1. What is Building Commissioning?
4/5/2017
What is Building Commissioning?
Presented by: Mark Leafstedt, PE CxA
TestMarcx Commissioning Solutions
Nevada * Colorado * New Mexico * California * Washington * Arizona
Building Performance Together
Introduction to Building Commissioning

2. Is it DONE done? The Final Walkthrough ? 4/5/2017
Introduction to Building Commissioning

3. What is Commissioning (Cx)?
Definition
Past & Present
What is Cx NOT!
Objectives
Economics
Impediments
Process
Case Studies
Building Performance Together

4. What is Commissioning (Cx)?
Definition
Past & Present
What is Cx NOT!
Objectives
Economics
Impediments
Process
Case Studies
Building Performance Together

5. What is Commissioning (Cx)?
4/5/2017
What is Commissioning (Cx)?
Definition:
“A quality-focused process for enhancing the delivery of a project. The process focuses on verifying and documenting that the facility and all of its systems and assemblies are planned, designed, installed, tested, operated, and maintained to meet the Owner’s Project Requirements.” Draft ASHRAE Guideline X, The Commissioning Process
Introduction to Building Commissioning

6. What is a Commissioning Authority
4/5/2017
What is a Commissioning Authority
Project Success Advocate
Problem Solver
Generalist not Specialist
Quality Process Focus
Develops Detailed Cx Plan
Skilled Communicator
Verifies & Documents
Facilitates Training
Did the owner pay for that service.
Building Performance Together
Introduction to Building Commissioning

7. What is Commissioning (Cx)?
Definition
Past & Present
What is Cx NOT!
Objectives
Economics
Impediments
Process
Case Studies
Building Performance Together

8. The PAST The 70’s - Energy Crisis
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9. The PAST The 80’s – Energy Analysis
Variable Air Volume Standard
Building Automation Systems & Evolution Away from Pneumatics
Simple to Complex HVAC Design to Maintain Comfort & Reduce Energy
Utility Company Demand Side Management Programs
Specialization & Division in HVAC Knowledge
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10. The PAST The 90’s – Energy Growth
Increased Awareness of Need to Verify
Increased Facility Operator Sophistication
Increased Service Industry & Reliance on Better HVAC
Emergence of Commissioning Industry
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11. The PRESENT The 2000’s – Awareness
Greening of America & World
Leadership in Energy Efficient Design
Concern about Carbon Emissions
Technology Advancements & Energy Costs Creating Favorable Alternate Energy Climate
Major Growth of Cx
Industry
Building Performance Together

12. What is Commissioning (Cx)?
Definition
Past & Present
What is Cx NOT!
Objectives
Economics
Impediments
Process
Case Studies
Building Performance Together

13. What is Cx NOT? (but encompasses)
4/5/2017
What is Cx NOT? (but encompasses)
NOT: Testing, adjusting and balancing (TAB)
NOT: Contractor’s startup
NOT: Engineer’s installation “observation”
NOT: Performance verification alone
NOT: Limited to HVAC systems or Controls systems
NOT: Routinely included in Professional Design Consultant’s fees
NOT: MEP coordination (may assist)
DOES NOT: Have responsibility to direct or make corrections to identified deficiencies
Building Performance Together
Introduction to Building Commissioning

14. What is Commissioning (Cx)?
Definition
Past & Present
What is Cx NOT!
Objectives
Economics
Impediments
Process
Case Studies
Building Performance Together

15. Objectives/Perspectives
4/5/2017
Objectives/Perspectives
Owner
Accept an optimized building
Minimized warranty issues
Minimized energy costs
Minimized O&M costs
Maximized functionality
Report on construction process
Building Performance Together
Introduction to Building Commissioning

16. Objectives/Perspectives
4/5/2017
Objectives/Perspectives
Design Team
Constructed according to design, no less
Identify construction issues early
Independent perspective on design issues
Extra set of observation “eyes”
Contracting Team
Constructed according to design, no more
Identify design issues early
Independent perspective on construction issues
Open the project on schedule & in budget
Minimized warranty issues
Building Performance Together
Introduction to Building Commissioning

17. Objectives/Perspectives
4/5/2017
Objectives/Perspectives
Cx Agent
Constructed according to design,
no more, no less
Participate in a team environment
Achieve success through the success of others
Identify functionality issues & resolve prior to Owner acceptance
Building Performance Together
Introduction to Building Commissioning

18. What is Commissioning (Cx)?
Definition
Past & Present
What is Cx NOT!
Objectives
Economics
Impediments
Process
Case Studies
Building Performance Together

19. Commissioning Economics
Function of Systems’ Complexity & Extent of Services
0.5 to 3% of Total Constructions Cost
1.5 to 4% of Mechanical System Cost
.5 to 3% of Electrical System Cost (Source: Commercial Energy Systems)
Whole Building Commissioning: $0.5 to $1.50 Per Square Foot
Operating Costs: 8 to 20% Below Non-Commissioned Buildings (Source: Kennett, NIBS)
Building Performance Together

20. What is Commissioning (Cx)?
Definition
Past & Present
What is Cx NOT!
Objectives
Economics
Impediments
Process
Case Studies
Building Performance Together

21. Building Performance Together
Impediments to Cx
No perceived need
Additional construction costs
Perceived potential delays in construction
Savings difficult to quantify
Contractor resistance
Building Performance Together

22. What is Commissioning (Cx)?
Definition
Past & Present
What is Cx NOT!
Objectives
Economics
Impediments
Process
Case Studies
Building Performance Together

23. Commissioning Process
Commissioning Plan Cx
Report and
Systems Manual
Design Document
Reviews
O & M Document Review
Owners Functional Requirements
Functional
Testing FPT
Warranty
Review
Revised Plan
Pre-Functional Checklist PF
Basis of
Design
Review
Scoping
Meetings
O&M Training
Seasonal
Testing
RCx
Start-up
PLAN
DESIGN
CONSTRUCTION
OCCUPANCY
Project Timeline
Building Performance Together

24. Building Performance Together
Documentation
Commissioning Team
Basis of Design
Design Intent
Overview of Cx Procedures
Pre-Functional Checklists
Functional Performance Testing Scenarios
Issues and Resolutions Logs
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25. Pre-Functional Checkout
Building Performance Together

26. Building Performance Together
4/5/2017
Functional Performance Test
In other words we have a contactor panel here. Some type of clock control or EMS, and the electrical must break each circuit through the contactors. It’s a lot of wiring and can be very expensive for several reasons.
Building Performance Together
Introduction to Building Commissioning

27. What is Commissioning (Cx)?
Definition
Past & Present
What is Cx NOT!
Objectives
Economics
Impediments
Process
Case Studies
Building Performance Together

28. Case Study – Hydronic Systems
No HW pump check valves
35% of HW valves leaking by
Incorrect boiler pressure relief valves
Incorrect boiler staging
Reduced CHW variable speed pump setpt from 20# to 12#
Cooling Tower bypass valve sticking with both valves closed.
45% of CHW & HW valves not fully closing off.
Primary & secondary chilled water flows unbalanced.
Building Performance Together

29. Case Study – Hydronic Systems
Main chilled water DP control valve failed closed
Steam condensate tank overflow discharges directly to floor drain
Condensate tank pumps level switches failed
No condensate return unit for DHW
HW system contaminated and strainers plugged
Thermometers not installed
Thermometer ranges incorrect
Building Performance Together

30. Case Study – Airside Systems
Main fans ran with isolation damper closed in bypass mode.
Static pressure hi limits do not shut down fans in bypass mode.
Optimization programming modes failed
Main relief fans capacities too small
AHU control valve too small & does not meet design temps.
Rebalanced 80% of OSA intake volumes
75% of MAU safeties not operating properly.
Building Performance Together

31. Case Study – Miscellaneous
No interlock between main AHU’s and VAV terminals
Poor resolution and inaccurate reading of VAV CFM
No heat on VAV reheat coils from contamination.
Fan coil units sizes too large
Programming modes incorrect for VAV operation
No fiber optic connection to main fire panel
Problems w/ hot/neutral reversed on 120v power.
Lighting system panel BMS circuits jumpered out and graphics incorrect.
Emergency Generator cannot meet design load
Building Performance Together

32. Building Performance Together
4/5/2017
References
Associated Air Balance Council (AABC) & ACG (AABC Cx Group)
Building Commissioning Association (BCA)
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
A Practical Guide for Commissioning Existing Buildings
Portland Energy Conservation, Inc. and Oak Ridge National Laboratory
eren.ed.ornl.gov/commercialproducts/retrocx.htm
Building Commissioning – The key to Quality Assurance
Us Dept of Energy – Rebuild America Guide Series
National Institute of Building Sciences
Portland Energy Conservation Inc. (PECI)
Rebuild America
Building Performance Together
Introduction to Building Commissioning

33. What is Building Commissioning
4/5/2017
What is Building Commissioning
Questions?
Building Performance Together
Introduction to Building Commissioning