Commissioning

Commissioning is a special type of Measurement and Verification (M&V) procedure that is used to determine whether the strategy for improving energy efficiency is valid.

Commissioning requires trended data (over time) to make sure the interaction between systems is working as required. Commissioning involves verifying that all integrated systems are working together smoothly and examines operations at a higher level of system integration.

Commissioning Planning Steps

Considerable planning is required for a commissioning assessment:

• Establish commissioning parameters, responsibilities, and documentation procedures for all phases and ensure that project team members are notified of these requirements

• Document baseline conditions that can be used to develop the design and benchmark information for evaluating the final performance, including:

  • Occupancy requirements

  • Design assumptions

  • New equipment and building utilization

The commissioning plan should provide details regarding the requirements for each involved party, including project scheduling, documentation requirements, verification procedures, and staffing requirements.

In the planning phase the participants need to establish:

• Detailed procedures for the tests to be performed by each party in the commissioning process

• Detailed checklists for performance testing

• Report forms that will be used to submit test data and results

• Calibration data for test equipment

• Sequence and schedule of procedures

Before construction on a project begins equipment submittals are reviewed. These documents provide all of the specification details including performance data for all of the equipment used in the project.

Testing Installed Equipment

After the equipment is installed, engineers verify that the components and systems are installed according to specifications.

At the end of the commissioning process, every mode of systems operation and all system equipment will be proved operational under all normal operational modes, including part and full load. After all requirements of the commissioning plan are complete and documented, the engineers recommend final acceptance of the project.