A Behind-the-Scenes Look at SMP LeBlanc’s HVAC Balancing Work at Maniwaki Seniors’ Home

Climatisation Bativac Inc., the ventilation contractor in charge, brought us in to take care of two big parts of the ERE process: duct testing and air balancing. The work was part of a brand-new construction project, where everything was being built from the ground up. That meant we had to be just as sharp and dialled in as every other contractor on-site.

Here’s what that looked like from our side of things.

Step One: Duct Testing 

Before any balancing could begin, we rolled up our sleeves for a thorough round of duct testing, which is a foundational step that’s often underappreciated but critical to the performance of the entire HVAC system. 

In a new build like this one, where systems are being fine-tuned from scratch, duct testing plays a key role in identifying early inefficiencies, ensuring proper sealing, and verifying airflow capacity. This is what helps us figure out if the ducts need fixing before going further; it helps us assure adequate duct performance.

Our team executed the duct testing using the engineering consultants’ protocols, which ensured consistent and dependable results. Every reading informed the next step and helped shape a duct installation that would not just work on paper but perform reliably for years to come.

This stage set the foundation for what came next.

Step Two: Getting the Air Balancing Just Right

Once the ducts were tested and cleared, we moved on to air balancing, which is the part of the job that’s a bit more hands-on.

This is where we fine-tune how air moves through a building. The goal is to make sure every room gets the right amount of air, at the right pressure, and at the right time. In a place like Maniwaki Seniors’ House, where comfort and safety are front and center, that balance has to be spot on.

However, the layout presented its own set of challenges. The mechanical room, where many of the main components were housed, was elevated and difficult to access. In addition, strict health and safety protocols were in place, particularly around pandemic ventilation modes, so the situation demanded both technical savvy and strict procedural adherence.

Of course, no site is without its hiccups. Some areas of the building were not quite finished yet, and we were still waiting on a few control components. Therefore, we started by balancing the main ducts proportionally. 

Our work is still in progress, and we will continue the follow-up adjustments once all the components of all the systems are completed to make sure every zone is tuned just right.

A Smooth Job Comes Down to Solid Teamwork

We worked closely with Climatisation Bativac inc. throughout the process, and their presence on-site made it easy to sort out the usual punch-list items, which are things like minor defects or missing parts. 

We also teamed up with NSW Contrôle inc., the crew handling regulation and control systems. Their input kept things moving, especially when it came to optimizing how everything was supposed to work once powered up.

That kind of open communication made a huge difference because there were no delays and no pointing fingers, just a shared focus on getting the job done right.

What This Project Means to Us

Every job teaches you something. At Maniwaki, we learned how important it is to stay calm and flexible, especially when you are up against a tight schedule and equipment access is limited. We had to manage a few shutdowns, but we stayed focused, kept things on track, and delivered what we promised.

Honestly, being part of a project built to serve the elderly community made it all the more meaningful.

This project also really drove home how important collaboration is in our industry. When you have a team that communicates well and trusts each other’s expertise, amazing things happen.

The residents of Maniwaki deserve nothing less than perfect comfort and air quality. Knowing that our work contributes to their daily well-being is what makes projects like this more than just another job.

That’s the kind of work we’re proud to be part of.