The benefits of using PBC, Inc., as your
Independent Certified Commissioning Authority.
Get the building you paid for. With a loyal, knowledgeable direct representative
on the job, you can be sure to get what you paid for.
Identify and correct problems sooner. You are assured that any design,
installation or equipment problems are identified and corrected faster than would
be without a dedicated Independent Certified Commissioning Authority.
Establish effective communication. You have skilled people who know how to
communicate effectively on your behalf with members of the construction team to
assure the on-time, within-budget project you deserve.
Retain a comprehensive “paper trail”. Your Independent Certified
Commissioning Authority compiles an accurate record of significant events and
communications throughout the commissioning process, including such items as:
- Design intent documents.
- Resolution tracking forms which document problems and steps taken to
resolve them.
- Start-up checklist.
- System verification checklists.
- Functional performance test results.
- Operation & Maintenance documents.
Save money. PBC, Inc., and the Commissioning process can help you avoid the
cost of:
- Correcting problems you don’t know about until after the contractors
have gone.
- Using excess energy because equipment is operating inefficiently.
- Operating and maintaining equipment with undiagnosed problems or
using untrained personnel.
- Occupant absenteeism or reduced productivity because of uncomfortable
conditions or poor indoor air quality.
- Resolving potential legal issues from 1-4.
Total System and Building Commissioning
An Idea Whose Time Has Come
HVAC System Commissioning is a process whereby a commissioning authority,
acting on behalf of the building owner and/or his direct representatives (the
construction manager, architect and design engineer), accepts and performs
certain duties to meet (or assure that others involved in the project meet) the
following objectives:
- That design documents include and properly locate all the necessary
testing, adjusting and analysis equipment so the building systems can be
properly tested and verified when the project is complete.
- That HVAC and other building system(s) descriptions are provided
and available to everyone involved in the overall project during actual
construction. In addition, after the project is complete, that these system(s)
descriptions form part of the training program for operating and
maintenance people. System(s) descriptions should include, but not
necessarily be limited to:
The basic type of system and its design parameters, intended operation
under all seasonal loads, system redundancy criteria, part load
operational strategies, design set points, temperature control operating
sequence plus other pertinent descriptive information to provide an
observer with the intent of the design.
- That equipment and system components are installed in accordance with
design requirements and in a workmanlike manner.
- That the completed systems are properly tested, adjusted and balanced.
- That the temperature controls have been completely and correctly
installed and calibrated and work as they are supposed to.
- That the operating and maintenance personnel are properly trained.
- That changes and variations from original design drawings are included
in final, as-built drawings.
- That when final acceptance is granted, the owner or his representatives
know any remaining deficiencies and/or omissions.
What Building Commissioning Means to You
If you consider the bottom line first, it means you get a better building –-
one which when the HVAC, fire protection and other systems have been properly
designed in the first place and have been certified to operate properly, it will live up
to its design expectations.
Going back to the beginning of the process, you have the advantage of a
professional, independent agency applying its knowledge and experience to the
initial design and equipment specifications.
At the next phase, you have the assurance that installing contractors are
performing properly with no opportunity to excuse or cover up an error.
Also, with a Commissioning Authority as your representative, you have,
in essence, a Construction Manager with specialized skills in the systems
commissioning process.
