Building enclosure commissioning, a quality-assurance process intended to ensure a building meets the owner’s requirements, offers benefits including cost savings. The process fosters the ability to catch and eliminate problems early and inexpensively, resulting in reduced project costs and fewer change orders.
ASHRAE Guideline 0-2013 and NIBS Guideline 3 both address building enclosure commissioning. The process begins in the predesign phase with the formation of a commissioning team.
The key document established by the commissioning team in the predesign phase is the owner’s project requirements, which means the owner’s representatives are an invaluable part of the commissioning team for making the owner’s needs known and understood.
After design and construction, the commissioning process should address ongoing operation, maintenance and modification of the project throughout its life. Commissioning guidelines also cover responsibilities for the team and commissioning authority, expectations for the schedule, and documentation. Other practices found within the guidelines include documenting training requirements, verifying training, and the creation of a systems manual for understanding how to operate and maintain all the systems and assemblies within a project.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Jun 21, 2017
Senate bill would prohibit tax money for sports stadium projects
Bipartisan legislation would prevent use of municipal bonds by pro teams.
Codes and Standards | Jun 19, 2017
Developer, architect hit with $10 million construction defect verdict
Case pertained to construction of condo development that was not fire code-compliant.
Codes and Standards | Jun 19, 2017
Green building advocates erect icehouses on Penn. state capitol steps to make point on codes
State’s codes have not been updated since 2009.
Codes and Standards | Jun 15, 2017
Cornell Tech unveils plans to reach Net Zero at The Bloomberg Center
Campus plans include photovoltaic arrays and geothermal ground source heat pumps.
Codes and Standards | Jun 13, 2017
Canada Green Building Council and Green Business Certification Inc. announce partnership
New joint venture will deliver enhanced services and support tools and programs throughout Canada.
Codes and Standards | Jun 8, 2017
Nail-Laminated Timber Design and Construction Guide released
New document focuses on design and construction considerations for horizontal NLT applications.
Codes and Standards | Jun 8, 2017
Car sharing popularity means parking zoning and codes may be promoting overbuilding of garages
Some designers look to modular designs in anticipation of alternate uses.
Codes and Standards | Jun 7, 2017
IAPMO advances toward new 2017 Water Efficiency and Sanitation Standard
Revised pipe-sizing method for residential applications will be included.
Codes and Standards | Jun 7, 2017
New Colorado law could stimulate stalled condo market
Construction defect law modifications could ease litigation risk and cut insurance rates.
Codes and Standards | Jun 6, 2017
New York City will require construction superintendents on buildings higher than three stories
New laws focus on construction safety.