Commissioning activities and associated tasks begin early in the development of a facility and continue through the end of construction. Develop Owners Project Requirements (OPR)
Scope Commissioning Activities
Develop an Initial Commissioning Plan Verify Basis of Design (BOD) meets the OPR
Update the Commissioning Plan
Include Commissioning in the Project Manual
Develop Draft Construction Checklists
Define the Requirements for Training
Perform a Commissioning Design Review

Update the OPR
Update the Commissioning Plan
Verify that Submittals Meet the OPR
Develop Test Procedures and Data Forms
Verify that Systems Comply with the OPR
Verify Training of Owner’s Personnel Produce Systems Manual
Complete Seasonal Testing of Systems

 

The Commissioning Process includes tasks for each stage of the planning, design, construction, and operation of a facility. Whether commissioning the HVAC Systems or the Building Enclosure, these tasks are largely the same.

The National Institute of Building Standards (NIBS) and American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) have developed the widely accepted process for Total Building Commissioning.  This Total Building Commissioning Process is described by several published guidelines that are intended to be implemented together to illustrate the Commissioning Process for several building systems.

ASHRAE Guideline 0-2005 The Commissioning Process, provides general guidance and is summarized on the right hand side of this page. Specific guidelines referring to and published in conjunction with ASHRAE's Guideline 0 describe the Commissioning Process for specific systems.

ASHRAE Guideline 0-2005 : The Commissioning Process (The foundation of Total Building Commissioning Process)
	ASHRAE Guideline 1-1996 : The HVAC Commissioning Process
	NIBS Guideline 3-2006: Exterior Enclosure Technical Requirements for the Commissioning Process
	Guidelines 2 & 4 through 14: Commissioning Process for Structure, Electrical, Lighting, Plumbing, etc. (Not Yet Released)

Other commissioning process guidelines have been published, but ASHRAE's Guideline 0-2005 is the document most referenced for commissioning in general. For information about additional Commissioning References, please see our Additional Resources.