What is Commissioning

TOP QUALITY CONTROL AT EVERY LEVEL

Commissioning means different things to different stakeholders in the building process. Here’s a quick overview of what it means to your team when including this crucial service in your process:

• Building owners
• Architects
• Construction professionals

COMMISSIONING FOR BUILDING OWNERS

Most building owners think that commissioning and overall quality control should be provided by the contractors and consultants involved in a project. In an ideal world, that would certainly make sense; however, there are several factors that can increase your risks:

A competitive marketplace. When contractors and consultants compete on price and offer below-cost bids, quality can suffer. An outside source for quality control offers an impartial eye that identifies problems and helps maintain quality.

Advanced technology. Building systems are getting more complicated every year. Increased complexity means a greater chance for error; the only solution is more installation supervision through a quality control program.

Delays and increased costs. Owners face increased construction costs, delayed occupancy schedules and a variety of other problems when the building is handed over. The commissioning process reduces these risks.

Commissioning helps you achieve your goals. The process confirms that your requirements get conveyed accurately to the design team and ensures that they include those requirements in their design. Expert consultants review the design and identify any issues that may have been overlooked. They make sure components are installed right, that systems operate correctly, that any limitations have been identified, and that operators are well-trained on systems to protect life expectancy and energy performance.

Benefits include:

• Greater control of construction costs
• Greater control of construction schedule
• Smoother turnover
• Reduced operational problems
• Increased performance
• Fewer occupant complaints

COMMISSIONING FOR ARCHITECTS

Building owners are increasingly asking architects to include a commissioning agent on their design team to maintain quality control. The commissioning process has a number of benefits for both owners and architects; it provides a smoother transition from installation stage to the fully operational stage, helps keep the project on budget and on schedule, reduces deficiencies and avoids unpleasant misunderstandings. Plus, adding a commissioning agent to the design team gives the architect greater control over the project.

• Design intent performance data is carefully documented, which avoids any building owner misinterpretation and offers a smoother acceptance process.
• Process and responsibility are clearly identified, which avoids misinterpretation by contractors or members of the design team.
• It clearly identifies the contractor’s responsibilities.
• Scheduling the commissioning process gives you more control over the construction schedule.
• Contractor tests verify quantity control and provide more control over the contractors’ monthly draw.
• Verification that O&M manuals meet requirements helps to avoid building owner criticism.
• The commissioning agent controls the training process, which means better trained operators and fewer operating problems during the warranty period.

Seasonal performance tests verify warranty repairs and reduce service time during the warranty period.

COMMISSIONING FOR CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS

What does commissioning mean for the construction team? A series of checks and balances ensures the job has been completed once you’ve left the site. Commissioning makes sure that systems operate as intended and that building staff can operate a building for years to come. The process also:

• verifies that systems and materials are installed as specified in building plans
• ensures you have filled out appropriate documentation
• confirms that operators are well-equipped to operate the facility by themselves, thereby reducing the number of "nuisance" calls from the client/operator