TAB Requirement???????

[skull13]

Hello All,
.
I am a superintendent for a multifamily property. We just received notice days before our turnover that they requiring a test and balance for each individual unit. There are 77 units.


2018 IBC section 403.3.1.1 (and 403.3.1.5), that validation of your Mechanical Engineers design has been met in the field. Please provide a Test and Balance report for “each occupiable space” (In each occupiable space, the ventilation system shall be designed to deliver the required rate of outdoor airflow to the breathing zone.) prior to final approval of each space or buildings mechanical system

The above code statement is per the city. Is this a necessary standard, or is there something I can do to fight what they are requesting? Any feedback or information is greatly appreciated.

Thank You

 

[arwat23]

Is there a building permit?

I think they mean IMC. IBC 403.1.1 talks about riser location (see image below), and IBC 403.3.1.5 doesn't exist.

I don't know how often testing and balancing is required. My knowledge starts and ends at construction / building permits. If construction recently happened, then yes, testing is typically required. All the projects I work on that affect HVAC require testing and balancing.

 

[JPohling]

Yes, mechanical code. I assume required testing and commissioning of new permitted system's. Ask your mechanical engineer

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

We require a balancing report for any new or modified HVAC system in a commercial structure.

 

[TheCommish]

Tis is a mechanical code requirement for HVAC systems, 2015 IMC


403.3.1.5 Balancing
The ventilation air distribution system shall be provided with means to adjust the system to achieve not less than the minimum ventilation airflow rate as required by Sections 403.3 and 403.3.1.2. Ventilation systems shall be balanced by an approved method. Such balancing shall verify that the ventilation system is capable of supplying and exhausting the airflow rates required by Sections 403.3 and 403.3.1.2.

 

[BN4537]

I have found it's also usually required by a blurb buried in the page or two of dense writing in the mechanical section of the plans.

 

[Sifu]

Some AHJ's require them to be submitted as a closing doc. Some require them to be reviewed prior to mechanical final. Some don't know what they are. In one of my previous AHJ's they wanted them reviewed, which I did, hundreds of times. I found deviations from the mechanical design at least 50% of the time when I compared the balance report to the plans even with a 10% allowable deviation. In another AHJ we were made to verify they were on site at mechanical final, but as I recall that was it. No review, just "provide a paper that says you did it". Currently I have no AHJ's that I work for asking for them to be reviewed, pretty sure none ask for them at all. I don't poke that bear, I have enough to do. But, they are justified.

Sounds like you should have been aware, or made aware before things got to this point. BN4537 is also correct, I think I see the requirement in most mechanical design specs. So whether it has to be approved by the AHJ or not, the spec would say they must be provided.