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Testing and Balancing Commissioning Hong Kong
John Herbert
Director
Testing and Commissioning a new building is a multi-stage
process designed to ensure that the building handover to
client is operating as intended, before substantial
completion (SC), so understanding those systems is a
neccessity. We help contractors, developers, and owners
undertake commissioning processes that deliver higher
quality buildings, compared with building without Cx
process.
Test and Balance
Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing, also known as TAB,
are part of the whole process often called testing and
commissioning process. T&C does not start at the end
of the project, different systems have procedures, that
need to be carried progressively during the project, some
examples might include:
After electrical and lighting first fix, the installation is inspected and continunity and insulation (mega) testing can be carried out.
After electrical motor first fix, the motor installation is inspected and windings insulation test can be carried out.
After hydraulic piping first fix, the installation is inspected and hydraulic pressure test and flushing out can be carried out.
After gas first fix, the installation is inspected and pressure test can be carried out.
After ductwork first fix the installation is inspected, and depending on the specification and pressure rating of the ductwork, pressure tests can be carried out for the medimum and high pressure systems.
After refrigeration first fix, the installation is inspected, flushed out, and nitrogen pressure test can be carried out.
In all cases, irrespective of the contractor(s) installing the
systems, the results of the testing and balancing inspection, and
recorded measurements are logged to form part of the commissioning
report delivered to the building owner at the end of project.
Similar to the first fix, after the second fix installation
is complete, the works are inpsected, tests are carried out,
in preparation for the adjusting and balancing processes.
It is worth noting that some specifications require equipment to
the tested by the manufacturer in the factory before the equipment
is approved for transportation, for example, HVAC chillers,
Air Aandling Units, refrigeration units, pressure vessels,
switchboards, etc. it also known as FAT (Factory Acceptance
Testing) and often witnessed by the building owner.
CX Process
After the basic testing is finished, and the basic components
are connected and assembled into functional systems, then
each system undegoes is own inspection to ensure all the
necessary equipment is provided, installed, and engergized.
Each system has different measures and methods for
adjustment and fine tuning, to ensure the completed
package conforms with the design intent.
Completed hydaulic systems, such as chilled water, and air
distribution systems require balancing before finally
adjusting the system prime mover, then system
intergration testing is carried out.
Systems with equipment such as pumps that provide different
levels of performance shall be be measured, compared with
the design intent, and where necessary adjusted to match the
requirement.
Once the initial test and balance is complete, sometimes called
pre-commissioning, functional tests are carried out to ensure
the overall performance of system(s) achieve the design intent.
For example, after the electrical, controls, chiller plant,
chilled water pumps, and air handling units are operating
and adjusted, the temperature and humidity conditions in
the space are measured to demonstrate that the system(s)
functions correctly.
Above: Unstable room temperature recorded
What's next, if you need testing and balancing supervision
for your project call us today!
