An improved, productive, skilled, innovative and efficient sector
EA credit 3
1. CIT 135 Fall 2011
2009
Energy and Atmosphere.
EA Credit 3: Enhanced Commissioning.
Possible earning points: 2 points.
Presented By : Sherif Teaima
2. Credit Summary
Intent:
To begin the commissioning process early in
the design process and execute additional
activities after systems performance
verification is completed.
Requirements:
General Requirements.
(CxA) Requirements.
Activities Requirements.
3. What is commissioning?
Building commissioning is a quality assurance
program intended to demonstrate the the building
is constructed well and performs as designed.
Commissioning is also a powerful tool because it
can indicate if the designers and contractors have
done what they’ve been hired to do.
CxA or the commissioning agent have the
authority to make the responsible parties fix the
problems up front instead of dealing with
maintenance problems or poor performance down
the road.
4. General Requirements.
Implement, or have a contract in place to
implement, the following additional
commissioning process activities in addition to
the requirements of EA Prerequisite 1:
Fundamental Commissioning of Building Energy
Systems and in accordance with the LEED
Reference Guide for Green Building Design and
Construction, 2009 Edition:
Prior to the start of the construction
documents phase, designate an independent
commissioning authority (CxA) to lead, review
and oversee the completion of all commissioning
process activities.
5. (CxA) Requirements.
The CxA must have documented commissioning
authority experience in at least 2 building projects.
Must be independent of the work of design and
construction.
Must not be an employee of the design firm, though
he or she may be contracted through them.
Must not be an employee of, or contracted through,
a contractor or construction manager holding
construction contracts.
May be a qualified employee or consultant of the
owner.
The CxA must report results, findings and
recommendations directly to the owner.
6. Activities Requirements.
The CxA must conduct, at a minimum, 1 commissioning design
review of the owner’s project requirements (OPR) basis of design
(BOD), and design documents (DD/CD) prior to the mid-construction
documents phase and back-check the review comments in the
subsequent design submission.
The CxA must review contractor submittals applicable to systems
being commissioned for compliance with the owner’s project
requirements and basis of design. This review must be concurrent
with the review of the architect or engineer of record and submitted to
the design team and the owner.
The CxA or other project team members must develop a systems
manual that gives future operating staff the information needed to
understand and optimally operate the commissioned systems.
The CxA or other project team members must verify that the
requirements for training operating personnel and building occupants
have been completed.
The CxA must be involved in reviewing the operation of the building
with operations and maintenance (O&M) staff and occupants within
10 months after substantial completion. A plan for resolving
outstanding commissioning-related issues must be included.
7. The requirements of this credit can be
met through these strategies:
Commissioning agent should be brought
on as part of the design phase, not after
the construction starts up.
Owners must rely on a reputable and well
experienced commissioning agents
Both the owner and the commissioning
agent should precisely follow The LEED
detailed guidance on the standards
expected for activities like:
• Commissioning design review
• Commissioning submittal review
• System manual
8. Benefits of the credit on the
Environment.
Commissioning does not only guarantee the integrity of
the construction process according to LEED, but it
contributes to energy conservation as well, through
adequate inspecting to energy related systems such as:
1. HVAC
2. Lighting and day lighting controls
3. Domestic hot water systems
4. Renewable energy systems (solar and wind)
researches claim that owners can achieve savings in
operations of $4 over the first five years of occupancy
as a direct result of every $1 invested
in commissioning
9. Some of the materials needed for
commissioning activities
10. Success Story
In Jan. 2009, Rockefeller Hall at
Harvard Divinity School earned
the EA:c3 credit for enhanced
commissioning after meeting the
EAp1 requirements.
In Nov. of the same year, Rockefeller Hall has been
awarded LEED Gold certification through the U.S. Green
Building Council LEED. Now,
Rockefeller Hall is one of Harvard's
most energy efficient buildings.
