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General

Q:What is Building Commissioning?

A:

Building Commissioning is the quality focus process of verifying the mechanical (HVAC) plumbing and electrical systems, fire/life safety systems, building envelope, utility plants, sustainable systems, lighting, controls, and security systems to achieve the owner's project requirements as intended and as designed by the building architects and engineers. For more information, see our Contact Us page and request our Cx 101 whitepaper.  

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Q:What’s the difference between LEED Enhanced and LEED Fundamental Commissioning?

A:
Fundamental Building Systems Commissioning

Verify and ensure that fundamental building elements and systems are designed, installed and calibrated to operate as intended.

Implement all of the following fundamental best practice commissioning procedures:

  • Engage a commissioning authority
  • Collect and review design intent and basis of design documentation
  • Include commissioning requirements in the construction documents
  • Develop and utilize a commissioning plan
  • Verify installation, functional performance, training and documentation
  • Complete a commissioning report
Enhanced Commissioning

Verify and ensure that the entire building is designed, constructed, and calibrated to operate as intended.

In addition to the Fundamental Building Commissioning prerequisite, implement the following additional commissioning tasks:

  • Conduct a focused review of the design prior to the construction documents phase.
  • Conduct a focused review of the construction documents when close to completion.
  • Conduct a selective review of contractor submittals of commissioned equipment.
  • Develop a system and energy management manual.
  • Have a contract in place for a near-warranty end or post occupancy review.

Items 1,2, and 3 must be performed by someone other than the designer.

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Q:What does your PACRAT software do?

A:

FDE’s Performance and Continuous Recommissioning Analysis Tool (PACRATTM) is an expert system designed to work in conjunction with a facility’s computer-based controls system or standalone data logging system. PACRAT’s 'Diagnostic Modules' automatically diagnose problems for a variety of common HVAC systems and provide a report to the operator suggesting probable cause, repair actions, and associated costs. Diagnostics are currently available for all types of air-handling units, chiller plants, hydronic distribution systems, and VAV terminal units.  Additionally, PACRAT's 'M&V Module' stores and presents historical information vital to insuring that a facility is running at its peak performance.  PACRAT can also facilitate manual analysis using its ‘Data Visualization Module.’ For more information, see our Contact Us page and request our PACWho document.

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Q:Do you provide commissioning services for facilities that contain Biosafety Labs (BSL3/4)?

A:

Facility Dynamics Engineering has extensive commissioning experience with biomedical research facilities, including BSL- 2/3/4 laboratories and ABSL-2/3/4 (vivarium) facilities. FDE has been instrumental in establishing industry standards with respect to high containment controls and commissioning, and we authored the Building Automation System chapter of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Design Requirement Manual and the NIH Commissioning Guidelines. Additionally, we are a contributing author and voting member of the committee that developed ANSI/ASSE Z9.14 – 2014 Testing and Performance Verification Methodologies for Ventilation Systems for Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) and Animal Biosafety Level 3 (ABSL-3) Facilities.

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