HVAC Commissioning
Peyton Collie
Project Manager Technical Resources
SMACNA
Commissioning (Cx)
O What it is
O Purpose
O Benefits
O How it is currently accomplished
O Where is appears to be going
O Roles and responsibilities
O Costs and resources
What Is Commissioning ?
Commissioning is a systematic and
documented process of assuring that
specific building systems performs
interactively in accordance with the
design intent and the owner’s
operational needs.
Cx Origins
O Cx is an outgrowth of the Total Quality
Management (TQM) process
O Originally Cx focused on HVAC because:
– Typically the most energy intensive element in
commercial buildings
– HVAC plays a major role in IAQ which has impacts
employee well-being, productivity, and absenteeism
O In recent years, it has being positioned as a
service for engineering firms
Purpose Of Cx
O Collaborative effort to identify and
address design, construction, and
operational issues, an “extra pairs of eyes”
O Develop solutions that meet owners
performance and operational needs
O Have the building operate as intended
from day One!
Overall Benefits Of Cx
O Discover design problems early when they
are less expensive to fix
O Reduce change orders
O Smoother transition at project handover
O Creates more effective O&M via
documentation and facility staff training
O Improved IAQ, fewer occupant complaints
O Lower energy costs
Who Benefits From Commissioning?
O OWNERS
O DESIGNERS
O CONTRACTORS
Benefits To Owners
O Systems function as designed and as the
owner intended
O Maximized efficiency minimizes energy,
maintenance and operating costs
O Improved tenant comfort
O Improved tenant productivity and
retention
Benefits To Designers
O Functional performance verification
and acceptance tests of key systems
O Improved job specs and drawings
which improves coordination among
trades
O All the above provide direct design
feedback – a learning experience
Benefits To Contractors
O Improved construction planning
and coordination
O Fewer deficiencies at substantial
completion
O Better documentation of system
start-up and function = fewer call
backs
Current Use Of CX
O Often used for buildings with complex or
critical systems to reduce risks
– Hospitals
– Computer component fabricators
O Embraced by environmental proponents
– Required for LEED Certification
O Required in some states for public buildings
– Washington State < 50,000 sq. ft.
– States and cities are integrating Cx into codes
How Does Cx “Get” Into
Construction?
O Include Cx in the design/development
– Identify systems appropriate for Cx
– Define roles and responsibilities
O Include Cx specifications in the project
documents
O Develop Cx operating procedures that
covers all possible operational modes and
conditions
Where Do Contractors Fit?
O Numerous Cx business models exist
O Most recommend third-party Cx
contractors working directly for the owner
O HVAC Cx is basically TAB unless
functional testing is required
O SMACNA contractors can provide third-
party Cx services or TAB-like Cx testing
Functional Testing
O Functional testing – A functional testing
program verifies that the building’s
systems perform interactively in all
modes of operation as intended.
– HVAC controls shut down according to
design intent on fire alarm, pressurize
stairwells, close dampers, etc.
– Systematic testing in all operational modes
Commissioning Authority
O Generally works for the owner
O Typically independent of design and
construction contractors
O Witnesses performance tests
O Verifies acceptable performance
O Often a group of experienced specialists,
especially at the “higher” commissioning
levels, i.e. hospitals, knowledgeable about all
systems and building operations
Foundation Of Cx
O Design Intent--Fixed
– Original, underlying assumptions
O Owner’s operational needs—Changing
– Building may initially be designed according
to these needs but this is something that
almost always changes over time.
– Change-of-use building evolution presents
re-commissioning opportunities
Cx Impact On HVAC
O Identify design elements that prevent
functional testing
– Duct design that causes turbulence could not be
accurately tested under Cx protocols
O Can increase contractor cost if installations are
not done according to Cx documents
– Experts verifying duct installations
O Has the potential to greatly reduce mechanical
system interferences and changer orders
Logical Cx Phases
O Pre-design*
O Design*
O Construction
O Acceptance
O Warranty
O Continuous Cx
*Often combined as Design
Design Cx Activities
O Design intent is created in response to
owners expressed requirements
O Resolve confusing information
O Evaluate constructability
O Look for commissionabililty of systems
– Identify designs that prevent or impede
functional testing
O Identify value engineering opportunities
Cx Design Phase Benefits
O Clarifies construction documents
O Reduces E&O claims
O Minimizes change orders
O Lessens likelihood of delays
O Gets everyone on the same “page”
Design Intent
O The building’s design benchmark
O Sometimes referred to as Owner’s
Project Requirements
O A written document that details:
– Functional requirements of the facility
– Expectations of use and operation
O Precursor to the Program Document
Program Document
O Contains the Cx criteria as set by the owner
– Scope – What will be commissioned
– Roles and responsibilities – Matrix and sequence
– Timing – When activities take place
– Team – Generic identification of participants
– Procedures – Acceptance/verification
benchmarks, test protocols or code that applies
– Operator training – Involvement/familiarization
– Documentation – Plan content, checks and tests,
training and final report format
Design Phase
O Alternate design solutions for Cx
O Cx Specifications
– Cx agent qualifications list
– Define roles and responsibilities
– Generic list of Cx team members
– List of systems subject to Cx
– Acceptance and verification procedures
– Coordination requirements and schedule
Construction Phase
O System readiness and start up
O Operation and functional performance
checkout
O Functional performance verification by
Cx Authority
O Demonstration and use and service
instructions for handover to owner
Acceptance Phase
O Subset of Construction Phase
– Completion of project as fully-operational facility
with verification by Cx Authority
– Functional test—individual systems
– Functional test—between systems
O Instruction and handover to operators
– Operation of each system
– Startup and shut down procedures
– Operational monitoring and maintenance
SMACNA-Defined Levels Of Cx
O Level 1 – Basic
O Level 2 – Comprehensive
O Level 3 – Critical Systems
O Re-commissioning
Level 1 Basic Cx
O Only during construction and acceptance
– Schedule developed
– Equipment and system pre-start and start-up
– Functional performance tests
– Operations, instruction and demonstration
O Embedded approach for competent contractors
committed to quality
O The benefits of Cx typically offset the
additional costs
Level 2 Comprehensive Cx
Takes place during all phases of the project
O Pre-design phase
– Owner and Cx team assures that the owner’s
operating goals can be met by the design
O Design intent/specifications
O Construction commissioning plan phase
O Equipment and system pre-start and start-up
O Functional performance tests and acceptance
O Instruction of and demonstrations to operating
personnel
Level 3 Critical Systems Cx
O Similar to Level 2 Cx with additional details
O More detailed functional performance testing with
step-by-step procedures
O Usually includes meeting very specific operational
or environmental conditions
– Labs, Fume Hood, Surgical Suites, etc
O Facilities staff may operate the systems during
testing to verify performance of critical factors
O Usually applied to systems involving life safety,
health risks, high-value processing or research
Re-commissioning
O Can apply to periodic Cx of a previously
commissioned facility ~ every five years?
O A structured method to address O&M
issues in an older building.
O Cx existing systems requires same steps
except that design problems or
shortcomings must be worked around
O Can accompany a building renovation
Roles & Responsibilities
O Owner
O Commissioning Authority
O Architect
O Engineer
O HVAC Contractor
Owner
O Define requirements
O Assigns commissioning responsibilities
O Assign a point of contact to the owner
– Typically Cx Authority/Agent
O Develop contractual provisions
Commissioning Authority
O Review design plans and specifications
O Schedule commissioning
– Training Sessions
– Walk-Through Inspections
– Review of Operations Manuals and final
demonstration of systems
Architect
O Ensuresshop drawing reviews are
coordinated with the
Commissioning Authority
Engineer
O Document design intent
O Coordinate O&M Manual Requirements
O HVAC O&M training sessions
O Shop drawing and submittal reviews
HVAC Contractor
O Coordinates testing with
subcontractors and vendors
O Conduct walk-through inspections
O Demonstrate functional performance of
equipment
O As-built mark-up drawings
HVAC/Electrical Cx Costs
O HVAC and controls
2 – 3% of total mechanical costs
O Electrical systems
1 – 2% of total electrical costs
Commissioning Resources
O www.smacna.org
O www.ashrae.org
O www.nibs.org
Questions
Comments
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