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
Healthcare Facilities | Jun 10, 2016
Top 10 health technology hazards include some influenced by space design
ECRI Institute’s annual list includes operational and workflow issues.
Codes and Standards | Jun 9, 2016
Supreme Court ruling could aid developers on properties containing wetlands
Unanimous decision allows landowners to take regulatory decisions straight to court.
Green | Jun 8, 2016
TD Bank Group's renovated Toronto office is first WELL-Certified project under WELL v1
The newly renovated 25,000-sf space achieved gold-level status.
Concrete | Jun 7, 2016
Concrete Institute publishes document providing concrete curing guidance
New curing monitoring techniques included.
Energy | Jun 7, 2016
Energy modeling payback typically as short as one to two months
Energy modeling is a ‘no-brainer—like checking MPG on a car’
Green | Jun 2, 2016
USGBC offers new LEED pilot credit: Building Material Human Hazard and Exposure Assessment
For assessing human health-related exposure scenarios for construction products.
Resiliency | Jun 1, 2016
Federal agencies boost standards for more resilient construction
HUD, FEMA, GSA, Army Corps of Engineers make policy changes.
Green | May 31, 2016
Miami Beach requires developers to meet green standards or pay a fee
Applies to structures larger than 7,000 sf.
Codes and Standards | May 27, 2016
Better enforcement needed for successful implementation of energy efficiency policies
Commercial buildings the focus of recent code initiatives.
Codes and Standards | May 25, 2016
LEED Dynamic is worth the effort, says commercial real estate executive
San Diego office tower is California’s first office building to receive LEED Dynamic plaque in recertification.