Chapter 34 of the ASHRAE 1995 HVAC Applications Handbook defines TAB as:

• System testing, adjusting, and balancing is the process of checking and adjusting all the environmental systems in a building to produce the design objectives. This process includes (1) balancing air and water distribution systems, (2) adjusting the total system to provide design quantities, (3) electrical measurement, (4) establishing quantitative performance of all equipment, (5) verifying automatic controls, and (6) sound and vibration measurement. These procedures are accomplished by (1) checking installations for conformity to design; (2) measuring and establish the fluid quantities of the system, as required to meet design specifications; and (3) recording and reporting the results.