BUILDING SYSTEMS GROUP, INC. - Commissioning Overview

Building Commissioning is the process of verifying, in new construction, that all the subsystems for HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical, Fire/Life safety, Building Envelopes, Interior Systems, cogeneration, utility plants, sustainable systems, Lighting, Wastewater, Controls, and Building Security achieve the owner's project requirements as intended by the building owner and as designed by the building architects and engineers. Building commissioning is a quality-focused process necessary for both non-complex and complex modern construction projects. While the practice of building commissioning process is still fairly new in the construction industry, it has quickly become common practice as savvy building owners and developers have seen substantial returns on their investment. The ultimate goal of the commissioning process is to deliver for the owner a project that is on schedule, has reduced first cost of delivery and substantial life cost reductions and meets the needs of users and occupants, including a fully operational and optimized building and building systems and assemblies.

**COMMISSIONING PROCESS OVERVIEW**
Pre-Design Phase	♦ Select a Commissioning Lead ♦ Pre-Design Phase Commissioning Meeting ♦ Begin developing Owner's Project Requirements ♦ Develop Initial Commissioning Plan outline
Design Phase	♦ Design Phase commissioning meeting ♦ Perform commissioning-focused design review ♦ Update Commissioning Plan ♦ Develop commissioning requirements for the specification ♦ Begin planning for verification checklists, functional tests, Systems Manual, and training requirements
Construction Phase	♦ Construction Phase kick-off meeting ♦ Review submittals, monitor development of Shop and Coordination Drawings ♦ Review O&M Manuals ♦ Perform ongoing construction observation ♦ Perform verification checks ♦ Perform diagnostic monitoring ♦ Perform functional testing ♦ Develop Commissioning Report and Systems Manual ♦ Develop Recommissiioning Plan ♦ Verify and review training of owner's staff
Occupany and Operations Phase	♦ Resolve outstanding commissioning issues ♦ Perform seasonal / deferred testing ♦ Perform near warranty-end review

WHAT IS RETRO-COMMISSIONING?

Retro-commissioning is the application of the same process to existing buildings. Retro-commissioning is a process that seeks to improve how building equipment and systems are operating and functioning together. Depending on the age of the building, retrocommissioning can often resolve problems that occurred during design or construction, or address problems that have developed throughout the building’s life. In all, retro-commissioning improves a building’s operations and maintenance (O&M) procedures to enhance overall building performance.

**RETRO-COMMISSIONING PROCESS OVERVIEW**
Planning Phase	♦ Select the project ♦ Set project objectives and obtain support ♦ Select a commissioning lead ♦ Document the current operating requirements ♦ Perform an initial site walk-through ♦ Develop the Retro-Commissioning Plan ♦ Asemble the retro-commissioning team ♦ Hold a project kick-off meeting
Investigation Phase	♦ Review facility documentation ♦ Perform diagnostic monitoring ♦ Perform functional tests ♦ Perform simple repairs ♦ Develop Master List of Findings ♦ Proritize and select operational improvements
Implementation Phase	♦ Develop Implementation Plan ♦ Implement selected operational improvements ♦ Verify results
Hand-Off Phase	♦ Develop Final Report ♦ Compile a Systems Manual ♦ Develop Recommissioning Plan ♦ Provide training ♦ Hold close-out meeting ♦ Implement persostence strategies

WHAT IS RECOMMISSIONING?

Recommissioning is commissioning that occurs when a building that has already been commissioned undergoes another commissioning process. The decision to recommission may be triggered by a change in building use or ownership, the onset of operational problems, or some other need. Ideally, a plan for recommissioning is established as part of a new building’s original commissioning process or an existing building’s retrocommissioning process.