the fan speed can be changed by adjusting the variable diameter motor pulley. Be careful to avoid operating the fan at a speed that overloads the motor. After adjustments or repairs, tests should be repeated to verify that the design conditions have been attained. Total air volume measurements should be repeated for all air- handling units on branch, return, and exhaust duct systems.

Duct and Outlet Adjustments

You should use the same procedure for measuring total air volume to set the main splitter dampers on systems containing branch ducts. When main ducts, zone ducts, and branches are set for design air, the tests necessary for adjusting individual outlets can begin. When available, always follow the manufacturer's recommended procedure.

The final balancing procedure involves the adjustment of individual outlets to correspond with the manufacturer's design flow and system specifications. Begin with the last outlet on the branch farthest from the fan discharge and measure the velocity (or cfm). You can use either a velometer with the diffuser probe or an anemometer. If the cfm is below design, leave the damper open and proceed to the next outlet. If the cfm is greater than design, close the damper to obtain the desired results. In the same branch go to the next closest outlet, repeat the procedure, then continue the process with each outlet until you reach the main duct.

If applicable, you should complete the same procedure on the remaining branch ducts. Finally, total cfm of all outlets should agree with total cfm of all branches, and this grand total should agree with the air volume for the fan or fans. These figures should be within 3 to 7 percent of design conditions. You should check fan outputs and motor amperages to ensure that the motor is not in an overloaded condition. At this point, fan speed and horsepower, fan total air by velocity measurement, and total air by outlet volume measurements have been established for the specific operating condition of the system during the procedure. The system should be balanced for those conditions.

VENTILATION SYSTEMS

Normally air contains about 21 percent oxygen. A ventilation system serving human beings requires that a certain oxygen content be contained in the air to maintain life and to ensure comfort.

If a room is tightly sealed, any human in that room would slowly consume the oxygen and increase the amounts of carbon dioxide, water vapor, and various impurities. This could cause drowsiness or even death.

You must remember that space for human living must have air with a good oxygen content and that this air must be kept at a reasonable temperature. It is of utmost importance that fresh air be admitted to provide the oxygen.

In the past, this fresh air entered the space by infiltration (leakage) from the outside at door and window openings and through cracks in the structure. However, modern construction is reducing this air leakage. Air-conditioning apparatus, then, must furnish fresh air. Modern units have a controlled fresh-air intake. This fresh air is conditioned and mixed with the recirculated air before it reaches the room.

Some conditioned air leaves a building through doors, windows, and other construction joints. Some also leaves by exfiltration. (This means leaking out or being blown out by mechanical means.) Any kind of exhaust fan removes conditioned air. Some of this air is replaced by infiltration on those sides of the building exposed to wind pressure.

It is best to bring in replacement fresh air through a makeup air system. When this is done

the makeup air can be cleaned.

the makeup air can be cooled or heated.

a positive pressure can be maintained in the building to keep out airborne dirt, dust, and pollen. (A negative pressure reduces the efficiency of exhaust fans and fuel-fired furnaces.)

a definite amount of fresh air is brought into the building for health purposes (oxygen content).

Certain areas of a building should have a slightly less positive pressure (5 to 10 percent) than the rest of the building to reduce the spread of odors. Such areas would include the kitchen, lavatories, and where certain industrial operations produce fumes.

The amount of fresh air required depends on the use of the space and the amount of fresh air admitted by infiltration. One basic rule is to