New technologies are emerging and existing technologies are developing day by day. All businesses have to keep up with these developments. Air conditioning and ventilation systems are developing in the same way and businesses cannot stay away from new technologies. It is not only sufficient that these systems are discussed in detail during the project stages, but it is important that many tests, adjustments and balances are repeated after the installation of the system and that the system is operated in a healthy way.

In particular, central air conditioning and ventilation systems, factories, production facilities and shopping malls operating in confined spaces, even in large multi-storey residences find a wide range of applications. As production increases, industry develops, settlements become crowded, in short, people have to spend more time in enclosed spaces, it is important to keep the working or living environments at a certain comfort level and the ventilation systems to be installed will work without problems for many years. In addition, regular maintenance of existing ventilation systems is just as important.

The most important point in ventilation systems is to provide a certain level of comfort with the lowest possible energy consumption and the lowest operating costs. In ventilation systems, fans that meet the air flow and pressure are used to provide the required air speed. A variety of calibrated devices are used to measure the air velocity required for the ventilation system. The entire system needs to be checked and tuned to the air flow where possible and accessible.

Scope of ventilation tests

Testing of ventilation systems is carried out under certain headings. These include conducting electrical measurements, performing mechanical tests, measuring air velocity and testing ventilation systems.

Insulation tests, switches, switches and lamps control, overcurrent and magnetic current relays and controls of various buttons are performed within the scope of electrical measurements.

Within the framework of mechanical tests, fan bearings and bearings, belts and pulleys are controlled in the ventilation systems, tension adjustments are made, malfunctions and causes that may arise when working are investigated, fan air flow is controlled and general maintenance of the system is performed.

Calibrated mechanical, electronic or thermal anemometers, velometers and pitot tubes are used for fan speed measurements of the ventilation system. In this context, air flow and air pressure are measured and flow in air ducts is observed.

While testing the ventilation systems, air temperature measurements, air humidity measurements, sound and noise level measurements, vibration analysis, insulation tests in air ducts, leakage detection, equipment and system testing, adjustment and balances are performed by using known thermometers or infrared thermometers in ventilation systems.

In order to get efficiency from ventilation systems, it is necessary to design the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems in detail, to use suitable and high quality materials and devices in production and to assemble them as required by technology and specifications.

In order to ensure proper operation of the system and the comfort conditions expected from the system, it is necessary to carry out test, adjustment and balancing operations after installation. In addition, for the economic operation of the system, these operations should be performed at regular intervals.

In the test studies, the performance of the elements in the system and their compatibility with the prepared project should be tested. If the flow and pressure adjustments of the fans, aspirators, pumps and similar devices on the system are not made, the expected benefit from the system cannot be provided. Furthermore, for air and water distribution, the flow quantities in all parts of the system must be in accordance with the values ​​described in the project.

In developed countries, the testing, adjustment and balancing of ventilation systems should be done by authorized persons and organizations before the reports are prepared. Without this, buildings are not allowed to use. Although it is not a necessity in our country yet, ventilation systems are tested by authorized test and inspection bodies both in the establishment and in the subsequent maintenance periods.

The following are some of the standards used in aeration tests performed by accredited laboratories:

• TS EN 12599 Ventilation in buildings - Test procedures and measurement methods on ventilation and air conditioning systems
• TS EN 15241 Ventilation - Calculation method for energy loss due to ventilation and filtration in commercial buildings for buildings
• TS EN 1751 Ventilation in buildings - Air terminal devices - Aerodynamic tests of dampers and valves
• TS EN 13403 Ventilation in buildings - Non-metal ducts - Duct system made of insulated duct panels
• TS EN 12237 Ventilation in buildings - Duct network - Circular sheet metal ducts - Strength and tightness
• TS EN 13142 Ventilation in buildings - Components / products for residential ventilation - Mandatory and optional performance characteristics
• TS EN 14134 Ventilation in buildings - Performance tests and installation controls of residential ventilation systems
• TS EN 13465 Ventilation in buildings - Calculation methods for determination of air flow rates in residential buildings
• TS EN 14240 Ventilation in buildings - Refrigerated ceilings - Tests and ratings
• TS EN 13141 Ventilation in buildings - Performance tests of components / products for residential ventilation

The main operations in ventilation tests are as follows:

• The operating performance of all devices in the system is determined.
• The suitability of these devices to the project is checked.
• The currents and supply voltage drawn by the electrical devices in the system are measured.
• The amount of air flow in the system is controlled.
• Air and water distribution systems are adjusted.
• The operation of automatic control systems is controlled.
• Vibration, noise and noise generated by the system during operation are checked for proper levels.
• All test, measurement and evaluation results are gathered and a report is prepared.

In the establishments where the ventilation system is installed, test and measurement studies may need to be carried out twice a year in summer and winter season changes depending on the field of activity of the enterprise. In both periods, temperature, pressure, air velocity, speed, supply voltage and the amount of current drawn must be measured at the required points of the ventilation system.