The BAS & the Commissioning Provider As Building Automation Systems were evolving and becoming common place, a new discipline referred to as Commissioning was emerging in the HVAC industry. Commissioning is the process of verifying that a building’s mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems perform correctly and efficiently, per the design intent and owner’s project…
The Evolution of Building Automation Systems The Building Automation System (BAS) has changed dramatically over the past few decades. Even the name of these systems has changed. Terms such as Direct Digital Control (DDC) System, Facility Management System (FMS), Energy Management System (EMS), and a host of others, all refer to the same thing. And…
If you’re familiar with commissioning, then you know that the commissioning provider’s job is to be a third-party representative working directly for the owner to ensure that commissioning is unbiased, follows best practices, and helps achieve the owner’s project requirements. The commissioning provider (CxP) is responsible for assisting the project team during all phases of…
The extent to which a lab is or isn’t energy efficient can be traced back to how the lab was designed and constructed. What can be done in existing labs, then, after the concrete’s been poured and design alterations aren’t feasible? Believe it or not, the greatest potential for energy savings is in existing labs,…
Much of the information in previous blog posts focused on the importance of communication and collaboration with the project team and owner from design to turnover. However, I would be remiss if not also discussing the importance of working with operations and maintenance personnel during turnover. Operations, maintenance and staff The unsung heroes of the…
Today’s building enclosures can make an attractive architectural statement with extensive glazed atria exposed to the outside, glass curtain walls and occupant-centric work spaces. But these building enclosures can also pose significant challenges – after all, they form the primary defense against the elements. Air, water and thermal barriers must be continuous and properly placed…
Recently I wrote a blog discussing commissioning best practices during the construction phase: Article. That post discussed secrets to a successful commissioning kickoff meeting, self-performing commissioning documentation, effective issue resolution and developing customized Functional Performance Testing (FPT) documentation. A commissioning authority’s work is not complete until successful building turnover is achieved. This post will discuss…
My last blog covered commissioning best practices during the construction phase, including recommendations for the kickoff meeting, deficiency log, and functional performance tests. I also wrote about why the commissioning authority (CxA) should be the one completing commissioning documentation, not contractors. I’ll elaborate on that topic here – it’s a critical one that sets Cornerstone…
Recently, I wrote a blog discussing communication during the commissioning process. That post discussed effective means of communication, how to stay well informed of project updates, and the importance of developing a rapport with all parties. Writing the piece made me think about the best practices a commissioning authority (CxA) can integrate into every stage…
As a commissioning authority, it’s my responsibility to ensure that building systems perform interactively according to the owner’s functional, operational and performance requirements. A lot of technical skills are embedded in that responsibility, but there’s a soft skill that’s just as important to the commissioning process: communication. Set expectations and explain your role. Commissioning kickoff…