Commissioning is a systematic process of assuring that a building performs in accordance with the design intent and the owner's operational needs. Buildings that need commissioning include: schools, office buildings, hospitals, laboratories and health care facilities.

HVAC building commissioning introduces a fundamental paradigm shift from a price/schedule dimension to a quality focus dimension.

Designers are judged by owners on all aspects associated with the finished product.

Owners assume the designers will bear costs associated with poor construction or problems that arise.

By obtaining an HVAC commissioning agent, the owner will:

• Receive a high quality product
  
• Be well satisfied with the design team

Benefits of Commissioning

• Reduction of change order and claims
  
• Reduction in project delays
  
• Enforced start-up requirement
  
• Shortened building turnover period
  
• Reduce post-occupancy corrective work
  
• Minimize effects of design defects
  
• Improve productivity and indoor environment
  
• Increase maintainablility and reliability
  
• Reduction in energy and operating cost
  
• Increase value by better quality construction
  
• Reduction in cutting corners
  
• Healthy indoor air quality
  
• Optimized functional performance
  
• Architects can expect a building with far smaller post-construction headaches for them to handle.
  
• Engineers know the HVAC systems are virtually assured of working as intended, thus eliminating post-occupancy troubleshooting visits.
  
• Contractors and their sub-contractors benefit from their ability to lower their cash set-asides for warranty reserves and call-backs.
  
• Bottom Line: The design team gains the prospect of repeat and expanded business from complete owner satisfaction.

Basic Commissioning Service

1. Review updated drawings with any changes made during construction. The basis of design document. System operating descriptions. One-line diagrams.

2. Review software documentation.

3. Provide input to the construction schedule.

4. Coordinate work completion and functional performance tests.

5. Write functional performance test procedures.

6. Assemble O & M manuals.

7. Verify installation.

8. Perform pre-startup checks.

9. Supervise system start-up.

10. Supervise Test and Balance (if required).

11. Supervise and witness functional performance tests.

12. Present owner staff training.

13. Assemble record drawings.