Commissioning

Commissioning

Commissioning management is a systematic process of managing the overall performance requirements of a building from design through construction and into handover. We know from our experience that every construction project is unique, having its own unique features and challenges that must be overcome. We also know that despite the best planning efforts, there are always unforeseen issues that arise, particularly during the testing and commissioning phase.

Our team has decades of practical experience of commissioning throughout the world and have therefore been involved in solving challenges that have risen during the commissioning process. Our collaborative, expert led, hands on approach to troubleshooting is what we believe differentiates us in the field of commissioning management.

Third Party Commissioning

When carried out from the commencement of the project, commissioning is also able to substantially reduce construction schedules by maximizing the constructability of designs and minimizing punch list items. AESG’s in-house commissioning engineers provide independent commissioning agent services that focus on ensuring that when an owner develops a new building, the systems within the building meet the functional requirements of the project in the most cost effective means throughout the project life cycle. AESG have experience in conducting independent commissioning authority and agent services in accordance with international engineering and sustainability standards, having successfully completed this role on numerous projects internationally. With all our commissioning projects to date, we have been able to identify major areas for substantial capital and operational cost savings for our clients. AESG work to the highest international standards for building commissioning and follow the procedures and guidelines set out in ASHRAE, CSA and the BCA.

Handover and Soft-Landing Advisory

The Building Services Research and Information Association (BSRIA) has identified many shortfalls in high profile, sustainably designed buildings across the world. It was found that they result in excessive energy use and occupant discomfort, which was attributed to a variety of causes, including the following:

• Systems that are over-complex, so users are unable to understand how to operate them
• Contractors not fully understanding the basis of the design from the design team
• Systems not being commissioned properly
• Changes in personnel during the design / construction process resulting in information not being passed on or understood correctly
• Changes made to systems by tenants not aware of the design basis
• Changes in occupancy being made without the relevant building/ system changes required
• These issues also apply to many other buildings, but the impact was greater in high-profile ‘sustainable’ buildings. As a result, it was recommended that a ‘soft landings’ approach should be adopted, consisting of the design and construction team involvement, along with the client or end user continuing their involvement for a period of 12–24 months after handover, to ensure the building operation matches that of the design or that, if required, modifications can be made.

There is a contractual requirement to hand over record documents that relate to all the materials and equipment that have been installed within a building, enabling the building owner or operator to maintain and update them as required. This includes Operating and Maintenance Manuals and as-built drawings. These records have traditionally been provided as hard copies, and they tend to have many deficiencies.

Therefore to avoid such deficiencies there are now cloud-based software systems that can be used to host details and track the submission and approval system; this system is transparent for all parties assigned to view.

As AESG is involved from the concept design stage to the handover, it is more practical for us to take on this role and have control over what is designed, installed and handed over so that problems are overcome before commissioning and the client receives the correct information on handover.

Building Performance Evaluation

Building Performance Evaluations (BPE) consists of a whole building assessment, following a Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) survey, to identify the performance gap between the design aspirations and the actual operating performance of a building. The evaluation considers multiple aspects of the asset, covering energy efficiency, maintenance, occupant health and well-being, safety and public liability. The results of the BPE can be used to inform building management policies and procedures, as well as potential remediation measures, resulting in improved efficiency and reduced operational costs. Further to the increased efficiency, enhancing building health can benefit occupants through improved indoor environmental quality, leading to increased productivity, reduced incidences of Building Sickness Syndrome and overall improvement in occupant comfort and satisfaction.

To comprehensively assess the existing condition and performance of a building, a Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE) is conducted at the outset of any BPE. The POE includes an evaluation of occupant behavioural patterns, such as hours of occupancy, as well as gathering feedback from occupants themselves to highlight any recurring issues. Occupant feedback surveys are used to gather large data sets covering occupant satisfaction, with subsequent interview style surveys providing a deeper insight into observed trends. Surveys and interviews cover topics such as thermal comfort, productivity, Building Sickness Syndrome (recurring headaches, itchy eyes etc.), light Levels, acoustic comfort and access to facilities.