Commissioning

What is commissioning?

The Physical Plant’s Commissioning Services team conducts a comprehensive engineering analysis of the operation and performance of a building’s systems, including HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) and lighting systems. The systematic process ensures building performance, reduces energy use, improves indoor air quality and meets occupants' needs.

Using a team of skilled technicians, engineers and consultants, Commissioning Services:

While Commissioning Services uses a variety of techniques, its chief focus at the time, in accordance with the University’s commitment to the Better Buildings Challenge, is existing-building commissioning.

The existing-building commissioning process involves:

Step 1: Building prioritization: Examine campus energy data and specific building systems information and use a unique building profile system to identify which buildings provide the greatest opportunity for energy improvements to prioritize efforts/funding (i.e. choose building).

Step 2: Documentation and analysis: Compile all building information (operations, maintenance, design, construction) and perform building field studies to identify use patterns and occupant concerns (i.e. analyze and assess building).

Step 3: System evaluation: Through detailed building systems testing and analysis, identify existing deficiencies that can be addressed to allow for more efficient and correct operation. Identify opportunities for energy-conservation measures that will result in more efficient building operation (i.e. test and determine energy-conservation efforts to implement in building).

Step 4: Implementation: Perform energy-conservation measures (from simple adjustments to major facility upgrades) identified in system evaluation phase (i.e. implement energy-conservation measures in building).

Step 5: Continuous commissioning: Monitor building equipment and systems, schedule system operations for occupant needs, and optimize system effectiveness while reducing energy use (i.e. continuously monitor measures implemented in step 4 in building).

Contacts:

Building Services — Commissioning Services

Jason Vallance, Engineer III/Supervisor: vallance@ipf.msu.edu