Test and Balance is concerned with setting flow rates, pressures, and temperatures to within maximum and minimum values, which are prerequisites to functional performance testing. Commissioning is the execution and documentation of the system’s individual components and system’s sequence of operation when flow, pressure, and temperature are optimized during a full range of conditions and loads.

Test and balance is a traditional construction activity. This construction phase activity cannot meet the needs of building commissioning. Commissioning includes test and balance plus many other pieces during the entire building process.