The Return Air Fan is first identified and then compared to the submittal data. This is done by obtaining the make and model number, motor tag information, and the drive data of the motor sheave, fan pulley and V-belt. The unit is then started, checked for proper fan rotation and RPM. The motor is checked for voltage, amperage draw and RPM, and statics across the fan are taken and all data recorded.

The fan is then checked for total air delivery by either Velgridding the return air opening, or performing a traverse on the return air duct. This is a standard "blow through" system with no air volume control. If the system is a VAV box system, all of the VAV boxes are placed in a cooling or full flow mode.

After the supply system and the outlets have been balanced, the return air fan is checked for required air delivery. The fan speed is adjusted by drive adjustment or replacement if needed, to obtain proper air draw (return air registers are balanced to proper air draws, if specified) and the outside air set, final motor voltage and amperage, fan and motor RPM, fan statics and outside air are recorded for Final Readings.

Pneumatic VAV or DDC boxes are placed in full flow mode at the factory setting and the total output at the setting is determined by a total of the hood readings or a duct traverse. A meter for reading air differential pressure in inches of wc is utilized for determining the velocity pressure of the air flow sensor. This velocity pressure is used along with the preliminary VAV box air delivery for calculating the new velocity pressure for the specified VAV air flow. The outlets for the system are then read with the Shortridge Flowhood and if the total of the readings equal the specified flow, then the outlets are balanced.

A Shortridge Electronic AirData Multimeter along with a Shortridge FlowHood are utilized for most system balancing: supply, return and exhaust. This equipment is self compensating for altitude and air temperature as well as having back pressure compensating capabilities. With linear diffusers, however, a Shortridge Analog FlowHood, a "K" factor is needed for correction of the velocity read to actual CFM. The "K" factor can be determined in one of two ways. Either a duct traverse of an outlets air delivery, or an Alnor Velometer can be used to obtain an average face velocity and this is multiplied by the linear manufacturers "Ak" number to calculate a CFM flow. The linear is then read with the analog flow hood and the percentage difference between the two is the flow hood "K" factor.

After balancing a system, the supply outlets are checked for drafts. If found, the deflection is adjusted to minimize such drafts.

We perform the following tests:
Supply Volume
Room Pressurization
Room Airflow Uniformity
Room Recovery Test
Room Noise Level
Temperature and Humidity
Vibration Level

The Fan Coil Unit is first identified and then compared to the submittal data. This is done by obtaining the make and model number, motor data tag information, and the drive data of motor sheave, fan pulley and V-belt. The unit is then started, checked for proper fan rotation and RPM. The motor is checked for voltage, amperage draw and RPM, statics across all components are taken and all data is recorded as Preliminary readings.

The filters are then checked to see if they are clean or dirty and are partially loaded if they are clean. The unit is then checked for total air delivery by either Velgridding, performing a duct traverse or a total of the Flow Hood readings of the outlets if it is not a large system. The air delivery is adjusted if necessary by either drive adjustment or replacement. If it is a direct drive fan system, the fan speed is adjusted by changing the motor fan speed electrical tap. The outlets are balanced as described under "Air Device Balance". After the system and outlets have been balanced, final motor voltage and amperage, fan and motor RPM, unit component statics and outside air are recorded for final readings.

Electric Duct Heaters are tested after the air flow is set. A VAV Box is set to minimum air flow and the heater engaged. The voltage and amperage draws are obtained and recorded. Temperatures (DB only) of the air are then recorded entering and leaving the electric coil. The actual wattage of the electric coil is then calculated and compared to the required.

The Fan Coil Unit is first identified and then compared to the submittal data. This is done by obtaining the make and model number, motor data tag information, and the drive data of motor sheave, fan pulley and V-belt. The unit is then started, checked for proper fan rotation and RPM. The motor is checked for voltage, amperage draw and RPM, statics across the fan are taken and all data is recorded.

The fan is then checked for total air delivery by either performing a duct traverse, or a total of the FlowHood readings of the outlets if not a large system. If a change in air delivery is needed, the drive is adjusted or replaced. The grilles are balanced as described under "Air Device Balance". After the system and the outlets have been balanced, final motor voltage and amperage, fan and motor RPM and fan statics are recorded.

The exhaust Fan is first identified then compared to the submittal data. This is done by obtaining the make and model number, motor data tag information, and the drive data of motor sheave, fan pulley and V-belt. The unit is then started, checked for proper fan rotation and RPM. The motor is checked for voltage, amperage draw and RPM, statics across the fan are taken and all data is recorded.

The fan is then checked for total air delivery by either performing a duct traverse, or a total of the FlowHood readings of the outlets if not a large system. If a change in air delivery is needed, the drive is adjusted or replaced. The grilles are balanced as described under "Air Device Balance". After the system and the outlets have been balanced, final motor voltage and amperage, fan and motor RPM and fan statics are recorded.

The pump is first identified then compared to the submittal data. This is done by obtaining the make and model number, motor data tag information. The system is checked to see if it is full of water and not air locked; air vents are checked for operation. The pump is then started, the motor is checked for voltage, amperage, draw and RPM and preliminary pressure across the pump are taken and all data recorded. If this pump serves the air handling units, etc. all water coils are placed in a full, coil flow mode and manual valves open.

The discharge isolation valve is slowly closed with the pump operational to obtain a "shut off head" for plotting the impeller size for the performance curve. The valve is then slowly opened and the dynamic head is set to the proper pressure differential so to plot on the pump curve and the dynamic head and obtain the proper water flow.

After the supply for all units has been balanced, the water balance is started. All of the coil shut off valves are verified as open and then the coils to be balanced are placed in a full flow mode and the GPM is set by use of a pressure independent, constant flow device, a calibrated circuit setter, or by obtaining a coil pressure differential. Each supply unit is then placed into a full air flow condition with the coil still in a full water flow mode. Temperatures are then taken and recorded for both air and water. DB/WB air temperatures are taken entering and leaving the coil for a cooling coil; DB only if testing heating coil. Entering and leaving DB temperatures are recorded for the water.

The Chiller is first identified then compared to the submittal data. This is done by obtaining the make, model and serial numbers. The Chiller is started by others and then flows for the chilled and condenser water are verified by obtaining the respective coil pressure drops and comparing them to the submittal. After proper flows are verified, entering and leaving water temperatures are recorded and voltage and amperage are obtained.

The Cooling Tower is first identified then compared to the submittal data. This is done by obtaining the make, model and serial numbers, motor data tag information, and the drive data of motor sheave, fan pulleys and V-belt. The water flow to the cells are checked and balanced if necessary. Entering and leaving DB/WB are taken as is the basin water temperatures.

After making sure all of the shut off valves are open, the proper pumps are turned on and the controls set for flow through the Plate and Frame Heat Exchanger. The pumps are set up as described in "Pumps" above and the flows through the plate and frame are checked by comparing the required pressure drops to the actual pressure drops through the "hot and cold" sides. After assuring proper flow, then the water temperatures are taken and recorded entering and leaving both sides.

Fume hoods are set by either obtaining an average of face velocity readings, or by a traverse of the connecting duct. The damper is adjusted to obtain the design conditions.

Smoke/Fire Dampers are physical tested by checking the dampers' position through the access door to verify they are completely open. After all the dampers are inspected, and after the alarm system has been de-activated from sending out a signal to the Fire Department, the system is activated and the Smoke/Fire Dampers are checked for operation and to assure they are 100% closed. The system is then re-energized and the dampers are verified to open to their original position.

If the individual Smoke/Fire Damper is controlled by a Duct Smoke Detector, the Smoke Detector is tested as stated above and, instead of unit shut down, the damper is checked for operation as indicated in this section.