EA Prerequisite 1: Fundamental Commissioning of the Building
Energy Systems
Required
Intent
Verify that the building’s energy related systems are installed,
calibrated and perform according to the owner’s
project requirements, basis of design, and construction documents.
Benefits of Commissioning
Benefits of commissioning include reduced energy use, lower
operating costs, reduced 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 shall be completed by
the commissioning team, in accordance
with the LEED for New Construction 2.2 Reference Guide.
1) Designate an individual as the Commissioning Authority (CxA) to
lead, review and oversee the completion
of the commissioning process activities.
a) The CxA shall have documented commissioning authority experience
in at least two building projects.
b) The individual serving as the CxA shall be independent of the
project’s design and construction management,
though they may be employees of the firms providing those services.
The CxA may be a qualified
employee or consultant of the Owner.
c) The CxA shall report results, findings and recommendations
directly to the Owner.
d) For projects smaller than 50,000 gross square feet, the CxA may
include qualified persons on the design
or construction teams who have the required experience.
2) The Owner shall document the Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR).
The design team shall develop the
Basis of Design (BOD). The CxA shall review these documents for
clarity and completeness. The Owner
and design team shall be responsible for updates to their respective
documents.
3) Develop and incorporate commissioning requirements into the
construction documents.
4) Develop and implement a commissioning plan.
5) Verify the installation and performance of the systems to be
commissioned.
6) Complete a summary commissioning report. Commissioned Systems
Commissioning process activities shall 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 (wind, solar etc.)
Potential Technologies & Strategies
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 which impacts energy consumption, occupant comfort and
indoor air quality. While it is not required
to be commissioned by LEED, an owner can receive significant
financial savings and reduced risk of poor indoor
air quality by including building envelope commissioning.
The LEED for New Construction 2.2 Reference Guide 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
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