## 12.1 Introduction

The purpose of this code is to improve public health, safety and general welfare by enhancing the design and construction of buildings through the use of concepts that reduce negative and increase positive environmental impacts. Commissioning is a vital element in this effort.

The following acronyms will be used throughout this Chapter:

Acronyms

• BOD - Basis of Design

• Cx - Commissioning

• FPT - Functional Performance Test

• HVAC - Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning

• O&M - Operations and Maintenance

• OPR - Owner’s Project Requirements

Glossary

• Acceptance Criteria - The conditions that must be met for systems or equipment to meet defined expected outcomes.

• Commissioning (Cx) - Building commissioning as required in this code involves a quality assurance process that begins during design and continues to occupancy. Commissioning verifies that the new building and its systems are planned, designed, installed, tested, operated and maintained as the owner intended, and the building staff are prepared to operate and maintain its systems and equipment.

• Commissioning Coordinator– The person who plans, schedules and coordinates the commissioning team to implement the commissioning process. This can be either a third-party commissioning provider or an experienced member of the design team or owner’s staff.

• Commissioning Process – A quality-focused process for enhancing the delivery of a project. The process focuses on verifying and documenting that all its systems and assemblies are planned, designed, installed, tested, operated, and maintained to meet the Owner’s Project Requirements.

• Commissioning Team - The key members of each party involved with the project designated to provide insight and carry out tasks necessary for a successful commissioning project. Team members may include the commissioning coordinator, owner or owner’s representative, building staff, design professionals, contractors or manufacturer’s representatives, and testing specialists.

• Independent Third-Party Commissioning Professional - (Authority/Agent/Provider/Lead) – An entity contracted directly by the owner who is not responsible or affiliated with any other member of the design and construction team and who leads, plans, schedules, and coordinates the Commissioning Team to implement the Commissioning Process.

• Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Manuals - Documents that provide information necessary for operating and maintaining installed equipment and systems.

• Owner - The individual or entity holding title to the property on which the building is constructed.

• Owner Representative – An individual or entity assigned by the owner to act and sign on the owner’s behalf.

• Sequence of Operation – A written description of the intended performance and operation of each control element and feature of the equipment and systems.

• Scope of the Commissioning Requirements - All building systems and components covered by §110.0, §120.0, §130.0, and §140.0 shall be included in the scope of the commissioning requirements, excluding covered processes.

### 12.1.1 Selecting Trained Personnel for Commissioning

It is essential that there is a single person designated to lead and manage the commissioning activities. In practice, this individual has been referenced by various identifiers such as commissioning authority, agent, provider, coordinator, and lead. In this 'manual the term commissioning coordinator is used.

The commissioning coordinator shall manage and facilitate the commissioning process, including managing the development and implementation of the commissioning tasks and associated documentation. Trained personnel shall execute the tasks and may include appropriate members of the owner’s staff, contractors, and design team, as well as independent commissioning professionals.

The designated commissioning coordinator may be an independent third-party commissioning professional, a project design team member (e.g. engineer or architect), an owner’s engineer, contractor or specialty sub-contractor. Methods of evaluating the designated commissioning coordinator and trained personnel include review of the following:

• Technical knowledge.

• Relevant experience.

• Potential conflict of interest.

• Professional certifications and training.

• Communication and organizational skills.

• Reference and sample work products.