8.1   HVAC-System Commissioning & Education

HVAC commissioning is the process of inspecting, testing, a system and educating occupants, landlords, and building opera­tors to achieve the following goals.

8.1.1   HVAC-System Commissioning

✓     Verify that the HVAC system works as the manufacturer, designer, and installer understand that it should work, based on plans, specifications, and manufacturers’ litera­ture.

✓     Take appropriate measurements to verify that the HVAC system works safely and efficiently.

✓     Verify that the building owner or building operator under­stands the HVAC system’s operation and has the necessary system documentation.

✓     Verify that the building owner or building operator under­stand the procedures and schedule for routine mainte­nance.

There are three (3) types of commissioning.

1.      Retro-commissioning, is commissioning implemented on existing HVAC equipment in an existing building.

2.      Initial commissioning occurs during installation of a new HVAC system.

3.      Re-commissioning is commissioning HVAC systems, that were already commissioned during original HVAC-system installation.

This chapter strives to provide the essential information for commissioning HCVAC systems. However, this information isn’t a substitute for plans, specifications, and manufacturers’ lit­erature that should guide all HVAC installations. Searching for the HVAC system’s documentation is an essential first step in retro-commissioning or recommissioning.

8.1.2   HVAC-System Education

Homes and multifamily buildings are complex systems of build­ing envelopes and mechanical systems that harbor a variety of hazards. Educate occupants, landlords, and building operators about the health and safety hazards and the improvements that you make to mitigate these hazards.

✓     Explain equipment operation and maintenance (O&M).

✓     Provide a O&M procedures manuals and manufacturers’ equipment specifications. Encourage occupants or staff to store important documents in a safe and obvious location.

✓     Instruct occupants or staff to remove combustible materi­als from near ignition sources.

✓     Inform occupants and staff about smoke alarms, carbon monoxide (CO) alarms, and combination alarms, and explain their functioning.

✓     For complex mechanical systems in multifamily buildings, provide signs to inform occupants and building operators about operations, maintenance, and emergency proce­dures.