Balancing Readiness Checklist
Work through the pre-balancing hold points for air or water systems before the balancer arrives. Weighted score, blocked hold points and a clear ready / not-ready verdict.
- Ductwork complete, supported and leakage tested to the specified class
- All terminals, diffusers and grilles installed with design flows scheduled
- Regulating dampers fitted at branches and terminals, accessible
- Ceilings, partitions and doors substantially complete in the zone
- Controls able to hold the system in the mode being tested
- As-installed drawings with design airflows issued to the balancer
Hold points are the checks that historically cause a re-balance if skipped. This is an indicative readiness view, not a substitute for the project ITP.
Checks are weighted, and the items marked as hold points are the ones that historically force a re-balance if they are skipped: incomplete ceilings, missing regulating valves or dampers, unflushed branches, and controls that cannot hold the system at the test condition.
The technical requirements come from CIBSE Commissioning Code A (air distribution) and Code W (water distribution), managed under Code M. Read the Code A guide or the Code W guide for the detail behind each hold point.
Reconcile flow, ΔT and coil duty — detect low ΔT syndrome fast.
Darcy-Weisbach head loss + indicative pump shaft power.
Supply airflow, coil face area and duct velocity from cooling load.
Indicative commissioning programme days from GFA + complexity.
Indicative NABERS Energy band from EUI for offices.