Marine HVAC commissioning and balancing

Air and water balancing, functional testing and documentation — at the yard, during sea trials and on retrofits.

Marine HVAC commissioning from yard to delivery

A ship's HVAC system consists of hundreds of supply and exhaust points, long duct runs through many fire zones and chilled water circuits that serve everything from cabins to control rooms. Once the installation is complete, all of it has to be balanced before the system delivers what the specification requires. IM Service has many years of experience commissioning and balancing ventilation and HVAC on ships. We measure and adjust airflows and pressures, balance chilled water and heating circuits, test the controls and document the result for the yard, the owner and the classification society.

Technician inspecting a frequency converter on a ship

How marine commissioning works

We join the project as the installation nears completion. First we review drawings and specifications and plan the measurement sequence with the yard. Then we measure system by system: airflows, pressures, water flows and temperatures. Deviations are reported as we go, so they can be fixed while there is still access. Once the systems are balanced, we carry out functional tests and verify the result — often during sea trials. Finally, we compile every measurement into a report that can go into the ship's delivery documentation.

Experience from European and Asian yards

Our technicians have worked at yards in Germany, Finland, China and South Korea — on cruise ships, ferries, container ships, tankers, offshore support vessels, cable layers and research vessels. We know how the yards work and are used to short mobilization times and changing time zones. We handle travel planning, safety courses and mobilization ourselves, so you only have to think about the job.

What we offer

Air balancing

Measuring and adjusting airflow at every supply and exhaust point, so cabins, public areas and technical rooms get their design airflow.

Water balancing

Balancing chilled water and heating circuits so capacity is distributed correctly to every consumer on board.

Functional testing

Testing fans, dampers, valves and controls, including fire dampers and shutdown together with the ship's systems.

Sea trials

Balancing and verification during sea trials, where the system is tested under real operating conditions.

Documentation for class

Measurement protocols and reports that meet the requirements of the yard, the owner and the classification society.

Retrofit commissioning

Rebalancing after conversions and upgrades, so the modified systems work together with the rest of the ship.

Frequently asked questions

When should commissioning be planned?

The earlier the better. If we know the schedule for installation and sea trials, we can plan the measurements so commissioning does not delay delivery.

Do you balance both air and water?

Yes. We balance both ventilation systems and chilled water and heating circuits, and test their controls.

Do you work to class requirements?

Yes. Our documentation meets the requirements of the yard, the owner and the classification society.

Can you help on an existing ship where the ventilation doesn't work?

Yes. We survey the system, find the cause of the problems and rebalance it — including while the ship is in port between voyages.