A building, to be functional and efficient, needs reliable systems that work together to provide a sustainable, productive, safe, and secure workplace. This is possible if you can get the best building commissioning in Boise, ID. Before you call for a trusted service in this field, it is also beneficial on your end if you understand what building commissioning is. This can help you set the right expectations and follow the entire process until the end. Let’s start with its definition.
What is building commissioning?
Building commissioning is best defined by its systematic process. It verifies and documents the entire process, from the design stage up to at least one year after the project is completed. The process of documentation includes design review, validation of modes of operation, and verification of equipment installation. The building commissioning process ensures that all facility systems are performing interactively based on the intended design while satisfying the operational needs of the building owner.
These needs include the preparation and training of operating personnel. The facility systems referred to include the mechanical, plumbing, envelope, electrical, and other building systems that need to function efficiently for the long term. Systems may also include setting up of software data analytics for monitoring to identify potential issues during operations.
Types of Building Commissioning
Knowing the types of building commissioning can help you decide which service you need. Here are the four primary types of commissioning from which you can choose:
- New construction commissioning. This process starts from scratch. An idea is developed into a drawing before it becomes a schematic. This systematic process involves the verification and documentation of the facility and all its systems. These systems undergo planning, designing, installation, testing, and maintenance before meeting the required project standards of the building owner. The process begins before the conceptualization of the design until the warranty period is over.
- Re-commissioning. This process is known as on-going commissioning whereas the project undergoes a commissioning process though it has undergone a commissioning process before. This process is needed to check on the system performance after some time and re-evaluate if they are still efficient, functional, and if they are properly maintained. This process also notes the changes in technology that could improve and optimize the efficiency and functionality of the facility and its systems.
- Retro-commissioning. This process is conducted after the building was already completed. Project completion draws the line between new construction and retro-commissioning. Though both facilities are newly constructed, the former involves the commissioning process from the very beginning, while the latter only seeks the commissioning process after all plans are executed. In the former, building commissioning is part of the project management, while in the latter, commissioning is a mere evaluation of the project managed by someone else. Retro-commissioning provides insight into how the facility could meet the requirements through low-cost or no-cost improvements.
- Monitoring-based commissioning. This process emphasizes on innovation using commissioning techniques merged with new technology. This integration usually aims to provide energy management, utility, and building automation data. This information will undergo analytical and diagnostic algorithms for the identification of actual energy savings and performance in real-time. This aims to resolve issues and refine facilities over time.
Understanding building commissioning and its types can help you decide what your facilities need to achieve functionality and efficiency. You might even consider all types of commissioning for the facilities you currently own and for those you plan to construct in the future.
