INTRODUCTION TO LEED

HVAC
BUILDING COMMISSIONING
Harris Sanoo,
Commissioning Manager (ASHRAE Certified)
Energy Management Services Int.

Topics

Building Commissioning Overview and Advantages

Commissioning Process and Objectives
LEED Commissioning Requirements
Project Team involvement
Design, Construction and Post occupancy phase
activities

What is Building Commissioning?

Commissioning is a process of verifying and
documenting that the building Energy Systems are
designed, installed and operated efficiently according
to owners requirements and basis of design.
It begins in pre-design and continues through
design, construction, and occupancy of the facility.
Commissioning is often misinterpreted as Testing
and Balancing (TAB), which is an activity at the end
of construction by a contractor.

Commissioning Benefits
Occupant Needs
Pre-Design
Design
Construction

Occupancy
& Operation

Delighted occupants &

stakeholders
Systems perform as intended
Lower energy use and cost
Early detection of potential
problems
Better building documentation
Trained building operators
Lower operation and
maintenance cost
Reduced Contractor callbacks
Improves maintainability of
equipment/systems

The Commissioning Process

The Commissioning Process

The Commissioning (Cx) Process
involves steps that are integrated into
every phase of the project:

PRE-DESIGN
DESIGN
CONSTRUCTION
OCCUPANCY & OPERATION
Commissioning is NOT just testing at
the end!

Cx: Pre-Design Phase Objectives

PRE-DESIGN

DESIGN

CONSTRUCTION

OCCUPANCY & OPERATION

Document/Review Owners Project

Requirements
Scope & budget for commissioning
Select Commissioning Authority
Create Commissioning Plan

Cx: Design Phase Objectives

PRE-DESIGN

DESIGN

CONSTRUCTION

OCCUPANCY & OPERATION

Document/Review Basis of Design

Refine scope of commissioning
Perform Cx Focused Design Reviews
Update Commissioning Plan

Cx: Design Phase- Design Review

PRE-DESIGN

DESIGN

CONSTRUCTION

OCCUPANCY & OPERATION

Some key elements..

Cooling load calculation and plant sizing or Peak cooling
load.
Equipment Sizing
Building Envelope
Ventilation strategies and quantities
Energy saving measures and Building simulation
System operational sequences

Cx: Design Phase Objectives

PRE-DESIGN

DESIGN

CONSTRUCTION

OCCUPANCY & OPERATION

Include commissioning requirements in

construction documents
Develop commissioning specifications
Develop construction checklists and functional
performance test procedures
Define format and content of systems manual
Define training requirements

Cx: Construction Phase Objectives

PRE-DESIGN

DESIGN

CONSTRUCTION

OCCUPANCY & OPERATION

Update Owners Project Requirements

Update Commissioning Plan & schedule
Review Submittals against Cx Plan, OPR, and BOD
Review control sequences
Update construction checklists
Update functional performance test procedures
Document construction observations
Develop Systems/O&M Manuals

Cx: Construction Phase Objectives

PRE-DESIGN

DESIGN

CONSTRUCTION

OCCUPANCY & OPERATION

Train O&M Personnel

Complete Construction Checklists
Perform Functional Performance Testing (FPT)
Document deficiencies found during FPTs (Issues
Log)
Correct deficiencies and retest
Prepare Final Report

Cx: Occupancy and Operations

Phase Objectives
PRE-DESIGN

DESIGN

CONSTRUCTION

OCCUPANCY & OPERATION

Provide ongoing guidance to assist

Operations and Maintenance to achieve
OPR
Complete Seasonal Testing
Document lessons learned
Complete warranty follow-up

Commissioning for LEED

New Construction Projects

The LEED LEED for Building Design and Construction

Family of
LEED for Commercial Interiors
Rating
Systems
LEED for Core and Shell

LEED for Building Operation and

Maintenance
LEED for Homes
LEED for Neighborhood Developments
LEED for Schools, Retail, Healthcare

The LEED Credit

Categories
There are 8 prerequisites

Cx
EA Prerequisite 1
EA Credit 3

Sustainable Sites (SS)

26

Water Efficiency (WE)

10

Energy & Atmosphere (EA)

35

Materials & Resources (MR) 14

Indoor Environ. Quality (EQ) 15
Innovation & Design (ID)

Understanding Commissioning
Requirements
LEED for Building Design and Construction
EA Prerequisite 1

EA Credit 3

EA: Prerequisite 1

EA: Credit 3

Fundamental
Building Energy
Systems
Commissioning

Enhanced
Commissioning

Understanding Commissioning
Requirements
EA Prerequisite 1

LEED for New Construction

EA Prerequisite 1
Fundamental Building Energy Systems
Commissioning

EA Credit 3

Intent
EA Prerequisite 1

EA Credit 3

Fundamental Commissioning of the Building Energy

Systems
Verify that the buildings energy related systemsare
installed, calibrated and performaccording to the owners
project requirements, basis of design, and construction
documents

LEED Certification Requirements

Energy and Atmosphere Prerequisite 1
Fundamental Commissioning of the Building Energy Systems

Requirements:

1.

Designate Commissioning Authority (CxA)

a.
b.
c.
d.

2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

CxA experienced in at least two building projects

CxA independent of project design and CMmay be part of same
company.
CxA reports directly to owner.
Small projects: acceptable to have CxA as part of design or
construction team

CxA reviews Owners Project Requirements and Basis of Design.

CxA incorporates Commissioning (Cx) requirements into Construction
Documents
CxA develop and implement Cx Plan
CxA verify the installation and performance of the systems to be Cmx.
CxA to complete a summary Cmx report
LEED template letter is provided stating items have been completed.

Energy System means.

EA Prerequisite 1

EA Credit 3

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.)

Cx Authority Qualifications
EA Prerequisite 1

EA Credit 3

In order to meet this prerequisite, owners are required to use

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 & process management
Hands-on field experience with energy systems performance,
interaction, start-up, balancing, testing, troubleshooting, operation,
and maintenance procedures
Good knowledge of Building Energy Simulation procedures
Energy systems automation control knowledge

Miscellaneous
EA Prerequisite 1

This LEED Reference Guide provides guidance on the rigor expected

for this prerequisite for the following:

EA Credit 3

Owners Project Requirements

Basis of Design
Commissioning Plan
Commissioning Specification
Performance Verification Documentation
Commissioning Report

Owners are encouraged to consider including water-using systems,

building envelope systems, and other systems in the scope of the
commissioning plan as appropriate.

Understanding Commissioning
Requirements
EA Prerequisite 1

LEED for BD+C

EA Credit 3
Enhanced Commissioning

EA Credit 3

Intent
EA Prerequisite 1

EA Credit 3

Enhanced Commissioning
Begin the commissioning process early during the
design processand execute additional activities
after systems performance verification is
completed.

Energy & Atmosphere Credit 3

Enhanced Commissioning
Requirements:
1.
Prior to start of Construction Document phase, designate
independent CxA.
a.
CxA experienced in at least 2 building projects.
b.
CxA shall be:
i.
Independent of design and construction
ii. Not an employee of design firmmay be contracted
through them
iii. Not an employee of CM
iv. Can be a qualified employee or consultant of the
Owner
c.
CxA report directly to the Owner
d.
Requirement has no deviation for project size.

Energy & Atmosphere Credit 3

Enhanced Commissioning
Requirements, continued:

2.

CxA conducts (minimum) one Cmx design review of OPR and BOD
and CD documents. Back-check the review comments.

3.

CxA review selected contractor submittals for compliance with the

OPR & BODconcurrent with A/E reviews.

4.

CxA assists in the development of the system manual for operating

staff.

5.

CxA verify requirements for training operating personnel and building

occupants.

6.

CxA shall be involved with reviewing building operation within 10

months after substantial completion/with staff and occupants.
Include a plan for resolution of Cmx issues.

Responsible Tasks
EA Prerequisite 1

EA Credit 3
Task

Responsibility

Final version of the BOD

A/E

System single line diagrams

A/E

As-built sequences of operations, control drawings and original setpoints

Contractor

Operating instructions for integrated building systems

Contractor

Recommended schedule of maintenance requirements and frequency, if not

already included in the project O&M manuals

Contractor

Recommended schedule for retesting of commissioned systems with blank

test forms from the original Commissioning Plan

CxA

Recommended schedule for calibrating sensors and actuators

Contractor

Occupancy Review
EA Prerequisite 1

EA Credit 3

Assure the involvement by the CxA in reviewing

building operation within 10 months after substantial
completion with O&M staff and occupants. Include a
plan for resolution of outstanding commissioningrelated issues.
The CxA should coordinate with the Owner and the
O&M staff to review the facility and its performance 8
to 10 months after handover of the facility.

Task 6: Occupancy Review (continued)

EA Prerequisite 1

EA Credit 3

Any outstanding construction deficiencies or deficiencies

identified in this post-occupancy review should be
documented and corrected under manufacturer or
contractor warranties.
The CxA review of the building operation with operations
staff and occupants should identify any problems in
operating the building as originally intended. Any
significant issues identified by the CxA that will not be
corrected should be recorded in the systems manual.

Primary Responsibility LEED for

New Construction Reference Guide
EAp1 Task
#

EAc3 Task
#

Task Description
Designate Commissioning Authority (CxA)

Document Owners Project Requirements (OPR)

Develop Basis of Design

Incorporate commissioning requirements into the construction

documents
2

Owner or Project Team

Owner or Project Team

Owner

Owner

Design Team

Design Team

Project Team or CxA

Project Team or CxA

CxA

Project Team or CxA

Review contractor submittals applicable to systems being

commissioned
Verify the installation and performance of commissioned
systems

If you are meeting EAp1

& EAc3

Conduct commissioning design review prior to mid-construction

documents
Develop and implement a commissioning plan

If you are only meeting

EA Prerequisite 1

Project Team or CxA

CxA

CxA

CxA

Develop a systems manual for the commissioned systems

Project Team or CxA

Verify that the requirements for training are completed

Project Team or CxA

Complete a summary commissioning report

6

CxA

Review building operation within 10 months after substantial

completion

Project Team = Owner, Architect

Engineer and/or Builder

CxA
CxA

ASHRAE Guidelines for Cx

ASHRAE Guideline 0-2005 The Commissioning
Process
ASHRAE Guideline 1.1-2007 HVAC&R Technical
Requirements for the Commissioning Process
ASHRAE Learning Institute course: Commissioning
Process in New and Existing Buildings
ASHRAE Learning Institute course: Commissioning
Process and ASHRAEs Guideline 0

Energy Management Services,

Suite 303, Liberty Building,
Dubai, U A E.
Phone: +971 4 2827000

E-mail: harris@ems-int.com
Web:
www.ems-int.com