NL Master Specification Guide

for Public Funded Buildings

Section 23 05 93 – Testing, Adjusting and
Re-Issued 2019/02/07 Balancing for HVAC Page 1 of 9

PART 1 GENERAL

1.1 SUMMARY
.1 TAB is used throughout this Section to describe the process, methods
and requirements of testing, adjusting and balancing for HVAC.

.2 TAB means to test, adjust and balance to perform in accordance with

requirements of Contract Documents and to do other work as specified in
this Section.

1.2 QUALIFICATIONS OF TAB PERSONNEL

.1 Submit names of personnel certified to AABC, NEBB or SMACNA to
perform TAB to Owner within 90 days of award of contract.

.2 Provide documentation confirming qualifications, successful experience.

TAB contractor shall have a minimum of 5 (five) years experience to
AABC, NEBB or SMACNA.

.3 TAB: performed in accordance with the requirements of standard under

which TAB Firm’s qualifications are approved:
.1 Associated Air Balance Council, (AABC) National Standards for
Total System Balance, MN-1.
.2 National Environmental Balancing Bureau (NEBB) TABES,
Procedural Standards for Testing, Adjusting, Balancing of
Environmental Systems.
.3 Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association
(SMACNA), HVAC TAB HVAC Systems – Testing, Adjusting and
Balancing.
.4 Recommendations and suggested practices contained in the TAB
Standard: mandatory.

.5 Use TAB Standard provisions, including checklists, and report forms to

satisfy Contract requirements.

.6 Use TAB standard for TAB, including qualifications for TAB Firm and
Specialist and calibration of TAB instruments.

.7 Where instrument manufacturer calibration recommendations are more

stringent than those listed in the TAB standard, use manufacturer’s
recommendations.

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.8 TAB Standard quality assurance provisions such as performance

guarantees form part of this contract.
.1 For systems or system components not covered in TAB standard,
use TAB procedures developed by TAB Specialist.
.2 Where new procedures and requirements are applicable to
Contract requirements have been published or adopted by body
responsible for TAB Standard used (AABC, NEBB, or SMACNA),
requirements and recommendations contained in these procedures
and requirements are mandatory.

1.3 PURPOSE OF TAB

.1 Test to verify proper and safe operation, determine actual point of
performance, evaluate qualitative and quantitative performance of
equipment, systems and controls at design, average and low loads using
actual or simulated loads.

.2 Adjust and regulate equipment and systems so as to meet specified

performance requirements and to achieve specified interaction with other
related systems under normal and emergency loads and operating
conditions.

.3 Balance systems and equipment to regulate flow rates to match load

requirements over full operating ranges.

1.4 EXCEPTIONS
.1 TAB of systems and equipment regulated by codes, standards to be to
satisfaction of authority having jurisdiction.

1.5 CO-ORDINATION
.1 Schedule time required for TAB (including repairs, re-testing) into project
construction and completion schedule so as to ensure completion before
acceptance of project.

.2 Do TAB of each system independently and subsequently, where

interlocked with other systems, in unison with those systems.

1.6 PRE-TAB REVIEW

.1 Review contract documents before project construction is started and
confirm in writing to Owner adequacy of provisions for TAB and other
aspects of design and installation pertinent to success of TAB.

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.2 Review specified standards and report to Owner in writing all proposed

procedures which vary from standard.

.3 During construction, co-ordinate location and installation of TAB devices,

equipment, accessories, measurement ports and fittings.

1.7 START-UP
.1 Follow start-up procedures as recommended by equipment manufacturer
unless specified otherwise.

.2 Follow special start-up procedures specified elsewhere in other Divisions.

1.8 OPERATION OF SYSTEMS DURING TAB

.1 Operate systems for length of time required for TAB and as required by
Owner for verification of TAB reports.

1.9 START OF TAB

.1 Notify Owner seven (7) working days prior to start of TAB.

.2 Start TAB when building is essentially completed, including:

.1 Installation of ceilings, doors, windows, other construction affecting
TAB.
.2 Application of weatherstripping, sealing, caulking.
.3 All pressure, leakage, other tests specified elsewhere in other
Divisions.
.4 All provisions for TAB installed and operational.
.3 Start-up, verification for proper, normal and safe operation of mechanical
and associated electrical and control systems affecting TAB including but
not limited to:
.1 Proper thermal overload protection in place for electrical
equipment.
.2 Air systems:
.1 Filters in place, clean.
.2 Duct systems clean.
.3 Ducts, air shafts, ceiling plenums are airtight to within
specified tolerances.
.4 Correct fan rotation.
.5 Fire, smoke, volume control dampers installed and open.

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.6 Coil fins combed, clean.

.7 Access doors, installed, closed.
.8 Outlets installed, volume control dampers open.
.3 Liquid systems:
.1 Flushed, filled, vented.
.2 Correct pump rotation.
.3 Strainers in place, baskets clean.
.4 Isolating and balancing valves installed, open.
.5 Calibrated balancing valves installed, at factory settings.
.6 Chemical treatment systems complete, operational.

1.10 APPLICATION TOLERANCES

.1 Do TAB to following tolerances of design values:
.1 Laboratory HVAC systems: plus 10%, minus 0%.
.2 Other HVAC systems: plus 5%, minus 5%.
.3 Hydronic systems: plus or minus 10 %.
.4 Refrigeration systems: plus or minus 10%.

1.11 ACCURACY TOLERANCES

.1 Measured values to be accurate to within plus or minus 2 % of actual
values.

1.12 INSTRUMENTS
.1 Prior to TAB, submit to Owner list of instruments to be used together with
serial numbers.

.2 Calibrate in accordance with requirements of most stringent of referenced

standard for either applicable system or HVAC system.

.3 Calibrate within 3 (three) months of TAB. Provide certificate of calibration

to Owner.

1.13 SUBMITTALS
.1 Submit, prior to commencement of TAB:

.2 Proposed methodology and procedures for performing TAB if different

from referenced standard.

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1.14 PRELIMINARY TAB REPORT

.1 Submit for checking and approval of Owner, prior to submission of formal
TAB report, sample of rough TAB sheets. Include:
.1 Details of instruments used.
.2 Details of TAB procedures employed.
.3 Calculations procedures.
.4 Summaries.

1.15 TAB REPORT

.1 Format to be in accordance with referenced standard.

.2 TAB report to show results in SI units and to include:

.1 Project record drawings.
.2 System schematics.
.3 Submit 3 (three) copies of TAB Report to Owner for verification and
approval, in English in D-ring binders, complete with index tabs.

1.16 VERIFICATION
.1 Reported results subject to verification by Owner.

.2 Provide manpower and instrumentation to verify up to 30% of reported

results.

.3 Number and location of verified results to be at discretion of Owner.

.4 Bear costs to repeat TAB as required to satisfaction of Owner.

1.17 SETTINGS
.1 After TAB is completed to satisfaction of Owner, replace drive guards,
close access doors, lock devices in set positions, ensure sensors are at
required settings.

.2 Permanently mark settings to allow restoration at any time during life of

facility. Markings not to be eradicated or covered in any way.

1.18 COMPLETION OF TAB

.1 TAB to be considered complete when final TAB Report received and
approved by Owner.

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1.19 AIR SYSTEMS

.1 Standard: TAB to be to most stringent of this section or TAB standards of
AABC or NEBB.

.2 Do TAB of systems, equipment, components, controls specified in other

Divisions.

.3 Qualifications: personnel performing TAB to be qualified to standards of

AABC or NEBB.

.4 Quality assurance: Perform TAB under direction of supervisor qualified to

standards of AABC or NEBB.

.5 Measurements: to include, but not limited to, following as appropriate for

systems, equipment, components, controls: air velocity, static pressure,
flow rate, pressure drop (or loss), temperatures (dry bulb, wet bulb,
dewpoint), duct cross-sectional area, RPM, electrical power, voltage,
noise, vibration, amperage and volts for each stage of electrical heating
coils.

.6 Locations of equipment measurements: To include, but not be limited to,

following as appropriate:
.1 Inlet and outlet of dampers, filter, coil, humidifier, fan, other
equipment causing changes in conditions.
.2 At controllers, controlled device.
.7 Locations of systems measurements to include, but not be limited to,
following as appropriate: Main ducts, main branch, sub-branch, run-out
(or grille, register or diffuser).

1.20 HYDRONIC SYSTEMS

.1 Definitions: for purposes of this section, to include low pressure hot water
heating, chilled water, condenser water, glycol systems.

.2 Standard: TAB to be to most stringent of TAB standards of AABC or

NEBB.

.3 Do TAB of systems, equipment, components, controls specified in other

Divisions.

.4 Qualifications: personnel performing TAB to be qualified to standards of

AABC or NEBB.

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.5 Quality assurance: perform TAB under direction of supervisor qualified to

standards of AABC or NEBB.

.6 Measurements: to include, but not limited to, following as appropriate for

systems, equipment, components, controls: flow rate, static pressure,
pressure drop (or loss), temperature, specific gravity, density, RPM,
electrical power, voltage, noise, vibration.

.7 Locations of equipment measurement: to include, but not be limited to,

following as appropriate:
.1 Inlet and outlet of heat exchangers (primary and secondary sides),
boiler, chiller, coil, humidifier, cooling tower, condenser, pump,
PRV, control valve, other equipment causing changes in
conditions.
.2 At controllers, controlled device.
.8 Locations of systems measurements to include, but not be limited to,
following as appropriate: supply and return of primary and secondary
loops (main, main branch, branch, sub-branch) of all hydronic systems,
inlet connection of make-up water.

1.21 DOMESTIC WATER SYSTEMS

.1 Meet requirements as specified for hydronic systems.

.2 Locations of equipment measurements: To include, but not be limited to,

following as appropriate: inlet and outlet of heaters, tank, pump, circulator,
at controllers, controlled device.

.3 Locations of systems measurements to include, but not be limited to,

following as appropriate: main, main branch, branch, sub-branch.

1.22 OTHER SYSTEMS

.1 Plumbing systems:
.1 Standard: National Plumbing Code.
.2 TAB procedures:
.1 Flush valves: adjust to suit project pressure conditions.
.2 Pressure booster systems: test for capacity and pressures
under all conditions and at all times.
.3 Controlled flow roof drain systems: adjust weirs to suit actual
roof conditions, slopes, areas drained.

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.4 Pumped sanitary and storm water systems: test for proper

operation at all possible flow rates. Refer to Section 32 32
13.13 – Packaged Sewage Lift, Wet Well Type.
.5 Pressure reducing station.
.2 Wet pipe sprinkler sprinkler systems:
.1 Standard: NFPA.
.2 TAB procedures: Refer to NFPA 13 Sprinkler System.
.3 Refrigeration systems forming part of HVAC systems:
.1 Standard: CSA B52 – Mechanical Refrigeration Code.
.2 TAB procedures: Refer to Standard as follows:
.1 Suction Pressure and Temperature.
.2 Discharge Pressure and Temperature.
.3 Suction Superheat
.4 Evaporation Pressure and Temperature.
.4 Chemical treatment systems:
.1 Standard: Section 23 25 00 – HVAC Water Treatment.
.2 TAB procedures: refer to Section 23 25 00 – HVAC Water
Treatment.

1.23 OTHER TAB REQUIREMENTS

.1 General requirements applicable to work specified this paragraph:
.1 Qualifications of TAB personnel: as for air systems specified this
section.
.2 Quality assurance: as for air systems specified this section.
.2 Laboratory fume hoods:
.1 Standard: ASHRAE 110 – Method of Testing Performance of
Laboratory Fume Hoods, applicable provincial standard.
.2 TAB procedures: as described in standard.
.3 Building pressure conditions:
.1 Adjust HVAC systems, equipment, controls to ensure specified
pressure conditions during winter and summer design conditions.
.4 Zone pressure differences:

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.1 Adjust HVAC systems, equipment, controls to establish specified

air pressure differentials, with all systems in all possible
combinations of normal operating modes.
.5 Smoke management systems:
.1 Test for proper operation of all smoke and fire dampers, sensors,
detectors, installed as component parts of air systems specified in
other Divisions.
.6 Measurement of noise and vibration from equipment specified in
Mechanical Division.
.1 Standard: 23 05 48 - Vibration and Seismic Controls for HVAC
Piping and Equipment and 23 32 48 – Acoustical Air Plenums.
.2 Vibration measurements around each piece of rotating equipment.
.3 Sound measurements in each octave band around each piece of
rotating equipment.
.4 Induct sound measurements in each octave band at each fan inlet
and discharge.
.5 Induct sound measurements in each octave band at each air
handling unit intake, return and discharge.
.6 Sound measurements in each octave band for each normally
occupied room with air handling equipment running.
.7 Measurement of spatial noise:
.1 Standard: Section 23 32 48 – Acoustical Air Plenums.

1.24 POST- OCCUPANCY TAB

.1 Measure DBT, WBT (or %RH), air velocity, air flow patterns, NC levels, in
occupied zone of areas designated by Owner.

.2 Participate in systems checks twice during Warranty Period - #1

approximately three (3) months after acceptance and #2 within three (3)
months of termination of Warranty Period.

PART 2 PRODUCTS (NOT APPLICABLE)

PART 3 EXECUTION (NOT APPLICABLE)

END OF SECTION

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