Building commissioning
Commissioning checks that a new building’s systems are designed, installed and operating the way the owner needs, and that the people running the building know how to keep them that way.
When you need it
- You’re building new and want proof the systems work before you accept them.
- The project is pursuing LEED, which requires commissioning.
- The building has complex systems, such as labs, healthcare spaces or integrated controls.
- Past projects had problems at turnover and you want a different result.
What we do
Define requirements
We document the owner’s project requirements: how the building will be used, comfort criteria, energy goals and maintenance expectations.
Review the design
We review drawings and specifications against those requirements and flag issues while they’re still cheap to fix.
Verify installation
We check equipment as it’s installed, and review start-up and balancing results.
Test functions
We test each system through its operating modes and track every issue to resolution.
Hand over
We confirm the operations staff have the training, manuals and documentation they need, and revisit the building before the warranty ends.
What you receive
- Owner’s project requirements and a commissioning plan
- Design review comments
- Functional test results and an issues log tracked to close-out
- A final commissioning report and input to the systems manual
Questions
When should commissioning start?
In design. The cheapest problems to fix are the ones caught on paper. A commissioning agent brought in at turnover can only find problems, not prevent them.
Is commissioning worth the cost?
A Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory study of 643 U.S. buildings found median energy savings of 13% from commissioning new construction, with a median payback of 4.2 years, before counting fewer callbacks and warranty claims.
How is commissioning different from balancing?
Balancing sets airflow and water flow. Commissioning checks the whole system, including controls, sequences, equipment and documentation, against what the owner needs. Balancing results are one input to commissioning.
Further reading
- Air density, altitude and HVAC design in Calgary and the Rockies
Learn how elevation changes air density, which HVAC calculations and selections need correction, and what to check when designing, balancing or commissioning systems in Calgary and mountain communities.
- Refrigeration cycle basics for commercial HVAC
Learn how the vapour compression cycle moves heat, what superheat, subcooling and lift mean, how efficiency is measured, and why refrigerant choice and safety codes matter.
- Thermal comfort and ASHRAE Standard 55
Learn what ASHRAE Standard 55 requires, how comfort depends on more than air temperature, and how to use the standard to design, commission and troubleshoot commercial spaces.
- Air handling unit components and configurations
Learn what each section of an air handling unit does, how common configurations compare, and what owners and designers should check for performance, freeze protection and maintenance.
- Dedicated outdoor air systems (DOAS) explained
Learn what a DOAS is, how it separates ventilation from space conditioning, the main design choices, and how to make it work well in cold Canadian climates.
- Duct sealing classes and SMACNA leakage standards
Understand SMACNA duct seal classes and leakage classes, how allowable leakage is calculated, and how to specify and verify duct sealing on commercial projects.
Related services
Also in commissioning: Retro-commissioning, Infrared thermography.
Get a quote for building commissioning
Tell us about the building and what you need. We’ll be in touch within one hour.