Commissioning is an important part of every building construction project. Commissioning begins after the initial plans have been approved and the structure is ready to be built. The next step is determining what system or equipment to use during commissioning to make sure the project goes as planned and can provide the highest safety standards possible. The goal of commissioning is to ensure that any building elements built or installed by the company meet or exceed any given code, regulation, or policy. It is also used to establish what responsibilities the building owner has towards his own business, to ensure quality work is done by the contractors, and to establish whether the company will be held responsible for any accidents or damages that occur while the project is in progress.
Most people have heard the expression “proof of performance,” but what does that mean? Simply put, it means having an accurate record of everything that is installed or repaired during a project so that if problems arise they can be addressed before the work commences. This type of record-keeping must be completed before a contractor or builder begins work, preferably at the site of the proposed building or facility. If problems are found during the commissioning process, they must be corrected before work commences. An owner should keep track of materials, testing, inspections, permits, and other procedures used in the process. This is especially important for materials testing, which must be completed before materials are shipped or installed.
Building performance rating systems are used in many areas of the construction industry and are especially important when it comes to commissioning building owners. One of the most common systems is the building efficiency rating system (BERS). BERS is a measure of energy efficiency that is applied to buildings to determine the energy costs over the life of the building. BERS is based on historical data about the performance of similar structures to make certain that future performance will be similar to past performance.
Another way to ensure better buildings is to use energy management control systems, also known as HEMs. The goal of both BERS and HEMs is to provide the building with the best return on investment possible while reducing energy costs. Energy management control systems incorporate many different elements to ensure the building stays at peak efficiency while meeting regulations and codes. These include building occupants, HVAC systems, building exterior materials and lighting.
In order for construction projects to meet local, state and federal building regulations, a building commissioning agency must review and approve plans for the project. In addition to the plans themselves, commissioning agencies must also analyze and evaluate the plans. If the analysis and reviews are positive, the application is approved and construction begins. However, if the application is rejected, commissioning can be retried with additional expenses.
Making sure that commissioning meets your goals and standards is important. In addition to helping make sure that construction meets legal requirements, it can also lead to a better design process. When the design process moves forward, the resulting blueprint is the blueprint for the entire project. It’s important that the entire team working on the project work together to make sure that every part functions smoothly and that the entire building functions properly. By making sure that you have a professional and experienced commissioning firm by your side, you can rest assured that the entire building project will run smoothly and be the most energy efficient and energy friendly it can be.