Tech Talk

Articles:

• NEBB TAB Reports - Are They Compliant? - NEBB
  What do you do when you need help? Where do you go? Who do you ask? ...(read more)
• Closed Loop Water Make Up / Expansion Tanks - FLEBB
  If you are about to perform a test and balance on a Chilled Water Closed Loop system, my advice, don't start it without knowing the piping system is full of water and free of air, unless you don't mind wasting time. ...(read more)
• Constant Air System: Tab Tips - TAB Journal Winter 2021
  In this article, we would like to share some tips for the HVAC designer from the air balancing point of view...(read more)
• Witnessing Duct Leakage Testing - TAB Journal Winter 2021
  On many projects, the test & balance (TAB) firm is responsible for witnessing and certifying duct leakage testing as performed by...(read more)
• ACG and EMA Member ETC Group Discusses Persistent Energy Efficiency in Buildings in Facility Executive magazine. - TAB Journal Summer 2021
  We have been involved with ACG since the early 2000s. There are different commissioning organizations out there and we picked ACG for a few...(read more)
• Mechanical Maverick Mark Gelfo, CxA, EMP Discusses the Future of Virtual Commissioning - TAB Journal Summer 2021
  This article explores effective ways of using a monitoring-based commissioning (MBCx) program along with HVAC analytics to create and maintain a high-performing...(read more)
• ACG Member Nathan Culley, TBE, CxA, Penn Air Control, Inc. Discusses Preconstruction HVAC Surveys - HVAC/P Magazine - TAB Journal Spring 2021
  Over the past several years we have seen a trend in how HVAC upgrade or remodel projects are designed, . mechanical Mechanical engineers have increasingly required a pre-construction survey...(read more)
• ACG Member Questions & Solutions Engineering Discusses How to Ensure Proper Airflow - Medical Construction & Design (MCD) Magazine - TAB Journal Spring 2021
  "Ensuring Proper Airflow: Best Practices for Hospital Air Balancing Planning & Coordination[MHR1]" by Miles Ryan, P.E. & Molly Meyer, P.E., Questions & Solutions Engineering, ACG Member was published in the Medical Construction...(read more)
• Correct Setup and Balancing of a VAV Air-Handling System - TAB Journal Spring 2021
  In 16-plus years of experience working in the testing and balancing (TAB) and commissioning industries on testing and/or commissioning variable air volume (VAV) systems, I've come across numerous instances where it is clearly evident that a VAV system has not been set up correctly...(read more)
• Desiccant Dehumidification in Operating Rooms - TAB Journal Winter 2021
  AABC Member, Chris White, PE, TBE explains how his team at Systems Analysis, Inc. adapted existing systems to meet new temperature standards in hospital operating rooms...(read more)
• Read Why AABC Member Recommends TAB Testing in Existing Buildings - TAB Journal Winter 2021
  Online magazine Consulting Specifying Engineer reprints TAB Journal article by AABC Member Gaylon Richardson, CxA. Existing, occupied buildings can benefit greatly from the TAB process as...(read more)
• ASHRAE Environmental Monitoring of Humidity and Temperature Best Practices - TAB Journal Winter 2020
  Data centers now consume an estimated 1.8% of electricity within the U.S. As energy consumption has risen, so too have the associated costs. These costs, coupled with the fact that approximately 30% of data center servers are either idle or underutilized, have resulted...(read more)
• WA Performing TAB in a Once-Dormant Hospital - TAB Journal Winter 2020
  The building was actually a campus, and consisted of a central utility plant (CUP) serving two main buildings and a medical office building. The last construction phase of the original project was completed in 2010, so the age of the equipment, technology...(read more)
• Indoor Air Quality Management In Hospitals Helps Prevent Infections - AABC TAB Journal 2020
  Hospitals are a unique environment for the spread of infectious diseases. COVID-19 aside, each year in the United States, healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) kill over 100,000 people annually...(read more)
• Indoor Air Quality In Office buildings: is It Time For Testing? - AABC TAB Journal 2020
  There are many reasons business owners and employees might be concerned about indoor air quality in office buildings:...(read more)
• Unique Balancing Issues In A Flour Mill - AABC TAB Journal Winter 2020
  A recent testing & balancing (TAB) project was just a plain, simple and straightforward balancing of a new multi-level flour mill...(read more)
• Challenges During a PHASED TURNOVER in an HVAC system with a Common Plenum - AABC TAB Journal Winter 2020
  The four-story building was supplied by a fourth-floor mechanical room consisting of seven variable air volume (VAV) air handling units (AHU)...(read more)
• Balancing In Confined Spaces - TAB Journal Spring 2019
  Balancers are sometimes required to perform TAB work in confined spaces. A confined space is one that has a limited means of entry and/or exit...(read more)
• Correcting low Airflow & Patient Comfort Issues in an Older Air Induction Unit - TAB Journal Spring 2019
  Our firm was recently contracted to provide TAB and outside air (OSA) verification for a 24-bed skilled nursing wing in a local hospital facility... (read more)
• AABC vs. NEBB WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE? - Brian C. Kaupp & Charles W. 'Chuck' Kaupp
  "What's the difference between AABC and NEBB?" We get this question a lot. Let's start off by saying that our firm is certified by both... (read more)
• THERMAL IMAGE - THERMALLY TUNED IMAGE - Michael Reiter
  What's involved in a good thermally tuned image. Let's talk about FORD. In thermal imaging, FORD is not a car or a truck... (read more)
• FLOW DEVICES AND HAND WHEEL SETTINGS - Brian C. Kaupp
  Having a general understanding of flow devices or balancing valves is important for the Owners, Architects, Engineers, and Mechanical Contractors... (read more)
• OUTSIDE AIR MEASUREMENTS - Charles W. Kaupp
  The measurement of outside air being introduced into a building is of major importance for maintaining correct indoor air quality and to assist in maintaining positive building pressure when... (read more)
• PUMP GAUGES: LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION - Brian C. Kaupp
  The location, as well as the installation, of pump gauges has been a problem in the HVAC industry for years. There is a lack of information on proper installation and the understanding of why the location of the pump gauges is extremely important for... (read more)
• CERTIFIED OR NON-CERTIFIED - Brian C. Kaupp
  Environmental systems continue to become more complex and owners and occupants often have expectations far beyond the designed capabilities of the system... (read more)
• BUILDING EXHAUST SYSTEMS - Charles W. Kaupp
  With more than thirty-one years spent in testing and balancing, it has been my experience that industry emphasis has been directed mostly toward the building supply system and less toward its counterpart - the building exhaust system... (read more)
• FLORIDA TESTING AND BALANCING OUTSIDE AIR MONITORS AND INTAKES - Brian C. Kaupp
  A properly pressurized building is very important in Florida; especially with its tropical environment which can play havoc with the indoor environment of the building. One way to ensure the quality of the building environment and pressurization is to... (read more)
• HYDRONIC BALANCING - Courtesy of TAB Journal, AABC; Summer 2017
  One would think that balancing closed water systems would be easy with no leakage, unlike ventilation systems. Many times it is, but it can be a real problem when balancers cannot troubleshoot or look inside the system. Ventilation items can be... (read more)
• ENERGY-SAVING PROJECTS AND INDEPENDENT TESTING AND BALANCING
  Projects aimed at reducing energy consumption in existing HVAC systems are in high demand at hospitals and publicly owned buildings. Inefficient systems severely reduce any efforts to save energy and represent an opportunity for potential... (read more)
• SPECIFICATION PRICING AND PROJECT PERFORMANCE
  Any test and balance contractor (or mechanical, control, even general contractor) has undoubtedly competed against "the other guy" who is not bidding or performing work in accordance with project specifications. For this article, let us... (read more)