How TAB Contractors Ensure Compliance with ASHRAE 170 in Healthcare Facilities
In healthcare environments, HVAC systems are mission-critical. They don’t just regulate temperature—they control infection, protect vulnerable patients, and ensure compliance with stringent standards like ASHRAE 170. At the heart of this effort is the Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing (TAB) contractor, whose expertise ensures that every component of the HVAC system performs exactly as intended.
The TAB Contractor’s Mission: Precision and Compliance
TAB contractors are responsible for verifying and fine-tuning HVAC systems to meet design specifications and regulatory standards. In healthcare settings, this means aligning every airflow, pressure differential, and filtration level with ASHRAE 170 requirements.
Step-by-Step: How TAB Contractors Ensure Compliance
1. Pre-Assessment and Documentation Review
Before any tools come out, TAB professionals:
- Review mechanical drawings and HVAC design documents.
- Cross-reference system specs with ASHRAE 170 requirements.
- Identify critical spaces (e.g., ORs, isolation rooms, sterile processing) and their required conditions.
2. Airflow Measurement and Balancing
Using precision instruments like flow hoods, anemometers, and manometers, TAB contractors:
- Measure supply, return, and exhaust airflows.
- Adjust dampers, VAV boxes, and fan speeds to achieve required Air Changes per Hour (ACH).
- Ensure directional airflow (e.g., from clean to less clean areas) is maintained.
Example: An operating room that requires 25 ACH with positive pressure relative to adjacent spaces. TAB contractors verify and adjust until this is consistently achieved.
3. Pressure Relationship Verification
TAB teams use differential pressure monitors to:
- Confirm that isolation rooms are under negative pressure.
- Ensure ORs and clean rooms maintain positive pressure.
- Document pressure readings over time to validate stability.
4. Filtration and Air Quality Checks
ASHRAE 170 mandates specific MERV ratings for filters:
- TAB contractors inspect filter installations and seals.
- Measure pressure drop across filters to detect clogging or bypass.
- Confirm that HEPA filters (where required) are properly seated and leak-free.
5. Temperature and Humidity Validation
Using calibrated sensors, TAB professionals:
- Verify that temperature and humidity levels meet space-specific requirements.
- Adjust control systems or notify controls contractors if discrepancies are found.
6. Reporting and Certification
The final step is detailed documentation:
- TAB reports include airflow readings, pressure logs, filter data, and compliance checklists.
- These reports are often required for AHJ inspections, Joint Commission audits, and facility commissioning.
Why It Matters
A properly executed TAB process ensures:
- Patient safety through controlled environments.
- Regulatory compliance with ASHRAE 170, FGI Guidelines, and local codes.
- Operational efficiency by optimizing HVAC performance and energy use.
In healthcare construction and maintenance, TAB contractors are more than technicians—they are compliance partners. Their work ensures that HVAC systems not only function but protect lives.