Today's buildings are complicated, with many interdependent systems. A well-designed and well-engineered building plan does not guarantee a perfectly constructed and efficiently operating final product. Building Commissioning is a systematic and documented process of ensuring that the owner's operational needs are met, building systems perform efficiently, and building operators are properly trained.
Commissioning
Building commissioning can be likened to quality assurance. It is a systematic approach to ensuring that buildings deliver, if not exceed, the performance and energy savings promised by their design. It provides documentation that systems are functioning efficiently and as they were intended to function. Commissioning for an existing system and Retro-Commissioning for a building that has never been commissioned require analysis of the existing systems to set the standards at which they should operate. Rice & Gardner professionals have extensive experience in the detailed analysis of the following systems:
- HVAC systems
- Open-protocol direct digital control systems
- Lighting control systems
- Electric power systems
- Emergency power systems (generator and USPS systems)
- Data systems
- Security systems
- O&M training and coordination
- Writing Commissioning Specifications, text procedures and Commissioning Plans
LEED Commissioning
Projects seeking LEED Certification contain a prerequisite for Fundamental Commissioning and can earn a credit for providing Enhanced Commissioning, which is in addition to Fundamental Commissioning, LEED Commissioning requirements and documentation include:
- Review of the Owner's Project Requirements "OPR" and A/E's Basis of Design "BOD"
- Commissioning Plan for Pre-Design, Design and Construction
- Verification and documentation of equipment installation
- Functional Performance Testing
- Final Commissioning Report
- Uploading of required documentation to LEED Online project website