Skip to main content

Baseline Test and Periodic Tests for an Industrial Ventilation System

Image
By on

 

Three sections in this blog post:

  1. The value of obtaining ventilation test data, 
  2. Baseline Test, 
  3. Periodic Tests. 
Periodic Test on an Industrial Ventilation System


When Airvate did air balancing, trouble-shooting, field survey, and whole system evaluation of an industrial ventilation and dust collection system, we always recommended customers to obtain baseline test results after any new system is installed and to do periodic system tests to any existing system.

The designer, installer, or their subcontractor should conduct the first, baseline, system test right after a system is installed. The system provider should provide evidence that the system is operating according to its design specifications.

Periodic tests should also be made throughout the life of the system to ensure continuing performance, detect problems in the system, and monitor the effects of any changes in ventilation or in production practices.

The value of obtaining ventilation test data is noted in the following applications:

  1. To record the initial performance of the system and determine if it is functioning in accordance with specifications.
  2. To determine the degree of compliance with applicable codes or trade association standards.
  3. To provide data on which to base any necessary changes to the system.
  4. To obtain data to assist in the design of future systems.
  5. To determine whether the system has sufficient capacity for additional ductwork or other alterations.
  6. To obtain data through periodic checks to determine when maintenance or repairs are necessary.

Baseline Test

Airvate follows the recommended procedure and suggestions by ACGIH to do a baseline test:
  1. Review the system specifications and drawings to determine the relative locations and sizes of ducts, fittings, and associated system components. Where possible, pertinent prints should be carried to the test site.
  2. Inspect the system to determine that its installation is in accordance with the specifications and drawings. Check such items as fan rotation, belt slippage and damper settings, etc.
  3. Measure: the velocity pressure, static pressure, temperature, and moisture content at each test point (necessary for the calculation of air volume); fan static pressure; motor rpm, amperes, and voltage.
  4. Also, determine pressure drops across all components such as fittings, and air cleaning equipment. For some tests, ambient barometric pressure should also be obtained.
  5. Record the test data and design specifications on the Test Data Sheet.
  6. Compare the test data with design specifications. Determine if alterations or adjustments of the system are necessary to meet specifications, codes or standards.
  7. If alterations or adjustments are made, retest the system and record the final test data on the sketch.
  8. Note any physical changes that were made in the system.
  9. Submit a comprehensive report including the test data sheets to the customer.

Periodic Test

The performance of a system should be tested periodically.
Airvate follows the recommended procedure and suggestions by ACGIH to do all periodic tests.
Whenever alterations have been made to the system, a new initial test is necessary following the procedures outlined under Initial Test.



Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Feel Free To Leave Your Comment Below!

Popular posts from this blog

Industrial Manuals, Standards and Codes I’ve Consulted

By on
  When doing calculations, designing, and/or on-site work, we have to figure out which standard and code (federal, state, local) we will follow.   EPA and Permits EPA Title V Operating Permits (EPA) National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP), Rule 6X for metalworking operations (EPA) Method 22: visual determination of fugitive emissions from material sources (EPA) Method 9: Visual determination of the opacity of emissions from stationary sources NAAQS (National Ambient Air Quality Standards)  On-site Measurement OSHA Technical Manual (OTM) Section II: Chapter 3, on-site Measurement (EPA) Method 22: visual determination of fugitive emissions from material sources (EPA) Method 9: Visual determination of the opacity of emissions from stationary sources Airborne Contaminants Cal/OSHA Title 8 Section 5155 - Airborne Contaminants OSHA (CFR, Title 29,1910) and Subpart Z - Toxic and Hazardous Substances OSHA 3348-05: Guidance for the Identification and...
Post a Comment
Read more

What you have to know when applying blast gate damper

By on
  Introduction A damper is a device that adjusts the volume of airflow passing through the outlet, inlet or duct. By proper adjustment of all dampers in a system, a desired distribution of airflows in all the branches can be obtained, while minimizing the total airflow of the system to save energy— this is also termed air balancing. The most common dampers used in industrial ventilation and dust collection systems to balance airflows are slide gate dampers (The slide gate, also called “blast gate or cut-off” damper). In a slide gate damper (see Figure 1 of a straight flat slide gate damper), the slide is inserted perpendicular to the flow. Figure 1 A sample of straight flat slide gate damper As the gate is sliding into the duct, it will add resistance to the airflow and consequently reduce the volume of airflow, while increasing airflows in all other branches. Withdrawing the gate has the reverse effect on that branch and all the others in a system. Interaction between a fan ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Why and How to do Air Balancing on Industrial Ventilation and Dust Collection Systems?

By on
  Introduction The performances of all the hoods in the whole system normally decide the success of industrial ventilation and dust collection systems from the point of a system owner’s view. The appropriate hood design and its needed airflow rate require the application of good ventilation practice, mastery of the technical knowledge and the ability and patience to do the mathematical calculations. When more than one hood is connected to one ventilation system, the design engineer has to assure that each hood can and will receive the volume of airflow equal or above its designed value and the whole system operates with the minimum possible airflow rate to save energy. This task is termed air balancing of the system or duct balancing. Unbalanced systems cause problems On the contrary, examine the case where one or more hoods are unable to receive desired volume of airflow from an unbalanced ventilation system. It is not uncommon that many hoods are receiving airflow volumes...
Post a Comment
Read more