Acceptance requirements specify targeted inspection procedures and functional performance test procedures that serve to determine whether specific building components, equipment, systems, and interfaces between systems conform to the criteria set forth in the Standards, Reference Nonresidential Appendix NA7, and the applicable construction documents (plans and specifications). Acceptance requirements ensure code compliance and promote optimization of system efficiency and performance.
Acceptance testing is not intended to take the place of commissioning or test and balance procedures that a building owner might incorporate into a building project. It is an adjunct process focusing only on demonstrating compliance with the Standards.
Acceptance testing is not required to be performed by a third party that is independent from the designer or the contractor. However, compliance with the duct sealing requirements specified in §140.4(l) must also be additionally verified by a certified third party HERS Rater or Third Party Quality Control Program pursuant to the requirements in Nonresidential Appendix NA2.
Individual acceptance tests may be performed by one or more Field Technicians under the responsible charge of a licensed contractor or design professional, (Responsible Person) eligible under Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code, in the applicable classification, to accept responsibility for the scope of work specified by the Certificate of Acceptance document. The Responsible Person must review the information on the Certificate of Acceptance form and sign the form to certify compliance with the acceptance requirements. Typically, the individuals who participate in the acceptance testing/verification procedures are contractors, engineers, or commissioning agents. The individuals who perform the field testing/verification work and provide the information required for completion of the acceptance form (Field Technicians) are not required to be licensed contractors or licensed design professionals. Only the Responsible Person who signs the Certificate of Acceptance form to certify compliance must be licensed.
The acceptance requirements process must address the following:
•Review the bid documents to make sure that sensor locations, devices and control sequences are properly documented,
•Review the installation, and complete the required acceptance testing, and
•Certify the acceptance test results on the Certificate of Acceptance, and submit the certificate to the enforcement agency prior to receiving a final occupancy permit.
To ensure that the acceptance tests are performed, it is critical that the acceptance requirements are incorporated into the construction documents, including information that describes the details of the tests to be performed. This information could be integrated into the specifications for testing and air balance, energy management and control system, equipment startup procedures or commissioning. It is quite possible that multiple parties may be responsible for the acceptance testing work. For example, acceptance tests may be performed by a combination of the Test and Balance (TAB) contractor, mechanical/electrical/refrigeration contractor, and the Energy Management Control System (EMCS) contractor.
If more than one person has responsibility for the acceptance testing, each person shall sign and submit the Certificate of Acceptance documentation applicable to the portion of the construction or installation, for which they are responsible; alternatively, the person with chief responsibility for the system design, construction or installation, shall sign and submit the Certificate of Acceptance documentation for the entire construction or installation scope of work for the project.
It is the owner’s responsibility to designate the responsible parties for acceptance test work. The “Responsible Person” under the acceptance test requirements refers to who may sign and oversee the acceptance tests, not who is responsible for designating the Responsible Person or who is responsible for paying the acceptance test technicians. Applicable roles and responsibilities related to acceptance testing should be clearly called out by the owner early in the process to ensure accurate pricing and bids.
The Field Technician is responsible for performing and documenting the results of the acceptance procedures on the Certificate of Acceptance forms. The Field Technician must sign the Certificate of Acceptance to certify that the information he provides on the Certificate of Acceptance is true and correct. It is important to note that the Field Technician is not required to have a contractor’s, architect's or engineer's license.
When certification is required by Title 24, Part 1, Section 10-103-A, the Field Technician responsible for performing and documenting the results of the acceptance procedures for lighting controls specified by Section 130.4 shall be performed by a certified lighting controls acceptance test technician. When certification is required by Title 24, Part 1, Section 10-103-B, the Field Technician responsible for performing and documenting the results of the acceptance procedures for mechanical systems specified by Section 120.5 shall be performed by a certified mechanical acceptance test technician.
Responsible Person
A Certificate of Acceptance must be signed by a licensed Responsible Person who is eligible under Division 3 of the Business and Professions code in the applicable classification, to take responsibility for the scope of work specified by the Certificate of Acceptance document. The Responsible Person can also perform the field testing and verification work, and if this is the case, the Responsible Person must complete and sign both the Field Technician's signature block and the Responsible Person's signature block on the Certificate of Acceptance form. The Responsible Person assumes responsibility for the acceptance testing work performed by his Field Technician agent or employee.
Enforcement Agency
The Certificate of Acceptance must be submitted to the enforcement agency in order to receive the final Certificate of Occupancy. Enforcement agencies shall not release a final Certificate of Occupancy unless the submitted Certificate of Acceptance demonstrates that the specified systems and equipment have been shown to be performing in accordance with the applicable acceptance requirements.
The enforcement agency has the authority to require the Field Technician or Responsible Person to demonstrate competence, to its satisfaction.
When Are Acceptance Tests Required?
In general the Acceptance Tests apply to new equipment and systems installed in either new construction or retrofit applications. More detailed notes and any specific exceptions to this rule are noted in the following paragraphs. If an acceptance test is required, the appropriate form along with each specific test must be submitted to the enforcement agency before a final occupancy permit can be granted.
Envelope Test Procedures:
Mechanical Test Procedures:
•Variable Air Volume Systems Outdoor Air Acceptance
•New Construction and Retrofit: Applies only to new Variable Air Volume (VAV) systems
•Constant Air Volume Systems Outdoor Air Acceptance
•New Construction and Retrofit: Applies only to new Constant Air Volume (CAV) systems