HVAC Air & Water Balancing

We perform air balancing on a number of different systems including AHUs, FCUs, PACs and ventilation fans (Toilet Exhaust Fans, General Exhaust Fans, Outside Air Fans, Car Park Exhaust Fans and Carpark Supply Fans). 

Once the design flowrate for a system has been set via a pitot traverse then the terminals are balanced between using a capture hood or a anemometer, the lowest terminal is established (the index terminal) and all other terminals with in the system are proportionally balanced to match this terminal. At least one terminal should always be fully open to achieve optimum efficiency.

Hydronic Chilled, Heating and Condenser water systems need to be balanced to ensure each cooling, heating and condenser water coil is achieving the correct design flowrate.

Hydronic systems need to be balanced because typically in a unbalanced system, coils closer to the pump are favored by higher then required flow rates at the expense of coils that are further away from the pump with lower then required flow rates.

The balancing process is achieved with the setting of differential pressure control valves or pressure independent control valve. These valves are read and set using a hydronic manometer.

Annual Fire Safety Statements (AFSS) test are carried out every year to ensure all essential service systems are functioning accordingly. Stair pressurization systems are one of the systems that need to be checked during the (AFSS).

The performance test that is carried out consist of the testing of door velocities, door forces, differential pressure between floors/zones and noise levels. Things also documented would be stair pressures, fire door integrity and anything that they may stop fire doors from operating as intended.

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With these systems having to be checked annually our qualified technicians have the skills and knowledge to test any type of stair pressurization system (purge, sandwich or zone pressurization systems).

Duct leakage testing is performed to identify the structural integrity of a section of duct or air handling unit and determine the air leakage rate. This is a cost-effective method to reduce the running cost of the system being tested.

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We are able to test with pressures up to +2000 Pa and negative pressure testing down to -2000 Pa.

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If the system is not meeting the design criteria we are able to induce smoke into the tested section to identify leakage areas. This gives the mechanical contractor the opportunity to repair the necessary area to achieved the allowable leakage rate.

Volume and velocity of air coming in and out of any clean room is necessary for maintaining accurate required air patterns. Faulty ventilation systems drastically effect controlled environments, so testing to verify air volume, velocity and pressure changes is a must.

These rooms are set with a number of different control methods (airflow test, pressure tests and set up of automated control systems if in place).

We have tested a number of different clean rooms with some of these rooms being, operating theatres, isolation rooms and laboratories to name a few.

These tests methods are critical in maintaining a clean rooms design criteria.