Buildings are more complex than ever before.  High performance materials are being specified for walls and roofs to lower costs and increase performance, but these materials don’t make construction any easier. 

Today's materials require more attention to material compatibility and construction means and methods.  Material transitions must function, flashing must direct water out of the assembly, and punched openings must perform.  If these critical aspects of the enclosure aren’t addressed, it is likely that the building’s enclosure system will fail.

Envelope Commissioning, also referred to as Enclosure Commissioning, offers an incredible value during the design and construction of a building.  If implemented early, the Commissioning Process can identify potential issues prior to construction document production.  Challenging issues during construction, such as material substitution, schedule change, and other contract modifications, are more effectively coordinated prior to installation. Assemblies are tested after installation to ensure that the systems function as intended.

In fact, better contractors already implement the Commissioning Process as part of their Quality Assurance Program for enclosure systems, including engaging an independent third party to conduct a design review prior to construction, performing construction observations and identifying issues, and testing of assemblies. This provides a measure of assurance that the built condition functions as intended and limits the contractor's liability associated with constructing building enclosure assemblies. 

For more information about applying the Commissioning Process to Building Enclosures, see Enclosure Commissioning.

 

The City of Houston has adopted a new Commercial Energy Conservation Code that provides minimum requirements for the energy-efficient design of all buildings except low-rise residential buildings. This new code takes effect August 1, 2008 and includes several new energy conserving provisions, including a requirement for Commissioning.

"5.9 Building Envelope Commissioning.  For projects larger than 50,000 sf conditioned area, except heated only warehouses and semiheated spaces, detailed instructions for commissioning building envelope systems (see Appendix E) shall be provided by the designer in plans and specifications."

"6.7.2.5 System Commissioning. HVAC control systems shall be tested to ensure that control elements are calibrated, adjusted, and in proper working condition. For projects larger than 50,000 sf conditioned area, except heated only warehouses and semiheated spaces, detailed instructions for commissioning HVAC systems (see Appendix E) shall be provided by the designer in plans and specifications."

Houston’s new energy code is based on ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2004, Energy Standard for Buildings other than Low Rise Residential and may be found at the Building Codes Updates page on the City of Houston’s Web Site.

The new Energy Conservation Code affects all Commercial Development permitted after August 1, 2008 and constructed within the City of Houston Code Enforcement Jurisdiction.

Commissioning is required for projects having larger than 50,000 sf of conditioned area, except heated only warehouses and semi-heated spaces.

Similar to other code compliance forms submitted for permitting, a sealed STATEMENT FOR COMMISSIONING IN PLANS is required for the issuance of building permits. Project designers - the Architect and/or Engineer – are held responsible for certifying that the details for commissioning are specified for the Building Enclosure and HVAC Systems included in the project. This statement form is available from the Planning & Development Services Division of City of Houston Department of Public Works & Engineering.

By requiring the inclusion of commissioning specifications as part of the construction project, it is our opinion that the requirements for commissioning must be included in Contract Documents in either book format technical specifications or on plans as part of abbreviated specifications.

Please see our Enclosure Commissioning and HVAC Commissioning sections for more information about system specific commissioning activities.

The Code does not specify the required scope of commissioning for compliance, only that the Commissioning Requirements be included in the contract documents.  The Scope of Commissioning may vary widely and include all Commissioning Process tasks, or may be scaled down to include Commissioning Activities only during construction.

It is our opinion that a reduced scope of commissioning, specifically Construction Phase Commissioning, is sufficient to satisfy the code requirement.  This limited scope of commissioning also limits the benefits that are realized by a formal commissioning process, but may be suitable for some projects.

Apollo BBC recommends that the Commissioning Process begin in the schematic design phase and continue through construction and into the occupancy phase.  This full scope of building commissioning provides the most benefit to the owner, and when compared to the relative cost, adds the most value to the project.

At this time, only the sealed STATEMENT FOR COMMISSIONING IN PLANS is required by the City of Houston.  Licensed professionals sealing this statement are held by their professional ethics to ensure that the Commissioning Process is included into the Construction Documents.

The Code does not require any of the following to demonstrate Commissioning.

• Commissioning Plan
• Checklists
• Code Official Inspections
• Certification by Commissioning Authority
• Licensure of the Commissioning Authority

The opinions stated in this web site and on this page are Apollo BBC’s interpretation of code requirements and Commissioning Process.  City of Houston Code Officials should be consulted for code specifics and interpretations.  

For more information about how we can assist you, please see Contact Us .