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AABC Eastern Regional TAB Seminar
March 25, Baltimore, MD (in conjunction with NFMT 2025)
A one-day regional seminar designed for building operators, engineers, and commissioning providers who want to learn more about testing & balancing and get practical information to help improve project performance.
Sponsored by: American Testing, Inc. | Baumgartner, Inc. | Integra Testing
American Testing, Inc., founded in 1984, is an AABC/ACG Certified independent testing and balancing agency dedicated to providing professional personnel, expertise, and instrumentation to maximize HVAC system operations, efficiency, and performance.
Baumgartner, Inc. is an independent testing company certified by the Associated Air Balance Council (AABC) and the Associated Air Balance Council Commissioning Group (ACG). We specialize in providing unbiased, professional testing, balancing, and commissioning of systems in educational, commercial, institutional, and industrial facilities. Our training, experience, and continuing education allow us to bring a high level of technical expertise and professional performance to each job we undertake. Our approach is “system” and “team” oriented. We look at the whole picture with all members of the project as active participants.
At Integra, we are building national reach with a commitment to local roots and high-touch experiences. Leveraging our extensive national testing network of trained professionals, we ensure facilities are operating with safety, compliance, efficiency and performance in mind.
Limited Sponsorship Opportunities are available! Contact Anna Kosova: [email protected] for details.
Who Should Attend?
Building Operators | Facility Managers | Design Engineers | MEP Engineers | Commissioning Providers | HVAC Testing Professionals
Attendee registration opens in January 2025
Preliminary Schedule
Thursday March 25
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Technical Session
10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Technical Session
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Technical Session
12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Technical Session
2:15 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Technical Session
Attendees earn AIA LU, USGBC LEED General Education, CxA and EMP continuing education credits for presentations.
Hotel & Travel Information
AABC Eastern Regional TAB Seminar
March 25, Baltimore, MD (in conjunction with NFMT 2025)
A one-day regional seminar designed for building operators, engineers, and commissioning providers who want to learn more about testing & balancing and get practical information to help improve project performance.
Technical program
- 8:30 am – 9:30 am
Pre-TAB for Engineered Designs
Brendon Burley, PhD, P.E., LEED AP, BKM
Jeremy Johnson, TBE, CxA, American Testing, Inc.
The session will cover both the methodologies employed by the balancing agent to gather crucial information, and insights from the consulting engineer on leveraging this data within the design process. Together, they will explore the valuable yet often unspecified information that significantly impacts the design phase.
Learning objectives:
- Define steps to set pre-construction Testing & Balancing goals for optimal system performance.
- Demonstrate configuring air terminal devices and hot water coils with precision for effective testing.
- Explore the role of balancing in troubleshooting HVAC systems, emphasizing issue identification and resolution.
- Identify key information for air moving devices, focusing on data critical for 50001 certification standards.
- 8:30 am – 9:30 am
Healthcare Facilities: Building a team for routine compliance
Brian Venn, TBE, CxA, Mechanical Testing, Inc., an Integra Company
There are many challenges that come with managing healthcare facilities, but building a collaborative team can help overcome them to achieve compliance. This presentation will explore some of these challenges and solutions for compliance, including who should be a part of the team, the standards that need to be met, and the importance of vendor collaboration to facility success.
Learning objectives:
- Understanding the Challenges of Healthcare Facility managers
- Who are the critical team members
- What standards need to be met for compliance
- Vendor collaboration is vital to facility success
- 8:30 am – 9:30 am
Specifying Duct Leakage – Percent Leakage vs Leakage Class
Mike Kelly, TBE, CxA, American Testing, Inc.
Energy efficiency is a main concern for HVAC systems relating to Duct system leakage. The concerning question is how the engineer specifies duct leakage in specifications.
Learning objectives:
- Know and understand the different standards : AABC Leakage Standards / SMACNA Seal Class A / ASHRAE 90.1 / California Uniform Mechanical Code.
- Be familiar with how to decipher the allowed leakage rate when using SMACNA leakage class.
- Able to do a comparison of AABC %leakage standards to System Test CFM vs Duct Section CFM (Cumulative leakage rate) utilizing actual rates.
- Be able to explain the considerations for Energy Loses & Cost.
- 8:30 am – 9:30 am
Testing & Balancing: Expectations and Realities
Joseph E. Baumgartner, III P.E., TBE, CxA, Baumgartner, Inc.
Testing and balancing is a necessary step in ensuring that systems are functioning properly, and an independent TAB agency is an important part of the project team. This presentation will cover essential aspects of testing and balancing such as specifications, drawings, fan and pump curves, and common challenges encountered during the testing and balancing process. Participants will learn the requirements of a successful performance specification and the most relevant information to include in drawings. This session will also discuss fan testing, pump operation, and system effect, as well as providing an overview of challenges that often arise with scheduling, access, and equipment.
Learning objectives:
- Understand the TAB agency’s role as part of the project team.
- Understand and develop TAB performance specifications.
- Create drawings that provide the necessary information.
- Recognize and resolve challenges that arise with scheduling, access, and equipment.
Preliminary Schedule
Tuesday March 25
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Technical Session
10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Technical Session
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Technical Session
12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Technical Session
2:15 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Technical Session
Attendees earn AIA LU, USGBC LEED General Education, CxA and EMP continuing education credits for presentations.
Baumgartner, Inc. is an independent testing company certified by the Associated Air Balance Council (AABC) and the AABC Commissioning Group (ACG). We specialize in providing unbiased, professional testing, balancing, and commissioning of systems in educational, commercial, institutional, and industrial facilities. Our training, experience, and continuing education allow us to bring a high level of technical expertise and professional performance to each job we undertake. Our approach is “system” and “team” oriented. We look at the whole picture with all members of the project as active participants.
Hotel & Travel Information
Baltimore Hilton-Inner Harbor
401 West Pratt Street | Baltimore, MD 21201
Rate: $284 per night + taxes & fees
Location: Connected to the Baltimore Convention Center via an indoor sky bridge.
Hyatt Regency Baltimore Inner Harbor
300 Light Street | Baltimore, MD 21202
Rate: $199 per night + taxes & fees
Location: Next to the Baltimore Convention Center with a connected outdoor walkway. Great option for Exhibitors for easy access through the BCC Public Safety Entrance.
Who Should Attend?
Building Operators | Facility Managers | Design Engineers | MEP Engineers | Commissioning Providers | HVAC Testing Professionals
- 8:30 am – 9:30 am
Preventive Medicine—Commissioning for a Healthy & Safe Building
Joe Hardy, TBE, Augusta Air Balance Company, LLC
Mike Kelly, TBE, CxA, American Testing, Inc.
Using the various phases of the commissioning process, i.e. design, construction, start-up, and final occupancy, we will review what the Project Construction Team, (TAB, Commissioning Agent, Contractors, Engineer and Architect) might look for during those times. Recommendations and/or requirements from the various entities governing Healthy and Safe buildings will be included as well as issues surrounding the transmission of disease and the short/long term effects of exposure to various atmospheric contaminants such as mold/mildew, pollen, dust, smoke, and VOCs.
Learning objectives:
- Explaining the process and intent of mitigating Disease Spread (Not just COVID 19) within Bldgs
- Environmental Systems and how they are the frontline to controlling VOC’s, Wildfire Smoke among other contaminants.
- Minimizing Exposures during construction, TAB, Cx and acceptance testing processes
- Principles behind “Building Flush” and possibilities to “Flush” beyond initial building acceptance due to atmospheric contaminants are always occurring.
- 9:45 am – 10:45 am
Recommendations for Periodic Testing, Adjusting and Balancing of Existing Buildings
Gaylon Richardson, TBE, CxA, Engineered Air Balance Co., Inc.
Existing, occupied buildings can benefit greatly from the TAB process. Over time, changes in building occupancy and usage, equipment aging, repairs, and modifications made (or not made) by operations and maintenance personnel can slowly degrade the performance of a building’s systems. Targeted testing and adjustments where necessary can have a significant positive impact on a building’s performance and efficiency, or in some cases highlight when a complete rebalance may be the wisest course of action.
Learning objectives:
- What Kind of Maintenance Programs Are In Place?
- Periodic Tests Required by Codes/ Standards
- Since Substantial Completion of the Building What Has Been Changed?
- AABC Recommendations For Testing Existing Buildings
- 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Healthcare Airflow Design: TAB/Cx Partnership in Auditing for Compliance and Efficiency
Mike Schowengerdt, CxA, RSACx, an Integra Company
Eric Grundmeier, TBE, RSAnalysis, an Integra Company
Explore critical airflow design auditing in healthcare facilities, from micro-level room scrutiny to macro-level building dynamics. Learn about ASHRAE 170 parameters: ACH, Minimum ACH, Pressure Relationship, and CFM Differential. Discover the significance of room-level airflow design for optimal patient safety. Recognize the complexities of late-stage design revisions and the benefits of early airflow design audits. Understand how overlooked factors, like ceiling height changes, can affect HVAC equipment sizing, emphasizing the importance of early audits.
Learning objectives:
- Summarize ASHRAE 170 parameters for healthcare airflow design: ACH, Minimum ACH, Pressure Relationship, and CFM Differential.
- Understand the vital role of micro/macro level airflow design audits for patient safety and compliance.
- Recognize challenges from late-stage design revisions, stressing the importance of early solutions.
- Explore the collaborative approach of Cx authorities and TAB teams in ensuring HVAC system efficiency and safety.
- Noon – 1:00 pm Lunch
- 1:15 pm – 2:15 pm
Got to Be a Balance Issue - Balancing a Medical Research Building After Three Years
Jimmy Pelezo, TBE, Engineered Air Balance Co., Inc.
Justin Garner, PE, TBE, CxA, Engineered Air Balance Co., Inc.
Today’s test and balance engineers need to be versed in the troubleshooting of complex and dynamic VAV Air Handling systems. Buildings are being designed and retrofit with the energy conscious owner in mind with static pressure re-sets and hydronic turndown. These complex control sequences look good on paper but in the end need tweaking and monitoring over time.
Learning objectives:
- Issues with startup and control for a dynamic variable volume Air Handling System.
- Identifying system static pressure drivers and documenting dynamic systems with multiple static pressure setpoints.
- Troubleshooting building issues using a TAB report and the importance of a TAB report to Owners.
- Common failure points on dynamically controlled Air Handling Systems utilizing airflow measuring stations for return modulation.
- 2:30 pm – 3:00 pm
AABC Fume Hood Standard Update
Mike Morwin, TBE, CxA, Mechanical Testing, Inc.
Josh Green, TBE, CxA, Environmental Test & Balance Company
Learning objectives:
- Understand the key technical points of AABC's new stand-alone fume hood testing standard.
- Gain insight into the development process of AABC's new fume hood testing standard.
- Explore the upcoming AABC certification program and its relationship to the new standard.
- Identify the primary components and considerations involved in the AABC certification program's development.
- 3:15 pm – 3:45 pm
Doing More With Your Mechanical Plans
Derek Hedrick, Ameritech Data Solutions
One of the most important documents, if not the most important, is the Mechanical Plans. They are utilized from the beginning of the project to the final report submission. This lesson will discuss how TAB & Cx Firms can be more efficient in utilizing those plans and hopefully get away from some of those “But we have always done it that way” philosophy. We will cover automating the take off process utilized in the Estimating Procedure and the Mark Up and Data collection from the Field Data Collection Standpoint.
Learning objectives:
- Be able to utilize the mechanical drawing and an automation program to “Count” objects.
- Utilize those counts in an Estimate sheet to generate a Quote.
- Be able to utilize the mechanical drawing and an automation program to identify system objects by color, shape, and layer.
- Utilize the Marked Up drawing to streamline the data collection process.
