1. Introduction to LEED Building Commissioning
4/11/2018
Introduction to LEED Building Commissioning
Presented by Bob Alpers, PE
TESTMARCx Commissioning Solutions
Commissioning is the process of verifying the project meets the owners intent.
Commissioning has been around for a long time. It was common among ships to make sure they were sea worthy. When your in 50 ft seas its good to know the ship has been tested.
Some of the first buildings were in the pharmaceutical industry. Commissioning has been popular in construction since the early 90’s. A number of public organization began to develop a standard procedure.
Introduction to Building Commissioning

2. Agenda Benefits Introduction to LEED Commissioning
Requirements and Deliverables
Process
Questions

3. Commissioning Purpose
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Commissioning Purpose
How does the building function relative to the Owners Project Requirements?
Very simply most buildings will achieve about 90% of the actual owners intent.
Introduction to Building Commissioning

4. When should we start Commissioning?
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When should we start Commissioning?
Benefits & Cost Savings
Cost to Change $
There is a false myth that Additional Cx is not cost-effective.
Additional Cx pays for itself with avoided costs of:
RFI's and change orders.
Proper system / component selection
Identify operation and maintenance needs and incorporating them
Case Study
Concept
Design
Construction
Acceptance
Occupancy
Time
Introduction to Building Commissioning

5. What is systems are impacted most?
Control System Problems
Comfort Problems
Air Quality Problems
Building Maintenance Costs
Operations Staff understanding

6. LEED Objective – Get Certified
4/11/2018
LEED Objective – Get Certified
LEED Rating Points Required
Certified points
Silver points
Gold points
Platinum points
Many organizations are becoming active in the campaign to promote ecology and energy efficiency. Owning a green building is good public relations. Saying you are building green and actually doing it are two different things however. The USGBC was formed, and it has created a rating system for green buildings much like the Energy Star program that rates appliances. If awarded a certification the building gets a large plaque to display outside on the wall of the building. The more green a building is the higher the rating. Like Olympic medals the more precious the metal the higher the rating. Like silver, gold and platinum.
There are certain minimum requirements called prerequisites that every project must do just to get in the game and they get no credit points for doing them. Then Points are awarded for adding . The more points a build
Buildings Certified Under USGBC Guidelines
Introduction to Building Commissioning

7. LEED- EA Prerequisite 1 Commissioning under Energy and Atmosphere
4/11/2018
LEED- EA Prerequisite 1
The Points are awarded for meeting criteria in 5 different categories. They are Indoor environmental quality, Site selection and landscape, building materials, energy efficiency, and water efficiency.
Commissioning under
Energy and Atmosphere
Introduction to Building Commissioning

8. WHAT ARE THE LEED Commissioning ACTIVITIES?
4/11/2018
WHAT ARE THE LEED Commissioning ACTIVITIES?
Energy and Atmosphere Credit Category
EA Prerequisite 1 ( required, must be completed)
Fundamental Commissioning
EA Credit 3 ( additional available point)
Enhanced Commissioning
Most often the Cx is asked to provide two credits. Under the Energy and Atmosphere EA Category there is the prerequisite that requires Fundamental Commissioning. It’s a requirement for LEED.
Under EA Credit 3 ( credit 2 when the project is a commercial interior finish project CI ) an additional point is available for doing the tasks under Enhanced Commissioning.
Another possibility is the M&V Credit 5 under EA but that’s a different discussion. Bill Thompson is the expert on that topic.
Introduction to Building Commissioning

9. Fundamental Commissioning
4/11/2018
Fundamental Commissioning
Pre-Requisite 1 Overview:
Designate a third party Cx
Review OPR and BOD Document
Specify Commissioning in CD
Lets look at EA pre req first and talk bout the basic requirements.
Introduction to Building Commissioning

10. Fundamental Commissioning
4/11/2018
Fundamental Commissioning
Prerequisite Overview (Cont’d)
Develop a Cx Plan.
Verify installation meets BOD
Verify performance of systems
Summary report
Certify Commissioned
Continued.
Introduction to Building Commissioning

11. Fundamental Commissioning EA Prereq. 1
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Fundamental Commissioning EA Prereq. 1
The Process Under LEED
Lets look at the process and were the specific tasks fit in.
Introduction to Building Commissioning

12. Project Milestones in Construction Schedule
Commissioning Plan
Review Owners Functional Requirements
& Basis of Design
Verify Installation
Pre-Functional
Checklist
Functional
Testing
Scoping
Meetings
Incorporate
Commissioning
Specification
Collect Start-up
Check sheets
Final Cx
Report
PLAN
DESIGN
CONSTRUCT
ACCEPT
OCCUPANCY
Project Timeline

13. Owners Project Requirements Workshops
4/11/2018
Owners Project Requirements Workshops
Conduct and Owners Project Requirements Workshop
One to Two Days not always same week or participants
Utilize Normal Group Technique (NGT) Recommended
Prepare for interview with interview of several key people
Participants-Owners, Admin Staff, Occupants, utilities, local officials, neighbors, O&M staff, contractors…
Determine Key Expectations-in IAQ, comfort, costs, O&M, Environmental impact, sustainability
Rank and rate expectations
Given Questions-
Small groups to work out concepts
Introduction to Building Commissioning

14. Owners Project Requirements
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Owners Project Requirements
The commissioning team is responsible:
OPR gets documented.
OPR is a Focus
O&M, Efficiency, Easy of Maint., Functional needs.
Address HVAC, Lighting, Indoor Environment
Often times the Cx Authority is hired to commission a project for LEED but the OPR or the BOD. Early on this should be identified and requested with the owner. The design consultants must write the BOD. It will be requested so get the ball rolling by asking early.
Introduction to Building Commissioning

15. Commissioning Plan The commissioning plan must contain:
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Commissioning Plan
The commissioning plan must contain:
Overview & goals
Project information
Systems to be commissioned
Team’s roles & protocol
Describe Deliverables
List Key Milestones and schedule.
Milestones include 90% design review, review submittal, Kickoff meeting, pre functional test procedures completed, duct and pipe pressure testing, Startup, Training class, final report, 10 month seasonal test, warranty review.
Introduction to Building Commissioning

16. What Systems does LEED require Commission?
Systems and Assemblies having to do with operational efficiencies:
HVAC Systems
Building Automation
Lighting Controls
Domestic Heating
Renewable Energy

17. Commissioning Specifications
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Commissioning Specifications
Contract Divisions 1, 15 and 16
Must alert contractors that they will be required to demonstrated the functional systems for the owners representative the Commissioning Authority.
Introduction to Building Commissioning

18. Written Test Procedures
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Written Test Procedures
Objective Must include the following:
Verify systems installed.
Performs as Specified:
Often times the Cx Authority is hired to commission a project for LEED but the OPR or the BOD. Early on this should be identified and requested with the owner. The design consultants must write the BOD. It will be requested so get the ball rolling by asking early.
CxA Writes the Test Procedures
Introduction to Building Commissioning

19. Prefunctional Checklists (PFCs)

20. Installation Verification
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Installation Verification
Focus is O&M
Regular meeting for status of prefunctional, scheduling testing, scheduling training,
Introduction to Building Commissioning

21. Prefunctional Check List
Electrical Conduit & Wall Blocking VAV Box Access

22. Master Deficiency List

23. Verify System Performance
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Verify System Performance
Functional Testing of Systems:
Observe Startup Activities
Functionally Test Equipment and Systems
Often times the Cx Authority is hired to commission a project for LEED but the OPR or the BOD. Early on this should be identified and requested with the owner. The design consultants must write the BOD. It will be requested so get the ball rolling by asking early.
Introduction to Building Commissioning

24. Functional Performance Tests (FPT)

25. Final Commissioning Report
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Final Commissioning Report
Must be presented to the owner within reasonable time and must include:
Executive summary
Testing results
Deficiency List and History
Outstanding Issues
BOD review.
Often times the Cx Authority is hired to commission a project for LEED but the OPR or the BOD. Early on this should be identified and requested with the owner. The design consultants must write the BOD. It will be requested so get the ball rolling by asking early.
Introduction to Building Commissioning

26. Enhanced Commissioning EA Credit 3
4/11/2018
Enhanced Commissioning EA Credit 3
The Process Under LEED
Lets look at the process and were the specific tasks fit in.
Introduction to Building Commissioning

27. Enhanced Cx EA Credit 3 ( additional credit 1 point) Design Review
4/11/2018
Enhanced Cx
EA Credit 3 ( additional credit 1 point)
Design Review
Contractor Submittals Review
Verify Training
10th Month Warranty & Operations Review
Systems manual
Next is enhanced commissioning. This includes services usually above an beyond normal commissioning.
Introduction to Building Commissioning

28. Fundamental & Enhanced
Commissioning Plan Cx
Report and
Systems Manual
Owners Functional Requirements
& Basis of Design
Submittal & O&M Review
Design Document
Reviews & Commissioning
In Specification
Functional Performance
Testing
Warranty
Review
10th month Operation
Revised Plan
Verify Installation & Checklist
Scoping
Meetings
Verify Training
Start-up
PLAN
DESIGN
CONSTRUCT
ACCEPT
OCCUPANCY
Project Timeline

29. Review Mechanical Systems Sequence of Control for Clarity
Enhanced – The Design Review
Review Mechanical Systems Sequence of Control for Clarity

30. Review Mechanical Equipment Submittal Documents for Completeness
Enhanced -Submittal Review
Review Mechanical Equipment Submittal Documents for Completeness

31. Enhanced – Verify Training
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Enhanced – Verify Training
Currently not tailored to O&M needs
Wrong guy goes or nobody plans, not hired yet, power game.
No records
Not qualified to understand the training
No evaluation
Introduction to Building Commissioning

32. Organizes the O&M Manual by Commissioned System
Enhanced –Systems Manual
Organizes the O&M Manual by Commissioned System
All of Chilled Water Storage
in one Section of Manual

33. Enhanced -Verify Training
4/11/2018
Enhanced -Verify Training
Training meets requirements:
Review Spec &
Verify meet Spec.
Include General Purpose of systems
Must include use of O&M Manuals
Must include operation all modes
Must be Qualified Trainers
Often times the Cx Authority is hired to commission a project for LEED but the OPR or the BOD. Early on this should be identified and requested with the owner. The design consultants must write the BOD. It will be requested so get the ball rolling by asking early.
Introduction to Building Commissioning

34. Enhanced-Warranty Review Seasonal Testing
4/11/2018
Enhanced-Warranty Review Seasonal Testing
The Current manuals are lost, disorganized, wrong stuff just spec sheets
Based on components not systems
Not electronic
Functional Tests for Summer vs. Winter
Check Warranty Status and advise
Introduction to Building Commissioning

35. Issues & Lessons Learned
General
Commissioning is Part of the Design Team
Contractors understand the commissioning TEAM’s Role
Energy Efficient Systems
Controls Become Complex and increase Risks
Technology is beyond Contractor Experience
Coordination of interposing systems is critical
Control Systems
Integration is coordinated
Schematic diagrams, Sequence of control and point lists are necessary
Details of BMS get input from owner
Owner Training
Video tape or not?
Meeting with Staff to discuss needs
Detailed Description in Spec of O&M needs.
Systems Manual training

36. Case Study Community College Bldg. Classroom Laboratories
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Case Study
Community College Bldg.
Classroom Laboratories
MEP Commissioning
Started Late in Construction Phase
Issues
Integrate Phoenix Fume with ALC controls
System Balance
Unoccupied Mode Operation
Success
teamwork
Introduction to Building Commissioning

37. LEED Commissioning Questions? 4/11/2018
Introduction to Building Commissioning