Sustainable Building Technical Manual - Etn-presco.net

Benefits of Building Commissioning■ The building-commissioning process provides for testing and verification of buildingsystems to ensure that they perform as designed and meet expectations for energy consumptionand costs.■ The contractor commissioning activities and documentation ensure that systems areinstalled as designed, thereby reducing the occurrence of problems at the project’scompletion and over the life of the building.■ The building-commissioning process is used to discover deficiencies in the buildingand its systems before occupancy. It is more cost-effective to correct any deficiencies(both in design and construction) at that time.■ Construction-phase and post-occupancy building commissioning improve the buildingsystems’ performance under real, live conditions, reducing the potential for usercomplaints.■ The building-commissioning process helps ensure the proper functioning of buildingswith good indoor air quality. 2 (See Chapter 13, “Indoor Air Quality,” for additionalinformation.)■ Using the HVAC system design documentation as a checklist ensures that the HVACsystem capacity meets the projected peak and actual thermal loads for population andequipment. 3 This review reduces the need for potentially costly construction changeorders, which in turn reduces construction costs and the architect’s potential liability.■ The building-commissioning process provides the design team with a better understandingof the building’s systems, resulting in improved design and better coordinationof the construction documents.■ Recommissioning a building throughout its life on a regular, annual, or biannual,schedule ensures the proper functioning of systems on a continuing basis. By maintainingindoor air quality, building recommissioning may also reduce worker complaintsand improve worker productivity. 4 This in turn may reduce the buildingowner’s potential liability.■ Some utility companies are exploring the possibility of providing rebates or reducedutility rates to building owners whose buildings are commissioned or recommissioned,which may provide additional savings to cover the commissioning costs.■ Professional liability insurance companies are exploring the possibility of reducingannual premiums for architects and engineers who perform building commissioningon their projects.A good building-commissioning process requires leadership, planning, thorough documentation,and systematic implementation. For the design and construction of greenbuildings, the advantages are tangible. Building commissioning reduces energy consumptionand promotes good indoor air quality. It can be a cost-effective method to producethese results and should be seriously considered for large projects. 5. ☛ SUGGESTED PRACTICES AND CHECKLISTIDesign and Construction Documents Phase❑ Select the building systems to be covered in the commissioning process.In large and sophisticated buildings, many systems are integrated. Expanding commissioningactivities to cover multiple systems may be desirable. The American Society ofHeating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has published guidelinesfor commissioning HVAC systems. 6 Figure 1 provides a list of additional systemsthat should be considered for commissioning.