Engineering Question
What Is Commercial Commissioning?
Commissioning is a quality process that verifies building systems are installed and operating according to the owner’s project requirements.
Reviewed by
Michael K. Frempong, PE, LEED AP BD+C
President & Principal Engineer, BEED Engineering
Michael is a professional engineer and LEED AP BD+C accredited professional with more than 20 years of consulting engineering experience. He leads BEED Engineering's mechanical, electrical, and plumbing design work for commercial, healthcare, laboratory, education, industrial, and other building projects throughout Central Florida and the Treasure Coast.
View BEED team profileQuick Answer
Commercial commissioning is a systematic process that checks whether HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and related systems were installed and operate as intended. It starts with owner requirements and design review, then continues through construction checklists, functional testing, and turnover documents. Commissioning is not the same as a punch list or equipment start-up by the contractor.
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What commissioning is
Commissioning (Cx) is a quality-assurance process. It asks: does this building’s systems meet the owner’s project requirements?
It is commonly applied to HVAC and building automation, and can extend to lighting, domestic water, and emergency power.
What commissioning is not
- Not contractor start-up alone
- Not a substitute for design
- Not the same as a facility assessment of an old building
Typical process
- Document owner requirements
- Review design documents
- Construction checklists
- Functional performance tests
- Issues log and resolution
- Systems manual and operator training support
When it is worth doing
- Chilled water plants
- Healthcare and laboratories
- Buildings with complex controls
- Projects with energy or humidity performance goals
Florida humidity makes functional testing of cooling and outdoor-air systems especially important. See humidity control.
Common Questions
Who performs commissioning?
An independent commissioning authority is often used. The design engineer and contractors still have defined roles in testing and documentation.
Is commissioning only for LEED projects?
No. LEED popularized it, but any complex HVAC or controls project can benefit.
Filed under Building Systems
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Related Questions
What Is Building Automation?
Building automation is the control system that starts, stops, sequences, and monitors HVAC and related equipment so a building operates as designed.
What Is a Facility Assessment?
A facility assessment is an engineering review of existing mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems to document condition, remaining life, and recommended work.
What Is HVAC Engineering?
HVAC engineering is the design of heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems that control temperature, humidity, ventilation, and indoor air quality.
Related BEED Services
Service
Commissioning
Systematic verification that building systems are installed, tested, and operating according to the owner's requirements.
Service
Building Automation
Controls sequences, BAS architecture, and integration that make mechanical and electrical systems operate as designed.
Service
HVAC Engineering
Heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning design for occupant comfort, indoor air quality, and energy performance.
Related Locations
Service Area
Serving Central & South Florida
BEED Engineering is based in Palm Bay and serves building projects throughout Brevard County, the Treasure Coast, Port St. Lucie, Orlando, and surrounding areas.
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Need commissioning or design support for system start-up?
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