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Baltimore Air Balance Company works as an integral part of the team composed of some or all of the following: the Owner, Architect and Mechanical Engineer, General Contractor, Mechanical Contractor and Equipment Supplier.
Because design concepts, plans and specifications, equipment performance and field conditions may not reflect ideal or compatible solutions, we utilize our experience to review our scope of work and identify or correct any problems prior to commencement of construction.
Identifying issues at an early stage is the most cost effective approach to Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Systems. During construction, BABCO continues to advise of issues or potential problems. But our commitment does not end there. After commissioning, BABCO may train maintenance personnel, implement preventive maintenance programs, and review operating manuals.
BABCO is not responsible for the design, selection, specification or installation of HVAC systems. However, because of our extensive field experience, when BABCO is retained our technicians can often identify problem areas at the earliest stage of design or construction. We then inform the client (Owner, General or Mechanical Contractor, Architect or Engineer) of any issues based on our experience which would have a material bearing on system performance.
In existing systems where renovation, replacement or substitution of PHVAC systems is required, BABCO may perform testing services and develop a record of existing conditions compared to original conditions. This establishes the extent of system deterioration and reduced efficiency. These analyses measure the effect of extended use, modifications or changes, and energy conservation programs, may determine design performance versus actual, and may be used to establish baseline operating data.
BABCO conducts Testing, Adjusting and Balancing, often called “TAB Reports”, for attaining required performance of heating, ventilating, air conditioning and water systems. BABCO utilizes unique, professionally calibrated instruments to measure pressure, temperature, electrical characteristic, rotational speed, and velocity of air and water. These instruments measure, among other things, airflow, hydronic flow, rotation, temperature, electrical performance and communications.
Equipment installation contractors install HVAC equipment for BABCO to test, adjust and balance. Start up reports for equipment are developed and issued, usually by the General Contractor or Construction Manager. The Mechanical Contractor coordinates HVAC installation, sheet metal, temperature control and related systems and provides documentation that components have been installed and are operating; fans, pumps and refrigeration components produce the scheduled capacities; and duct systems have been tested. The temperature control contractor installs the operational system, equipment and software to permit adjustment.
Thereafter, BABCO adjusts and sets volume controls to attain the required air distribution, pressure and temperature in the supply, return and exhaust of air systems. Belt driven fans are adjusted to achieve desired airflow. Air distribution of duct systems is tested for performance and leakage. Pumps, valves and flow devices for water distribution are similarly tested, adjusted and balanced. Any noise or vibration identified within the system is reported to the client. Dampers, valves, fans and pumps are adapted to reach specified design performance and efficiency. System flows are regulated and balanced to attain the desired flow. BABCO technicians coordinate and verify and report of the work contractors and suppliers.
When construction is complete, but prior to commissioning of the project, mechanical and electrical systems must be verified as installed pursuant to plans, specifications and contract documents, and that they operate as contemplated by the designers. Encompassed within the review are HVAC, plumbing, fire protection, electrical, energy conservation and building management. BABCO test system components under various load conditions according to plans, specs and design criteria. Performance of the following may be included: Duct systems, hydronic piping systems; boilers, chillers, condensers and cooling towers; pumps; coils and heat exchangers; refrigeration equipment; steam piping; variable air volume; dual duct and multizone systems; induction units; exhaust systems; smoke management and existence of duct leaks. BABCO’s services do not include labor and materials to replace, repair, install or change motors, fans or pump drives including belts, sheaves, couplings, starters, heater coils and wiring, dampers and valves. Such services, since not typically under our scope, may only be provided under a special contract or change order, and under limited conditions.
As noted under DESIGN PHASE-EXISTING CONSTRUCTION, our responsibility does not end when the project is complete. BABCO is often called upon, after several years of system operation, to measure and evaluate HVAC systems after actual conditions of use to make recommendations for improving system performance. A similar review may be indicated where major addition, expansion or renovation to existing construction is contemplated.
Baltimore Air Balance Company has a wide range and breadth of experience in air and water balancing. A partial listing of projects completed or in process since 2000 includes:
1 AAHS
2 Accomack County Courthouse
3 Alban Towers
4 American Red Cross Headquarters
5 American University Greenberg Theater
6 Alexandria Waste Water Treatment Plant
7 Andrews Air Force Base Medical-Dental Center Bldg. 3755
8 Anne Arundel County Crime Lab
9 Anne Arundel Medical Center
10 Arlington Hospital
11 Baltimore City
12 BWI Airport
13 Banneker Elementary School
14 Belgian Embassy
15 BEQ Marine Barracks
16 Bethesda Metro Office Building
17 Blue Plains Waste Water Treatment Plant
18 Bolling Air Force Base
19 Calvert County Hospital
20 Carmody Hills Elementary School
21 College of Southern Maryland
22 Crofton Woods Elementary School
23 Discovery Communications Headquarters
24 Dulles Heating & Cooling Plant
25 Dulles Town Center Mall
26 1800 G Street
27 1801 N. Lynn Street
28 Erickson Retirment Community
29 Federal Reserve Bank of Baltimore
30 Federal Trade Commission
31 Fort Belvoir-Police Verification Center
1 Fort Detrick-Anthrax Facility
2 Fort Meade-Building S2
3 Fort McNair-Building 21
4 Freddie Mac Headquarters-Phase 4
5 Gallaudet College Student Union
6 George Washington University-Mount Vernon
7 Gonzaga Jesuit Rectory
8 Heritage Center, Phase 4
9 Heritage High School
10 High Point Elementary School
11 Hillmar Elementary School
12 Hilltop Elementary School
13 Huntington Elementary School
14 J. Edgar Hoover F.B.I. Headquarters
15 James Forrestal Building
16 J. W. Powell Building
17 Kelly Miller Middle School
18 Kent Garden Elementary School
19 Lafayette Building
20 Leisure World
21 Leonardtown High School
22 Lincoln Square Office Building
23 Loudoun County Judiciary Center
24 Magnuistics Building
25 Malcolm Gro Medical Center
26 Marriott Residence Inn
27 Marylander Apartments
28 McClean Bible Church
29 New Arlington Elementary School
30 National Association of Home Builders Headquarters
31 National Aeronautics and Space Administration Bldg. 23
32 National Cathedral School for Girls
33 National Institute of Health Poolesville Utility Fire Station
34 National Zoo Restaurant
35 Nigerian Chancery
36 Nitmac Building
37 North County High School
38 Northwest Federal Credit Union
39 Northwestern High School
40 Park View High School
41 Pascal Senior Center
42 Pentagon Metro Entrance
43 Prince George’s County Administration Building
44 Prince George’s Correctional Center
45 Piney Orchard Elementary School
46 Pinnacle Towers South
47 Randle Highlands Elementary School
48 Reston Fire House
49 Reston Hospital
50 Rock Creek Elementary School
51 Rockville High School
52 Quantico U. S. Marine Base
53 675 E Street Office Building
54 799 9th Street
55 St. Anne’s Parish House
56 St. Mary’s College Somerset Hall
57 St. John’s College Residence Hall
58 Severna Park High School
59 Stafford High School
60 State of Maryland James Senate Office Building
61 State of Maryland Department of General Services
62 Strathmore Concert Hall
63 Sofitel Hotel
64 Shady Side Elementary School
65 Sri Shi Vishnu Temple
66 Tysons II Office Building
67 University of the District of Columbia
68 University of Maryland College Park – Bio Science Building, Chemistry Building, Dorm E, Geology Building, Kim Engineering Building, McKelding-Hornbake Building, Scub Building
69 U. S. Army Corps of Engineers
70 U. S. Bureau of Printing & Engraving
71 U. S. Capitol West
72 U. S. Central Intelligence Agency – North & South Penthouses
73 U. S. Department of Agriculture Germ Plasm Building
74 U. S. Department of Defense – Pentagon Building
75 U. S. Department of Transportation – Federal Aviation Building
76 U. S. Department of State Employees Service Center
77 U. S. Fish & Wildlife Services
78 U. S. FOB 2, FOB 10B
79 U. S. Health Service Phases 8 & 9
80 U. S. Library of Congress
81 U. S. Naval Academy – Bancroft Hall, Michelson Hall, Richover Building, Mitscher Building
82 U. S. Naval Research Laboratories Building 54
83 U. S. UHS
84 U. S Postal Service – Brentwood Station, Trenton Station
85 Walter Reed Hospital
86 Washington Golf & Country Club
87 Watergate Apartments
88 West Friendship Elementary School
89 Wheaton Woods Elementary School
90 Willard Office Building
91 Woodward & Lothrop
92 World Trade Center – Baltimore
93 Yellowfin Restaurant
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