Florida Association of School Business

Officials Seminar
Testing, Adjusting and Balancing :
Contractual Impacts to Achieving
Sustainable Buildings
June 14, 2007
Thermal Systems Balancing Inc.
Topics of Discussion
TAB Background
TAB Procedures
TAB Contractual Responsibility
TAB Certification
TAB Schedule
TAB Background
The basis of TAB is to read, adjust and document fluids (air and
hydronic) flow rates of heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC)
systems. Operating conditions are recorded and a Final Report is
compiled.
Because schools are such high profile facilities the accuracy,
truthfulness and timely manner in which the TAB process is performed
provides for, completion dates to be met and turn over of a Sustainable
HVAC System.
The complexity of many school HVAC systems require a coordination
between the TAB firm and the Owner, Engineers and other Sub
Contractors.
Documentation of a successful TAB of the mechanical systems for a
school construction and renovation project allows for a smoother
commissioning process, air quality, energy cost and maintenance of the
HVAC systems.
TAB Procedures
Contract Document Review
Pre-Field Planning
Construction Readiness Inspection
Initial Testing
Adjusting & Proportional Balancing
Final measurements
Issue Final TAB Report
TAB Contractual
Responsibility:
Scenario 1:
TAB Firm(s) pre-approved and under an annual agreement
to the District School Board contracting to:
Directly by the District School Board.
Tab firms would provide bids and contract with school
district purchasing department.
Tab firms would interface directly with school district
engineering and maintenance departments.
TAB Contractual
Responsibility
Scenario 2:
TAB Firm(s) pre-approved and under an annual
agreement to the District School Board
contracting to:
Architect / Design Engineer
Design Build Team
Construction Management Firm
TAB Contractual
Responsibility
Scenario 3:
Two TAB Firms each performing a portion of the Scope of
Work per the Project Specification contracting to:
Mechanical / AC Contracting Firm
Setting air and hydronic flows.
Verifying flow capacities are met.
Owner
Witnessing special test.
Site Inspections.
Controls Verification
Record final operating conditions.
TAB Certifications
NEBB: National Environmental
Balancing Bureau.
AABC: Associated Air Balance
Council
Educational and experience requirements.
Certifying standards.
National organizational offices.
Quality Assurance.
Quality Assurance
NEBB: Certificate of Conformance
Certification.
AABC: Project Performance Guarantee.
TAB Schedule
Verify qualifications of TAB Firm.
Review contract documents.
Become familiar with Project Requirements.
Discover conditions in systems design which may preclude a proper TAB.
Compile a TAB Plan.
Allow Engineer to respond to comments prior to mechanical systems installation.
Coordination with Commissioning Team.
To optimize the TAB Process a TAB firm should be selected
in the early phase of the project. This is accomplished by
contracting with owner or setting a time frame in the
specifications to select and summit on a Firm. (90 days from
Construction managers Notice to Proceed)
SUMMARY
Considerations made to TAB in the
Design Phase can eliminate many
issues which would become major
obstacles to a successful and
sustainable HVAC System.
QUESTIONS
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Thank You