Smart building commissioning programs create a roadmap to maximize building performance. Unfortunately, a fragmented, siloed approach to maintaining facility performance can compromise the long-term performance of buildings. But an integrated, intelligent, and digital approach that combines focused initiatives with ongoing services can reduce energy costs while enabling continuous performance improvements.
An effective communication strategy that can benefit the development of construction specification documents can be just as effective in improving the commissioning of the new building. Fitzpatrick said the key is to remember that the commissioning agent is hired directly by the building owner.
“The owner holds the contract, so the commissioning agent is working for the owner on his behalf and not just adhering to the construction schedule,” he said. “As commissioning agent, the job is to make sure that the systems are installed as per contract documents but in an efficient way to make sure the owner gets exactly what he paid for. The challenge with that sometimes is the level of detail that is put in the construction documents.”
McMahon reminded attendees that the process of gathering reliable data on building system performance to support efficient smart building performance does not start with commissioning: “It starts during design, not after construction.”
Dan Hounsell is senior editor for the facilities market. He has more than 30 years of experience writing about facilities maintenance, engineering and management.
Making Smart Building Design Work
Smart Building Commissioning: Strategies and Tactics
