This document provides an overview and introduction to a practice guide on building commissioning management prepared by the Hong Kong Building Commissioning Centre. It discusses the need for a recognized building commissioning practice guide in Hong Kong to improve the process. The guide covers international practices, the current approach in Hong Kong, and proposes a commissioning model and definitions to standardize commissioning locally.
This document provides an overview and introduction to a practice guide on building commissioning management prepared by the Hong Kong Building Commissioning Centre. It discusses the need for a recognized building commissioning practice guide in Hong Kong to improve the process. The guide covers international practices, the current approach in Hong Kong, and proposes a commissioning model and definitions to standardize commissioning locally.
This document provides an overview and introduction to a practice guide on building commissioning management prepared by the Hong Kong Building Commissioning Centre. It discusses the need for a recognized building commissioning practice guide in Hong Kong to improve the process. The guide covers international practices, the current approach in Hong Kong, and proposes a commissioning model and definitions to standardize commissioning locally.
A Practice Guide to Building Commissioning Management (Guideline M1)
A Practice Guide to
Building Commissioning Management
(Practice Guide M1)
for Hong Kong
Prepared by:
Hong Kong Building Commissioning Centre
i A Practice Guide to Building Commissioning Management (Guideline M1) This Practice Guide is prepared by the Hong Kong Building Commissioning Centre (HKBCxC).
First Edition February 2006 Edited by: Ir Dr. Leonard KH Chow
Published by: Vocational Training Council
ISBN 978-988-99004-0-3 ISBN 988-99004-0-8
Printed in Hong Kong
Disclaimer
This Practice Guide is issued as a reference for the industry and serves as a guideline for managers and practitioners who work in the field of Building Commissioning. It is the intention of the HKBCxC, a non-profit making body, to compile a practice guide for service providers with the aim of facilitating the continual advancement of the building industry. HKBCxC will not take any responsibility arising from the use of it and any damages caused. ii A Practice Guide to Building Commissioning Management (Guideline M1) Introduction to HKBCxC
Honorary Advisors Hong Kong Ir Edmund KH Leung OBE JP Ir Otto LT Poon BBS OBE Ir Dr. John WK Luk Ir Dr. Alex SK Chan Mainland China Professor Weiding Long Japan Professor Dr. N Nakahara USA Mr. Paul Tseng PE CxP
Founding Members Corporate Members: ClydeMan Engineering Ltd. ISPL Consulting Ltd. Johnson Controls Hong Kong Ltd. Karson Engineers Co. Ltd. Skyforce Engineering Ltd. Individual Members: Ir Alex WL Li Ir Philip KS Pih Ir Leo CF Wong Institutional Members: Building Services Operation and Maintenance Executives Society IVE (Tsing Yi Nexus)
iii A Practice Guide to Building Commissioning Management (Guideline M1) Acknowledgements
The Hong Kong Building Commissioning Centre wishes to express thanks to the following persons and organizations for their comments on this practice guide.
Honorary Advisors
Ir Edmund KH LEUNG OBE JP Ir Otto LT POON BBS OBE Ir Dr. John WK LUK
Organizations
Architectural Services Department Electrical and Mechanical Services Department Building Services Operation and Maintenance Executives Society The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (Building, and Building Services Divisions) The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (Hong Kong Branch)
Individual
Ir SK Au Yeung
iv A Practice Guide to Building Commissioning Management (Guideline M1) Contents Page
1. Introduction 1
2. Preface 2
3. Overview of International Practices 3
4. Overview of Hong Kong Practice 4
5. Why Hong Kong Needs a Recognized Building Commissioning Practice Guide? 5
6. Building Commissioning Practice in Hong Kong 7 6.1 Coverage of Building Commissioning 7 6.2 Commissioning Definitions 7 6.3 Commissioning Phases 9 6.4 Commissioning Model 14 6.5 Commissioning Parties 16
7. Bibliographies 19
8. References 20
Appendix I: Figure A1 Commissioning Model 21
Appendix II: Overview of International Practices 22
1 A Practice Guide to Building Commissioning Management (Guideline M1) 1. Introduction
This Practice Guide (hereinafter referred to as PG) provides practical guidance on the subject of Building Commissioning Management. It is prepared for owners / clients of building, building project managers, building and building services consultants, contractors, building managers, and those related to the design, construction, operation and maintenance of buildings.
The recommendation made by the PG may not be exhaustive. It should be read in conjunction with the current local regulations, Codes of Practices, relevant standards and publications in order to provide the best practice.
The PG commences with an overview of the current practice on building commissioning adopted locally and overseas; then reveals the reasons that Hong Kong needs a recognized Building Commissioning Practice Guide; followed by the presentation of proposed practice model of Building Commissioning Management applicable to Hong Kong where it sets out the recommended procedures towards the management of building commissioning.
2 A Practice Guide to Building Commissioning Management (Guideline M1) 2. Preface
The term "Commissioning" (in short as Cx) has different interpretations according to the practice adopted in US and UK. The US model focuses on documentation and validation throughout the whole building development process while the UK model is more functionally orientated towards the acceptance phase. The US model emphasizes that Building Commissioning (BCx) is a quality control process. The balancing of systems is usually considered as a separate process, i.e. Testing, Adjusting and Balancing (TAB) which is normally handled by a TAB Contractor. In UK, various procedural codes for balancing different building services systems have been well developed in a very systematic manner. Recently, a new code on Commissioning Management practice was introduced to meet the demand from industry and the implementation of the new Part L of the Building Regulations. However, direct implementation of the codes from UK and the commissioning process from US may not be practical for our local industry
For many years, the building commissioning works in Hong Kong have not been highly regarded by various building professionals and contractors. Until recent years, the increasing demand for quality building and built environment, including efficient and effective energy management and building operation & maintenance over their life cycles have led to the recognition of the importance of properly commissioned buildings among building professionals and project developers in stronger and wider dimensions. Contracts of commissioning of building services systems have been issued and the role of Commissioning Manager has been introduced in the industry in some prestigious commercial and industrial projects.
3 A Practice Guide to Building Commissioning Management (Guideline M1) 3. Overview of International Practices
Various organizations around the world have dedicated their efforts towards building commissioning. Currently, Japan, Mainland China, the USA and the United Kingdom are the countries that have issued or are issuing codes, standards, publications and research reports on the subject. Studies on building commissioning practices around the world conducted by Wong and Chow (2003) [1], and Lau and Chan (2002) [2] are summarized in Appendix II.
4 A Practice Guide to Building Commissioning Management (Guideline M1) 4. Overview of Hong Kong Practice
In Hong Kong, the Building Services Branch (BSB) of the Architectural Services Department (ArchSD) has published twelve sets of Testing & Commissioning (T&C) procedures for various building services systems in Government buildings as early as 1990. The procedures were based on the CIBSE Commissioning Codes and focused on the technical aspects of the T&C procedures of HVAC and the other building services systems.
The Hong Kong Government, as one of the major owners in building development in Hong Kong, has an influential role in setting the quality standards in the building industry. Although the aforesaid T&C procedures are primarily designed for use in Government building projects, they are widely accepted as standard references for consultants and contractors and they are applied to the private sectors.
In the past, Hong Kong has no requirement for independent commissioning service provider in the field. In the recent years, some clients have begun to introduce an independent commissioning contract, under a service system sub-contract (e.g. under HVAC) or a main contract, or even under a project manager. With this, the trend, requirements and independent contracts of commissioning and retro-commissioning in Hong Kong are soaring.
5 A Practice Guide to Building Commissioning Management (Guideline M1) 5. Why Hong Kong Needs a Recognized Building Commissioning Practice Guide?
Wong and Chow (2003), and Lau and Chan (2002) point out that the current practice of T&C of HVAC systems is merely treated as an exercise before the handing over of the system to the owners, clients or end users rather than as a continuous and integrated process of ascertaining the performance and quality of the building systems. They believe that it is of paramount importance to realize that the success of commissioning a HVAC system relies not only on technical ground but also on managerial approach. Lau and Chan (2002) further state that the inclusion of the commissioning elements in the tendering documents at the beginning of the project will ensure there are resources allowed for commissioning purposes. In this aspect, the Hong Kong HVAC industry has room for improvement and it demands a new framework and mind-set of all participants in the design/construction processes. They also state that it requires the owner, client, end-user, the contractor and the design team to work as one team and focus on delivering a high quality building.
There is a strong demand for establishing a recognized Building Commissioning Practice Guide suitable for Hong Kong based on the following reasons:
The importance, quality and requirements of building operations have received much greater attention in recent years.
Increasing interdependence of building service installations demands a more integrated approach to testing and commissioning of the systems offered by different contractors.
There are industry demands for a recognized building commissioning practice guide.
Direct implementation of US and UK codes and practices may not be suitable for Hong Kong.
Industry is looking for independent management of building 6 A Practice Guide to Building Commissioning Management (Guideline M1) commissioning together with precise procedural codes with Hong Kong characteristics.
To benchmark the worlds trend in technology advanced countries with proper building commissioning standard.
Owners / Clients, property management organizations and operation & maintenance professionals have put stronger emphasis on energy efficiency and energy effectiveness of a building and its services.
7 A Practice Guide to Building Commissioning Management (Guideline M1) 6. Building Commissioning Practice in Hong Kong
With a view to meeting the demand from the building industry for a recognized practical guide in Building Commissioning, comprehensive establishment of definitions, concepts, codes, procedures, documentations, management model, training course, certifications, professional advices, technology transfer, etc. have to be developed.
6.1 Coverage of Building Commissioning
According to the demands and requirements of industry, the complete building commissioning work covers the following building services installations as well as building works.
HVAC System Electrical Services Fire Services Plumbing & Drainage Services Building and Energy Management & Systems (BEMS) Telecommunications and Extra-low Voltage Systems (TELVS) Lifts and Escalators Building Envelope Systems
6.2 Commissioning Definitions
i. Building Commissioning
Building Commissioning is a quality checking process of verifying and documenting that the performance and maintainability of building and its services fulfill the functional and operational needs of the owner / client, operators and occupiers, in addition to statutory requirements. It requires that these needs are documented as systems acceptance criteria, and that formal processes be implemented to verify and document that the systems are planned, designed, constructed and capable of being operated and 8 A Practice Guide to Building Commissioning Management (Guideline M1) maintained in accordance with these criteria. The ultimate goal of this process is to confirm, through functional testing, that the interactions of the building systems comply with the acceptance criteria. Such acceptance criteria are related to professional practice as well as specific user requirements. When the goal is achieved, building quality and safety would also be brought up to the required levels.
Building commissioning is a continuous process and should be formulated as a management cycle in planning, implementing, checking/reviewing and improving.
ii. Building Commissioning Process
The Building Commissioning Process is a team effort which verifies that all equipment and systems have been designed, installed and put into operation in accordance with the owners / clients criteria for performance and maintainability.
iii. Commissioning Management
The planning, organization, co-ordination, documentation and control of commissioning activities.
iv. Commissioning Manager
The firm or person appointed to manage the commissioning process, being responsible for overall planning, supervision and witnessing of the results of the integrated commissioning systems.
v. Commissioning Plan
The document defines the commissioning process with detailed activities and it will be submitted by the commissioning manager to the owner / client.
9 A Practice Guide to Building Commissioning Management (Guideline M1) vi. Commissioning Specification
The document prescribes the detailed requirements and the scope of work with the various commissioning services the commissioning manager and the related parties have to comply with. The specification should refer to drawings, schedules and relevant parts of the codes, manuals, guides and standards.
vii. Retro-commissioning
Commissioning of existing buildings with the omission fully or partly of the commissioning management process at its completion.
6.3 Commissioning Phases
6.3.1 New Project Commissioning
HKBCxC defines FOUR different phases for the New Project building commissioning process.
i. Phase 1- Program
Owner / Client recognizes the needs of Cx in project brief Owner / Client engages a Cx manager Cx manager will be responsible for developing Cx plans and objectives developing Cx requirements for design stage working parallel with the design team
10 A Practice Guide to Building Commissioning Management (Guideline M1) ii. Phase 2 Design Cx manager will be responsible for
Reviewing design intent on commissionability Preparing Cx specification Developing a Cx plan and revises according to change in design Assessing tenders related to commissioning issues
iii. Phase 3 Construction Cx manager will be responsible for
Reviewing and commenting on submission and documentation on commissionability Conducting Cx meetings for scope and plan finalization Developing and revising pre-test checklists as necessary Performing pre-tests Reviewing and commenting format for O&M manuals
iv. Phase 4 Acceptance Cx manager will be responsible for
Executing functional and performance tests Organizing handover meeting and recommending handover date Conducting operator training Reviewing O&M manuals Preparing and submitting final Cx report Retesting and monitoring as needed Developing re-commissioning schedule
11 A Practice Guide to Building Commissioning Management (Guideline M1) 6.3.2 Retro-commissioning
HKBCxC defines FOUR different phases for retro-commissioning work.
i. Phase 1 Planning
Owner / client / end-user identifies the purpose of the retro-commissioning (e.g. the future functional requirements, O&M requirements, etc.) Owner / Client engages a Cx manager Cx manager will be responsible for developing Cx objectives reviewing documentation and historical utility data developing retro-commissioning plan
ii. Phase 2 Investigation Cx manager will be responsible for
Performing site assessments Developing and executing test plans Analyzing results Developing a deficiency list Recommending actions for improvement
iii. Phase 3 Implementation Cx manager will be responsible for
Implementing repairs and improvement Planning and managing works carried out by relevant parties Retesting and monitoring results Fine tuning if needed
12 A Practice Guide to Building Commissioning Management (Guideline M1) iv. Phase 4 Acceptance Cx manager will be responsible for
Submitting final report Performing deferred tests if needed Developing re-commissioning schedule
13 A Practice Guide to Building Commissioning Management (Guideline M1)
Fig. 1 Commissioning Phases
NEW PROJECT COMMISSIONING
RETRO- COMMISSIONING PHASE 1: PLANNING
PHASE 2: DESIGN PHASE 2: INVESTIGATION
PHASE 3: CONSTRUCTION PHASE 3: IMPLEMENTATION
PHASE 4: ACCEPTANCE PHASE 4: ACCEPTANCE
PHASE 1: PROGRAM 14 A Practice Guide to Building Commissioning Management (Guideline M1) 6.4 Commissioning Model
HKBCxC recommends that the commissioning process shall be executed under a commissioning model as shown in Fig. A1 (Appendix I). In this model, the Total Building Commissioning consists of two main branches:
i. Building Commissioning Management ii. Building Commissioning Codes / Procedures
Building Commissioning Management involves the overall management approach in the following areas:
Commissioning Management Commissioning Plan Commissioning Specification
Commissioning Plan refers to the management plan for the whole commissioning process including commissioning specification, commissioning team structure and communication channel, documentations and equipment, and the time schedule.
HKBCxC would launch the practice guides on Commissioning Plan (M2) and Commissioning Specification (M3) at a later stage.
Building Commissioning Procedures refer to the practical procedures on individual disciplines of building systems and services complete with checklist, standard forms, schematics, etc. HKBCxC intends to launch the Building Commissioning Procedures on the following building, and building services installations in near future:
HVAC System; Electrical Services; Fire Services; Plumbing & Drainage Services; Building and Energy Management Systems (BEMS); Telecommunications and Extra-low Voltage Systems (TELVS);
15 A Practice Guide to Building Commissioning Management (Guideline M1) Lifts and Escalators; Building Envelope; Others such as Indoor Air Quality, Water Treatment, etc. 16 A Practice Guide to Building Commissioning Management (Guideline M1) 6.5 Commissioning Parties
To succeed in the Building Commissioning work with proper management, the following parties have specific responsibilities to ensure that the Cx process is in order. A diagram is shown in Fig. 2.
a) Owner / Client / End User
The owner / client / end-user shall show the dedication in procurement of quality building and systems by defining the overall vision and establishing operational goals and user requirements, including building quality expectation and functional requirements.
b) Commissioning Manager
The commissioning manager is a person or organization who is experienced in building commissioning process and capable of leading and organizing the commissioning team. The commissioning team shall prepare the commissioning plan and specifications, monitor the commissioning process and prepare the final commissioning report.
c) Design Team
The design team, normally consisting of owners / clients / end users representative(s), architects and engineers, shall prepare the design documents with complete calculations, data sheet and drawings, etc. which explicitly transform the owners / clients / end users design intents into realistic function of the building systems.
d) Project or Construction Manager
The project or construction manager is responsible for managing the construction process and ensuring the respective commissioning process to be completed on time. The specific commissioning responsibilities could include coordinating interactions between the commissioning team and other project team members. 17 A Practice Guide to Building Commissioning Management (Guideline M1) e) Main Contractor
The main contractor is responsible for overall construction and coordination. The specific commissioning responsibilities could include, but not limited to, site coordination, schedule performance tests and provision of facilities for commissioning.
f) Building Works / Building Services Subcontractors
The Building Works (BW) / the Building Services (BS) subcontractors are responsible for performing work and/or supplying equipment as stated in their respective subcontracts. Specific commissioning responsibilities could include performing performance tests and providing training and documentation.
g) Operation & Maintenance Professionals
Operation & Maintenance (O&M) professionals should provide continual feedback to the owner / client via appropriate channels including the Commissioning Manager, about the system performance and hence the deficiency in design, installation, even poor commissioning could be upgraded or fine-tuned in the development. The specific commissioning responsibilities could include O&M requirements in the design intent; training requirements and attendance on performance testing.
h) Suppliers
Suppliers generally refer to the suppliers and manufacturers that provide specified systems, equipment and components to owner / client, main contractor and subcontractors. Their specific commissioning responsibilities could include conducting factory and site performance tests, if specified, and providing O&M documentation for specific equipment.
18 A Practice Guide to Building Commissioning Management (Guideline M1)
Fig. 2 Parties Involvements in Building Commissioning Process Program:
Parties (a), (b), (c), (d) & (g) (g) O&M Professionals (d) Project / Construction Manager (f) Building Works / Building Services Sub- Contractors (e) Main Contractor (c) Design Team (b) Cx Manager
Parties (a), (b) & (g). (c)-if available Investigation:
Parties (b) & (g). (c)-if available Implementation:
Parties (b) & (g). (c) & (f)-if available Acceptance:
Parties (a), (b) & (h). (c) & (f) -if available (h) Suppliers 19 A Practice Guide to Building Commissioning Management (Guideline M1) 7. Bibliographies
[1] Wong, C. F. and Chow, K. H., Building Commissioning A Perspective and Development in Hong Kong, Proceedings of International Symposium on HAVC Commissioning, Kyoto, Japan, 8 April 2003.
[2] Lau, K. F and Chan, Y. C., An Overview of Testing and Commissioning of HVAC Systems in Hong Kong, Proceedings of Joint Symposium 2002 ASHRAEHKC / CIBSE- HKB / HKIE-BSE, 19 November 2002.
[3] American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) HVAC Guideline 1 The HVAC Commissioning Process, 1996.
[4] Oregon Office of Energy, Retro-commissioning Handbook for Facility Manager, 2001.
[6] The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE), Commissioning Code M: Commissioning Management, 2003.
20 A Practice Guide to Building Commissioning Management (Guideline M1) 8. References
British Standards Institution (BSI), BS 8210:1986, Guide to building maintenance management.
T Haasl and T Sharp, A Practical Guide for Commissioning Existing Buildings, Portland Energy Conservations, Inc. and Oak Ridge National Laboratory for the Office of Building Technology, State and Community Programs, US Department of Energy, 1999.
J C Visier, Commissioning of HVAC Systems for Improved Energy Performance: The Annex 40 Approach, Proceedings of international Short Symposium on HVAC Commissioning, Kyoto April 8, 2003.
David E Claridge, Mingsheng Liu and W D Turner, Commissioning of Existing Buildings State of the Technology and Its Implementation.
Peter Veld, Model Quality Control (MQC) and Commissioning for HVAC Systems, 2003.
21 A Practice Guide to Building Commissioning Management (Guideline M1) APPENDIX I
TOTAL BUILDING COMMISSIONING BUILDING COMMISSIONING MANAGEMENT BUILDING COMMISSIONING CODES / PROCEDURES COMMISSIONING MANAGEMENT M1 COMMISSIONING PLAN M2 COMMISSIONING SPECIFICATION M3 PUBLICATIONS PUBLICATIONS Fig. A1 Commissioning Model HVAC SYSTEM C1 ELECTRICAL SERVICES C2 FIRE SERVICES C3 PLUMBING & DRAINAGE SERVICES C4 BEMS C5 TELVS C6 LIFTS AND ESCALATORS C7 BUILDING ENVELOPE C8 OTHERS C9 22 A Practice Guide to Building Commissioning Management (Guideline M1) APPENDIX II - Overview of International Practices
United States
In the United States (US), Building Commissioning (BCx) is well recognized by owners / clients as an effective means of reducing costs and ensuring quality as well as performance in building systems. A survey of 60 commercial buildings presented at the 1994 National Conference on Building Commissioning revealed the following facts:
1. More than 50% of the buildings suffered from control problems. 2. 40% have HVAC equipment problems. 3. 25% had energy management control systems, such as economizers, and/or variable speed drives that did not run properly.
In 1989, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) first published a commissioning guideline on HVAC named Guideline 1 - The HVAC Commissioning Process and subsequently revised it in 1996 [3]. This definitive document added another dimension to the scope of testing and commissioning (T&C).
The term commissioning was defined as the process of ensuring that systems are designed, installed, functionally tested, and capable of being operated and maintained to perform in conformity with the design intent and it begins with planning and includes design, construction, start-up, acceptance and training, and can be applied throughout the life of the building.
Subsequently, the term Re-commissioning (Re-Cx) and Retro-commissioning (Retro-Cx) were introduced to abbreviate commissioning of existing buildings and was defined as a systematic process applied to existing building for identifying and implementing operational and maintenance improvements and for ensuring their continued performance over time.
In 2001, Oregon Office of Energy issued Retro-commissioning Handbook for Facility Managers [4]. This is a very practical publication to deal with proper retro-commissioning work. 23 A Practice Guide to Building Commissioning Management (Guideline M1) Besides ASHRAE, the following professional bodies, educational institutions and trade associations in US work hand-in-hand on the development of industry de-facto manuals, guidelines and training courses for building commissioning professionals and trade personnel.
1. National Environmental Balancing Bureau (NEBB) developed the Procedural Standards on Building System Commissioning and the Testing Adjusting and Balancing Manual, both of which help the trade personnel to properly inspect, start-up and regulate HVAC systems.
2. Associated Air Balance Council (AABC) developed the Commissioning Guidelines and the Total Air Balance Handbook 2002; the former outlines the general requirements on air and water side commissioning while the latter directs trade personnel to test, adjust and balance the HVAC systems.
3. Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) used to offer CTAB (Certified Testing Adjusting and Balancing) training program for trade professionals; a new Certified Building Commissioning Professional (CBCP) program was launched last year that covered a wider scope in BCx.
4. Building Commissioning Association (BCxA) provides training courses for commissioning services providers and certification of trade professional as Certified Commissioning Professional (CCP).
5. University of Wisconsin provides short courses and certification programmes in BCx and HVAC systems.
NEBB and AABC have also developed the mechanism for registration as Certified Commissioning Firms and System Commissioning Administrators, Engineers and Technicians.
24 A Practice Guide to Building Commissioning Management (Guideline M1) To conclude the US practice, their documentations are relatively applicable to the programming and design planning stages and aim to provide a clear contractual framework in quality assurance. They have developed the following valuable concepts and definitions:
1. For New Projects, the commissioning provider is referred to as Commissioning Authority who leads and organizes the commissioning team (ASHRAE, 1996). The status of the Commissioning Authority is the same as that for the Architect and the Design Consultant. The Commissioning Authority is directly employed by the Owner / Client.
2. ASHRAE (1996) identifies the five phases, namely the Program, Design, Construction, Acceptance and Post-acceptance Commissioning phases. For existing buildings retro-commissioning, the three phases involved are Program, Acceptance and Post-acceptance Commissioning.
3. For retro-commissioning of existing building, the Oregon Office of Energy (2001) identifies that the commissioning service provider would be involved in three stages of works namely, the Pre-implementation, Implementation and Post-implementation. Within each stage, there are various phases with respect to the actual practical tasks.
4. In US, systematic work in commissioning is known as Commissioning Process.
25 A Practice Guide to Building Commissioning Management (Guideline M1) United Kingdom
As early as four decades ago, the importance of commissioning HVAC systems are long and well recognized in the United Kingdom. This is evidenced by the first publication of the CIBSE (The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers) Commissioning Code A Air Distribution Systems in the late 1960s. Along with the other four codes, namely Code B Boiler Plant, Code C Automatic Controls, Code R Refrigeration Systems and Code W Water Distribution Systems, the CIBSE commissioning codes are widely accepted in contracts as testing and commissioning documents. The codes tend to be relatively procedural in nature and focus mainly on the post-design commissioning procedures. The codes are subsequently updated and the latest versions are published in 2002 to 2003 with the new Code M (Management) and L (Lighting). By following these codes, contractors can systematically test and balance the respective HVAC systems.
In additional to CIBSE, there are other associations in the United Kingdom that have issued important and quality publications to promote building commissioning. The major organizations are:
1. Building Services Research and Information Association (BSRIA) 2. Commissioning Specialists Association (CSA)
The BSRIA and CSA provide independent and authoritative research, product testing, consultancy, management and market intelligence. In terms of demarcation of tasks between CIBSE and BSRIA, the CIBSE Commissioning Codes set out what should be done, whereas the manuals published by the BSRIA and CSA inform on how it should be done.
26 A Practice Guide to Building Commissioning Management (Guideline M1) In recent years, there is a growing emphasis in UK on the competency of the T&C personnel involved, careful liaison between all parties concerned, and effective programming of specific activities. The building services commissioning function in the United Kingdom has evolved from a simple switch it on and see if it works approach to a complex operation combining elements of design review, integration of electrical, mechanical & controls systems and trouble shooting, along with traditional air & water balancing exercises. This organic development is matched by a parallel development in engineering standards, training systems and information dissemination. The CSA, CIBSE and BSRIA specifically aim at developing and improving the commissioning functions to provide building users, consultant engineers, main contractors and installation companies with structured training and varying approaches to the ideas of business ethics and best commissioning practice. This is Commissioning Management. It is the trend and an important key that leads to successful Building Commissioning. In 2002, BSRIA published an application Guide 5/2002 Commissioning Management [5]. A year later in 2003, CIBSE published a Commissioning Code M: Commissioning Management [6].
To conclude the UK practice, their documentations are relatively strong and detailed in the actual commissioning procedures of each building system. They identify the following valuable concepts and definitions:
1. For New Projects, CIBSE Code M (2003) refers the commissioning service provider as Commissioning Management Organization who organizes and leads the commissioning team. The status of the Commissioning Management Organization is part of the project team, the same as that for the Design Team and the Main Contractor. Its level is under the status of Project Manager or Main Contractor that depends on the project nature.
2. For New Project, CIBSE Code M (2003) identifies five different stages, namely Design, Programming, Quality Assurance, Pre-commissioning, Commissioning and Witness Compliance stages.
27 A Practice Guide to Building Commissioning Management (Guideline M1) 3. For New Project, BSRIA (2002) states that there are seven stages, namely, Design, Programming, Installation, Commissioning, Performance Testing, Handover and Post-handover.
4. CIBSE Code M (2003) indicates very clearly that there should be a procedure of Commissioning Certification.
5. In UK, systematic work in commissioning is referred to as Commissioning Management.
28 A Practice Guide to Building Commissioning Management (Guideline M1) Asia (Japan, South Korea & Mainland China)
In Japan, Professor N. Nakahara (Professor Emeritus of Nagoya University) develops and formulates a building commissioning methodology. Several research papers had been published in Annex 40 of the International Energy Agency (IEA). With the support from Yamatake Controls, a pilot building project in Tokyo had been tested and commissioned in 2001 and the result was very encouraging. A dedicated organization Building Services Commissioning Association established by Prof. Nakahara was inaugurated in mid-2005. It is understood that commissioning guideline has been issued by SHASE (The Society of Heating, Air-Conditioning and Sanitary Engineers), Japan.
In South Korea, there are NEBB certified local firms working in the Cx field.
In the 1980s, the construction industry in the Mainland had undergone a period of blooming during economic and political reforms. Building services engineering was grouped under the umbrella of architectural and building regime and hence not well recognized. The system performance requirements listed in the old design code of practice and building commissioning procedures had not been adequately formulated. In the early 1990s, with the introduction of western management techniques from many overseas joint-venture construction projects, testing and commissioning concepts had gradually diffused into the China building industries. Recently, the Ministry of Construction, in collaboration with other Government bureaus published several acceptance codes for building services equipment and building systems. Joint ventures and enterprises affiliated with academic institutions are also actively involved in commissioning and energy utilization works. The recent issuance of the Green Guides on Olympic Projects (as presented by Prof. Y. Jiang during the Sustainable Buildings Symposium 2004 in September 2004, Shanghai) specifies the issue of testing and commissioning as part of the control tools in building quality.