BUILDING

Building commissioning is the systematic approach to reviewing the design, equipment selection, installation and functionality of energy systems by an independent third party entity to ensure conformance with the owner’s project requirements for a facility.  

The objective of commissioning is to turnover a building that operates the way the owner originally intended, minimize call-backs for the contractor, maximize operational efficiency and training the operations staff in the proper operation of the facility.  In some jurisdictions, commissioning is required to meet code requirements. Commissioning also reduces construction costs by minimizing design errors and construction rework, extending equipment life and improving productivity of occupants through increased indoor air quality, lower noise, and better lighting.

A Commissioning Provider is an independent third-party engineer that is typically contracted to the owner of the building that leads, schedules and coordinates the commissioning effort from the design phase through occupancy.  It is important to have a Commissioning Provider, as someone who is looking out for the best interest of the building owner and ensuring systems are installed and function to a level that meets the owner’s project requirements.

The commissioning process is governed by ASHRAE Guideline 0-2019, The Commissioning Process and requires the following specific tasks:

 

Development of Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR)

 

Development of Commissioning Plan

 

Review the Basis of Design (BOD) and compare it to the OPR

 

Conduct a design review at the 60% CD and 90% CD phases

 

Include commissioning requirements in the project specifications

 

Conduct pre-construction meeting

 

Review equipment submittals

 

Develop prefunctional checklists and functional performance tests

 

Conduct commissioning team meetings

 

Witness startup of equipment and TAB

 

Witness functional performance testing of equipment and systems

 

Coordinate and verify training requirements for facility operations staff

 

Provide final commissioning report

 

Assemble systems manual

 

Perform any required seasonal testing

 

Perform warranty review prior to the expiration of equipment warranties

ASHRAE Guideline 0-2019, The Commissioning Process, is the most widely recognized commissioning guideline, however, other governing agencies such as the Associated Air Balance Council Commissioning Group (ACG), and the Building Commissioning Association (BCxA) have published guidelines related to commissioning as well.  In some jurisdictions, such as California, commissioning is required by building code (Title 24) for buildings of a certain size and complexity.

No, however, a commissioning provider must have demonstrable experience providing building commissioning services in order to earn certain commissioning certifications. Certification organizations include the Building Commissioning Association (BCxA), the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), the Associated Air Balance Council’s Commissioning Group (AGC), the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) and the University of Wisconsin’s Department of Engineering Professional Development.

 

All of CriticalArc’s commissioning engineers hold certifications from the BCxA, ASHRAE or the University of Wisconsin.

Commissioning is a prerequisite in the Energy and Atmosphere (EA) section of the LEED manual, therefore it is a requirement.  The USGBC refers to this prerequisite as Fundamental Commissioning. There are also two additional points that can be earned by satisfying the requirements of Energy and Atmosphere (EA) Credit 3 for Enhanced Commissioning.

 

The requirements for Fundamental Commissioning are as follows:

 

Document the Owner’s Project Requirements

 

Incorporate commissioning requirements into the construction documents

 

Develop a Commissioning Plan

 

Verify the installation and performance of systems to be commissioned (specified by LEED)

 

Develop a Final Commissioning Report

 

The requirements for Enhanced Commissioning are as follows:

 

Conduct a design review

 

Review equipment submittals

 

Develop and Systems Manual

 

Verify operator training is completed

 

Perform a warranty review 10 months after turnover

Yes, commissioning is required by Title 24, Part 6 in California.  For building less than 10,000 sq ft, the code calls for a design review and can be performed by a licensed professional engineer, architect or contractor, including the engineer or architect of record.  For buildings greater than 10,000 sq ft, the following requirements must be met:

 

Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR) development

 

Basis of Design (BOD) development

 

Design reviews at the 50% and 90% design phases

 

Incorporate commissioning requirements into the construction documents

 

Develop a Commissioning Plan

 

Functional Performance testing

 

Operations and Maintenance training

 

Final Commissioning Report

 

Title 24, Part 11 (CALGreen) also includes some additional requirements for the commissioning of buildings in California, such as which systems are required to be commissioned.