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Maximize Your HVAC System's Performance

Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing Services

Air Balancing Services

All HVAC systems must undergo air balancing to ensure proper operation and performance. Even the most efficiently designed and expertly built HVAC system cannot operate at optimal levels without a proper air balance. At Integra, we perform air balancing as part of a Total System Balance (TSB).

Key Benefits of Air Balancing:

  • Prolong the life of equipment and reduce maintenance costs.
  • Create and maintain a comfortable environment.
  • Improve indoor air quality to create a healthier environment.
  • Increase energy efficiency and decrease monthly utility expenses.

Our Air Balance Process:

Our certified field technicians are experienced in all facets of mechanical systems and well versed in all types of control systems to ensure specified design criteria is attained and optimum final results are achieved.  We provide accurate, repeatable test data in a  certified report on each system’s final performance, noting variations from the original design and any potential implications.

HVAC systems have sophisticated automatic controls to operate equipment and maintain heating, cooling and ventilation throughout a building. Adherence to established Testing and Balancing procedures is essential. It ensures operation in accordance with the design intent for both performance and efficiency.

Testing is performed to determine the quantitative performance of equipment. Balancing devices in air and water systems are adjusted to specified design quantities.

Airtightness testing is a process in which the building envelope is tested to quantify the airtightness. The test measures air leakage rates through a building envelope under controlled pressurization and depressurization. Building testing is a performance-based option that many designers are requiring. Requirements for whole building testing are mandatory in the State of Washington, the United States General Services Administration, and all United States Army Corps of Engineers projects.

There are many standards worldwide detailing the performance of these tests.

We provide comprehensive Testing, Adjusting and Balancing for healthcare facilities. Results are recorded electronically on the Joint Commission or Department of Public Health forms for compliance review. Plus, Integra performs required quarterly testing to ensure proper ventilation rates are maintained in compliance with Joint Commission and DPH standards.  We also maintain a library of all prior testing for reference.

Whole Building Pressure Testing / Zone & Component Leak Testing

The building envelope is tested to determine the effectiveness of air barriers and the presence of openings. A building’s walls, roof, doors and windows are all subject to air and water leakage, thermal transfer, and expansion and contraction. During building envelope testing, leakage rates are measured under controlled pressurization and depressurization. This performance based option is now required by many designers and is directly tied to building energy use and occupant comfort.

Integra Testing utilizes Blower Doors as an extremely accurate method of assessing the building envelope. A fan that mounts into door frames, the blower door creates a pressure differential to expose envelope leakage, which is then measured using a pressure gauge.

We also have the capability to use thermographic imaging to produce visual representations of these envelope weaknesses, allowing our technicians to pinpoint problem areas and recommend optimal solutions.

The Total System Balance (TSB) process ensures that systems will operate as the design team intended.  Some of the steps include the following:

  • Work with the control contractor to ensure a mutual understanding of the intended performance.
  • Verify all controllers and sensors are calibrated and functioning.
  • Verify the sequence of operation is in compliance with design documents.
  • Verify systems perform through all modes of operation.

Excessive duct leakage can increase operational costs and dramatically reduce the performance of your HVAC system. Duct leakage testing measures the air leakage from installed ductwork against the Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA) performance standards.

Fume hood testing is completed after the initial installation of the hood system, but it should also occur after any service work. Recurring fume hood testing ensures proper performance. Fume hood testing includes system inspection and measurements of air face velocities and sash height positioning. Certified hoods are labeled with a certification sticker containing the testing information, the technician’s name and the date. In addition, we maintain a recorded history of all fume hood tests for future reference.

Integra works with owners, consulting engineers and contractors to review plans and shop drawings for proper location of air and hydronic balancing devices. An HVAC system can only perform at its highest efficiency when these devices are properly installed and set.  Identifying these locations during the planning process saves installing contractors time and money and ensures schedules can be met during the TAB and commissioning process.

HVAC hydronic  systems utilize fluids as a medium for the flow of energy through the system. Uncontrolled flow rates can result in fluctuating temperatures and pressures, causing temperature control issues. Whether it’s a chilled, hot (heating or domestic), or condenser water system, for a hydronic system to function per design intent, it must undergo proper hydronic testing and balancing by a certified technician.

Key Benefits of Hydronic Balancing

  • Create a more comfortable indoor climate.
  • Allows automatic control systems and components to function properly.
  • Maximize the life expectancy of HVAC equipment.
  • Increase energy efficiency and optimize energy costs.

Our Hydronic Balance Process:

Our certified field technicians are experienced in all facets of HVAC hydronic systems and control programs.  Using detailed procedures and analysis,  we are able to  make appropriate adjustments to meet specified criteria and optimize performance. We provide an accurate certified report on each system’s final performance, noting deviations from design and potential implications.

A pump efficiency test measures various aspects of the pump’s operation including:

  • Water flow rate
  • Pumping lift (or inlet pressure)
  • Pump discharge pressure
  • Energy input to the pumping plant

The overall pumping efficiency is determined by comparing the energy input to the pump versus the “water horsepower” developed by the pump. The water horsepower is related to the pump flow and total dynamic head (pumping lift and discharge pressure) in the system.

Regular pump testing provides important information in order to:

  • Identify problems before a breakdown occurs
  • Perform an objective economic analysis about retrofitting and repairing
  • Establish a baseline of performance on new pumps

Room integrity testing is a method to measure the leakage of a room or enclosure that has a fire suppression system. The test creates pressure within the room and monitors how long the gas agent can stay in the room to put out the fire. Room integrity testing is recognized by the NFPA and should be done at least every 12 months.

Depending on use, the federal government, local codes or project specifications may specify maximum allowable levels of sound and vibration generated by HVAC equipment. Integra Testing provides the necessary testing and analysis of equipment-generated sound and vibration.

Temperature and humidity are not only relevant in a space being comfortable, but are imperative to critical spaces such as data centers, operating rooms, some manufacturing facilities, etc. Failure of proper temperature and humidity in a space can lead to equipment failures, inability to safely operate on patients, defects in manufactured products, etc.

Computer labs, server rooms, and data centers often have raised access floor (RAF) pressurized plenum systems for cable management and air distribution. When plenum systems leak air, proper plenum pressurization is compromised, which leads to wasted energy, poor system performance, and decreased comfort levels throughout the space.

How We Can Help:

Our team of expert certified field technicians are experienced in performing underfloor plenum testing to identify areas where leakage occurs. By testing, documenting, and assisting the construction team, we can ensure that plenums are installed properly to minimize leakage.

Integra strives to own and maintain the most cutting edge technology in instrumentation. One example of this instrumentation is “ultrasonic flow measurement”. Ultrasonic flow measurement is ideal for flow surveys and closed-pipe applications where non-invasive measurement of liquids is required.

Examples of applications include:

  • Water, including hot water, chilled water, city water, sea water, etc.
  • Sewage and drainage water with small particle quantity.
  • Oil, including crude oil, lubricating oil, diesel oil, fuel oil, etc
  • Chemicals, including alcohol, acids, etc.
  • Solvents
  • Beverage and food processors
  • HVAC hot and cool water, water/glycol solutions
  • Water and waste treatment
  • Power plants (nuclear power plants, thermal & hydropower plants), heat energy boiler feed water
  • Energy consumption supervision and water conservation management
  • Metallurgy and mining applications (e.g., acid recovery)
  • Marine operation and maintenance
  • Pulp and paper
  • Pipeline leak detection, inspection, tracking and collection
  • Energy measurement and balancing
  • Water distribution network monitoring