CxAnalytics Commissioning

The intent of commissioning is to ensure building equipment and systems are designed, installed, and operate in accordance with the customer’s requirements and construction documents. We strive to integrate our efforts with the activities of the design firm, construction team, and owner’s agents at project inception. The outcome is systematic project turnover, and a more efficient system to operate and maintain long term. The CxAnalytics team is experienced in designing facility HVAC and critical electrical systems, construction management, and operation of central utility plants and critical data centers. Our ability to understand building requirements from the customer’s perspective means we can analyze the design up front to ensure optimal building systems when complete.

CxAnalytics’ Approach

Our company believes that commissioning should be an integral part of all phases of the building process. The involvement of a commissioning authority in the initial phases can greatly impact the efficiency and speed of project completion.

Pre-Design Phase

CxAnalytics’ standard commissioning approach begins at the pre-design phase with an appraisal of the building owner’s project requirements. At this stage, the project expectations are defined with project scope and in relation to energy efficiency, and mechanical and electrical system design.

Design Phase

At the design phase, we review the engineer’s design and supporting calculations in accordance with the client’s project requirements. A quality check of the design is done to ensure it complies with International Building Codes, LEED Credit Checklists, and ASHRAE guidelines. We evaluate the integrated systems within the facility to ensure the sequences of operations are appropriate. Our process of evaluating system compatibilities across disciplines has the effect of coordinating the mechanical and electrical subcontractor. Our review comments focus on removing ambiguity from the design package, allowing the contractor to qualify and quantify deliverables.

Construction Phase

While the project is under construction, our team concentrates on submittal review, developing functional performance testing procedures, review of the installation, and witnessing selected specification testing. Functional performance tests ensure the facility operation complies with the design documents. These tests are customized to the specific project then distributed for review and approval by the engineer of record, the mechanical contractor, electrical contractor and controls contractor. We hold an additional meeting with the controls contractor to confirm the sequence of operations. This process establishes how the project will be accepted early in the project review.

Acceptance Phase

During the acceptance phase, our responsibilities include 10% testing, adjusting, and balancing (TAB) verification, performing functional testing and reviewing steady state trends. We compare completed test procedures and trending to the design and owner project requirements for acceptance. We also develop the training plan, review as-built drawings, and review O&M manuals for compliance. Ten months after the facility is complete, we conduct a follow-up site visit during which we interview operations personnel and facility occupants, review equipment operations, and perform selected functional testing.

Commissioning for LEED

On LEED-certified building projects, CxAnalytics takes responsibility for reviewing applicable LEED documentation for commissioning.

We identify, verify and provide oversight of LEED commissioning credits as they pertain to the building project in accordance with U.S. Green Building Council LEED Reference Guide versions 2.0, 2.2. and 3 for New Construction, and version 2.2 for Existing Buildings and Schools.

Benefits of Commissioning

Commissioning has a positive impact on all parties involved with the design, construction, and use of the facility.  Parties that enjoy the benefits of this service are the building owner, contractor, and ultimately the occupants of the facility.  Since problems are identified prior to and during installation, change orders are reduced and the project remains on schedule. Long term maintenance is improved through better building documentation and well trained building operators.  The owners and occupants of an efficient building see long term energy savings, lower maintenance and operating costs, as well as improved air quality and comfort.