Building commissioning can begin during design review and continue through construction and the post-construction operations phase. Its scope of work includes reviewing design documents, developing commissioning specifications and checklists, performing site observations during construction, preparing functional performance tests and providing training to building operation staff.
Electrical Commissioning
Electrical commissioning (Cx) ensures that your facilityâs power distribution, electrical systems and equipment work properly. It consists of an inspection and testing process by a third party specialist that reviews the documents and construction work to verify they meet code requirements and the design intent. Performing Cx early and often in the project will minimize future maintenance costs and downtime due to equipment failures. Critical facilities like data centers and hospitals may require more complex distribution, emergency generation and backup systems requiring more extensive and detailed Cx.
Building commissioning starts with the project owner and/or their representative assembling the Cx team. The team includes a Cx Provider and members of the design and construction teams as well as operations and maintenance staff. The Cx team creates and maintains an Issues & Resolution Log that is incorporated into the final commissioning report and systems manual.
HVAC Balancing
HVAC balancing is a necessary step to ensure that conditioned air flows throughout the building as designed.It involves adjusting damper settings to make sure airflow is evenly distributed in every 1651 N Glenville Dr. Ste 201 room of the facility.
This process may be performed as part of the initial commissioning, or may be revisited later functional performance testing if the system doesnât meet its energy performance or thermal comfort requirements. In the latter case, itâs referred to as re-commissioning.
TSIâs air balancing (972) 818-9000 instruments offer versatility and quality, making them ideal for this type of work. They can measure a variety of variables and adjust to an array of situations, saving time on the job and ensuring accurate results.
In addition to improved occupant comfort, HVAC balancing can also help reduce energy costs by lowering the amount of work required to cool or heat the facility. It can identify if an underperforming HVAC system is drawing air from negative areas in the building such as through windows or doors, then redirects that air to occupied spaces.
Mechanical Commissioning
Typically, mechanical commissioning involves verifying that all equipment is installed correctly, including pipe cleaning and flushing, pressure testing, leak testing and bump testing (where applicable). It can also involve initial run-ins of any rotating equipment like pumps and motors to check for vibration, heating/cooling, current draw and pressure. The CxA will also define contractor document deliverables, establish any specialized test equipment and determine how the test results will be recorded and analyzed.
Ultimately, building commissioning ensures that the Owner receives the performance they paid for.Recent studies show that Texas operating costs of a commissioned project are 8-20% less than a non-commissioned project. The one-time investment of a quality focused commissioning process pays off in reduced energy, water and productivity costs that last the life of the facility. The measurable benefits of a well-executed commissioning process are delivered to the Owner, occupants and design/construction teams through proactive quality measures.
Energy Modeling
Energy modeling is an essential tool in designing buildings that reduce energy use. High utility costs drain operational budgets, and incorporating energy modeling at early phases saves time and money in achieving energy savings targets.
During schematic design, an energy model quantifies the United States of America impact of building form and massing on daylighting opportunities and heating and cooling loads. This analysis also includes site and climate data. When detailed geometry and space descriptions are not available at this phase, simplified models using space programming and system types are appropriate to support design decisions and comparisons of multiple strategies.
As the project moves into contract documents, an energy model is useful to provide documentation of how a proposed system performs and compares with code compliance and green building certification requirements. It can also be used to identify additional potential energy conservation measures. Energy modeling is also important in ongoing commissioning, where it can verify that the systems are operating as designed and delivering their expected energy savings
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