The document discusses retro-commissioning (RCx) of existing buildings to optimize building and systems performance. It describes RCx as a systematic process to ensure buildings meet current operational needs. The document outlines the RCx process, including discovery, testing, corrective actions, remedial design, and commissioning. It discusses common systems and issues addressed through RCx. Reasons for RCx include improving energy efficiency, productivity, and occupant comfort while reducing costs. The selection process and responsibilities of owners and consultants are also summarized.
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Retro Commissioning
1. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Retro Commissioning
for Building Optimization
CAPPA Technology Conference
2007
San Antonio, Texas
Jerry Bauers
National Director of Commissioning
Sebesta Blomberg Associates
2. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
RetroCommissioning
Retro-Commissioning (RCX) is the
systematic process by which the Owner
ensures that the building and systems are
optimized to perform interactively to meet
the current operational needs as closely as
possible. This may include remedial design
and construction to accomplish this goal.
3. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
RetroCommissioning
Systematic Process
Identify AND CORRECT ALL THE
PROBLEMS, Not The Symptoms!
Solutions Are Holistic In Nature
Maintenance Staff Training
4. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Retro-Commissioning
Retro-Commissioning
– Existing Buildings
– Contract between CX and Owner
– CX performs tests and documents results.
– May include:
Remedial Design
Remedial Construction
Commissioning of the Remedial Construction
8. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Reasons for Retro Cx
Fix the ‘Unfixable’
Improved Occupant
Productivity and Comfort
Improved Energy Efficiency
9. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Reasons for Retro Cx
Reduced Liability
Improved regulatory compliance
More Effective Building Operators
10. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Features And Benefits
Holistic Approach To Problems
Deals Directly with Issues, Not
Symptoms
Setup To Meet Current Operations
Staff Training
Occupant Relationships
11. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Features And Benefits
Facility Energy Efficiency $
– Average Savings Of 20%+
– NOT ALL PROJECTS RESULT IN $
SAVINGS
“Most Facilities Are Never Setup For Proper
Operation AND Fewer Are Ever Optimized!”
12. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Productivity Benefits
Improve occupant performance
– Estimated $29 – $168 billion in national productivity
losses per year 1
– Student performance is better in daylit schools. 2, 3
Reduce absenteeism and turnover
– Providing a healthy workplace improves employee
satisfaction
Increase retail sales with daylighting
– Studies have shown ~40% improvement 4
14. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Services/Selection
Solicitation For Services
– Scope Of Work
– Qualifications
– Experience
– References
– Selection Criteria
– Approach
– Work Samples
15. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Services/Selection
Scope Of Work
– Clearly Identify the Facility
– Facility Usage
– Motivation - Problems Experienced
– Goal Of Project
– Deliverables
– Schedule
16. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Services/Selection
Special Conditions
– Off Hours
– Particular Days/Weekends
– Security Concerns
– Safety Issues
– Liabilities
17. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Services/Selection
SELECTION CRITERIA:
The submitted proposals will be reviewed and ranked
according to the following:
Key individual experience 25 points
Staff and consultant experience 10 points
Similar project experience 15 points
Team experience in related skill areas 15 points
Project management approach 10 points
Level of commissioning effort proposed 10 points
Work samples 10 points
Fee proposal 5 points
100 points
18. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Services/Selection
Approach
– Logical
– Meets/Exceeds Project Intent
– Incorporates Special Conditions
– Practical
– Clearly Communicated
– Clear Team Member Responsibility For Each
Task
20. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Services/Selection
Schedule
– Practical
– Efficient Use Of Time
– Meets/Exceeds Special Conditions
24. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Retro Commissioning Plan
Interviews
(Make the following Personnel Available)
Owner / Occupant
Operations Staff
Project Team
25. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Document Review
Documents For Retro Project
– Plans
– Specifications (if available)
– Submittals (if available)
– Energy Usage Records
– Maintenance Records
26. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Document Review
Plans
– Many Times Not Available
– Facility May Have Been Modified
– “Near-Built’s”
– Are As-Built Plans Part Of the Project Scope?
27. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Document Review
Energy Usage Records
– One Year Minimum
– LEED-EB Requirement
– Energy Star 60 Rating
– Energy Modeling
– Measurement & Verification
28. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Document Review
Maintenance Records
– Work Orders
– Maintenance Tasks
– One Year Minimum
– Comparison After Project
31. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Corrective Actions During
‘Discovery’
Small quick fixes and adjustments are
included in the discovery costs
Provide detailed proposals with
associated costs and ROI for each
recommended corrective action
Proposals provided in shopping list format
with priorities clearly indicated
35. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Project Costs
Dependent on
– Building
– Systems Included
– Extent of Effort Requested
– Owner Participation
36. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Project Costs
Experience: Office Building
– 1,500,000 sq.ft.
– VAV Heating/Cooling
– District Htg/Clg Source
– $0.21/sq ft – Discovery Phase
39. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Project Costs
Scope of Work
– Baseline Performance Data
– Thorough Testing
– Quick Fixes
– Intermediate Performance Data
– Discovery Report
40. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Project Costs
Range– Discovery Phase
– Simple Buildings $0.25 TO $0.40 per sf
– Laboratories/Hospitals $0.40 to $1.00 per sf