A complete report of commissioning process activities undertaken through the design, construction and reporting recommendations for post-construction phases of the building project must be completed and provided to the owner or representative.
The commissioning report documents commissioning and test results. The report includes confirmation from the commissioning coordinator that commissioned systems meet the conditions of the OPR, BOD, and contracts.
The commissioning report includes:
A. Executive summary of process and results of commissioning – including observations, conclusions, and any outstanding items.
B. History of any system deficiencies and how resolved
1. Include outstanding deficiencies and plans for resolution
2. Include plans for seasonal testing scheduled for a later date
C. System performance test results and evaluations
D. Summary of training completed and scheduled
E. Attach commissioning process documents
1. Commissioning Plan
2. OPR
3. BOD
4. Executed installation checklists
5. Executed functional performance test compliance documents
6. Recommendations for end-of-warranty review activities
The building official can confirm compliance during field inspection by receipt of a copy of the commissioning report.
Example 12-1
Question
I am constructing a 100,000 ft2 mixed occupancy building. 10 percent of the conditioned floor area is for commercial/retail use, and the remaining spaces are residential. Since the building is primarily residential, does it need to be commissioned?
Answer
Yes. Because the nonresidential portion of the building is 10,000 square feet or greater, it will need to be commissioned. However, the commissioning requirements of Section 120.8 only apply to the nonresidential portions of the building.
Example 12-2
Question
I am constructing a mixed occupancy building which has both residential and nonresidential spaces. The water heating system serves both the residential and nonresidential spaces of the building. Do I need to include the water heating system in the building commissioning?
Answer
Yes. Since the water heating system is serving both residential and nonresidential spaces, the water heating system must be included in commissioning.
Example 12-3
Question
Is commissioning required for nonresidential buildings which have less than 10,000 ft2 of conditioned space?
Answer
No, although the design review portion of commissioning is required.
Example 12-4
Question
Do the commissioning requirements apply to tenant improvements (first time buildouts) for multi-tenant buildings such as a strip mall?
Answer
Possibly, it depends on the local enforcement agency’s policy. Commissioning may be completed for the entire building prior to tenant improvements, or for each individual tenant improvement. Check with your local enforcement agency for their commissioning policies for multi-tenant buildings.
Example 12-5
Question
Do the commissioning requirements apply to unconditioned nonresidential buildings?
Answer
No, the scope of the Energy Standards does not include commissioning (Section 120.8) for unconditioned nonresidential buildings in Section 100.0(e)2C.
Example 12-6
Question
Is third party design review required for buildings with complex systems that serve less than 10,000 square feet?
Answer
No, the licensed professional engineer who completes and signs the Design Review Kickoff Certificate(s) of Compliance, and the Construction Document Design Review Checklist Certificate(s) of Compliance does not need to be a third party (see Section 10-103(a)1).
Example 12-7
Question
Are covered processes required to be included in commissioning?
Answer
No, covered processes are excluded from the commissioning requirements (see Section 120.8). Covered processes can be included in the Basis of Design document (see Section 120.8(c)), however it is not required.
Example 12-8
Question
Can the person responsible for commissioning also perform acceptance testing?
Answer
It depends. A commissioning professional can perform acceptance testing provided that they have also gained certification as an Acceptance Test Technician (or ATT). A commissioning professional that is not an ATT cannot perform acceptance tests that are reserved to ATTs.