Kitchen hood testing verifies that a commercial restaurant’s exhaust hood, makeup air (MUA) unit, and fire-suppression linkage operate to UL 710, NFPA 96, and the International Mechanical Code. Kitchen hood testing is required at closeout on new construction, after any hood replacement or duct re-routing, and on an annual cycle by most AHJs. We perform kitchen hood testing as a discrete TAB scope for restaurants, hotels, schools, hospitals, and any building with a Type I or Type II commercial cooking hood.

What our kitchen hood testing measures

First, our crew measures the exhaust CFM at each hood, the capture velocity at the cooking surface, the static pressure across the hood and ductwork, and the makeup air delivery from the MUA unit. Specifically, kitchen hood testing under UL 710 requires that capture and containment of grease-laden vapors meet a defined performance standard. Furthermore, NFPA 96 requires documented airflow at every Type I hood serving solid-fuel or grease-producing appliances. Therefore, the test sheet records every measured value next to the design value and the code-required minimum.

Why makeup air balance drives kitchen hood testing results

Then makeup air (MUA) balance becomes the limiting factor on most retrofit projects. Specifically, MUA should be sized to deliver 80-90% of the exhaust CFM through a dedicated unit — usually a direct-fired or indirect-fired heater with cooled supply in summer. Additionally, when MUA falls short, the kitchen pulls makeup air from the dining room or HVAC return path, which collapses comfort in the dining space and breaks the building’s pressure relationship. Therefore, kitchen hood testing always pairs exhaust verification with MUA verification — never one alone.

When kitchen hood testing is required

Specifically, kitchen hood testing is required at four key points in a commercial kitchen’s life. First, at new construction closeout for the certificate of occupancy. Second, after any hood replacement, MUA replacement, or duct re-routing. Third, on the annual NFPA 96 inspection cycle. Fourth, whenever a tenant complaint, code violation, or insurance audit demands it. Furthermore, hotel, school, hospital, and senior-living kitchens often layer additional certifying-body requirements (Joint Commission, AHCA, state DOH) on top of the base AHJ schedule.

What our kitchen hood testing report delivers

Furthermore, the kitchen hood testing report opens with the project metadata — restaurant name, AHJ, GC, mechanical contractor, hood manufacturer and model — and proceeds through measured exhaust CFM, capture velocity, static pressure, MUA CFM, and balance ratio for every hood on the system. Additionally, the report identifies any deficient hood with the root cause and corrective recommendation. Therefore, the document closes out the mechanical scope, satisfies the NFPA 96 annual cycle, and gives operations a tuned-system baseline that protects the building’s pressure relationship.

Industry standards on commercial kitchen ventilation

UL 710 is the principal performance standard for Type I exhaust hoods serving grease-producing appliances. NFPA 96 covers ventilation control and fire protection of commercial cooking operations, including duct cleaning frequency and fire-suppression linkage. The International Mechanical Code (IMC) Chapter 5 governs commercial kitchen ventilation system design and operation. ASHRAE Applications Chapter 34 covers commercial kitchen ventilation engineering practice. Each AHJ enforces a combination of these — Georgia generally adopts the IMC with state amendments. Restaurant tenants, hotel kitchens, school cafeterias, and hospital food-service spaces all fall under the same code framework with vertical-specific additions.

Frequently asked questions

Is annual kitchen hood testing required by code?

In most jurisdictions, yes. NFPA 96 establishes the annual inspection and testing cycle that most AHJs enforce. Our recurring-PM program puts kitchen hood testing on a calendar so it never lapses.

How long does kitchen hood testing take on a typical restaurant?

A standard single-hood restaurant typically takes 2-3 hours of field time plus 3-5 business days for the stamped report. Multi-hood operations and hotel kitchens scale linearly.

Do you test kitchen hoods after-hours so cooking isn’t interrupted?

Yes. Most kitchen hood testing on occupied restaurants runs after close — typically late evening or early morning. Our crews work the schedule that fits the kitchen’s operation.

Talk to us about a kitchen hood testing scope

Send the kitchen layout, the hood schedule, and the MUA unit specifications. You will hear back within one business day with a fixed-price proposal.

Request a proposal   Call 800-883-6040

The post Kitchen Hood Testing — Commercial Exhaust & Makeup Air (MUA) first appeared on Testing & Balancing USA.

Duct leakage testing (DALT) quantifies how much conditioned air a ductwork system loses into unconditioned space. The procedure is governed by SMACNA leakage class limits. IECC and ASHRAE 90.1 require documentation on most new commercial construction.

When duct leakage testing is required on commercial projects

First, duct leakage testing is required by the IECC and most local energy codes when ductwork runs outside conditioned space. Then SMACNA leakage Class A, B, or C is specified by the engineer. Furthermore, LEED, ENERGY STAR, and most utility-rebate programs require documented duct leakage testing.

Our duct leakage testing field procedure

Specifically, our duct leakage testing crew isolates each system segment, pressurizes to design test pressure, measures CFM/100 sq ft of duct surface, and compares to the SMACNA Class. After that, the report identifies every leakage zone with photos and recommended seal scope. Therefore, the mechanical contractor receives a punch list ready to act on.

SMACNA classes in practice

SMACNA HVAC Air Duct Leakage Test Manual defines three leakage classes — Class A (6 cfm per 100 sq ft at 1 inch wc), Class B (12 cfm), and Class C (24 cfm). The engineer picks the class based on system pressure, duct location, and energy-code compliance. Most modern commercial work runs Class A or B. The IECC has progressively tightened acceptable leakage rates with each code cycle. Atlanta and most Georgia jurisdictions enforce the current IECC. Tighter classes cost more in materials and labor but pay back over the life of the building in fan-kW savings and humidity control.

Frequently asked questions

Is duct leakage testing required by code?

On most commercial new construction under the IECC, yes. Duct leakage testing is required for duct outside conditioned space.

What SMACNA Class is typical for duct leakage testing?

Class A or B on most commercial work. Duct leakage testing to Class C is common on tight-envelope retrofits.

Can duct leakage testing be done after insulation?

It’s harder. Best practice is duct leakage testing before insulation so leaks are accessible for sealing.

The IECC and SMACNA history

The International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) was first published in 1998 by the International Code Council. Each three-year code cycle has progressively tightened expectations for envelope performance and HVAC efficiency. SMACNA — the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association — has published its leakage classification framework since the 1980s. The current SMACNA HVAC Air Duct Leakage Test Manual standardizes test procedures across the industry. The IECC references SMACNA classifications by reference, so the two documents work together. Most state amendments to the IECC retain the SMACNA leakage requirements.

How systems actually leak

Most leakage paths come from a small number of construction defects — un-sealed sheet metal joints, mis-installed transverse connections, gaskets out of position, and access panels left untaped. New ductwork off-the-truck usually meets manufacturer’s leakage spec; the leakage gets introduced during field assembly. The corrective scope is usually sealing rather than re-fabrication — mastic, foil tape, and re-tightening of the transverse joints. Crews experienced with sealing can drop a Class C system to Class B in a single field pass. The economics favor catching leakage early before insulation and ceiling close-up.

Related reading

Want the full picture? See our pillar page on duct leakage testing service.

From our blog

• What a TAB report includes
• What is HVAC testing, adjusting & balancing?

Standards & references

• SMACNA — HVAC Duct Construction Standards
• ASHRAE Standard 90.1

Request a proposal →

The post What Is Duct Leakage Testing and When Is It Required? first appeared on Testing & Balancing USA.

Scheduling test and balance is the single most common pinch point on commercial closeouts. The work has to land after mechanical start-up and before final inspection, and the report has to be ready for the engineer’s review before the AHJ walk. Here is how to sequence it.

When scheduling test and balance belongs on the closeout plan

First, scheduling test and balance starts when the mechanical contractor confirms start-up readiness — typically 2-3 weeks before the engineer’s final walk. Specifically, the TAB agent needs every AHU fired, every pump primed, every VFD commissioned, and the BAS in auto. After that, our crew mobilizes the next business day.

How GCs handle scheduling test and balance with the mechanical trade

Furthermore, scheduling test and balance the right way prevents the punch-list cascade that turns closeout into a scramble. Therefore, the smart GC ties TAB mobilization to mechanical substantial-complete on the schedule, with float for re-test after deficiencies. Additionally, occupied-building work needs night-and-weekend coordination with operations.

Related reading

Want the full picture? See our pillar page on our services overview.

From our blog

• What is HVAC testing, adjusting & balancing?
• Commissioning vs. TAB
• What a TAB report includes

Standards & references

• AABC — TAB certification authority

Request a proposal →

The post A General Contractor’s Guide to Scheduling Test & Balance first appeared on Testing & Balancing USA.

Retro-commissioning existing buildings is the systematic investigation of a building’s current mechanical performance, with corrective scope ranked by ROI. Retro-commissioning existing buildings typically returns 5-15% energy savings within the first year, against a fraction of the cost of equipment replacement.

How retro-commissioning existing buildings works

First, our agent walks the asset, meets with operations, and pulls trend data from the BAS. Then field work verifies sensor calibration, sequence behavior, and equipment performance. Additionally, every finding lands in a master issues log with priority, owner, and fix path.

When retro-commissioning existing buildings makes sense

Specifically, three triggers justify the work: an energy bill that climbs without a load change; recurring tenant complaints that PM cycles do not resolve; and a planned retrofit that needs a baseline before scope gets set. Furthermore, retro-commissioning existing buildings often saves money even when no retrofit is planned.

What retro-commissioning existing buildings delivers

Therefore, the deliverable is what owners use for years. Every page shows a tested value next to a target. Additionally, ENERGY STAR, ASHRAE 100, and most utility programs reward documented retro-commissioning existing buildings work.

When this work makes financial sense

Three building conditions justify the investment most clearly. First, an unexplained climb in the utility bill — typically 10-25% above prior-year baseline with no load change. Second, recurring tenant or operator complaints that PM cycles never fully resolve. Third, a planned capital retrofit that needs a baseline before scope and budget get set. ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager scores often climb 10-30 points after this work, which raises asset valuation under most green-lease frameworks. Utility incentive programs (Georgia Power, Cobb EMC, Sawnee EMC) frequently cover 20-50% of project cost.

Talk to us about a project

Send the mechanical drawings and a schedule outline, and you will hear back within one business day with a fixed-price proposal.

Request a proposal   Call 800-883-6040

Related reading

Want the full picture? See our pillar page on HVAC commissioning & retro-commissioning existing buildings.

From our blog

• HVAC commissioning vs. test & balance
• How air balancing lowers energy bills

Standards & references

• BCxA — Building Commissioning Association
• ASHRAE Guideline 0 — The Commissioning Process

Request a proposal →

The post Retro-Commissioning: Fixing an Existing Building’s HVAC first appeared on Testing & Balancing USA.

How often to balance a commercial building depends on building type, system age, occupancy changes, and any retrofit activity. The cadence we recommend to balance a commercial building runs from once at closeout through annual partial re-balances on healthcare and lab assets.

How often to balance a commercial building by building type

First, a Class-A office runs well for three to five years between balances. Then Class-B and Class-C assets benefit from a re-balance every two to three years. Additionally, hospitals, labs, and clean spaces need an annual balance. Furthermore, hotels with chronic comfort complaints often run partial seasonal re-balances.

When to balance a commercial building during the year

Specifically, springtime balancing catches cooling-mode issues before the first heat wave. Therefore, fall balancing tunes heating mode before the cold snap. Most owners pair the work with their annual PM cycle.

When occupancy changes trigger a balance

However, occupancy changes shift the picture independent of the calendar. For example, a major tenant move-in changes the load profile overnight. Therefore, a fresh read makes sense before the new tenant signs a lease.

Talk to us about a project

Send the mechanical drawings and a schedule outline, and you will hear back within one business day with a fixed-price proposal.

Request a proposal   Call 800-883-6040

Triggers that should make you balance a commercial building

Specifically, four triggers should make you balance a commercial building independent of the calendar: a major tenant move-in, a chronic-complaint pattern in a defined zone, an unexplained climb in the utility bill, or any retrofit that adds or replaces airside equipment. Therefore, the smart property manager keeps a TAB agent on call.

What it costs to balance a commercial building

First, the cost to balance a commercial building scales linearly with device count — every diffuser, return grille, VAV box, and pump is a billable measurement point. Then crew hours, mobilization, and report production round out the line items. Furthermore, occupied-building work after-hours runs higher than closeout-cost daytime work.

Related reading

Want the full picture? See our pillar page on commercial air balancing.

From our blog

• 7 signs your building needs air balancing
• What happens when TAB isn’t done
• How air balancing lowers energy bills

Standards & references

• AABC — Associated Air Balance Council

Request a proposal →

The post How Often Should a Commercial Building Be Balanced? first appeared on Testing & Balancing USA.

Hot and cold spots in a commercial building are almost always an airflow distribution issue rather than a thermostat issue. Adjusting setpoints on individual rooms typically just moves the problem. The fix runs through air balancing.

Why hot and cold spots happen in commercial buildings

First, hot and cold spots almost always trace back to airflow imbalance — a starved zone next to an over-flowed zone. Specifically, dampers misadjusted at closeout, drifted balancing valves on hydronic loops, and VAV boxes locked at fixed minimums are the three most common causes we find. Therefore, equipment replacement rarely solves the complaint.

How we fix hot and cold spots through air balancing

Then we run a documented air balance under ASHRAE 111. After that, every diffuser is measured, every damper adjusted, every VAV setpoint reviewed against the BAS. Furthermore, the report ties each remaining hot and cold spots zone back to a specific device so operations can follow up.

Related reading

Want the full picture? See our pillar page on commercial air balancing.

From our blog

• 7 signs your building needs air balancing
• Air balancing & indoor air quality
• How air balancing lowers energy bills

Standards & references

• ASHRAE Standard 55 — Thermal Environmental Conditions

Request a proposal →

The post Why Your Building Has Hot and Cold Spots first appeared on Testing & Balancing USA.

A TAB report is the closeout deliverable that proves the mechanical system performs to design. Owners, engineers, AHJs, and operators all read it for different reasons. Here is what the document contains and what each section is for.

What the TAB report contains

Every TAB report we deliver opens with the project metadata — owner, GC, mechanical contractor, system tag, certified balancer signature — and proceeds through air-side and water-side data sheets. Specifically, supply CFM at every diffuser is measured against design and recorded with the instrument used, the date, and the certified technician. Furthermore, hydronic GPM at every coil is recorded the same way.

Why the TAB report matters at closeout

Therefore the TAB report is the document the AHJ asks for, the document the engineer signs off against, and the document that becomes the operations baseline for the warranty year. Additionally, lenders and certifying bodies (LEED, ENERGY STAR, WELL) ask for the TAB report whenever the building changes hands.

What inspectors actually look for

AHJ plan reviewers and field inspectors check three things in particular. First, the certified stamp — every certifying body publishes a public registry; inspectors verify the technician is currently active. Second, the data sheets — measured values must be present for every device named in the spec; missing rows trigger an immediate rejection. Third, the deficiency log — inspectors expect a list of any device that didn’t meet design, with the reason and the corrective action. A clean document that hides deficiencies invites suspicion; an honest document that flags deficiencies and tracks corrections gets approved on first review.

Frequently asked questions

How long is a typical TAB report?

A TAB report on a mid-size commercial building runs 40-120 pages. The TAB report depth scales with system complexity and device count.

Who stamps the TAB report?

A certified TAB technician (NEBB or AABC). The TAB report without the stamp is a draft, not a deliverable.

How long does the TAB report take after field work?

Typically 1-2 weeks. The TAB report production includes review by the certified balancer and a sanity check against design before release.

How modern documentation has evolved

Twenty years ago, every closeout document was a paper binder. Today, most are PDFs with bookmarks, hyperlinks to system tags, and digital signatures from certified technicians. ASHRAE Guideline 4 covers preparation of operating and maintenance documentation. Many lenders and certifying bodies now accept BIM-linked deliverables where each system tag references the corresponding measurement data. The trend is toward longer document lifecycles — the same closeout deliverable serves the warranty year, the first refinance, the first major retrofit, and the eventual sale. Owners benefit when documentation is structured for that long horizon from day one.

Standards behind the documentation

ASHRAE Standard 202 establishes the framework for measurement and verification on commercial buildings. ASHRAE Guideline 4 covers the preparation of operations and maintenance documentation. IBPSA building performance simulation standards inform how baselines are constructed for long-term tracking. LEED v4 and v4.1 require documented verification on the Enhanced Commissioning credit. Most state energy codes reference these standards by name. The cumulative effect: closeout documentation has become its own discipline, with its own quality bar — and AHJs increasingly enforce that bar at field inspection.

Related reading

Want the full picture? See our pillar page on commercial air balancing.

From our blog

• What is HVAC testing, adjusting & balancing?
• A GC’s guide to scheduling test & balance

Standards & references

• AABC — Associated Air Balance Council

Request a proposal →

The post What a TAB Report Includes (and Why Inspectors Want One) first appeared on Testing & Balancing USA.

Test and balance cost on commercial buildings is built from device count, system complexity, access conditions, and reporting requirements — not from a square-footage rule of thumb. Here is what drives the quote and how to read a TAB proposal critically.

How a test and balance cost quote is built

First, test and balance cost depends on the device count — every diffuser, return grille, VAV box, coil, pump, and fan is a billable measurement point. Then crew hours, mobilization, and report production round out the line items. Specifically, occupied-building work after-hours runs 1.5x the daytime closeout rate.

What drives test and balance cost on commercial projects

Furthermore, three variables move the test and balance cost most: device count (linear with hours), system complexity (multi-AHU, VFD-driven), and access constraints (high ceilings, occupied tenants, locked-out hours). Therefore, getting the mechanical drawings to us first is the fastest path to a fixed-price proposal.

How quoting actually works

A typical proposal lands within 1-2 business days of receipt of mechanical drawings. The estimator walks the drawings, counts every device on the air-side and water-side, applies a standard per-device rate (which varies by certification body and access difficulty), then adds mobilization, report production, and certification stamp. Occupied-building work after-hours runs 1.5x the daytime rate. High-rise work above the 20th floor adds an access surcharge. Multi-asset portfolio agreements get volume discounts. The proposal lists every line item — owners reading it can match every dollar back to a discrete scope element.

Frequently asked questions

Is test and balance cost negotiable?

The line-item breakdown is fixed once device count and access are confirmed. Test and balance cost moves only if scope moves.

Why does test and balance cost differ between vendors?

Often because of cert level, crew experience, and report quality. Cheapest test and balance cost rarely closes the engineer’s punch on the first round.

Does test and balance cost cover re-tests after corrections?

First re-test is usually included. Subsequent re-tests are an add-on. Test and balance cost on the proposal will name the included re-test count.

What drives pricing variation in the market

Three macro factors shape commercial HVAC verification pricing in metro Atlanta. First, labor availability — certified technician supply is tight, and union wage agreements set wage floors. Second, system complexity — modern commercial systems use VFD-driven equipment, BAS-controlled VAV terminal units, and chilled-beam or VRF systems that require specialized measurement procedures. Third, schedule pressure — closeout work that compresses into a two-week window costs more than work spread across six weeks. Owners who plan ahead capture the lowest market rates; owners who schedule reactively pay the premium.

Related reading

Want the full picture? See our pillar page on commercial air balancing.

From our blog

• 7 signs your building needs air balancing
• What happens when TAB isn’t done

Standards & references

• AABC — Associated Air Balance Council

Request a proposal →

The post How Much Does Test & Balance Cost? first appeared on Testing & Balancing USA.

NEBB vs AABC vs TABB — three TAB certification bodies, three different stamps, one industry. Specifically, the NEBB vs AABC question comes up on most commercial closeout specs because the engineer has to specify one. Owners who understand NEBB vs AABC ahead of bid avoid the most common procurement mistake — spec confusion that leaves them with the wrong stamp at closeout.

NEBB, AABC, and TABB are three independent certification bodies for testing, adjusting, and balancing contractors. Each maintains its own procedural standards and its own QA review process. Specifications typically cite one of the three. Here is how they differ and what the choice means for your project.

NEBB vs AABC — what each certification stamp means

First, NEBB vs AABC is the most common spec choice in commercial TAB. Specifically, NEBB (National Environmental Balancing Bureau) certifies the firm and the technician separately, with annual re-certification. Then AABC (Associated Air Balance Council) certifies the firm with strict independence requirements. Furthermore, TABB rounds out the trio with a SMACNA affiliation.

NEBB vs AABC — when specs require one over the other

Then, the NEBB vs AABC choice is usually dictated by the engineer’s spec. Additionally, GSA, VA, and most federal specs require NEBB; many private commercial specs accept either NEBB or AABC. Therefore, the owner should confirm the certification body before bid.

NEBB vs AABC — how owners should choose

Furthermore, in practice the NEBB vs AABC choice rarely matters for an experienced commercial TAB firm — both certifications require the same procedural rigor under ASHRAE 111. Specifically, owners should focus on the firm’s portfolio and the certified technician’s years in the field, not the acronym on the stamp.

Procurement context for owners

Most commercial specs are written by the engineer at the construction-document phase. The engineer picks the certifying body based on local market depth, federal requirements (if any), and prior project precedent. Owners can request a spec change before bid if they have a relationship with a firm holding a different certification. After bid, switching certification bodies costs change-order time; before bid, it costs nothing. Lenders rarely care which body is named; insurers rarely care; AHJs accept all the major bodies. The choice is essentially a matter of engineer preference and market depth.

Frequently asked questions

Is NEBB vs AABC certification interchangeable?

Most engineers accept either. NEBB vs AABC is a spec choice, not a quality difference — both require ASHRAE 111 procedural rigor.

Does federal work require NEBB vs AABC?

GSA, VA, and most federal specs require NEBB. Private commercial specs vary on NEBB vs AABC.

How do owners verify a firm’s NEBB vs AABC standing?

Both bodies publish member directories online. Owners should verify NEBB vs AABC current certification at bid and at award.

How the certifying bodies actually work

Each certifying body publishes its own procedural standard. ASHRAE 111 is the underlying industry reference; each body either adopts ASHRAE 111 directly or layers its own additional requirements on top. Each body maintains an online directory of certified firms and technicians. Each body requires continuing education and periodic re-certification to maintain standing. Each body audits a sample of member-firm projects annually to enforce quality. The differences between the bodies are at the margins — the procedural rigor is similar across all three.

History of the industry bodies

The National Environmental Balancing Bureau (NEBB) was founded in 1971 by SMACNA. The Associated Air Balance Council (AABC) was founded in 1965 with a focus on independent third-party verification. The Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing Bureau (TABB) emerged later, also as a SMACNA affiliate. Each body responded to a specific market need at the time. Today all three operate in parallel, with overlapping but distinct memberships. The federal procurement market historically favored NEBB; the private commercial market often defaults to AABC or NEBB; the SMACNA-affiliated bodies (NEBB, TABB) carry weight on union-labor projects.

Related reading

Want the full picture? See our pillar page on our TAB services.

From our blog

• What is HVAC testing, adjusting & balancing?
• How much does test & balance cost?

Standards & references

• AABC — Associated Air Balance Council
• NEBB — National Environmental Balancing Bureau
• TABB — Testing, Adjusting & Balancing Bureau

Request a proposal →

The post NEBB vs AABC vs TABB — TAB Certifications Guide first appeared on Testing & Balancing USA.

Commissioning vs test and balance is a question that comes up on most commercial closeouts. The two trades overlap on schedule and on equipment touched, but the deliverables are different. Owners and GCs deciding commissioning vs test and balance scope should understand what each delivers and why most commercial projects need both.

Commissioning vs test and balance — what each trade verifies

First, commissioning verifies that every sequence, sensor, damper, and valve in the BAS behaves as designed. Then test and balance proves that every device on the air and water side hits design flow. Specifically, commissioning under ASHRAE Guideline 0; TAB under ASHRAE 111.

Commissioning vs test and balance — where the scopes overlap

Additionally, the two trades coordinate on functional testing because TAB data feeds commissioning verification. Furthermore, commissioning findings often trigger TAB rework. Therefore, the right sequence places both on the closeout schedule with daily coordination during the punch phase.

Commissioning vs test and balance — what owners receive

However, the deliverables stay distinct. The commissioning report cites the relevant TAB data. The TAB report supports the commissioning verification. Therefore, owners receive two documents that work together, not one document with both scopes blended.

Talk to us about a project

Send the mechanical drawings and a schedule outline, and you will hear back within one business day with a fixed-price proposal.

Request a proposal   Call 800-883-6040

Related reading

Want the full picture? See our pillar page on HVAC commissioning & retro-commissioning.

From our blog

• Retro-commissioning existing buildings
• What is HVAC testing, adjusting & balancing?

Standards & references

• ASHRAE Guideline 0 — The Commissioning Process

Request a proposal →

The post HVAC Commissioning vs. Test & Balance: How They Differ first appeared on Testing & Balancing USA.