TAB TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR JUST RELEASED
10 Most Important Exam Coverage Areas
1. TAB Fundamentals and Mathematics — Units, ratios, percentages, formulas, pressure relationships,
airflow calculations, and basic TAB mathematics.
2. Airflow Measurement and Balancing — CFM measurement, velocity, duct traverses, pitot tubes, flow
hoods, dampers, registers, grilles, and diffusers.
3. Air Distribution Systems — Ductwork, fittings, terminal devices, VAV systems, pressure relationships,
leakage, and system resistance.
4. Fans and Fan Performance — Fan laws, RPM, static pressure, total pressure, fan curves, sheaves, belts,
rotation, and motor loading.
5. Hydronic Systems and Water Balancing — GPM, pressure differential, balancing valves, circuit setters,
pumps, coils, strainers, and system resistance.
6. Pumps and Pump Performance — Pump curves, head, flow, RPM, affinity laws, cavitation, pump rotation,
and motor measurements.
7. Temperature, Heat Transfer, and Psychrometrics — Dry-bulb/wet-bulb temperatures, humidity,
enthalpy, sensible heat, latent heat, and coil performance.
8. TAB Instrumentation and Measurement Techniques — Manometers, micromanometers, thermometers,
tachometers, anemometers, flow hoods, and instrument accuracy.
9. Electrical Systems and HVAC Controls — Voltage, amperage, motors, starters, VFDs, control signals,
sensors, actuators, and operating sequences.
10. TAB Procedures, Safety, and Reporting — Pre-balancing inspections, systematic balancing, tolerances,
safety, data recording, deficiency identification, and final TAB reports. ()
TAB Technician Certification Examination
1.
Which primary objective best describes the purpose of testing, adjusting, and
balancing HVAC systems during building commissioning?
A. To increase equipment size beyond the original design
B. To verify and adjust system performance toward specified design conditions
,C. To eliminate every automatic control component
D. To replace all existing HVAC equipment
Answer: B
Rationale: TAB verifies actual HVAC performance and adjusts air and hydronic
systems so measured conditions conform to design requirements as closely as
practical.
2.
Before beginning final air balancing, which condition should a TAB technician
verify regarding the HVAC equipment and distribution system?
A. All filters should be intentionally removed
B. Equipment and distribution components should be operational and properly
installed
C. All balancing dampers should remain permanently closed
D. Supply fans should operate below minimum speed
Answer: B
Rationale: TAB measurements are meaningful only when the equipment,
ductwork, terminals, controls, and related components are installed and
operating properly.
3.
Which measurement represents the quantity of air moving through a duct
system over a specified period of time?
A. Static pressure
B. Velocity pressure
C. Airflow volume
D. Temperature differential
,Answer: C
Rationale: Airflow volume is commonly expressed in cubic feet per minute (CFM)
in U.S. TAB practice and represents volumetric air movement.
4.
A rectangular duct is 2 feet wide and 1.5 feet high; what is its approximate
cross-sectional area?
A. 1.5 square feet
B. 2.0 square feet
C. 3.0 square feet
D. 4.5 square feet
Answer: C
Rationale: Cross-sectional area equals width multiplied by height: 2 × 1.5 = 3.0
square feet.
5.
If airflow velocity increases through a constant-area duct, what generally
happens to the volume airflow rate?
A. It decreases proportionally
B. It remains completely unchanged
C. It increases proportionally
D. It becomes independent of velocity
Answer: C
Rationale: Airflow is calculated as CFM = velocity × area. When area remains
constant, increasing velocity increases volumetric airflow.
, 6.
Which instrument is commonly used to measure velocity pressure when
performing a duct traverse for airflow determination?
A. Pitot-static tube
B. Thermocouple
C. Tachometer
D. Clamp meter
Answer: A
Rationale: A Pitot-static tube measures total and static pressure, allowing velocity
pressure to be determined and airflow calculated.
7.
Why should multiple measurement points normally be used during a duct
traverse instead of measuring airflow at only one location?
A. To make the instrument heavier
B. To account for variations in velocity across the duct
C. To increase duct static pressure
D. To eliminate the need for calculations
Answer: B
Rationale: Air velocity is rarely uniform across a duct cross-section, so multiple
properly distributed readings provide a more representative average.
8.
What is the principal purpose of a balancing damper installed within an air
distribution branch?
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR JUST RELEASED
10 Most Important Exam Coverage Areas
1. TAB Fundamentals and Mathematics — Units, ratios, percentages, formulas, pressure relationships,
airflow calculations, and basic TAB mathematics.
2. Airflow Measurement and Balancing — CFM measurement, velocity, duct traverses, pitot tubes, flow
hoods, dampers, registers, grilles, and diffusers.
3. Air Distribution Systems — Ductwork, fittings, terminal devices, VAV systems, pressure relationships,
leakage, and system resistance.
4. Fans and Fan Performance — Fan laws, RPM, static pressure, total pressure, fan curves, sheaves, belts,
rotation, and motor loading.
5. Hydronic Systems and Water Balancing — GPM, pressure differential, balancing valves, circuit setters,
pumps, coils, strainers, and system resistance.
6. Pumps and Pump Performance — Pump curves, head, flow, RPM, affinity laws, cavitation, pump rotation,
and motor measurements.
7. Temperature, Heat Transfer, and Psychrometrics — Dry-bulb/wet-bulb temperatures, humidity,
enthalpy, sensible heat, latent heat, and coil performance.
8. TAB Instrumentation and Measurement Techniques — Manometers, micromanometers, thermometers,
tachometers, anemometers, flow hoods, and instrument accuracy.
9. Electrical Systems and HVAC Controls — Voltage, amperage, motors, starters, VFDs, control signals,
sensors, actuators, and operating sequences.
10. TAB Procedures, Safety, and Reporting — Pre-balancing inspections, systematic balancing, tolerances,
safety, data recording, deficiency identification, and final TAB reports. ()
TAB Technician Certification Examination
1.
Which primary objective best describes the purpose of testing, adjusting, and
balancing HVAC systems during building commissioning?
A. To increase equipment size beyond the original design
B. To verify and adjust system performance toward specified design conditions
,C. To eliminate every automatic control component
D. To replace all existing HVAC equipment
Answer: B
Rationale: TAB verifies actual HVAC performance and adjusts air and hydronic
systems so measured conditions conform to design requirements as closely as
practical.
2.
Before beginning final air balancing, which condition should a TAB technician
verify regarding the HVAC equipment and distribution system?
A. All filters should be intentionally removed
B. Equipment and distribution components should be operational and properly
installed
C. All balancing dampers should remain permanently closed
D. Supply fans should operate below minimum speed
Answer: B
Rationale: TAB measurements are meaningful only when the equipment,
ductwork, terminals, controls, and related components are installed and
operating properly.
3.
Which measurement represents the quantity of air moving through a duct
system over a specified period of time?
A. Static pressure
B. Velocity pressure
C. Airflow volume
D. Temperature differential
,Answer: C
Rationale: Airflow volume is commonly expressed in cubic feet per minute (CFM)
in U.S. TAB practice and represents volumetric air movement.
4.
A rectangular duct is 2 feet wide and 1.5 feet high; what is its approximate
cross-sectional area?
A. 1.5 square feet
B. 2.0 square feet
C. 3.0 square feet
D. 4.5 square feet
Answer: C
Rationale: Cross-sectional area equals width multiplied by height: 2 × 1.5 = 3.0
square feet.
5.
If airflow velocity increases through a constant-area duct, what generally
happens to the volume airflow rate?
A. It decreases proportionally
B. It remains completely unchanged
C. It increases proportionally
D. It becomes independent of velocity
Answer: C
Rationale: Airflow is calculated as CFM = velocity × area. When area remains
constant, increasing velocity increases volumetric airflow.
, 6.
Which instrument is commonly used to measure velocity pressure when
performing a duct traverse for airflow determination?
A. Pitot-static tube
B. Thermocouple
C. Tachometer
D. Clamp meter
Answer: A
Rationale: A Pitot-static tube measures total and static pressure, allowing velocity
pressure to be determined and airflow calculated.
7.
Why should multiple measurement points normally be used during a duct
traverse instead of measuring airflow at only one location?
A. To make the instrument heavier
B. To account for variations in velocity across the duct
C. To increase duct static pressure
D. To eliminate the need for calculations
Answer: B
Rationale: Air velocity is rarely uniform across a duct cross-section, so multiple
properly distributed readings provide a more representative average.
8.
What is the principal purpose of a balancing damper installed within an air
distribution branch?
