CHAPTER 14 TAB PROCEDURES FOR SPECIFIC AIR SYSTEMS

14.1 INTRODUCTION reduced airflow or turn down systems. They further

The TAB procedures for basic air systems found in
Chapter 13 General Air System TAB Procedures are
the foundation for the testing, adjusting, and balancing
of any air distribution system. There are, however, cer
tain different or additional procedures that should be
used when balancing other than single duct, constant
volume air systems.
can be connected to single or dual supply air ducts,
have constant or variable airflow on the primary side
of the VAV boxes with variable air flow on the secon
dary or distribution side. The variable airflow rate can
be from 100 percent to 0 percent of full flow. Figure
141 is a system layout for a typical VAV system.

Even though some of the duct systems addressed in
this section are considered obsolete by the HVAC in
dustry, TAB firms may encounter them when rebal
ancing or retrofitting systems in older buildings.
Procedures will follow for:
 Variable air volume (VAV) systems
 Multizone systems
 Dual duct systems
14.2.1.2 Terminal Units
VAV terminal units (VAV boxes) can also be classified
as pressure independent and pressure dependent. A
pressure independent device has a volume regulator
which will maintain the proper airflow regardless of
the terminal inlet static pressure. A pressure dependent
device will allow the airflow to vary in accordance
with the inlet static pressure.

 Induction unit systems

14.2.1.3 Diversity Factor
 Process exhaust air systems

14.2 VARIABLE AIR VOLUME (VAV) Usually, VAV systems are designed with a diversity
SYSTEMS factor which means that the supply fan airflow (cfm or
L/s) capacity is less than the sum of the airflows of all
14.2.1 Characteristics Of VAV Systems
the terminal devices. If the diversity factor is not giv
14.2.1.1 Categories en, it can be approximated by dividing the supply air
fan maximum airflow by the sum of the airflows of all
There are many types of VAV systems but they can fall VAV terminal units and converting the decimal num
into two basic categories: (1) bypass systems and (2) ber to a percentage.

POSSIBLE PRIMARY
OUTDOOR
PRE-HEA T COIL HEATING COIL COOLING AIR
AIR IN- FILTERS
COIL DUCT
TAKE S.P. CONTROLLER

OUTDOOR RETURN SUPPLY FAN

AIR AIR DAMPER WITH
DAMPERS S.P. CONTROL
VAV TERMINAL UNITS

OPTIONAL
EXHAUST EXHAUST AIR DAMPER RETURN
AIR AIR FAN
LOUVER
RETURN
AIR SYSTEM T T

FIGURE 14-1 TYPICAL VARIABLE AIR VOLUME (VAV) SYSTEM

HVAC SYSTEMS Testing, Adjusting & Balancing Third Edition 14.1

 HIGH STATIC CONTROLLER
LIMIT AND COOLING
POSSIBLE
SIGNAL DETECTOR COIL
PRE-HEA T
OUTDOOR FILTERS
COIL
AIR INTAKE STATIC PRESSURE
TRANSMITTER

O.A.

OUTDOOR
DM
AIR DAMPERS SUPPLY AIR
RETURN
FAN WITH
RELIEF AIR AIR DAMPER
INLET VANES
LOUVER

RETURN AIR DM
RELIEF
FAN WITH
AIR DAMPER VAV SUPPLY
INLET VANES
RETURN SYSTEM
AIR SYSTEM

FIGURE 14-2 OPEN LOOP FAN VOLUME CONTROL

14.2.2 Primary Air Volume Control 14.2.2.2 Open Loop Control

The supply air fan installation for a VAV system is sim
ilar to that for constant volume systems except that the
fan air volume must be varied. Inlet or discharge
dampers and variable speed drives or motors may be
used to control the system airflow. A static pressure
sensor, usually located about twothirds of the way
from the fan to the end of the duct system, senses the
supply air duct static pressure and sends a signal back
to the apparatus controlling the fan airflow volume.
Verify that the controls are set to maintain a constant
static pressure at the sensor location, as the system air
flow varies.
Open loop control uses an adjustable span and start
point on the supply air and return air fan controls to se
quence the return air fan operation with the supply air
fan (Figure 142). This system requires close attention
by the TAB technician. If the system load varies signif
icantly among major zones the supply air fan serves,
resistance in the return air system may not vary in di
rect proportion to resistance in the supply air system.
Open loop control does not sense the effect of resist
ance variance between the supply air and return air
systems, and building pressures may vary when major
load variation occurs.

14.2.2.3 Closed Loop Control

Systems with combination return/exhaust air fans re
quire special attention by the TAB technician. Build
ing pressure will vary if the return air fan volume does
not vary closely with the supply air fan volume. The
three common methods used are: building static con
trol, open loop control, and closed loop control.
14.2.2.1 Building Static Control
Building static control senses differential pressures
between a typical room and outdoors, and increases
the volume of air handled by the return/exhaust air fan
as building pressure increases.
The closed loop control senses changes in the volume
of air the supply air fan delivers and uses a controller
having a second input proportional to the return air fan
flow to reset the return air fan (Figure 143). Square
root factors should be applied where flow is measured
as velocity pressure, enabling comparison of linea
rized signals. Controlling flow eliminates the effects
of different fan or vane characteristics. The controller
can be set to maintain the difference in the airflow re
quired between the supply and return air fan to main
tain building pressurization and accommodate auxilia
ry exhaust systems. If this difference is also the

14.2 HVAC SYSTEMS Testing, Adjusting & Balancing Third Edition

minimum amount of outside air the system requires,
the flow controller on the fans will maintain the mini
mum ventilation rate regardless of variations in out
side air and return air damper characteristics. Multiple
point Pitot tubes or flow measuring stations should be
used to sense velocity pressure at the fans on VAV sys
tems, since the velocity profile will vary with flow;
singlepoint Pitot tubes will give inaccurate readings
of total airflow. The calibration of these flow stations
should be verified by the TAB technician.
14.2.3 General TAB Procedures
14.2.3.1 Initial Procedures
Prior to beginning the TAB work, verify that the tem
perature control contractors sequence of operation
compliments the terminal unit or VAV box manufac
turers factory installed control system. Inspect prima
ry air ducts to ensure adequate entry conditions.
14.2.3.2 Preliminary And Initial Procedures

All initial procedures as outlined in the preceeding

14.2.2.4 Static Pressure Sensor
The system designer should locate the static pressure
sensor on the drawings, as it depends to some extent on
the type of VAV terminal unit used. Pressure depen
dent units without controllers may be near the static
pressure midpoint of the duct run to ensure minimum
pressure variation in the system. Where pressure inde
pendent units are installed, pressure controllers may
be at the end of the duct run with the highest static pres
sure loss to ensure maximum fan horsepower savings
while maintaining the minimum required pressure at
the last terminal unit. However, as the flow through the
various parts of a large system varies, so does the static
pressure losses. Some field adjustment or relocation
may be required.
chapter apply until you get to the total air and traverse
readings. The curse of a balancer in performing his
work is that ?he must be finished before he starts". This
is the most difficult part to understand when you un
dertake the balancing of a system with numerous vari
VAV or constant air volume boxes (CAV).
Each type of system VAV, CAV, dual duct, pressure de
pendent, pressure independent, diversified, and non
diversified system has appurtenances that have to be
adjusted individually before you can ascertain the total
system performance.
Terminal boxes have numerous operating parts and
settings. To assume that they all work and are installed
is incorrect. Therefore, separate balancing procedure
for each type of application is included herewith. In
many cases you have to balance the end items before
you attempt of balance the main system.

RELIEF AIR RELIEF AIR RETURN AIR FAN RELIEF AIR

LOUVER DAMPER WITH INLET VANES SYSTEM
FLOW
MEASURING
STATIONS
L H

VELOCITY
PRESSURE
RECEIVER TRANSMITTER
RETURN AIR CONTROLLER
DAMPER FILTERS COOLING COIL
H L

O.A.

STATIC
HIGH STATIC
OUTSIDE OUTSIDE LIMIT PRESSURE
AIR INTAKE AIR TRANSMITTER
SUPPLY
DAMPERS AIR FAN WITH
SIGNAL
INLET VANES
SELECTOR CONTROLLER

FIGURE 14-3 CLOSED LOOP FAN VOLUME CONTROL

HVAC SYSTEMS Testing, Adjusting & Balancing Third Edition 14.3

14.2.4 Pressure Independent VAV System
Balancing Procedures
DESIGN FAN
FAN OPERATING OPERATING
POINT
Pressure dependent VAV boxes or terminal units have POINT AT REDUCED
AIR FLOW AND SPEED

STATIC PRESSURE in.wg (Pa)

no automatic volume controller to regulate the airflow DESIGN P
FOR VAV
as the inlet static pressure to the box changes. The air TERMINAL
flow delivered by the box for any given condition will UNIT
P FOR
change at any time the inlet static pressure changes. TERMINAL
Since the airflow delivered is dependent on the inlet UNIT AT
REDUCED
static pressure furnished, the VAV boxes are consid AIRFLOW
ered pressure dependent.
SYSTEM FAN
CURVE CURVES
These VAV boxes must have an inlet balancing damper
in addition to an automatic temperature control (ATC)
damper. The ATC damper may have limiters to pro
REDUCED DESIGN
vide for adjustments of the minimum and maximum
position. The TAB technician must realize that every AIRFLOW-CFM (L/S)
change in damper setting, either manual or automatic,
is going to affect the airflow in the system as shown in
Figures 144 and 145. FIGURE 14-5 FAN AND SYSTEM
CURVES, VARIABLE SPEED FAN
FAN OPERATING POINT
AT REDUCED AIRFLOW

c. Adjust the inlet dampers to each box to obtain

DESIGN FAN
OPERATING
the design airflow and verify the operation of
ADDITIONAL POINT the VAV box.
P TO BE
STATIC PRESSURE in.wg(Pa)

OVERCOME DESIGN P
BY DISCHARGE FOR VAV d. With box set at maximum balance individual
DAMPER OR TERMINAL
TERMINAL UNIT UNIT outlets to design CFM.
P FOR
TERMINAL e. Turn box to minimum and adjust minimum
UNIT AT
REDUCED
stops if providedCif no stops are provided
AIRFLOW box will go to ?o" flow. Note: If box has flow
SYSTEM
sensor or voltage coils for measuring flow,
CURVE CONSTANT
SPEED
reading should be taken and recorded.
FAN CURVE

f. Repeat steps C through E until all boxes and

REDUCED DESIGN air outlets are balanced to project specified
AIRFLOW - CFM (L/S) allowances (+/ 10%).
FIGURE 14-4 FAN AND SYSTEM
CURVES, CONSTANT SPEED FAN g. Revisit the fan and confirm all final air read
ings, static pressure readings, component unit
pressure drops, and operating amperage.
14.2.5 BALANCING NON-DIVERSITY
h. If the system has a static pressure controller,
SYSTEMS
check and provide the required reading to the
control contractor.
Nondiversity systems are balanced similar to constant
volume systems.  Turn all boxes to their minimum setting
except the box with the longest equiva
a. Put all of the VAV boxes and the supply air fan lent run of duct (this may be the box fur
in a full flow condition. thest from the fan or the box that you had
the most difficulty in achieving design
b. Test and adjust the fan to design airflow using flow through). This box should be in
methods previously described. dexed to maximum flow.

14.4 HVAC SYSTEMS Testing, Adjusting & Balancing Third Edition

  Take total air reading at the box or the
outlets (whichever is most convenient or
accessible). The flow should be above
design CFM.
 Have the controls contractor reduce the
volume control device (VFD, Vortex,
Spill Damper or Discharge Damper until
design flow is achieved at the box being
monitored.
 With the box at design obtain the actual
static pressure reading at the static pres
sure sensor and advise the control con
tractor of the required setting. Record
this reading appropriately in the balanc
ing data sheets.
i. Confirm total air flow and performance on
100% OA Mode of operation.
14.2.5.1 Balancing Diversity Systems
Diversity systems can be the most difficult VAV sys
tems to balance satisfactorily. Any procedure used will
be a compromise, and shortcomings will appear some
where in the system under certain operating condi
tions.
To eliminate possible misunderstandings later, an
agenda with the proposed balancing procedures
should be submitted and approved by the system de
signer or authorized persons before the TAB work is
started. This practice is recommended for all jobs, but
it is critical on jobs with these particular systems.
Generally, pressure dependent diversity systems are
balanced as follows:
a. Put the system into a mode where it will re
quire approximately the same airflow as the
maximum HVAC fan design airflow by plac
ing the required number of VAV boxes in a
minimum airflow position. And, leaving the
required boxes at their maximum setting, sys
tem total should equal the required CFM for
the boxes indexed to maximum plus the
boxes indicated to minimum.
Stagger the boxes so that the boxes at the be-
ginning of the duct runs are at their minimum
position and the boxes furthest from the fan
are at the maximum position.
HVAC SYSTEMS Testing, Adjusting & Balancing Third Edition
b. Test and adjust the supply air fan to deliver
the design airflow with the variable airflow
control device set at maximum. This device
may be an inlet damper, discharge damper,
variable speed drive, or variable speed motor.
c. After the fan has been set to its operational
design flow, start at the boxes that have been
indexed to their minimum flow and set the ac
tual minimum flow. These boxes will not be
balanced at this time, but only have the mini
mum total flow set so that proper total air
flow will be available at the ends of the sys
tem.
d. Starting at the supply air fan end of the sys
tem, adjust the inlet damper of each VAV box
to provide the correct airflow for that box,
and then balance its downstream terminal
outlets. Do this to each VAV box that has the
correct airflow available with the system in
this condition. These VAV boxes and their as
sociated outlets are now balanced. Adjust the
minimum airflow requirements at this time.
e. If the boxes have flow measuring devices
they should be recorded at this time. If no
measuring devices are provided, it may be
advisable to take proper static pressure read
ings at the box so that resetting can be done
without rebalancing all the outlets on the box.
f. After the boxes that have been indexed to
maximum have been balanced on both maxi
mum and minimum flow, the remaining
boxes should be indexed to their maximum
position and the proper number of balanced
boxes should be indexed to their minimum
position.
NOTE: The total boxes indexed to minimum and max
imum should be equal to the total air flow required at
the fan.
g. Under this mode of operation the fan parame
ters should be checked to insure that the pre
vious balancing and the new operating mode
did not adversely affect the system total. If
this is the case, resetting of the fan may be re
quired at this time.
h. Balance the remaining boxes as outlined in
paragraph ?D" of this section until all boxes
are balanced.
i. Revisit the fan and confirm all final air read
ings, static pressure readings, component unit
pressure drops, and operating amperage.
14.5
 j. If the system has a static pressure controller,
check and provide the required reading to the
control contractor.
 Turn all boxes to their minimum set
ting except the box with the longest
equivalent run of duct (this may be the
box furthest from the fan or the box
that you had the most difficulty in
achieving design flow through). This
box should be indexed to maximum
flow.
 Take total air reading at the box or the
outlets (whichever is most convenient
or accessible). The flow should be
above design CFM.
 Have the controls contractor reduce the
volume control device (VFD, Vortex,
Spill Damper, or Discharge Damper
until design flow is achieved at the box
being monitored.
 With the box at design, obtain the actu
al static pressure reading at the static
pressure sensor and advise the control
contractor of the required setting. Re
cord this reading appropriately in the
balancing data sheets.
k. Confirm total air flow and performance on
100% OA Mode of operation.
14.2.5.2 Proportional Balancing Of
Diversifed Pressure Dependent
Systems
Pressure dependent systems with diversity may be bal
anced as previously outlined in section 14.2.5.1 of this
manual if you attribute CFM proportionally to the out
lets in the same proportion as the diversity factor.
This method of balancing will guarantee proportional
air flow to all outlets under varying system operating
parameters.
The diversity factor is the percent of the fan total as
compared to the outlet total. A fan that is scheduled for
8000 CFM and has a connected outlet total of 10,000
has a diversity factor of 20% (8000/10,000 CFM).
Once the diversity factor has been established, all out
let CFMs are reduced by the diversity factor. The fac
tored outlet total will equal the fan or system total.
14.6 HVAC SYSTEMS Testing, Adjusting & Balancing Third Edition
At the conclusion of the balancing, the static pressure
set up will be identical as described earlier in this
manual. However, you must remember to set the static
pressure for the true design CFM and not the diversi
fied CFM.
14.2.6 Pressure Independent VAV System
Balancing Procedures
14.2.6.1 Inlet Pressures
Pressure independent VAV boxes have the ability to
maintain a constant maximum and minimum airflow
as long as the box inlet static pressure is within the de
sign range of the VAV box. The manufacturers pub
lished data provides the static pressure operating range
and the minimum static pressure drop across each ter
minal unit for a given airflow. Use this data to verify
that adequate pressure is available for the terminal unit
to function properly. The objective of balancing pres
sure independent VAV boxes is the same, regardless of
the type of controls used. They must be adjusted to de
liver the specified maximum and minimum airflows.
14.2.6.2 VAV Downstream System
For simplification, consider each pressure indepen
dent VAV box and its associated downstream ductwork
to be a separate supply air duct system. If there is ade
quate static pressure and airflow available at the box
inlet, the box and its associated outlets can be bal
anced.
14.2.6.3 TAB Procedures
After the fan systems have been adjusted in accor
dance with previous procedures, the VAV system
should be tested, adjusted, and balanced using the fol
lowing procedures:
a. Determine if the system designer has taken
into account a diversity factor when selecting
the equipment by comparing the fan design
airflow with the total airflow of the terminal
units shown on the drawings.
If a diversity factor was used in equipment
selection, set the number of units meeting this
factor in the full cooling mode and the re
maining terminals in the fully closed posi
tion. Distribute the closed boxes throughout
the system. If this procedure tends to over
cool the building, the system supply air tem
perature should be raised.
b. Set outside air dampers to the minimum posi
tion and exhaust and/or return air dampers to
a position that simulates full load.
c. Index and verify that the fan volume control
is set for maximum flow. Observe the amper
age of the fan motor for possible overload.
If the unit is operating above amperage it will
be necessary to reduce flow by adjusting the
volume control devices (VFD, Vortex, Dis
charge Damper or Bypass Relief Damper). It
is not necessary or required to perform fan or
motor sheave adjustments at this time. At this
stage of the balancing, it is required to have
sufficient static pressure to be able to adjust
the VAV boxes and maintain the fan operation
by insuring that the fan motor is not over am
perage and running safely.
d. If the static pressure controller is operational,
it is advisable to set the static pressure to a
value that will maintain fan operation and ad
equate pressure to perform a boxbybox bal
ancing procedure. If the controller is not op
erational, it will be necessary to lock the
volume control device in such a position that
static pressure can be maintained without do
ing damage to the duct system.
e. Because of terminal unit pressure indepen
dent characteristics, it is possible to balance
all of the boxes on a system, even if the sys
tem pressure is low. When there is inadequate
static pressure, index adjacent boxes into the
minimum airflow position to increase the
static pressure to simulate design conditions.
Adjust the static pressure regulating control
ler until the static pressure is at the point re
quired in item d. above. Usually boxes and
outlets of a system can be completely bal
anced to their design maximum and mini
mum regardless of fan capacity. This method
of simulating or providing adequate static
pressure also applies to balancing systems
with diversity.
f. With the VAV box set at the maximum flow
rate, measure the total airflow being deliv
ered. If necessary, adjust the controller or reg
ulator to deliver the specified airflow follow
ing the manufacturers recommended
procedures. When the total airflow is correct,
balance the outlets.
HVAC SYSTEMS Testing, Adjusting & Balancing Third Edition
Three common methods are available for verification
that the box is delivering the correct total air flow:
1. Most boxes have taps in the lines going from
the flow measuring device (cross flow sensor,
volume probe, etc.) to the controller or regu
lator on the box. Connect a differential static
pressure gage to these taps and measure the
actual flow differential using the manufactur
ers curves or charts determine the actual box
CFM flow. Field testing, however, has proven
this method is not always accurate. Often the
inlet duct configuration and the type of sensor
will affect the signal sent to the controller.
Remember the flow stations are velocity av
eraging devices and, as such, depend upon
uniform flow not irregular flow. (You cannot
average velocity pressures to obtain CFM as
they are a square root function.)
2. Pitot tube traverse may be used if the flow tap
is not provided or if the inlet condition at the
box is poor. The traverse should only be taken
if there is a better location upstream of the
box. It serves no purpose to traverse in a poor
run of duct or in the same poor inlet condition
at the box.
3. Total compilation of the individual air outlets
is the most desirable since this is an actual
measure of the air being delivered to the con
ditioned space. This procedure accounts for
system transmission losses that are inherent
in all duct installations.
g. After the outlets are balanced, set the VAV
box for a minimum airflow. Check the total
airflow and adjust the minimum setting on
the box, when required, following the
manufacturers recommendations. It is not
unusual, however, for the terminals to be
slightly out of balance in the minimum posi
tion. The VAV box and its associated outlets
are now in balance and they should stay in
balance as long as the inlet static pressure to
the box stays within the design static pressure
range given by the manufacturer.
After the successful balancing of the VAV
box, all pertinent information concerning the
balanced condition should be recorded and
inserted into the proper VAV commissioning
sheet including; box size, type, address, DES
maximum CFM, DES minimum CFM, actual
maximum CFM, actual minimum CFM, flow
sensor pressure drop maximum and mini
mum, coefficient, DC voltage, pick up, gain,
14.7
 or any other distinguishing operating param
eters that would aid in restoring settings if
they are disturbed, erased, or tampered with.
h. Upon the successful completion of balancing
all the boxes, it is now the proper time to as
certain the system total design operating
parameters. In either diversified or nondi
versified systems, place all boxes in the max
imum air flow position. Note: In the diversi
fied system we still want to determine if the
unit can go over amperage if all the boxes call
for maximum flow (chiller failure, excessive
ly high demand day, etc.)
i. With all boxes at maximum set the return air
damper and minimum outside air damper to
their approximate design position with the
aid and cooperation of the control contractor.
j. Perform total air and fan set up as described
in the General Balancing Procedure section
of this manual.
k. Once the total supply return and outside air
have been established it is now time to bal
ance the return system, if applicable.
l. If the system has a static pressure controller,
provide the control contractor with the re
quired setting and readings.
14.2.7 Pressure Dependent VAV System
Balancing Procedures
Pressure dependent VAV boxes or terminal units have
no automatic volume controller to regulate the airflow
as the inlet static pressure to the box changes. The air
flow delivered by the box for any given condition will
change at any time the inlet static pressure changes.
Since the airflow delivered is dependent on the inlet
static pressure furnished, the VAV boxes are consid
ered pressure dependent.
These VAV boxes may have an inlet balancing damper
in addition to an automatic temperature control (ATC)
damper. The ATC damper may have limiters to pro
vide for adjustments of the minimum and maximum
position. The TAB technician must realize that every
change in damper setting, either manual or automatic,
is going to affect the airflow in the system.
14.2.8 Turndown (Shutoff) VAV Boxes
The basic components of a turndown VAV box consist
of a plenum box with a primary air inlet, damper, or air
14.8 HVAC SYSTEMS Testing, Adjusting & Balancing Third Edition
valve with actuator, and an air discharge. When the
VAV box is pressure independent, a primary air veloc
ity sensor and controller also will be included.
14.2.8.1 Balancing Procedures
a. Verify fan and control operation.
b. Index the VAV box to maximum (cooling)
position. Some boxes may have to be set to
the minimum position first.
c. Test total airflow delivered by the VAV box
using one of the following methods:
 Inlet velocity sensor (where furnished).
 Total of air being delivered from the
outlets.
 Pitot tube traverse of box inlet or dis
charge.
14.2.8.2 Airflow Adjustment
Adjust total airflow using components provided as fol
lows:
a. Pressure Independent:
 Adjust the controller to achieve design
maximum airflow. Index the VAV box
to minimum (heating) and adjust the
controller to achieve design minimum
airflow.
b. Pressure Dependent:
Adjust maximum airflow by using one of the fol
lowing:
 Adjust the stops or limiting devices on
the actuator operated damper in the
VAV box.
 Adjust the manual volume damper in
the primary air inlet or VAV box dis
charge.
 Index the VAV box to the minimum
position. Adjust minimum airflow us
ing stops or position limiting devices
on the actuator operated damper in the
VAV box.
14.2.8.3 Downstream Ductwork
After the total airflow is adjusted, index the VAV box
to maximum (cooling) position and balance down
stream duct system terminal outlets.