IEST Testing on Commercial HVAC Equipment

Why Aerosol and Other Leak Tests are Important Post-Fabrication, Before Shipping and Installation

Your critical environment needs quality commercial stainless steel HVAC products for best possible performance. There are two ways to ensure you’re getting them for your job site:

You verify the IEST testing done in the fabrication facility.
You order air distribution products from AJ Manufacturing, because of our reputation for quality fabrication for the last 50 years.

Here’s why you can count on AJ Manufacturing – and how you can ensure you’re reading for on-site IEST leak and aerosol testing after you receive our equipment.

Leak Testing of Commercial HVAC Equipment Before Shipment

IEST guidelines explain procedures for leak-testing HEPA and ULPA air filtration components, recommending that tests be performed on air supply or exhaust air filters using a photometer.

Our leak testing booth uses a photometer to scan the filter’s surface, looking for pinhole leaks. We also conduct tests in positive and negative pressure differential conditions. The bottom line is that air-filtration components must be airtight, without compromise.

Tests Ensure Every Commercial HVAC Product is Perfect

AJ Manufacturing has high standards when it comes to fabricating our fan filter units, grilles, diffusers, air extractors, drum louvers, and more. We conduct leak-proof testing in an airtight booth, complete with photometer, on every relevant product, before we carefully package and ship it to our client.

Our tests are designed to ensure that every HEPA or ULPA product we fabricate in Kansas City works as it should and is aesthetically flawless as well. The same goes for other stainless steel components with and without moving parts.

Test Results Give Us a Chance to Make It Right

Should one of our HEPA or ULPA products not pass a leak test, it returns to the hands of our expert fabricators. They carefully examine the product, identify the issue, and remediate it immediately.

Had we not conducted the test, it would have been impossible to notice tiny gaps that will leak upon installation in an HVAC system. With test results, we can make corrections right away.

Our Tests Ensure Our Air Distribution Products Are Ready for Your IEST Tests

You’re certainly familiar with IEST testing and the fact that it must be performed after installation at the job site. Because our commercial HVAC equipment has already been tested to prove they meet IEST standards, it’s much more likely that they’ll meet them again once the construction crew has properly installed them into your critical environment, clean room, or other commercial space.

This makes IEST testing on our client’s end go more smoothly, so the project can move forward on time, according to plan.

Our IEST Testing Generally Goes Well

Over the years, we’ve worked to perfect our product design, and listened to our customers when they had ideas to improve them. This ensures IEST testing results are satisfactory.

In response to our clients needs, we:

Offer integrated lighting with fan filter units (FFUs) to reduce ceiling penetrations.
Developed challenge manifolds that meet IEST requirements.
Optimized knife-edge seals that minimize opportunities for leaks.

Plan topass your IEST tests when you buy commercial HVAC equipment from AJ Manufacturing.

And remember, testing should be repeated after any mechanical maintenance, before and after filter replacement, and annually thereafter, plus in special circumstances when applicable.

On-Site Supply and Exhaust Air Leak and Aerosol Testing

Once installed on your job site, you’ll need to have air leak and aerosol testing conducted by accredited technicians.

During the supply air test, the technician will need access to the air handling unit with the filtration system, where they’ll spray a test aerosol. The aerosol should be pulled through the HEPA filter. The technician will then examine the air output side of the HEPA filter. This process includes scanning the surface for pinholes and for traces of the test aerosol.

In air exhaust applications, the HEPA filter must also be tested. To prepare, you may need to decontaminate the entire system, including housings and boxes. (Be sure to ask the testing organization so that you can prepare.)

Then, the technician will need access to the air off-side of the HEPA filter – usually inside the exhaust duct – so that the filter can again be scanned for traces of test aerosol or tiny openings. A blower fan may be necessary to maintain the flow of the test aerosol, because the removed access panel can decrease the air pressure in the exhaust stream.

Order Your Commercial HVAC Equipment Today

Preparing for an upcoming construction project or renovation on your critical environment, clean room, lab, or commercial space?

Make your project manager happy and check off the tasks of getting an estimate for parts and ordering commercial HVAC products when you work with AJ Manufacturing, your global partner in air distribution products.