WENDEL COMMISSIONING

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WHOLE BUILDING COMMISSIONING

Whole Building Commissioning

Ensuring that complex facility systems operate as envisioned by the owner…as intended by the designer… and as installed by the contractor.

People take their surroundings for granted. A college student sitting in a lecture hall expects the air he breathes to be clean. A municipal worker expects the temperature of her office to be warm in winter…and cool in summer. People expect the buildings they use to be safe and comfortable, and well they should.

The operation of building systems that foster the safety and wellbeing of building users is the responsibility of owners and developers—and it is no light task. Great effort is made to design, build, and maintain efficient, user-friendly, sustainable, and secure facilities that require moderate operational and maintenance costs—now and in the future.

For over 20 years, WENDEL has provided commissioning and existing building commissioning services to educational, industrial, municipal, and commercial clients. As specialists, we evaluate mechanical, electrical, and life-safety systems of new, existing, or renovated buildings. Our clients are assured that their systems are operating as designed, and at optimal efficiency levels.

The Concept of Whole Building Commissioning

Commissioning is a process that is beneficial to building owners, designers, construction managers, equipment manufacturers, contractors, facility managers, maintenance staff—and most importantly the end user, the public! Promoting environmental sustainability has lead to the development of many high-performance, sophisticated building systems that cross all trades. These systems can be as varied as newly developed window and insulation technologies, heat recovery ventilation systems, energy reducing lighting, and natural lighting control systems to name a few. Since these systems tend to be interdependent, their implementation needs to take place from a holistic point-of-view. Proper operation of any one requires that others operate properly. Other systems associated with a building may not be interdependent, but their operation directly relates to proper building function. This has lead to the idea of whole building commissioning.

WENDEL’s Commissioning Professionals

Wendel’s commissioning specialists include professional mechanical and electrical engineers who work in collaboration with our structural and civil engineers, and architects. Many are also Certified Commissioning Professionals (CCP), Certified Energy Managers (CEM), and LEED Accredited Professionals (LEED AP). This blend delivers incomparable design and technical understanding of the systems to be commissioned and how they work together in a functional, sustainable building. Our knowledge and experience with energy performance further augments our value to our clients. From systems design, to sustainability, to funding—ours is clearly a comprehensive approach to whole building commissioning. We work in unison with owners, designers, contractors, and users creating a team approach to our commissioning services.

Commissioning Services

Pre-Design and Design Phases
During these initial phases, project requirements, scope, and budget are identified, design and construction documents are reviewed, and construction phase commissioning process requirements are developed.

Construction Phase
Here, a Commissioning Plan is developed and verification that installed systems and assemblies comply with owner requirements occurs. Operational concerns are addressed, as well as proper training of operation and maintenance staff. A Systems Manual detailing the building systems operations and energy accounting procedures is developed.

Acceptance Phase
Seasonal or deferred testing is performed during this final stage. During the warranty period, verification that systems are still operating as originally commissioned and meeting owner requirements. If necessary additional training of personnel is conducted. A Final Commissioning Report is provided.

Existing Building Commissioning Services (Retro-commissioning)

Planning Phase
Project objectives, the scope of work, and the Existing Building Commissioning plan are developed during this phase.

Investigation Phase
This stage includes a preliminary assessment, and diagnostic monitoring and testing plans and procedures are developed. Deficiencies and operational improvements are then identified and repairs and improvements are prioritized.

Implementation Phase
Implementation of repairs and improvements occurs at this final phase. Re-testing is conducted to verify results and building documents are updated.

WENDEL provides building commissioning services
in accordance with the high professional standards
of the Building Commissioning Associations best practices.