252-3232
Scan Air Balance 1998 Ltd.
(506) 857-9100
Scotia Air Balance 1996 Ltd.
Antigonish Co., Nova Scotia
(902) 232-2491
VPG Associates Limited
King City, Ontario
(905) 833-4334
West Rockies Services
Abbotsford, British Columbia
(604) 859-9797
INTERNATIoNAl
MEMBERS
Energy 2000 Technical
Engineering Co., Ltd.
Songpa-gu, Seoul
South Korea
82-2-408-2114
Kangbuk-gu, Seoul
South Korea
82-2-982-0431
23
Have.an.Opinion?
An interesting case study? A new method?
Tell us about it.
TAB Journal welcomes submissions for publication. TAB Journal is published quarterly by
the Associated Air Balance Council. Send letters or articles to:
Editor TAB Journal
1518 K Street, NW, Suite 503 Washington, DC 20005 info@aabc.com
n
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1 800 424 7427 customerservice@alnor.com www.alnor.com
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Manual Volume Dampers for

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Single Zone Unit

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