Importance of TAB

If you want to ensure proper operation and longevity of your building’s HVAC system, then frequent testing, adjusting and balancing (TAB) is a must. Test & Balance is the easiest and the most effective way to determine whether your HVAC equipment, temperature control system, ductwork, and air outlets are performing to the original design specifications.

It’s not uncommon for commercial buildings to not be performing to their highest level of energy efficiency. TAB services help to identify where commercial buildings are falling short and how to correct these shortcomings.

Identifying Common Problems & Their Causes With TAB

TAB is to buildings what an annual physical is to human beings; not only does it serve as an annual “check-up” for commercial building maintenance purposes, it also helps identify problems that may have emerged or are beginning to emerge since the last appointment. One of the most common problems that commercial buildings face is negative or unbalanced building pressure. Negative building pressure can be identified by:

  1. Monitoring signals like hot/cold spots, entry doors that are difficult to open, poor smoke capture, humidity, condensation dripping from diffusers, or drafts
  2. Using a pressure-reading tool like an anemometer
  3. Hiring a TAB technician to check the building’s balance once a year (the most accurate method!)

Causes of Unbalanced Building Pressure

But simply monitoring signals that your building is facing an imbalance or using a pressure-reading tool most likely won’t pinpoint the root of the problem—especially since there are several possibilities for the source of building pressure imbalance, including but not limited to:

  • Exhaust fans in poor condition
  • Supply air leaking above the ceiling
  • OA dampers improperly installed
  • Exhaust fans not sealed to curb or hinged correctly
  • Dirty compartment/coil in the RTU
  • Tops of diffuser not insulated
  • Filters improperly sized for hoods
  • MUA not operating properly
  • Dirty indoor/outdoor filters
  • Worn/broken belts

These sources are best, and quickest, identified by TAB technicians.

Going Beyond Building Pressure

Of course, there are other major problems that well-performed TAB services can identify as well, saving you money and energy in the short- and long-term.

Installation Problems

Issues like improper duct and fittings, leakage, and missing grilles and dampers can all be identified by a qualified technician. Identifying and correcting installation problems. When sensors or equipment are incorrectly wired, then the equipment will most likely be forced to work harder or go into alarm, causing problems in energy efficiency.

Equipment Problems

Equipment problems can exist with our without installation problems—such as poor performance, undersizing, oversizing, wrong speed, wrong voltages, and so on. When one piece of equipment is malfunctioning, it’s not uncommon for it to act as a domino effect with other pieces of equipment soon malfunctioning as well—again, costing you time, money and energy efficiency.

Design Issues

Sometimes, building engineers do not create the best designs to work well with the equipment schedule or it simply cannot work as designed. This is usually not evident unless TAB technicians actually test the equipment rather than giving it a visual inspection, further showing the importance of regular TAB services. 

Control Solutions, Inc. are TAB experts!

Our qualified technicians work hard to ensure your systems work well, and they have in-depth knowledge and practical construction experience in HVAC systems testing and analysis. We provide comprehensive testing and a full report of each system along with recommendations to improve system performance, providing increased comfort and efficiency. Our full list of TAB services include:

  • Total System Balance
  • Functional Performance Testing
  • Control System Verification
  • Cleanroom Testing
  • Sound & Vibration
  • Fumehood Testing
  • Duct Leakage Testing
  • Heating System Performance
  • Cooling Tower Performance
  • Electronic TAB reporting for instant customer access

Contact us today to learn more about if our TAB services could be of benefit to you!

Credits:

ACHR News
Melink Corp
MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions
Osman Saleem via LinkedIn