How to Navigate the Commissioning Process From Planning to Post-Construction

1. How to Navigate the Commissioning Process: From Planning to Post-Construction

2. While the commissioning process means an up-front cost to construction project owners, it can be well-compensated by savings in the long run through reduced repairs, enhanced energy efficiency, higher occupant satisfaction and increased safety. • Here, we will dig deeper into the construction commissioning process for new buildings. • Continue reading to understand how building commissioning firms should navigate the commissioning process, right from its involvement during the initial planning to its key role throughout the lifespan of the building.

3. Start with the Completion in Mind • In the commissioning process, the very first step is to be taken by the commissioning team. • It entails collaborating with the project team, to figure out the budget and scope of commissioning, which will important to have a funding estimate. • The building commissioning firms work with the project team to form the commissioning team. • Once the commissioning team is aligned, it will work closely with the project team to understand the project-specific goals. • These requirements will evolve throughout each phase of the project, but the initial commissioning plan will act as the basic framework to be used to assess the project from time to time.

4. Understanding the Plan • The design phase of the project is the chance for the project architects and engineers to assess concept, design and construction documents in order to ensure that the building systems are designed and will operate in the correct manner. • This is the time when commissioning requirements are incorporated into the design document. • Communication is important in the design phase. If every member of the project team, including the designers, engineers, contractors and owner, speak different languages, many issues may arise on the project because of miscommunication. • The commissioning team should be able to speak everyone’s language, which will aid in identifying possible omissions and errors early on during the design phase. • This will also help reduce installation problems while mitigating issues that normally arise during the startup phase.

5. Creating Checklists & Conducting Training • During the construction phase, the commissioning team assesses contractors’ submittals, creates construction checklists for the installation team and perform site visits. • Once the construction checklists are created, functional performance testing begins. • The commissioning team will check if the building’s systems were installed properly and are functioning appropriately, while following up with the troubleshooting requirements, if any. • After reporting the progress to the project owner, training for the operations and maintenance personnel are conducted, so that they acquire the skills and knowledge to keep the building function properly – just like well-oiled machinery. • Here, a system-based approach to training is necessary that helps staff understand how the systems are interrelated.

6. Handing Over the Keys • Once the commissioning team is done with the tests and the contractors are done with the required adjustments, the keys are handed over to the project owner. • The final report to the owner comprises an overview of the objectives defined at the commencement of the project: • an exhaustive assessment of the design documents • a summary of the tests done on the equipment installed • a record of the problems identified as well as an overview of maintenance and operations procedures along with training documentation.

7. Final Words • Due to weather conditions and seasonal changes, not every building system can be tested comprehensively during the construction phase. • For instance, a water chilling system should be tested during the winter season as well as summer season to see if it can bear both cool and full loads. • In such a case, the commissioning agent will come back at a later time to conduct the season-specific testing, the result of which, will be updated in the final report. • Moreover, it is important to understand that once a new building undergoes the initial commissioning process, it is obvious for the building systems and the system’s components to observe regular wear and tear, along with a slight drop in their performance. • Some building owners choose to have ongoing commissioning to keep the building function properly with periodic monitoring and maintenance. • It is recommended to have a commissioning professional revisit your building at least once every year so as to keep the commissioned systems in check.

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