Air Balancing Commissioning

Meier Architecture • Engineering is dedicated to providing air and HVAC system balancing. Regardless of project size, our goal has always been to provide accurate, reliable and efficient HVAC air and system balancing services.

With commissioning, Meier Architecture • Engineering's objective is to ensure that the building systems and equipment are installed in accordance with contract documents, and that they operate as intended by the project design team. By setting rigid standards, building owners will be assured that commissioned systems will be fully operational and will operate at designed efficiency.

System Experience. Our project experience has involved facilities of all sizes and types of HVAC systems, including:

Columbia Basin Community College:  WISE & T-Building
Meier's scope of work included the commissioning for the mechanical systems of a $28 million Washington Institute of Science Education (WISE) and T-Building Remodel Project. The project responsibilities included reviewing the HVAC system design, developing a commissioning plan and functional test plan, coordinating the acceptance testing with the building contractors, guiding resolution of start-up related issues and reporting to the client.

Richland School District:  Hanford High School
Meier's scope of work entailed serving as Commissioning Agent for a remodel and new construction project for a high school. The commissioning contract amount was $75,000 for this project. Additional scope details included review of the HVAC system’s design to verify that the documents contained sufficient information to ensure proper start-up and commissioning of these systems (i.e. indication of air and water flowrates, indication of adequate quantities and locations of dampers and valves, description of control system sequences of operation and including of specifications for necessary equipment start-up, adjustment and owner training). Additional responsibilities included preparing specifications for commissioning requirements for inclusion in the construction documents; attend pre-bid meetings and respond to any questions that may arise from prospective contractors regarding specified commissioning requirements; attend preconstruction meetings to identify commissioning team members; prepare a construction-phase commissioning plan; review equipment submittals for compliance with the construction documents and the commissioning plan; conduct periodic site visits during construction; witness equipment start-up, air and water balancing, and control system functional testing activities; review operation and maintenance manuals; coordinate training sessions for Owner; and prepare a final commissioning report summarizing all commissioning activities for turnovers to the owner.

Walla Walla Community College:  Water and Environmental Learning Center
The Basic Skills and Computer Lab Addition is a 7,200 SF, two-story, slab-on-grade structure primarily constructed of concrete to match the existing structure.  Meier installed all of the mechanical systems and commissioned the following systems: an energy management and control system, air distribution and ductwork, chillers and associated piping, a hydronic hot water system, terminal heat units, exhaust fans, water pumps and a fire alarm system.  The commissioning plan identified the specific inspections, tests, and tasks prerequisite to the functional testing of the HVAC systems.  The plan ensured and documented that all permits and inspections were in place prior to start-up tasks; all aspects of the system were calibrated and tested in each applicable operating mode; and that the testing, adjusting and balancing of air delivery systems provided occupant comfort and efficient system operation.

 

Other Services

We have also balanced specialty air systems such as laboratory systems with capture hoods and make-up air systems. Other testing services available include duct pressure testing and testing of electrical, fire protection, plumbing, and other support utility systems.