ACG Guideline
What are the two main items regarding construction commissioning during the post-acceptance phase?
1.) "Off season" FPTs 2.) Revise final Cx final report (if required)
List 7 benefits of commissioning.
1.) Better bid documents 2.) More accurate budgets 3.) More "control" of project 4.) Projects delivered on time 5.) Fewer change orders 6.) Fewer warranty issues 7.) Satisfied client
What are the five main items regarding comprehensive commissioning during the post-acceptance phase?
1.) Correct unresolved issues or conduct re-tests 2.) Off-season testing 3.) Post-occupancy monitoring 4.) Review usage changes 5.) Update Cx documentation
What does the Cx plan typically include (9 listed)?
1.) Cx scope 2.) The Cx team 3.) Reference docs 4.) Cx meetings and purpose 5.) System specific details 6.) FPTs 7.) O&M Staff training 8.) Documentation requirements 9.) Schedule
What are the six main items regarding construction commissioning during the construction phase?
1.) Develop Cx scope 2.) Review contractor submittals 3.) Coordinate Cx process w/schedules & meetings 4.) Execute and document SVCs 5.) Equipment start-ups 6.) TAB completes work
What are the four main items regarding comprehensive commissioning during the pre-design phase?
1.) Establish commissioning 2.) Select a CxA 3.) Develop the commissioning scope 4.) Review the DID or OPR
What are the benefits of a preventive maintenance program (PM) (6 total)?
1.) Maintains efficiency 2.) Keeps systems clean 3.) Accurate control 4.) Reduce equipment failure 5.) Extends equipment life 6.) Provides good record keeping
What are the commissioning requirements to fulfill LEED EA Prereq. 1 (6 listed)?
1.) Must be an experienced, independent, CxA to owner 2.) Must review the OPR and DID 3.) Must incorporate Cx requirements into CDs 4.) Must create and execute the Cx Plan 5.) Must verify installation and performance of systems to be commissioned 6.) Must complete and submit a Cx final report
What are the commissioning requirements to fulfill LEED EA Credit 3 Enhanced Commissioning (6 listed)?
1.) Must be an experienced, independent, CxA to owner 2.) Must review the OPR, BOD, and design by mid-CDs 3.) Must review submittals 4.) Must create the systems manual 5.) Must review the O&Ms and provide occupant training verification 6.) Must perform the 10th month review of building operation
Indicate a few typical commissioning team members (9 listed).
1.) Owner / operator 2.) Architect 3.) Design consultants 4.) Commissioning agent 5.) Construction manager (or general contractor) 6.) Mechanical contractor 7.) Electrical contractor 8.) Temperature controls contractor 9.) Test and balance contractor
What are the six main items regarding retrocommissioning during the planning phase?
1.) Owner selects CxA 2.) Develop Cx scope 3.) CxA reviews existing documentation 4.) CxA surveys existing 5.) CxA reviews system operations and control sequences 6.) Prepare Cx plan
What are the four main items regarding construction commissioning during the acceptance phase?
1.) Perform FPTs 2.) Verify TAB 3.) Training O&M staff 4.) Cx final report
What are the four main items regarding retrocommissioning during the implementation phase?
1.) Perform TAB on existing 2.) FPTing 3.) Review O&M staff training 4.) Cx final report
What are the four main items regarding comprehensive commissioning during the design phase?
1.) Perform design reviews 2.) Write Cx specifications 3.) Write Cx plan 4.) Establish Cx in project schedule
What are the five phases of commissioning?
1.) Pre-Design 2.) Design 3.) Construction 4.) Acceptance 5.) Post-Acceptance
Indicate a few items that the OPR would address (10 listed).
1.) Program requirements 2.) Community context 3.) Codes and regulations 4.) Site and climate 5.) Facility context and function 6.) Facility technology 7.) Sustainability 8.) Cost 9.) Schedule 10.) Client's needs and capabilities
What are the four main items regarding comprehensive commissioning during the acceptance phase?
1.) Review TAB report 2.) Complete FPTing 3.) O&M training and documentation 4.) Complete Cx final report
What is commissioning?
A process of documentation, adjustment, testing, verification, and training performed specifically to ensure that the finished facility operates in accordance with the owner's documented project requirements and the construction documents. Commissioning serves the owner's best interests by delivering a facility with systems that perform as specified, intended, and paid for.
What is the heart of the commissioning process?
Functional performance testing
What is the purpose of ASHRAE Guideline 0?
To describe the commissioning process capable of verifying that a facility and its systems meet the Owner's Project Requirements.
What is the purpose of ASHRAE Guideline 1.1?
To describe the technical requirements for the application of the commissioning process described in ASHRAE Guideline 0 that will verify that the HVAC&R systems achieve the Owner's Project Requirements.
What does the acronym USGBC stand for?
United States Green Building Council
The sequence and timing of commissioning activities must be incorporated into the overall project _____.
Schedule
What is Chapter 3 of the ACG Cx Guideline?
Selecting a Commissioning Provider
What does the acronym ATC stand for?
Automatic temperature controls
The commissioning _____ and the commissioning _____ should clearly indicate the financial responsibilities in the event of failed or aborted FPTs.
Specification; plam
What does the acronym SVC stand for?
System verification check
New construction commissioning costs _ to _% of total construction cost.
0.5 to 1.5%
New construction commissioning costs _ to _% of total electrical system construction cost.
1 to 2%
What are the six main items regarding comprehensive commissioning during the construction phase?
1.) Review submittals 2.) Update Cx plan 3.) Coordination efforts (including site observation, Cx mtgs, resolution tracking forms, and system verification checklists) 4.) Equipment and systems start-ups 5.) TAB HVAC systems 6.) Verify BAS install and start-up
What three items are required to be completed in order for the commissioning process to be completed?
1.) Verification of functional performance for all systems 2.) Submission of TAB reports 3.) Submission of O&M manuals
New construction commissioning costs _ to _% of total mechanical system construction cost.
2 to 3%
New construction commissioning costs _ to _% of total comprehensive HVAC construction cost.
2 to 5%
Retrocommissioning costs _ to _% of total operation cost.
3 to 5%
Studies indicate _ to _% savings in building operating costs when comparing a comissioned building to a non-commissioned building.
8 to 20%
What does the acronym ACG stand for?
AABC Commissioning Group
What does CxA mean and what is the CxA's job function?
ACG Certified Commissioning Authority; leader of the commissioning team that represents the facility owner.
Functional performance tests need to show correct operation under (all / some / a few) operation modes.
ALL
Where controls need to be calibrated against measured air or water flows, the _____ contractor must work together with _____ contractor.
ATC; TAB
Equipment operation during FPTs is performed by who?
Appropriate contractor or equipment manufacturer
Who performs the following commissioning team role: coordinates work of design consultants, considers spatial requirements, considers room naming conventions, conducts regular site observation, and coordinates design and changes w/owner and end-users.
Architect
What does the acronym AABC stand for?
Associated Air Balance Council
What does BOD mean and provide a brief definition?
Basis of Design - The concepts, calculations, decisions, and product selections used to meet the Owner's Project Requirements.
(Before / after) start-up, the contractor must complete the associated SVC.
Before
ACG recommends to (clearly / not clearly) define the responsibilities of the commissioning authority and the owner from the outset.
Clearly
What is total building commissioning (TBCx)?
Commissioning NOT only for the mechanical & HVAC systems, or any single system. TBCx - Commission the entire building.
What does CP mean and indicate a few examples of providers (5 listed).
Commissioning Provider; 1.) Independent third-party commissioning firm 2.) A/E firm 3.) General contractor 4.) Construction manager 5.) Owner's personnel
What is re-commissioning (ReCx)?
Commissioning a building that has been previously commissioned.
Who performs the following commissioning team role: reviews design, provides Cx plan and Cx spec, conducts site visits, provides SVCs, monitors system start-ups, conducts FPTs, and review O&M doc and training.
Commissioning agent
What is retro-commissioning (RetroCx)?
Commissioning an existing building that has never been commissioned.
The _____ is responsible for coordinating and videotaping O&M training, with the contractor providing O&M literature and training personnel.
Commissioning authority
The _____ _____ is implemented during the construction phase.
Commissioning plan
The final commissioning report uses the ____ ____ as its template
Commissioning plan
The CxA is not just another layer of inspection, but a catalyst for?
Communication that makes quality solutions possible.
___ and ___ are essential for effective teamwork.
Communication; accountability
What are the two main approaches to commissioning?
Comprehensive and construction
Who performs the following commissioning team role: project scheduling, manage overall completion of work, coordination of contractors, maintain specified building conditions.
Construction manager
What phase does construction HVAC commissioning start?
Construction phase
What are the three phases for construction HVAC commissioning?
Construction, acceptance, and post-acceptance
Who does the Owner hire independently under a plan and spec comprehensive HVAC commissioning organizational structure?
CxA, designer, and contractor
Who does the Owner hire independently under a design-build comprehensive HVAC commissioning organizational structure?
CxA, professional advisers (staff or consultants), and contarctor
What does DID mean and provide a brief definition?
Design Intent Document - Details functional requirements and Owner's expectations of how a building will be used and operated - Owner's Project Requirements
Who performs the following commissioning team role: provides BOD and DID, responds to RFIs and COs, conducts regular site observation, coordinates design and changes w/owner and end-users, reviews O&M manuals/as-builts, and provides HVAC training on the design intent.
Design consultants
What does the acronym DID stand for?
Design intent document
What is the ACG Commissioning Guideline?
Developed by the Associated Air Balance Council (AABC). It is useful for owners, designers, and constructors but is intended for training Cx providers. It defines the five (5) phases of the commissioning process. It educates about the Cx process, provides standard methodologies for Cx, and introduces a program for certifying qualified Cx providers.
Construction Manager's services typically (do or do not) include functional verification that the installed systems meet design intent.
Do NOT
Designer's (A/E) services typically (do or do not) include field verification that their design works as intended.
Do NOT
Who performs the following commissioning team role: coordinate electrical install w/mechanical work, attend meetings, document progress (SVCs), operate systems as required for FPTing, plan and deliver O&M staff training, provide O&M manuals/as-builts.
Electrical contractor
What is Chapter 2 of the ACG Cx Guideline?
HVAC Commissioning Cost/Benefit Analysis
What is ASHRAE Guideline 1.1 - 2007 titled?
HVAC&R Technical Requirements for the Commissioning Process
Describe the progression of functional performance testing.
Individual items of equipment and sub-systems -> complete systems -> interfaces between HVAC systems -> interfaces between HVAC systems and non-HVAC systems
What is Chapter 1 of the ACG Cx Guideline?
Introduction
The CxA (is or is not) an inspector.
Is NOT
What does the acronym LEED stand for?
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, USGBC trademarked "Green Building Rating System"
The commissioning authority should review the design specifications to ensure inclusion of?
Material describing the contractor's responsibilities related to commissioning
The _____ contractor is responsible for preparing the O&M documentation and training program in accordance with specification requirements.
Mechanical
Who performs the following commissioning team role: document progress (SVCs), coordinates equipment start-up, operate systems as required for FPTing, plan and deliver O&M staff training, provide O&M manuals/as-builts.
Mechanical contractor
Describe the organizational structure for recommissioning and retrocommissioning in existing buildings.
Owner -> Owner's O&M Staff -> CxA -> Subs
Who performs the following commissioning team role: communicate project requirements to the design team, coordinates facilities and staff participation, and conducts regular site observation.
Owner / operator
What is continuous commissioning (CCx)?
Owner continues to collect and compare baseline data on selected building systems to ensure that the building functions optimally throughout its operating life.
The commissioning process provides verification that the ____ ____ ____ are implemented in both the ____ and ____.
Owner's Project Requirements; Design and Construction
Who identifies what systems to commission?
Owner, designer, and commissioning authority
What organizational structure for comprehensive HVAC commissioning does the ACG Cx Guideline follow?
Plan and spec
What are the two phases for retrocommissioning in existing buildings?
Planning and implementation
What phase does comprehensive HVAC commissioning start?
Pre-design phase
What is an RFP and what does it do?
Request for proposal; provides a greater characterization of Cx services. It should include as much information about the project as possible, and usually provides details of schematic design for the systems to be commissioned.
What is an RFQ and what does it do?
Request for qualifications; when a client asks for details concerning previous relevant commissioning experience. It narrows the list of commissioning providers that receive a RFP.
What does the acronym RTF stand for?
Resolution tracking form
The commissioning process does not end until HVAC issues are (resolved / not resolved) to the satisfaction of the owner and full documentation of the system is provided.
Resolved
Who performs the following commissioning team role: design and complete controls install as required by DID/OPR, document progress (SVCs), coordinate with TAB, operate systems as required for FPTing, plan and deliver O&M staff training, provide O&M manuals/as-builts.
Temperature controls contractor
Who performs the following commissioning team role: review design for adequate testing provisions, submit TAB data sheets for approval, coordinate work with master schedule, review site conditions prior to field work, submit complete and accurate TAB report, participate in TAB verification.
Test and balance contractor
What does the acronym TBE stand for?
Test and balance engineer
What is ASHRAE Guideline 0 - 2005 titled?
The Commissioning Process
What is ASHRAE Guideline 1 - 1996 titled?
The HVAC Commissioning Process
The CxA has a distinct responsibility to who?
The Owner
Who designs the pre-design commissioning outline?
The commissioning authority
Who is responsible for directing, witnessing, and documenting the functional performance testing?
The commissioning authority
Who works directly for the owner and is independent of designers, contractors, vendors, and suppliers on the project?
The commissioning authority
Most commissioning benefits continue for how long?
The life of the building
What do system verification checks (SVCs) do?
They ensure the systems have been installed properly, conform to the specifications, and are ready for safe start-up. They also prioritize items for the contractor's attention.
