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The article presents a message from Rebecca T. Ellis, president of Questions & Solutions Engineering Inc. and outgoing contributor to the magazine's Commissioning column. She looks back at how building systems commissioning evolved in the 1990s and how it influenced building system performance and sustainable operation. She cites how the industry has reached maturity along with the need for leaders to focus on standards, certification and expansion of commissioning.

The article explores starting this month and going through November 2022, I will count down my Top 10 Elements of Commissioning. These are, in my opinion, the most important things for a successful commissioning project. My definition of "success" is twofold: First, the building systems function properly when they're handed over from the project team to the operations team, and, second, the operations team is equipped with the understanding, documentation, and training.

The article offers information on the works of the punchlist process for static installation and documentation items but never includes dynamic or operational issues at the time of substantial completion. It mentions that commissioning action list as essentially a punchlist for invisible operational issues.

The article offers information on renovations in the facility which is required due to new technologies, new services, changing patient demographics, growing populations, and/or simply aging infrastructure. Topics discussed include that a commissioning professional is assigned to a building and its systems who should consider that building his or her own and all renovation/upgrade projects should be taken seriously and very personally.

The article offers information about the two new construction commissioning projects with similar challenges and as-yet unwritten endings. The first project is one in which the commissioning professional was engaged before the schematic design phase, and the project is currently early in construction. The design engineers did not develop a detailed set of control sequences during the design phase.

The article focuses on design review readiness and full-service commissioning involves at least one design review prior to bidding and construction. Topics discussed include industry expectations at the schematic design (SD), design development (DD), and construction documents (CD) phases, piping or ductwork plans, lighting layouts, electrical one-line diagrams and professional documenting incompleteness or inappropriate designs.

The article discusses the monitoring-based commissioning (MBCx) which is a subset of ongoing commissioning of buildings that have previously been commissioned or retrocommissioned. It states that the MBCx elements of ongoing commissioning involve remote monitoring of data collected by devices including utility energy meters, energy submeters and air quality that are installed in the systems.

The article focuses on monitoring-based commissioning (MBCx) classification in the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design Green Building Rating System (LEED), which include utility energy meters, BAS points and energy and flow submeters.

The article offers information on topics related to building commissioning. Topics mentioned include the project managers for building commissioning, the financial management of construction projects, and the importance of capital project budgets management. Also mentioned are the role of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) in building commissioning and the importance of commissioning project.

The article provides a description of the terms "deferred testing" and "seasonal testing" that are common throughout the building systems commissioning world. The consideration of deferred testing to be universally defined as testing that cannot be effectively or conclusively performed during the construction phase is tackled. The seasonal testing is defined by the author as functional performance testing at near-design heating and cooling weather conditions.

The article discusses how the commissioning professional should understand each contractor's responsibilities to the owner and to each other. It notes how the project delivery method and contract relationships greatly impact the commissioning process. The commissioning plan should offer clarity over which contractor has overall system readiness and performance responsibility, which needs to be in line with the terms of that contractor's relationship with the owner.

The article offers steps on how the project team deal with the change order during construction to keep the process rolling during the testing phase to meet the owner's project requirements (OPR) performance criteria. One of these steps is the need for contractors to propose their cost change for implementing the design modification. The significance for the team to conduct functional performance testing and update as-built documentation to reflect the final configuration is explored.

The article offers information regarding the functional performance test procedures which should be included in the contract documents along with the design drawings and specifications. It mentions that controls integration is invaluable for confirming that all responsible parties are on the same page regarding communications between engineered systems. It presents information on the need for contractors to go through the commissioning process.

The article offers the author's insights on the aspects of commissioning and its difference with mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) coordination. Topics include the responsibilities of commissioning professionals which involve workflow planning and subcontractor coordination, how building owners misunderstood the roles of commissioning professionals in terms of coordinating with subcontractors, and the importance of understanding their roles among building owners.

The article focuses on the advantages of installing a variable air volume (VAV) terminal unit control sequence by the building owners. It discusses the standard operation of in-house testing the terminal unit's performance and recommissioning procedures, the use of building automation system (BAS) to keep evaluating for detecting failures for particular situations like more than limited temperature increase in VAV discharge as compared to the air handling unit (AHU) supply air temperature.

The article discusses considerations for commissioning mini-split systems as a supplemental to cooling provided by central air handling system, focusing on the risks presented by bells and whistles in spot cooling systems. Topics include considerations for supplemental cooling and standalone cooling, highlighting the complexities that could affect the projected performance of mini-split systems.

The article focuses on commissioning fan-powered variable air volume (FP-VAV) boxes. It presents schematic depictions of three types of FP-VAV systems including series box fans, parallel box fans with supply air reheat and parallel box fans with return air reheat. It also suggests commissioning professionals to confirm during the construction phase submittal review process that the submitted FP-VAV are of the type intended by the design engineers.

The article discusses the lack of awareness of design engineers, architects, and contractors of the intent for commissioning process of buildings to help set the stage for continued proper operation of the systems. The requirements for sustainable operations are tackled which include, include timely systems documentation, meaningful maintenance training, and customized systems operations training. The accessibility issues that tend to be more about coordination between trades are explored.

The article focuses on various types of design reviews that are available in the design and construction industry. Suggestion on the importance for commissioning professionals to review expectations during the scope and fee development portion of the project is provided. Tips on how to properly select a commissioning team that can provide the desired skill set are also offered.

The article discusses the early turnover of systems to owners by commissioning professionals, particularly in cases wherein the construction manager is in charge, directs the mechanical and controls contractors in changing heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Topics discussed include recommendation that official turnover to building operators be done prior to completion of commissioning, in cases where the construction manager undermines the commissioning process.

The article presents the author's view regarding the participation of a commissioning professional in the design stage of a project. Topics discussed include a brief description of a commissioning professional, the author's insights on the concepts of design review and design-phase commissioning, and the benefits of introducing a commissioning professional in the project's design stage.

The article reports on the factors that commissioning professionals should consider in helping owners and construction project teams make prioritization decisions. The things to be considered include above-ceiling work, accessible pipe and duct insulation, and humidification. Others mentioned include heating and cooling, lighting controls, and environmental control.

The article discusses aspects of the commissioning standard for the building design system of the regulated and non-regulated industries in the U.S. It states that the end-user requirements and commissioning plans are developed for a variety of projects that utilize automated systems including fire protection and safety systems, electrical power system and heating ventilation and air conditioning. It cites the importance to achieve high-priority system performance of HVAC system.

The article offers the author's insights on building systems commissioning. Topics include the importance of defining the term commissioning for new project teams, use of the term by industrial plants and shipbuilders since the building design and construction market used it, and the proposed third-party commissioning services to a new building construction project.

The article offers tips on how building operators could leverage operations and maintenance (O&M) staff experience for retrocommissioning. It suggests recognizing the potential for staff to use non-engineering terminology to describe what they observe, showing interest respect for all issues/items they believe are important to mention to the retrocommissioning engineer, and giving them credit for identifying the opportunity in the retrocommissioning report.

The article presents the author's views on the need for engineering commissioning professionals to ensure that changes in the construction project will not affect commissioning goals. She discusses the commissioning process wherein the commissioning professional ensures that the owner's project requirements (OPR) are met. She offers several ways to ensure that changes in the OPR are accommodated immediately. She notes that commissioners must not allow pressures to compromise the project.

The article explores the reason why commissioning action lists (CALs) are difficult to control as well as examines what should commissioning professional do about it. It outlines the goal of the commissioning process to have the time to understand the owner's system performance requirements and the intentions of designers how the systems will achieve those requirements. The need for the contractors to review the test procedures and agree or disagree with the acceptance criteria is also tackled.

The article provides information on the role of the commissioning professional in an unrealistic construction schedule. It mentions that the commissioning professional can be an active voice of reason on what can be anticipated if there is not enough time scheduled at construction's end for startup, quality control and controls completion. The schedule feedback of the commissioning professional is most effective early during construction phase when it is easiest in adjusting the schedule.

The article provides an answer to a question regarding the level of commissioning effort for various systems and equipment.

The article presents information two options to help mitigate the risks that building owner face from not testing identical new or modified systems. It is stated that the options offered are cheaper than additional field testing cost. Commissioning professional can log to BAS remotely and observe graphic display. A system can move to trend log evaluation process after passing the BAS review process.

The article discusses the need for service contractors to undergo training to sustain the benefits of the commissioning process. It mentions that a commissioning process can help facilitate the transition from design to occupancy. It mentions that without some level of training, contractors cannot be expected to understand the design intent and system configurations. It also emphasizes that the installation contractor and design engineer contracts should include provisions to deliver training.

The article offers the author's view on the significance of mechanical/electrical/plumbing (MEP) coordination. She mentions the need for the team of construction managers/general contractors (CMGC) to include an MEP coordinator who has knowledge on systems within new buildings. These involve lighting, plumbing and elevators. She also notes that having such organizer would reduce costs on commissioning.

The article presents the author's views on why building owners accept unfinished construction projects as complete which she deems detrimental to the efficiency and success of the commissioning process and long-term operation of the building. She explores the importance of discussing the details of the project before the contract is awarded, however most owners rush to get things done. She also reflects on how commissioning professionals will help ensure that the project is cost-effective.

The article offers the author's insights on securing building projects to be substantially complete. The author defines substantial completion as the point in which building owners can have beneficial occupancy of the facility. She adds that the owners should require a clearly defined building commissioning before issuing substantial completion.

The author discusses the challenges involved in troubleshooting heat pumps. She cites the author's experience in commissioning a new building with ground-source water-to-water heat pumps in its central plant and mentions the complexities involved in the process. The author also mentions how the commissioning has taken several months of consultation and service calls before finding and fixing the root causes of the problem.

The article discusses the importance of data integration during building construction in the U.S. It mentions the role of project teams to decide which points are worth acknowledging and which are needed to be ignored. It adds that the issue has been a major challenge in the commissioning process as commissioning professional often ends up playing the role in the course of obtaining answers to questions regarding how the systems will work and what the user interface will be.

The author describes the issue disclosed through analysis of the trend graph included in her May 2012 "Commissioning column, followed by a wrap-up summary on trend logs and new construction commissioning. She explains that the trend log analysis is not a substitute for field functional performance testing during new construction commissioning. However, she recommends analyzing trend logs and addressing performance issues identified through trend logging as a pre-test commissioning activity.

The article offers the author's insights on the potential advantages and disadvantages of the presence of commissioning professional during start-up of major equipment. She mentions the advance placement of startup plan in order to determine the specific equipment startups that commissioning professional will participate into while technicians handle the startup process. The author suggests the incorporation of system integration checkout and testing elements into the startup process.

The author reflects on the importance of commissioning in a construction project to ensure the accessibility and control of the needed components. She cites the need for owner/operator of the project to make sure that reasonable equipment accessibility is part of the requirements to have proper coordination and control between among users. The author also points out the important role of the commissioning professional to observe and document accessibility issues in the construction process.

The article offers the author's insights on what will happen if the operations and maintenance (O&M) staff of an engineering system choose not to get involved with the commissioning or design process. She says that if the operations personnel do not agree with the manner of doing things, they are likely to complain on the systems, manually override their controls, and change the features of the system that they do not like. She notes that the commissioning process' success is a group effort.

The article presents the author's views regarding the commissioning process in the construction industry. It notes that the uncertain outcome during commissioning is when the systems design does not meet with the facilities operators' approval. Moreover, it suggests that before arriving to the end of construction, the issues must be first resolved to the owner's satisfaction.

The article offers the author's insights regarding the involvement of operations and management (O&M) staff on system design. She mentions that participation in design planning meetings and manifestation of preferences with respect to system types provide future operations professionals opportunities to contribute in a construction or major renovation project. She indicates that the design team should request for input and feedback from facilities operations staff and consider specific request.

The article offers the author's insights regarding two of the eleven Essential Attributes of Building Commission determined by the Building Commissioning Association (BCxA). The author states that Attribute #10 is the one of the trickiest parts in offering commissioning services, in which the commissioning authority (CA) offers input for the resolution of problems. Furthermore, a commissioning report is needed for every commissioning project for documentation in Attribute #11.

The article examines the ninth of the Building Commission Association's (BCxA) 11 Essential Attributes of Building Commissioning in the U.S. It states that the attribute addresses functional performance testing (FPT) which verifies that the building systems perform interactively in accordance with the Project Documents. It notes that online libraries and previous test procedures, used by the commissioning authority, provide information on how to test certain functions.

The article presents the third part of the Building Commissioning Association's (BCxA) eleven Essential Attributes of Building Commissioning in the U.S. It notes the Essential Attribute Number 5 where it recommends that the commissioning roles and scope of the design and construction members be defined in contracts and specifications. Moreover, it mentions Attribute Number 6 where each project is commissioned with a written commissioning plan.

The article discusses the essential attributes of the Building Commissioning Association (BCA) in the U.S. It states the engineering knowledge and hands-on field experience of the Commissioning Authority (CA) which include commissioning, physical principles of performance and interaction, and the operation and maintenance. It also mentions that the BCA's essential attributes must be understood by the people who procure them.

The article offers information related to building commissioning. It highlights the development of the essential attributes of building commissioning by the Building Commissioning Association (BCxA). It states that the Commissioning Authority (CA) is in charge of the commissioning process and makes the final recommendations concerning the functional performance of the commissioned building.

The article focuses on commissioning and retrocommissioning of buildings. It mentions the mechanical and electrical systems of a building as commonly commissioned and retrocommissioned systems in facilities. The author suggests that building owners should assess the impact of non-performance of mechanical and electrical systems to business profit. It states that financial analysts and facilities people should assess the importance of the systems and value of commissioning and retrocommissioning.

The article discusses the minimization of requirements for functional performance test (FPT) procedures in building commissioning in the U.S. The critical requirements of an FPT test procedure include Step-by-step script, Unambiguous pass/fail acceptance criteria, and customized. Such requirements do not provide improvements in communication between commissioning team members, efficiency of the field testing process, and commissioning documentation process.

The article provides information regarding qualifications of people and firms who offers commissioning services. It states that in order to have quality commissioning agents a face-to-face interview with various commissioning groups will help to differentiate their level of rigor. It also states several organization which offers commissioning certifications programs such as the University of Wisconsin and Bulding Commissioning Association