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Commissioning of New and Existing Buildings

Alexander P. Boucher, P.E., CEM, LEED BD+C

• Introduction• Commissioning – New Buildings• Retro Commissioning – Existing Buildings• On-going Commissioning – Existing Buildings• Case Studies• Owner Benefits

Agenda

• Integrated Services• #1 Cx Provider by CSE (2009/10)• Rank as ENR Top 500 Firm

Introduction

• 100% employee-owned• Local Partnerships• Multiple Offices • Nationwide project resume

• Commissioning – New Buildings• Retro-Commissioning – Existing Buildings• On-Going Commissioning – Existing Buildings• Sustainable Solutions• Energy Performance and Modeling• Energy Assessments• Measurement and Verification• MEP Systems Design Services• Central Utility Plant and Distribution

Technical Expertise

What is Commissioning?

“Systematic process of assuring that a building is designed, constructed, and performs efficiently in

Accordance with the design intent and the owner’s Operational needs, and that sets the structure to

Continue these operations throughout the life of thebuilding.”

-2005 NEBB Standard

Improved Lifecycle

Performance

Energy Efficiency

More Complex & Powerful Systems

Changes in the

Industry

Building Systems

Impact on Occupants

Why is Commissioning Needed?

1. Systems to Commission2. Phases of Commissioning3. Commissioning Value4. LEED®

New Building Commissioning

Typi

cal S

yste

ms • HVAC

• Electrical• Lighting• Plumbing• Medical

Gas

Opti

onal

Sys

tem

s • Life Safety• Building

Envelope• Security• Integrated

Systems Test

What Systems are Commissioned?

Pre-Design Phase

Design Phase

Construction Phase

Acceptance Phase

Warranty Phase

Commissioning Phases

Owner Technical Support

• Specify Performance

• Document Review

Delivered Value

• Operations Perspective

• Accessibility

• Maintainability

• Commissionability

Commissioning Phases - Design

Commissioning Plan

Design IntentDocument Design Review Commissioning

Specifications

Purpose• Build in Quality• Add Expertise to

Construction Team

Delivered Value• Scheduling Support • System Documentation• Operational Inspection • Early Issue Identification &

Resolution

Commissioning Phases - Construction

Schedule Commissioning

Activities

Shop Drawing Review

O&M Document

Preparation

Training Plan Review

Regular Coordination Meetings/Site Visits

Delivered Value• Systems that Work• Operational Clarity• Trained Operators• Building Acceptance• Documented History

Commissioning Phases - Acceptance

Final Commissioning

Report

Systems Training

Functional TestingTraining

Deficiency Correction

Delivered Value• Performance Confirmation• Reinforced Training• Issue Identification/ Resolution• Warranty Support

Commissioning Phases - Warranty

Deferred Testing

10-Month Check-Up

Amend Final Commissioning

Report

Reinforce Training

Reduce Total Ownership Costs Improve Energy & Water Efficiency

Safe, Healthy & Productive Built Environment Promote Sustainable Stewardship

Commissioning Values

Commissioning for LEED BD+C

Fundamental Commissioning vs. Enhanced Commissioning– Additional Design Reviews– Additional Submittal Reviews– Systems Manual– Warranty Phase Activities– Training

Additional Activities for Commissioning Agent– Review of Building Energy Model– Implementation of M&V Plan– LEED Facilitation

1. What is Retro-Commissioning2. Investigate Opportunities3. Measurement and Verification4. Retro-Commissioning Outcomes5. LEED®

Existing Building Retro-Commissioning

Focus more on optimizing existing systems

In-depth look at controls and sequence of operations

• Space use changes• Life safety and code updates• Possible system upgrades

Identify gaps between initial design and current operation

What is Retro-Commissioning

Areas of High Complaint/High Use

Lighting – in and outParkingHVACAir balanceControlsChillerBoilerKitchenLaundryPool or spa

Investigate Opportunities

Identified Opportunity

Identified Construction

Cost Identified Savings

SPB Range Yrs

Tune-Up Controls $174,000 $117,000 0.3 - 3.7 Operational Changes $22,000 $84,000 0.0 - 1.7 Schedule Equipment $34,000 $67,000 0.2 - 1.0 Condenser Water Reset $12,000 $23,000 0.1 - 2.2 Rebalance Systems $50,000 $21,000 1.7 - 4.2 Resolve Damper Issues $13,000 $15,000 0.4 - 5.0 Fix Pipe Insulation $25,000 $13,000 1.8 - 2.5 Add Spa Cover $4,000 $3,000 1.0 - 2.5 Clean Condenser $1,000 $1,000 1.0 - 1.0

Total $335,000 $344,000

Our Experience: Typical Opportunities

Measurement & Verification

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

8:00

8:10

8:20

8:30

8:40

8:50

9:00

9:10

9:20

9:30

9:40

9:50

10:0

0

10:1

0

10:2

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10:3

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10:4

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10:5

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11:0

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11:1

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11:2

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11:3

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11:4

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Space Temperature SetpointSpace TemperatureReheat Valve PositionSB Data Logger Air TemperatureAHU Discharge Air Temperature

Full Heating - Setpoint 90°FFull Cooling - Setpoint 50°FNormal Condition - Setpoint 72°F

At 8:56am, set room to full cooling

At 9:27am, set room to full heating

At 9:54am, set room to normal condition

SB data logger in supply diffuser (1 minute sample rate)

Verify identified opportunities were correctly implemented:– Performance Testing– Equipment Metering– System Trending

Create New System / Equipment Benchmarks:– Perform ongoing reviews of performance– Maintain system parameters for performance– Annual assessment and testing

Outcomes – material changes implemented– Improved energy efficiency– Improved building performance– Identify Energy Conservation Measures for future investment– Documentation– Training

Retro-Commissioning Results

Commissioning for LEED O&M

LEED O&M V3 and Retro-Commissioning– Up to 6 LEED Credits– Energy Audits– Assistance in Greenhouse Gas Assessments– Refrigerant Reduction Calculations– Measurement and Verification– Training– Improved Operations

1. What is On-Going Commissioning2. On-Going Commissioning Outcomes

On-Going Commissioning

Utilize technology to continuously monitor and analyze building performance

Continuous/ periodic feedback to building operators

Operations adjusted/ maintenance activities initiated to immediately address performance issues

On-Going Commissioning

Outcomes– Continuous improvement- energy efficiency and

building performance– Issues identified quickly– More focused efforts for building operators

On-Going Commissioning - Outcomes

National Gallery of Art Phased Renovation – New Construction• 125,000 GSF per phase.• Art Galleries, Restoration and Preservation Labs• Major renovation of all HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing and Art Handling

Systems.

Case Studies

Benefits and Outcomes:• Improved performance and Reliability.• Reduced equipment outages • Early resolution of design issues.

University of Iowa Retrocommissioning Study

• Bowen Science Building• 375,000 gsf of mixed use labs and

offices

Energy Savings Opportunities• Replacing or retrofitting failed VAV

boxes• Upgrading the building

automation system• Installing an energy recovery

system on exhaust systems• Reducing lighting levels to current

standards• Potential energy savings of more

than 35% with an average 2-year payback

Case Studies

• Proper Environmental Control

• Improved Indoor Air Quality• Optimized Energy Profile

• Persistence of Savings• Occupant Acceptance• Certification/Accreditation

Owner and Occupant Benefits

Commissioning Financial Incentives

• Median Costs – $0.30 per sq. ft [Existing Building]– $1.16 per sq. ft [New Construction]

• 13-16% energy savings• Median payback period of 1.1 to 4.2 years

– Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory 2009 [http://cx.lbl.gov/]

Questions and Comments

aboucher@sebesta.com