Central Michigan University Commissioning Plan

Peter Basso Associates was retained as Commissioning Authority to assist the contractor in commissioning this project to meet LEED-NC Version 2009 EA Prerequisite 1 – Fundamental Commissioning of Building Energy Systems, and EA Credit 3 – Enhanced Commissioning.

The services PBA provided for these systems included:

• Participate in design reviews of design development documents, 50% CD documents, 90% CD documents and bid documents
• Participate in review of sub-contractor proposals
• Lead and OPR development workshop and document the OPR
• Preparation of the Project Commissioning Manual Including:
• Commissioning plan for each system
• Detailed installation verification checklists for all equipment and each system
• Sequence of operation for all equipment and each system
• Detailed functional verification test procedure/checklist for all equipment and each system
• Review of A/E accepted mechanical and electrical submittals
• Onsite construction observation and prepared field reports
• Conduct commissioning meetings and prepare meeting minutes
• Installation verification of equipment.
• Review test and balance reports.
• Implement and witness functional tests.
• Review O & M’s.
• Witness demonstration activities to Owners representative for systems/equipment.
• Preparation of the final commissioning report.

Laboratory buildings are notorious for consuming large amounts of energy, largely due to the intricate ventilation systems required to assure occupant safety. Commissioning a laboratory building helps assure that these complex systems are operating optimally and not consuming any more energy than necessary.  CMU contracted Peter Basso Associates to provide commissioning services to attain maximum energy efficiency and to meet the University’s goal of a LEED Silver rated building.

Mechanical systems commissioned included HVAC system (and all integral equipment controls) including heating systems, cooling systems, air handling systems, terminal systems, exhaust and stand alone systems, plumbing systems, and specialty mechanical systems such as variable speed drives, building automation system, bio-safety cabinets, environmental chambers, autoclaves.

Electrical systems commissioned included normal power, emergency power, lighting systems, and fire alarm systems.

A number of issues found through the commissioning process resulted in installation cost savings, annual electrical savings, annual gas savings and annual water savings.  Peter Basso Associates also made recommendations for operational improvements to assure systems operate efficiently well into the future, as well as suggestions for improving future commissioning projects.