What is air balance testing, and when is it performed?

What is air balance testing, and when is it performed?

• A. Painting walls
• B. Verification of HVAC pressure relationships and airflow; performed before activating containment zones and after modifications to confirm target pressures are achieved
• C. Inventory check
• D. Staff training

Answer: (B)

Air balance testing is the process of verifying that the building’s HVAC system creates and maintains the intended air movements and pressure relationships between spaces. This ensures containment zones stay at the required negative or positive pressures to prevent contaminants from spreading. It’s done at key times: before a containment zone is activated so you can confirm the system can reach and hold the target pressures, and after any changes or modifications to the HVAC system or surrounding spaces to confirm those target pressures are still being met. Measurements typically include differential pressures between rooms and sometimes airflow rates, using appropriate testing equipment. This is not about painting, inventory checks, or training.

Air balance testing is the process of verifying that the building’s HVAC system creates and maintains the intended air movements and pressure relationships between spaces. This ensures containment zones stay at the required negative or positive pressures to prevent contaminants from spreading.

It’s done at key times: before a containment zone is activated so you can confirm the system can reach and hold the target pressures, and after any changes or modifications to the HVAC system or surrounding spaces to confirm those target pressures are still being met. Measurements typically include differential pressures between rooms and sometimes airflow rates, using appropriate testing equipment. This is not about painting, inventory checks, or training.