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Benefits of commissioning
You may think of commissioning, including hiring a commissioning agent, as an added cost—and it is. It’s likely to reduce your operational costs, however, by yielding 5%–10% improvements in energy efficiency and ensuring that facilities personnel know how to operate key building systems. It’s also a great way to catch mistakes like missing or incorrectly installed equipment, avoiding occupant complaints and callbacks, indoor air quality and thermal comfort problems, premature equipment failure, and litigation.
Commissioning (Cx1. Commissioning (Cx) is the process of verifying and documenting that a building and all of its systems and assemblies are planned, designed, installed, tested, operated, and maintained to meet the owner's project requirements. 2. The process of checking the performance of a building against the owner's goals during design, construction, and occupancy. At a minimum, mechanical and electrical equipment are tested, although much more extensive testing may also be included.) is the process of verifying that the building’s systems operate as intended and according to the owner’s requirements as set forth in project documents. Commissioning helps fill the gap between the design team, whose members usually aren’t meant to be responsible for checking minor construction details, and subcontractors, who may inadvertently err on key items like fan power settings or sensor locations. The commissioning agent (CxAThe commissioning authority (CxA) is the individual designated to organize, lead, and review the completion of commissioning process activities. The CxA facilitates communication among the owner, designer, and contractor to ensure that complex systems are installed and function in accordance with the owner's project requirements.) also provides the owner with the expert oversight of an engineer.
What is fundamental vs. enhanced commissioning?
Fundamental Commissioning is a LEED prerequisite, although there are different compliance paths available depending on the project’s size. For projects less than 50,000 ft2, the CxA may be involved in the project as an associate of the contractor, construction manager, architect, or engineer and may have other project responsibilities. For projects over that size, the CxA may be still be from the same firm as a project team member, as long as he or she is not otherwise involved in the project. In both cases an independent consultant contracted to the owner is also an option, and may bring more value by offering better objectivity and a different perspective than someone associated with the design team.
For the Enhanced Commissioning credit, an independent consultant is required to be the CxA. Enhanced commissioning can offer additional benefits by involving the CxA earlier during design (instead of at the bid stage), by requiring the CxA to develop an operations manual and verify that staff are trained with it, and by requiring the CxA to review operations within 8–10 months of substantial completion.
Scope of commissioning
Include at least the following in the scope of commissioning:
- Heating, cooling, refrigeration, ventilation systems and controls
- Lighting and daylighting controls
- Domestic hot water systems
- Renewable energy systems
Choosing enhanced or fundamental commissioning
LEED divides the commissioning process into two parts. Fundamental commissioning focuses on installation and verification of the mechanical and electrical systems during construction. Enhanced commissioning covers a broader scope of systems, and involves broader participation of the CxA, beginning during construction documents and continuing through occupancy.
The Enhanced Commissioning credit is open to any project, but project teams often choose not to pursue it due to the increased cost and uncertainty around its benefits. Enhanced commissioning fees are typically $0.90–$1.20/ft2 for LEED-NC and LEED for Schools projects. These fees represent a 25%–40% cost increase over fundamental commissioning, while providing almost double the scope of work. All projects benefit with enhanced commissioning, though it can be more obvious for large or more complex projects. Projects can choose to make the decision for pursuing enhanced until after receiving the bid proposal, in order to evaluate the actual cost, but should hire a commissioning agent by the end of design development for enhanced commissioning.
Legend
- Best Practices
- Gotcha
- Action Steps
- Cost Tip
Pre-Design
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The project will benefit from the Owner’s active role in developing the OPROwner's project requirements (OPR) is a written document that details the ideas, concepts, and criteria that are determined by the owner to be important to the success of the project. with specific goals for energy efficiency and other systems. Owners often find it helpful to state goals in terms of a minimum acceptable level and a specified payback period, for example, “The building is aimed to save 20% energy as compared to a code compliant building with a total payback of less than 5 years. Our goal is to provide a comfortable space with user controlled lighting and ventilation to minimize waste and maximize comfort. The operations and maintenance staff are to be aware and able to support the intent of smooth controls. Owners typically work with the architects to put the project goals on paper. Revisiting meeting notes from initial project discussions can be helpful in assimilating client goals.
Design Development
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Choose your CxAThe commissioning authority (CxA) is the individual designated to organize, lead, and review the completion of commissioning process activities. The CxA facilitates communication among the owner, designer, and contractor to ensure that complex systems are installed and function in accordance with the owner's project requirements., depending on the size of your project, the owner's preferences, and whether you are attempting the enhanced credit or simply the prerequisite.
An independent consultant, as compared to one from the same firm as the design team, is in the best position to truly represent the owner’s interests during design and construction, including installation of key systems. As commissioning agents are often experienced mechanical engineers, they can provide input into the project design and any recommendations on improved project efficiency.
Construction
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The CxA stays abreast of construction progress by attending at least some meetings and receiving updates. As equipment is installed, the CxA verifies installation of equipment to be commissioned, and performs functional testing in collaboration with subcontractors, including running the duct system under performance specifications and ensuring that they are balanced as required. The CxA runs the heating and cooling systems to ensure there are no installation problems, and the subcontractor corrects any defects or leaks.
Operations & Maintenance
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Commissioning supports a smooth transition from design into operations by avoiding future change orders. It ensures the equipment is installed per manufacturer’s instructions and aligned with the design intentA written document that details the ideas, concepts, and criteria that are determined by the owner to be important to the success of the project.. It reduces waste of energy and money due to incorrect control settings or system settings that aren’t fully optimized.
USGBC
Excerpted from LEED 2009 for New Construction and Major Renovations
EA Prerequisite 1: Fundamental Commissioning of Building Energy Systems
Required
Intent
To verify that the project’s energy-related systems are installed, and calibrated to perform according to the owner’s project requirements, basis of design and construction documents. Benefits of commissioning include reduced energy use, lower operating costs, fewer contractor callbacks, better building documentation, improved occupant productivity and verification that the systems perform in accordance with the owner’s project requirements.
Requirements
The following commissioning process activities must be completed by the project team:
- Designate an individual as the commissioning authority (CxA) to lead, review and oversee the completion of the commissioning process activities.
- The CxA must have documented commissioning authority experience in at least 2 building projects.
- The individual serving as the CxA must be independent of the project design and construction management, though the CxA may be an employee of any firm providing those services. The CxA may be a qualified employee or consultant of the owner.
- The CxA must report results, findings and recommendations directly to the owner.
- For projects smaller than 50,000 gross square feet, the CxA may be a qualified person on the design or construction team who has the required experience.
- The owner must document the owner’s project requirements. The design team must develop the basis of design. The CxA must review these documents for clarity and completeness. The owner and design team must be responsible for updates to their respective documents.
- Develop and incorporate commissioning requirements into the construction documents.
- Develop and implement a commissioning plan.
- Verify the installation and performance of the systems to be commissioned.
- Complete a summary commissioning report.
Commissioned systems
Commissioning process activities must be completed for the following energy-related systems, at a minimum:- Heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) systems (mechanical and passive) and associated controls
- Lighting and daylighting controls
- Domestic hot water systems
- Renewable energy systems (e.g., wind, solar)
Potential Technologies & Strategies
Engage a CxAThe commissioning authority (CxA) is the individual designated to organize, lead, and review the completion of commissioning process activities. The CxA facilitates communication among the owner, designer, and contractor to ensure that complex systems are installed and function in accordance with the owner's project requirements. as early as possible in the design process. Determine the owner’s project requirements, develop and maintain a commissioning plan for use during design and construction and incorporate commissioning requirements in bid documents. Assemble the commissioning team, and prior to occupancy verify the performance of energy consuming systems. Complete the commissioning reports with recommendations prior to accepting the
commissioned systems.Owners are encouraged to seek out qualified individuals to lead the commissioning process. Qualified individuals are identified as those who possess a high level of experience in the following areas:
- Energy systems design, installation and operation
- Commissioning planning and process management
- Hands-on field experience with energy systems performance, interaction, start-up, balancing, testing,troubleshooting, operation and maintenance procedures
- Energy systems automation control knowledge
Owners are encouraged to consider including water-using systems, building envelope systems, and other systems in the scope of the commissioning plan as appropriate. The building envelope is an important component of a facility that impacts energy consumption, occupant comfort and indoor air quality. While this prerequisite does not require building envelope commissioning, an owner can achieve significant financial savings and reduce risk of poor indoor air quality by including it in the commissioning process.
The LEED Reference Guide for Green Building Design and Construction, 2009 Edition provides guidance on the rigor expected for this prerequisite for the following:
- Owner’s project requirements
- Basis of design
- Commissioning plan
- Commissioning specification
- Performance verification documentation
- Commissioning report
- Designate an individual as the commissioning authority (CxA) to lead, review and oversee the completion of the commissioning process activities.
Technical Guides
Whole Building Design Guide (Building Commissioning Association)
This webpage provides an overview of commissioning drivers, benefits, goals, and principles and general commissioning guides, standards, and resources.
Applications Team, Energy-Efficiency Design Applications: Measurement & Verification Documents
This website provides a list of resources to help teams implement an M&V program, the content ranges from guidelines to checklists.
International Performance Measurement & Verification Protocol, Volume I
IPMVPThe International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP) provides best-practice protocol for measurement and verification of new construction. This standard is referenced in LEED's measurement and verification credits. is the standard in which this credit is based on and these documents should be used in designing the M&V system and plan.
ASHRAE Guideline 0-2005, The Commissioning Process
This technical guideline was put together by technical committees at ASHRAE.
International Performance Measurement & Verification Protocol, Volume III
IPMVPThe International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP) provides best-practice protocol for measurement and verification of new construction. This standard is referenced in LEED's measurement and verification credits. is the standard in which this credit is based on and these documents should be used in designing the M&V system and plan.
ASHRAE Guideline 1-1996
An older guideline, first published by ASHRAE in 1996.
ASHRAE Guidelines 14-2004, M&V Guidelines
ASHRAE provides technical guidelines for designing an M&V plan. This document can assist project teams in designing and implementing the M&V systems and plan.
Building Commissioning Handbook, 2nd Edition
The handbook on best practices to follow during commissioning is published by the Building Commissioning Association.
M&V Guidelines: Measurement and Verification for Federal Energy Projects
These M&V guidelines are written for federal buildings but could be helpful for many projects.
Web Tools
Cx Assistant
A commissioning tool from Energy Design Resources that can estimate costs and develop sample scopes, design intentA written document that details the ideas, concepts, and criteria that are determined by the owner to be important to the success of the project. documents, BODs, and specifications.
California Commissioning Collaborative
The CCC develops cost effective programs, tools, techniques and a service delivery infrastructure to encourage the use of the building commissioning process in new and existing buildings.
Establishing Commissioning Fees (Ronald J. Wilkinson, 2000)
This article, which appeared in the ASHRAE Journal, uses data for 19 actual projects to look at commissioning costs in various ways. It can be purchased for $8.
Commissioning Toolkit for Small Buildings
A free resource from the State of California, with commiissioning templates you can use.
Publications
Best Practices in Commissioning Existing Buildings
Published by the Building Commissioning Association, this report draws on a number of sets of guidelines to identify the key phases of the commissioning process, and provides a glossary of terms.
Costs and Benefit of Commissioning New and Existing Commercial Buildings
This presentation-format overview of commissioning looks at the reasons for and scope of commissioning, with a focus on the potential for cost savings and avoiding problems.
Stay On-line: Data Center Commissioning (Mark Hydeman, Reinhard Seidl and Charles Shalley, 2005)
An ASHRAE Journal article, this examines the special challenges of ensuring reliability in mission-critical systems supporting facilities such as data centers.
Saving Energy Through Enhanced Building Operations
A list of incentives for commissioning.
Establishing Commissioning Costs (Portland Energy Conservation, 2000; revised 2002)
Offering guidance for estimating commissioning costs during the design and construction phases of a project, this article addresses LEED requirements and special circumstances that can affect the cost of commissioning.
The Value of the Commissioning Process: Costs and Benefits (Chad Dorgan, Robert Cox, and Charles Dorgan)
The authors, strong proponents of commissioning, focus on opportunities for savings and present a method for documenting the benefits of including commissioning from the beginning of a project onward.
The Cost-Effectiveness of Commissioning New and Existing Building Commercial Buildings: Lessons from 224 Buildings (Evan Mills, Normal Bourassa, Mary Ann Piette, Hannah Friedman, Tudi Haasl, Tehesia Powell and David Claridge, 2005)
A meta-analysis of studies of a large sample of commissioned buildings, this paper, which is concerned with national-level energy goals, was presented at the 2005 National Conference on Building Commissioning, and is a shorter form of a study sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy.
ASHRAE Journal, February 2000: Establishing Commissioning Fees
This article, featured in ASHRAE Journal, February 2000, reviews the costs associated with commissioning of new building mechanical and electrical systems, using data from 19 facilities. Its purpose is to provide a means to estimate and justify commissioning costs.
Organizations
Building Commissioning Association
The Building Commissioning Association makes available a number of publications on commissioning.
Building Commissioning Association
A trade group offering publications, process templates and event information.
Oregon Department of Energy, Conservation Division
The Oregon Dept. of Energy has assembled commissioning case studies of a number of Oregon buildings.
The National Environmental Balancing Bureau
NEBB offers publications, seminars, and certification of commissioning agents.
The AABC Commissioning Group
AABC offers training and certification of commissioning agents and publishes Cx1. Commissioning (Cx) is the process of verifying and documenting that a building and all of its systems and assemblies are planned, designed, installed, tested, operated, and maintained to meet the owner's project requirements. 2. The process of checking the performance of a building against the owner's goals during design, construction, and occupancy. At a minimum, mechanical and electrical equipment are tested, although much more extensive testing may also be included. Journal.
Owner's Project Requirements (OPR)
The OPROwner's project requirements (OPR) is a written document that details the ideas, concepts, and criteria that are determined by the owner to be important to the success of the project. works as the guideline in development of a design that meets the owner’s requirements.
Templates
Basis of Design (BOD)
Prepared by the design team, the BODBasis of design (BOD) includes design information necessary to accomplish the owner's project requirements, including system descriptions, indoor environmental quality criteria, design assumptions, and references to applicable codes, standards, regulations, and guidelines. explains through narrative and documentation how the proposed design meets the OPROwner's project requirements (OPR) is a written document that details the ideas, concepts, and criteria that are determined by the owner to be important to the success of the project..
Templates
Commissioning Agents
Use these templates to find and assess a commissioning agent for your project.
Commissioning Specifications
Incorporate commissioning specifications into Division 1.
Commissioning Plan
The commissioning plan works as the guidebook for commissioning, discussing the roles of key team members, and providing a commissioning schedule, among other requirements.
Commissioning Report
The commissioning report is the final deliverable from the CxAThe commissioning authority (CxA) is the individual designated to organize, lead, and review the completion of commissioning process activities. The CxA facilitates communication among the owner, designer, and contractor to ensure that complex systems are installed and function in accordance with the owner's project requirements., including reports on all visits, observations and recommendations.
Construction Submittal
Documentation for this credit is part of the Construction Phase submittal.
LEED Online Forms: NC-2009 EA
The following links take you to the public, informational versions of the dynamic LEED Online forms for each NC-2009 EA credit. You'll need to fill out the live versions of these forms on LEED Online for each credit you hope to earn.
Version 4 forms (newest):
- EAp1: Fundamental Commissioning
- EAp2: Minimum Energy Peformance
- EAp3: Fundamental Refrigerant Management
- EAc2: On-Site Renewable Energy
- EAc4: Enhanced Refrigerant Management
- EAc5: Measurement & Verification
Version 3 forms:
- EAp1: Fundamental Commissioning
- EAp2: Minimum Energy Peformance
- EAp3: Fundamental Refrigerant Management
- EAc1: Optimize Energy Performance
- EAc2: On-Site Renewable Energy
- EAc3: Enhanced Commissioning
- EAc4: Enhanced Refrigerant Management
- EAc5: Measurement & Verification
- EAc6: Green Power
These links are posted by LEEDuser with USGBC's permission. USGBC has certain usage restrictsions for these forms; for more information, visit LEED Online and click "Sample Forms Download."
113 Comments
Criteria of choosing CxA
There are about 3 CxAThe commissioning authority (CxA) is the individual designated to organize, lead, and review the completion of commissioning process activities. The CxA facilitates communication among the owner, designer, and contractor to ensure that complex systems are installed and function in accordance with the owner's project requirements. sent me their proposals. This is my first project and I wonder that are their any criteria for choosing CxA.
Multifamliy Residential?
If a rather large multifamily project has individual heat pumps within each unit, does each heat pump need to be commissioned? Each domestic hot water unit? Are there any assumptions that can be applied to identical units and associated equipment that may help to reduce commissioning scope and associated fee?
Thanks in advance for your time.
All the referenced commissioning guidelines allow for, and even suggest, sampling for some systems. Sampling should be used to balance rigor with cost-effectiveness. I would suggest reviewing ASHRAE Guideline 0 and Guideline 1 for more guidance on sampling.
Thank you very much.
Commissioning Authority (CxA) Regional experience?
LEED user guide states that the CxAThe commissioning authority (CxA) is the individual designated to organize, lead, and review the completion of commissioning process activities. The CxA facilitates communication among the owner, designer, and contractor to ensure that complex systems are installed and function in accordance with the owner's project requirements. must have Documented commissioning authority experience in at least 2 building projects.
1) 2 Building project could be from any region? or must be from the same country/region as the project they will be appointed?
There is no restriction on which region the project experience is from. The goal is utilize a CxAThe commissioning authority (CxA) is the individual designated to organize, lead, and review the completion of commissioning process activities. The CxA facilitates communication among the owner, designer, and contractor to ensure that complex systems are installed and function in accordance with the owner's project requirements. with experience executing the commissiong process.
Hi Chris, Thank you very much for your reply with regards to My CxAThe commissioning authority (CxA) is the individual designated to organize, lead, and review the completion of commissioning process activities. The CxA facilitates communication among the owner, designer, and contractor to ensure that complex systems are installed and function in accordance with the owner's project requirements. query.
I am in a middle of registering a Campus level project (football Academy) with multiple buildings using 2010 AGMBC.
The project has indoor football pitches within the stadium as well as 5 outdoor football pitches around the stadiums. Do I have to include these football pitches into the GFA while registering the project as master site?
The certification fees are based on square footage so if I include the pitches into GFA the cost would be very high.
I would be delighted if you could advise. Thank you
I believe the conditioned square feet is what you should use for the registration. The website has additional guidance.
Commissioning for overseas projects
Hi, we have a small USGBC LEED-NC project (400m2) in Kuwait where the Owner wants us (LEED Consultancy firm in Canada) to hire a commissioning agent (as the "brain") in canada to oversee the commissioning site work there (as the "eyes"). The Commissioning Agent here would prepare all OPROwner's project requirements (OPR) is a written document that details the ideas, concepts, and criteria that are determined by the owner to be important to the success of the project. and BODBasis of design (BOD) includes design information necessary to accomplish the owner's project requirements, including system descriptions, indoor environmental quality criteria, design assumptions, and references to applicable codes, standards, regulations, and guidelines., and the site person would simply follow instructions and document.
Is this a practical suggestion? Any advice from past experiences will be extremely helpful.
Thanks, Natalie
There is no restriction on where the CxAThe commissioning authority (CxA) is the individual designated to organize, lead, and review the completion of commissioning process activities. The CxA facilitates communication among the owner, designer, and contractor to ensure that complex systems are installed and function in accordance with the owner's project requirements. is from with relation to the project. Concerning practicality, there is much job site work that has to be completed so you will need to evaluate the travel cost of a remote CxA in addition to their qualifications and experience.
Building Simulation for a non AC Facility
We are working in a Garment Factory project in SriThe solar reflectance index (SRI) is a measure of a material's ability to reject solar heat, as shown by a small temperature rise. Standard black (reflectance 0.05, emittance 0.90) is 0 and standard white (reflectance 0.80, emittance 0.90) is 100. For example, a standard black surface has a temperature rise of 90_F (50_C) in full sun, and a standard white surface has a temperature rise of 14.6_F (8.1_C). Once the maximum temperature rise of a given material has been computed, the SRI can be calculated by interpolating between the values for white and black. Materials with the highest SRI values are the coolest choices for paving. Because of the way SRI is defined, particularly hot materials can even take slightly negative values, and particularly cool materials can even exceed 100. Lanka where the facility is to be LEED certified. Whole building will be put up as a non air conditioned facility. mechanical ventilation systems would be installed to provide fresh air to the building. since the facility is located in an area with a tropical climate occupants are assured to have required thermal comfort.
But the problem we are having is since ASHRAE 90.1 is developed for Air conditioned facilities is it possible for us to claim energy savings for this particula facility through an energy simulation based on ASHRAE 90.1 standards. We will not claim any credits for air conditioning and only hope to claim credits for savings on artificial lighting. will this procedure be accepted?
if the above is not possible should we go for a manual calculation to prove energy savings? but the LEED guideline says manual calculations are accepted only when the simulation can not be used to reflect the actual scenario. how would this clause affect here? please advice on the best way forward. thanks in advance.
Commissioned Systems
I have a question regarding the commissioned systems. If you put in your initial scope the standard energy related systems for commissioning, but during functional testing you notice a flaw in another piece of equipment or component of the building design (outside the commissioning scope), is it our duty as a CxAThe commissioning authority (CxA) is the individual designated to organize, lead, and review the completion of commissioning process activities. The CxA facilitates communication among the owner, designer, and contractor to ensure that complex systems are installed and function in accordance with the owner's project requirements. to include this deficiency in our issues log, even though it is outside of our responsibility contractually?
I would want to include this regardless...would this be correct? Our main goal here is to ensure the building matches the OPROwner's project requirements (OPR) is a written document that details the ideas, concepts, and criteria that are determined by the owner to be important to the success of the project. for energy related systems, but if we notice something I feel we have the responsibility to report it.
Andy, I don't think there are LEED implications to your question—as long as you are following the required scope for LEED, I don't think it is important one way or the other.
More broadly, it seems like you have a duty to your client to bring to their attention this issue. If there is a concern about taking responsibility for something that is not in your offiical scope, perhaps there is a way to check with the owner about whether and how they'd like to receive the information.
Agreed. To satisfy the credit you need to ensure you cover your LEED-required scope. There is nothing to keep you from identifying issues you see outside of your scope while you are performing your services. I would make sure you note that these items are outside your scope to keep the client from thinking you’re are supposed to do a complete review of these systems.
Systems Manual
Although it is the requirement of the Commissioning Agent to develop the Systems Manual, Operation & Maintenance Systems manuals, can he/she delegate that responsibility to the General Contractor?
A good approach to this requirement is for the CxAThe commissioning authority (CxA) is the individual designated to organize, lead, and review the completion of commissioning process activities. The CxA facilitates communication among the owner, designer, and contractor to ensure that complex systems are installed and function in accordance with the owner's project requirements. to define the format of these close-out documents and make sure each team member is clear on what their responsibility is related to the manuals. The Cx1. Commissioning (Cx) is the process of verifying and documenting that a building and all of its systems and assemblies are planned, designed, installed, tested, operated, and maintained to meet the owner's project requirements. 2. The process of checking the performance of a building against the owner's goals during design, construction, and occupancy. At a minimum, mechanical and electrical equipment are tested, although much more extensive testing may also be included. documents should comprise a large portion of the systems manual, but we have found that the contractor is best suited to compile the majority of the IOM’s, etc.
designation of CXA as required by LEED
I just want to ask for a comment if the Owner is the only one who can designate a commissioning authority(CXAThe commissioning authority (CxA) is the individual designated to organize, lead, and review the completion of commissioning process activities. The CxA facilitates communication among the owner, designer, and contractor to ensure that complex systems are installed and function in accordance with the owner's project requirements.) for the project... Is a Contractor allowed to enter into a contract with a CXA for the latter to do the commission for the project? If a Contractor already engaged a contract with CxA but later found out that a Contractor is not allowed to do this ,what is the remedy in order to qualify for designation of CXA? please advise..
The requirement is the the owner designate the CxAThe commissioning authority (CxA) is the individual designated to organize, lead, and review the completion of commissioning process activities. The CxA facilitates communication among the owner, designer, and contractor to ensure that complex systems are installed and function in accordance with the owner's project requirements.. I don't think there is any way to get around that. The owner could choose to designate the person already contracted by the contractor, but it would be up to them.
If you find out during the project that the CxA is ineligible according to LEED, my advice would probably be to immediately switch to another CxA if possible.
So the CXAThe commissioning authority (CxA) is the individual designated to organize, lead, and review the completion of commissioning process activities. The CxA facilitates communication among the owner, designer, and contractor to ensure that complex systems are installed and function in accordance with the owner's project requirements. must be directly contracted with the owner as the owner's consultant? The contract cannot be through the Architect? I am currently working on a project where a CxA for Fundamental Commissioning only is being selected. However, the owner advised the CxA be contracted through the Architectural firm. Am I correct in my understanding that the owner must enter into direct contract with the CxA in order to comply with this credit?
This is a great question. I'm in the middle of an enhanced commissioning project and we've been contracted through the architect as the CxAThe commissioning authority (CxA) is the individual designated to organize, lead, and review the completion of commissioning process activities. The CxA facilitates communication among the owner, designer, and contractor to ensure that complex systems are installed and function in accordance with the owner's project requirements.. We've been chosen and verified to have the experience by the owner, but they chose to include our costs in with the architect. I'd love to know if this is ok as well.
Fundamental Cx1. Commissioning (Cx) is the process of verifying and documenting that a building and all of its systems and assemblies are planned, designed, installed, tested, operated, and maintained to meet the owner's project requirements. 2. The process of checking the performance of a building against the owner's goals during design, construction, and occupancy. At a minimum, mechanical and electrical equipment are tested, although much more extensive testing may also be included. allows for the CxAThe commissioning authority (CxA) is the individual designated to organize, lead, and review the completion of commissioning process activities. The CxA facilitates communication among the owner, designer, and contractor to ensure that complex systems are installed and function in accordance with the owner's project requirements. to be independent from influence by the design or construction groups but can be an employee of the design or construction firms. For projects less than 50K square feet they can be on the design or construction teams.
Enhanced Cx requires that the CxA be independent from influence by the design or construction teams and can be subcontracted through the architect but not a contractor.
Required Number of Construction Inspections?
Does LEED specify a required number of commissioning inspections during construction? We are trying to develop a scope based on the minimum requirements of LEED.
Benjamin, LEED does not have a specific requirement for the number of construction inspections.
NEBB Certification Required?
A question about NEBB Certification. Is the CxAThe commissioning authority (CxA) is the individual designated to organize, lead, and review the completion of commissioning process activities. The CxA facilitates communication among the owner, designer, and contractor to ensure that complex systems are installed and function in accordance with the owner's project requirements. required to have an NEBB certification in order to qualify? I hadn't seen that requirement anywhere, but had heard from a colleague that NEBB certification is required. Again thank you to all the great LEED Professionals out there.
As a clarification to the situation, in regards to the CxAThe commissioning authority (CxA) is the individual designated to organize, lead, and review the completion of commissioning process activities. The CxA facilitates communication among the owner, designer, and contractor to ensure that complex systems are installed and function in accordance with the owner's project requirements.. I am wondering if there are any requirements outside of the LEED Guidelines. For example, some clients I have come across have required an NEBB or AABC Certification to qualify. But I would like to confirm that this is an Owner’s special requirement and does not reflect a requirement set out by LEED v2009.
Nathan, specific credentialing is not one of LEED's requirements for a CxAThe commissioning authority (CxA) is the individual designated to organize, lead, and review the completion of commissioning process activities. The CxA facilitates communication among the owner, designer, and contractor to ensure that complex systems are installed and function in accordance with the owner's project requirements.. If anyone is suggesting that, I would ask them to tell you where it's written. I'd be curious to know!
Qualification of CxA
Quick question, can the contractor of building's BAS (for both the installation and manufacturer of DDC/control components) be designated to be the CxAThe commissioning authority (CxA) is the individual designated to organize, lead, and review the completion of commissioning process activities. The CxA facilitates communication among the owner, designer, and contractor to ensure that complex systems are installed and function in accordance with the owner's project requirements.?
No, the BAS contractor should not be the CxAThe commissioning authority (CxA) is the individual designated to organize, lead, and review the completion of commissioning process activities. The CxA facilitates communication among the owner, designer, and contractor to ensure that complex systems are installed and function in accordance with the owner's project requirements.. Our experiance has been that many of the corrective actions required are related to the DDC system and programming, so having the BAS contractor in this role would not provide any oversite or quality assurance.
I agree. We have found that most of the corrective measures are DDC related. It seems that the controls contractor rarely gets the bugs out before commissioning even if they say they have.
Equipments to be commissioned
Hi: I have a boubt about the water heating equipment to be commissioned. In a production plant there are two boilers (water heating and steam), and heat recovering (to heat water) from three sources: an air commpressor, a chiller (for water chilling), and one air handler. After the respective heat exchangers, the heated water by the heat recovering systems goes to a tank (122°F) and then it goes to the process and domestic uses; and the heated water and steam from boilers goes firectly to the process use (130°F).
So, in respect to heat recovering systems, what is the limit of the commissioning? I mean, in the heat recovering from the air compressor, do I we have to commission the heating water system AND all the compressor?? or just the water heating system?. And the same in the other two systems (chiller and air handler): do we have to commission all the equipment involved? or just the equipment for water heating??
Of course, the air handler will be commissioned as a HVAC system, too. But, what about the others?. I really thank you for your suggestions.
sorry!!, the water and steam form boilers goes to the 226°F (not 130)
This is not an uncommon issue in industrial projects. In general, the systems that are using energy to provide comfort to the building are what should be included in the Cx1. Commissioning (Cx) is the process of verifying and documenting that a building and all of its systems and assemblies are planned, designed, installed, tested, operated, and maintained to meet the owner's project requirements. 2. The process of checking the performance of a building against the owner's goals during design, construction, and occupancy. At a minimum, mechanical and electrical equipment are tested, although much more extensive testing may also be included. scope.
The detail of the system will determine how far you would have to go into the "process" systems. Without more detail, it woudl be difficult to give specifics, but from your description, I do not think you would need to commissiong the boiler system. You would need to commission the heat recovery system such that you have confidence that the heat will be gathered, and then distributed as intended in the design.
what happens when verification turns up changes?
It's a requirement for EAp1 that the CxAThe commissioning authority (CxA) is the individual designated to organize, lead, and review the completion of commissioning process activities. The CxA facilitates communication among the owner, designer, and contractor to ensure that complex systems are installed and function in accordance with the owner's project requirements. verify the installation and performance of systems to be commissioned. What happens when that verification occurs, but turns up items that weren't installed as specified. I have two examples of this from a small library project.
1) Two outside lights, each for a different exit, were supposed to be on different circuits but are on the same circuit.
2) An occupancy sensor which was supposed to only affect two lamps in each fixture (for mid-level lighting) was wired to affect all three lamps.
I am particularly concerned about the latter item relative to energy use, but relative to earning EAp1 (and EAc3), is there a requirement that items like this be fixed?
Tristan;
It is very normal for things to change during construction. I do not think the CxAThe commissioning authority (CxA) is the individual designated to organize, lead, and review the completion of commissioning process activities. The CxA facilitates communication among the owner, designer, and contractor to ensure that complex systems are installed and function in accordance with the owner's project requirements. can force changes to be made, but they clearly need to make the owner and design team aware of any changes like you found for their review and action. One action might be to have the work corrected to match the construction documents, another might be to accept the modification with the owner’s consent. There might be a middle solution too. But clearly the issues should be noted as action items and then the resolution determined and documented.
From your description, the first item would typically not be an energy issue if both circuits are controlled as intended. The second would probably save more energy if all lamps are controlled from the fixture, but may not meet the needs of the owner/user.
We had a projects were the ventilation system was set to comply with the required outdoor air for ASHREA 62.1 but when the occupants moved in, they complained it being to cold. The HVAC system couldn't heat the air enough to still have enough heat when it arrive on the 1st floor coming from the 5th floor. OA couldn't be reduce, a reheat system costs a lot. So in collaboration with the CA our engineer decided to install additional CO2Carbon dioxide sensor for the space. We already had them for conference rooms. This reduced the OA introduced to the space and resolved the issue with occupants discomfort and is compliant with ASHREA.
As a design team we see the CA as a reviewer. The CA finds design and construction flaws, which need to be fixed if they impact code compliance, LEED credit compliance, energy savings or occupant comfort.
Basis of Design (BOD)
Lately, engineers have been submitting their specifications as the Basis of Design document. We haven't submitted any for review yet but this has occurred several times by different engineers. Is GBCI accepting this as a legitimate BODBasis of design (BOD) includes design information necessary to accomplish the owner's project requirements, including system descriptions, indoor environmental quality criteria, design assumptions, and references to applicable codes, standards, regulations, and guidelines. document? The spec seems to be a document of what you designed; not your "basis of design."
We have not seen specs submitted as BODBasis of design (BOD) includes design information necessary to accomplish the owner's project requirements, including system descriptions, indoor environmental quality criteria, design assumptions, and references to applicable codes, standards, regulations, and guidelines. but we have had several owners that will only provide their campus design standard book as the Owner's Project Requirements (OPROwner's project requirements (OPR) is a written document that details the ideas, concepts, and criteria that are determined by the owner to be important to the success of the project.) document. This includes the Army Corp of Engineers only providing the project RFQ document as their OPR.
This is a disturbing trend, if it extends farther. You are right Peter, the specifications are not a description of how the project is to operate and meet the OPROwner's project requirements (OPR) is a written document that details the ideas, concepts, and criteria that are determined by the owner to be important to the success of the project. goals. We have not had that problem, but I would say we are having trouble getting a very complete BODBasis of design (BOD) includes design information necessary to accomplish the owner's project requirements, including system descriptions, indoor environmental quality criteria, design assumptions, and references to applicable codes, standards, regulations, and guidelines. (or OPR for that matter).
That is unfortunate, since I think a well written OPR and BOD goes a long way to establishing a fundimental communication and baseline for the whole team, and making sure the owner fully understands the systems and operations of the project. Frankly, this manages the risks of the design team and makes sure the owner can express their understanding and concerns over the project.
Unfortunately, under v3 of LEED Online, you do not have to upload a lot of detail, but the CxAThe commissioning authority (CxA) is the individual designated to organize, lead, and review the completion of commissioning process activities. The CxA facilitates communication among the owner, designer, and contractor to ensure that complex systems are installed and function in accordance with the owner's project requirements. does need to initial that the BOD is acceptable. So this puts a lot of pressure on the CxA. The owner is to initial that the OPR expresses the requirements of the project.
Our firm does both sides of this, design and Cx, so from the design side, we normally start with our SD narrative as the foundation of our part of the BOD, then expand and keep it up to date over the course of the project, even into construction. The focus needs to be on HOW, not WHAT.
Language of Documents
Does anyone know how the documents and technical specifications of the different projects (HVAC, Electricity, Lighting, hot water, etc.) have to be presented to the GBCI in terms of language? I specially wonder about Prerequisites EAp1 and EAp2 since all the documents provided by the designers will be developed in the native language and it is very complicated to translate them all. Instead can a Summary in English be presented along with the documentation in the native language? Is there another way to present it?
Catalina, I think the best explanation of this issue that I have seen is in this post on translation of LEED documentation by Jean Marais.
CxA in international project
Recently one LEED AP said that to make appropriate comissioning CxAThe commissioning authority (CxA) is the individual designated to organize, lead, and review the completion of commissioning process activities. The CxA facilitates communication among the owner, designer, and contractor to ensure that complex systems are installed and function in accordance with the owner's project requirements. should be ASHRAE certified or should at least has working experience with ASHRAE for some time.
It is not LEED requirement, BUT (as she said ) otherwise CxA would not be able to make comissioning and complete comissioning documents that will be approved by rewievers.
What do you think about it?
(Our project is located in Europe and we always make comissioning procedure according to local codes. Comissioning agent is hired by owner and is independent.)
I wonder what is the requirments for content and format of documents?
Are they so specific that local comissioning report isn't suitable?? or so specific that local CxAThe commissioning authority (CxA) is the individual designated to organize, lead, and review the completion of commissioning process activities. The CxA facilitates communication among the owner, designer, and contractor to ensure that complex systems are installed and function in accordance with the owner's project requirements. wouldn't be able to do that?
At this point, USGBC only requires demonstrating experiance commissioning two projects; no certifications are required. We show that by including resumes on the CxAuthority and any CxAgents we have working on the project.
There are some standards of care in the industry, and ASHRAE is certainly one of those setting that standard. PECI and BCA are also setting some standards (with some example documents), but every provider usually has internal standards and proceedures, all which typically mirror the ASHRAE Guideline 0 process.
We have seen quite a bit of variation on what is uploaded for approval, and I frankly do not feel that enough is required. Our firm does Cx and design, so we commission and we have been commissioned. We tend to over document probably, but feel that is a safer way to proceed, versus risking a question. You have to develop the information anyway, why not upload it?
Thank you!
"You have to develop the information anyway, why not upload it?" - yes, of course.
The only think I'm afraid - that Cx1. Commissioning (Cx) is the process of verifying and documenting that a building and all of its systems and assemblies are planned, designed, installed, tested, operated, and maintained to meet the owner's project requirements. 2. The process of checking the performance of a building against the owner's goals during design, construction, and occupancy. At a minimum, mechanical and electrical equipment are tested, although much more extensive testing may also be included. is the prerequisite, and mistakes may be fatal. for example, if we upload CxAThe commissioning authority (CxA) is the individual designated to organize, lead, and review the completion of commissioning process activities. The CxA facilitates communication among the owner, designer, and contractor to ensure that complex systems are installed and function in accordance with the owner's project requirements. report, and it won't go for LEED.
It's very interesting to hear someone's international experience! Were there any problems on this issue?
future tenant fit-out on a LEED NC 2009 project
I'm sure I've read posts about a similar issue but I haven't been able to find them. We have a project going for LEED NC 2009 that will have a cafe component fit out under a separate project after occupancy. We are only providing the basic rough-in; they are providing lighting, equipment, plumbing fixtures, etc. Does anyone have any experience/suggestions for dealing with this in our initial certification? Thanks! Janika
Just curious, what is the square footage of the total project vs. the area of the cafe?
200,000 GSF for the whole building, cafe about 6500 SF, so small!
Janika, it's my understanding that for a small core and shell space like this on an NC project, you would only include in your LEED compliance whatever is in your scope of work. So for example you would commission any core and shell energy systems in your scope for the cafe, but you don't have to commission future systems installed by the tenant.
Does that jive with your understanding?
Janika, I performed LEED services on a project almost identical to yours. 228,000 sqft dormitory; The first floor included a cafeteria, classrooms, offices + retail space. The project achieved LEED NC certification. A 5,000 sqft future retail space was provided with rough-ins (hot water / chilled water pipes stubbed in for future fan coils). The LEED reviewer required us to commissioning everything in our scope of the work. Additionally the LEED reviewer required the Architect to submit a tenant guidelines document for the future build-out. The document required the build-out to adhere to all the prereqs and credits that were achieved by the initial project.
Innitial ?
Dear all,
In some credits, including in CxAThe commissioning authority (CxA) is the individual designated to organize, lead, and review the completion of commissioning process activities. The CxA facilitates communication among the owner, designer, and contractor to ensure that complex systems are installed and function in accordance with the owner's project requirements. credit, there are initial of CxA or other parties are required. I wonder whether this initial must be filled in by CxA through a separate login by CxA himself? or can the LEED AP put the CxA initial?
It is easier to manage if LEED AP control the submission instead of involving so many parties to log into the project and put in their initial and upload their document
Can the whole submission done by LEED AP?
thanks and cheers
Eric, a "required signatory" means just that—a sign-off from that person is required, and can't be substituted for by the LEED coordinator. You might think twice about taking on the liability associated with those signatures, anyway. There is a good tip on team administration on our Required Signatory page.
Graywater System
We have a graywater1. Defined by the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) in its Appendix G, titled "Gray water Systems for Single-Family Dwellings," as "untreated household wastewater which has not come into contact with toilet waste. Grey water includes used water from bathtubs, showers, bathroom wash basins, and water from clothes-washer and laundry tubs. It shall not include wastewater from kitchen sinks or dishwashers." 2. The International Plumbing Code (IPC) defines graywater in its Appendix C, titled "Graywater Recycling Systems," as "wastewater discharged from lavatories, bathtubs, showers, clothes washers, and laundry sinks." Some states and local authorities allow kitchen sink wastewater to be included in graywater. Other differences with the UPC and IPC definitions can probably be found in state and local codes. Project teams should comply with the graywater definitions as established by the authority having jurisdiction in their areas. system in our building and I'm wondering if this would be subject to Fundamental Commissioning. Any thoughts?
Sandra, check the list of systems required to be commissioned under the credit language above. It's a pretty straightforward list, and does not include graywater1. Defined by the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) in its Appendix G, titled "Gray water Systems for Single-Family Dwellings," as "untreated household wastewater which has not come into contact with toilet waste. Grey water includes used water from bathtubs, showers, bathroom wash basins, and water from clothes-washer and laundry tubs. It shall not include wastewater from kitchen sinks or dishwashers." 2. The International Plumbing Code (IPC) defines graywater in its Appendix C, titled "Graywater Recycling Systems," as "wastewater discharged from lavatories, bathtubs, showers, clothes washers, and laundry sinks." Some states and local authorities allow kitchen sink wastewater to be included in graywater. Other differences with the UPC and IPC definitions can probably be found in state and local codes. Project teams should comply with the graywater definitions as established by the authority having jurisdiction in their areas., so I would say you don't need to include it.
I would agree that it is not listed, but this kind of system can have some complexity, and at a minimum, I would recommend having this system commissioned as good practice.
We recently did a large rainwater capture system for flushing, and recommended to the owner that the system be included in the Enhanced Commissioning for the project.
In general, this is a minimum listing, and there is value in expanding where complex systems are involved.
Recommissioning vs Commissioning experience for CxA
We would like to get a comment from someone that has had experience with this: When selecting a CxAThe commissioning authority (CxA) is the individual designated to organize, lead, and review the completion of commissioning process activities. The CxA facilitates communication among the owner, designer, and contractor to ensure that complex systems are installed and function in accordance with the owner's project requirements., would someone that has eperience on 2 or more projects as the "Recommissiong Authority" be sufficient? Or, is the requirement specific to Commissioning only? Thanks.
Chad, I would assume that RCx experience would be valid here, since it's generally the same skillset. However, I don't know definitively—it may take a CIRCredit Interpretation Ruling. Used by design team members experiencing difficulties in the application of a LEED prerequisite or credit to a project. Typically, difficulties arise when specific issues are not directly addressed by LEED information/guide or communication with GBCI to know for sure.
Chad, the GBCI has never questioned me on past commissioning experience. In fact I have listed a recommissioining project on the LEED online template to verify experience for a LEED NC 2009 project and there were no comments by the LEED reviewer.
The intent is to verify that you have performed some type of commissioning services on two projects of similar size and scope.
commissioning after project is complete?
we have an existing bldg. remodel project that has received certificate of substantial completion. this project had a very aggressive, ultra-fast track schedule and in order to get everything done per the owners schedule, we put together a preliminary scorecard targeting all the credits possible [58 for LEED NC 2009] as part of the specifications/construction documents. fast forward a few months and now the remodel is finished and the owner is occupying the space. we are just now attempting to pull everything together to get our documentation in order. in the process we realized that the fund. Cx1. Commissioning (Cx) is the process of verifying and documenting that a building and all of its systems and assemblies are planned, designed, installed, tested, operated, and maintained to meet the owner's project requirements. 2. The process of checking the performance of a building against the owner's goals during design, construction, and occupancy. At a minimum, mechanical and electrical equipment are tested, although much more extensive testing may also be included. may not have happened. there are two CIRs dealing with related circumstances: the CIR dated 11/10/2008 and the CIR dated 9/18/2007.
i’m wondering what the best action plan would be and if we even have any hope of obtaining compliance to this prerequisite.
thank you.
Matthew, what did you gather from those CIRs? I'm not familiar with them.
I would say, however, that it's unlikely you can earn this prerequisite.
thanks for the follow up tristan - our team has also been in contact with the GBCI and they rightly feel we have not done enough to satisfy the intent of the credit and that the primary benefit of commissioning would be lost if commissioning was done after-the-fact.
we will likely be pursuing EBOMEBOM is an acronym for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, one of the LEED 2009 rating sytems..
EAP1 Commissioning flexibility for small projects?
Hello,
Our NC building will be approximately 15,000 sq ft, and at the low end of commissioning costs using 1per sq foot, we will need to spend 16K. This is too much for our project to outlay. Since it is a small building, (mixed use, 3 commercial spaces and 9 small condos) could we hire a second set of, HVAC/plumber and electricians to verify our systems? If we did this, the systems could be verified in a minimum of a day and even at 1K a day per expert, you can see the cost savings. The experience on 2 or more projects is a given, since we would select providers who regularly work with theses systems and are not only installers, but maintenance subcontractors, whose responsibility is to ensure systems are working properly. Otherwise I am afraid that EAP1 may preclude us from trying to get certified. Incidentally, although these agents may not be engineers, I would think that their skill levels would be better, especially in the HVAC setting if they have expertise in the same brand as installed, ie. Carrier, HP, etc. As a final note, there are some google results that indicate commissioning is not required on buildings fewer than 15000 sq ft. Is this true?
You could work with the installing contractors to perform the prefunctional checklist/inspections (See EAp1; STEP 8, the first bullet) in the 2009 Reference Guide. However, there is no reference to projects 15,000 sf or less being exempt.
I have also never heard of any project, no matter the size, being exempt. This is a problem for smaller projects, there are many tasks in Cx1. Commissioning (Cx) is the process of verifying and documenting that a building and all of its systems and assemblies are planned, designed, installed, tested, operated, and maintained to meet the owner's project requirements. 2. The process of checking the performance of a building against the owner's goals during design, construction, and occupancy. At a minimum, mechanical and electrical equipment are tested, although much more extensive testing may also be included. that are not related to size...you could have 1 hour of performance testing, and yet you have to develop a plan, develop specifications, matain a log, and make the LEED submittal.
I would be surprised if you would need $15k for Cx. We have done similar projects and been below $10k. Note that for this size of project, someone on the design team can do the Cx if they have the required qualifications as required by USGBC (ie at least 2 projects as Cx).
I would recommend that you see if the mechanical designer has the required experiance, then work on a plan that would allow them to direct the process. The testing should be fairly straight forward based on your description.
Working for Project Management
The LEED Canada NC Reference Guide says that the Cx1. Commissioning (Cx) is the process of verifying and documenting that a building and all of its systems and assemblies are planned, designed, installed, tested, operated, and maintained to meet the owner's project requirements. 2. The process of checking the performance of a building against the owner's goals during design, construction, and occupancy. At a minimum, mechanical and electrical equipment are tested, although much more extensive testing may also be included. Authority can work for the Project Manager provided the Authority reports directly to the Owner. What if the Owner has hired a Project Manager to hire all Consultants and Contractors and to provide the General Contracting? If direct communication between the Owner is established, can the Cx Authority be hired by the Project Manager?
We have worked in some different contractural relationships, and what you describe does not sound like a problem to me. Clearly, you do not want financial responsiblity to be to someone doing the construction...but a CM or PM or Program Manager while ultimately responsible for the construction, rarely self perform.
The primary communication and responsibility of the CxAThe commissioning authority (CxA) is the individual designated to organize, lead, and review the completion of commissioning process activities. The CxA facilitates communication among the owner, designer, and contractor to ensure that complex systems are installed and function in accordance with the owner's project requirements. should be to the owner.
"Type" of Commissioning Experience?
Hello -
I am working with a 60,000 sq ft bulk retail project seeking LEED certification. The engineering firm we are working with has a disinterested employee with experience comissioning HVAC systems in other large commercial projects. However, none of his experience is with a retail building specifically.
What does the USGBC mean when they say experience with projects of similar scope and type? All the form asks for is sq ft and use type ...
Thanks,
Megan
If the commissioning agent has experience with a range of commercial building hvac systems of similar size that should be sufficient. Someone who only worked with residential hvac, toll booths or tanning salons might not fit the bill. Similarly if you had a complex, specialized building such as a hospital or particle accelerator you might need someone else.
CxA for Data Center that is only fully equiped partial floor
Hi all, would like to check if a data center project only install M&E equipment at 2 storeys out of 5 storeys within the first few years, will the CxAThe commissioning authority (CxA) is the individual designated to organize, lead, and review the completion of commissioning process activities. The CxA facilitates communication among the owner, designer, and contractor to ensure that complex systems are installed and function in accordance with the owner's project requirements. scope required only cover energy related equipment installed at these 2 floors?
Thanks a lot.
Eric, if I understand your question correctly I believe that the Cx1. Commissioning (Cx) is the process of verifying and documenting that a building and all of its systems and assemblies are planned, designed, installed, tested, operated, and maintained to meet the owner's project requirements. 2. The process of checking the performance of a building against the owner's goals during design, construction, and occupancy. At a minimum, mechanical and electrical equipment are tested, although much more extensive testing may also be included. scope has to cover all five stories if they are all part of the LEED project, as long as they have some energy-related equipment.
Hi Tristan,
Thank you very much for the reply. But the remaining 3 storey will not have equipments in the next five years. Therefore, there is no equipment to commission for the remaining 3 storey.
What can be possibly done is the design checking (BoDBasis of design (BOD) includes design information necessary to accomplish the owner's project requirements, including system descriptions, indoor environmental quality criteria, design assumptions, and references to applicable codes, standards, regulations, and guidelines. and OPROwner's project requirements (OPR) is a written document that details the ideas, concepts, and criteria that are determined by the owner to be important to the success of the project.) can cover the whole storeys, but the actual equipment commissioning, training and manual can only cover the first 2 storeys equiped.
Does that make sense? Thanks and cheers!
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