I was reminded recently of the value of testing, adjusting, and balancing (TAB) coordination for enhancing the efficiency and success of HVAC commissioning. Balancing of all air and water flows serving HVAC equipment is critical for realizing the performance required of that equipment. No amount of commissioning can make an unbalanced system work.
Therefore, successful TAB completion and documentation is a prerequisite for starting HVAC system functional performance testing. In many projects, even though TAB is far from trivial, TAB contractors are typically not well integrated into the project team. Regardless of who holds the TAB contract (e.g., mechanical contractor, general contractor, construction manager, or owner), the TAB contractor is often the last person brought onto a job site. Unfortunately, that is sometimes at or after the substantial completion date.