continues through the construction and warranty period .
● Commissioning should be performed on features and systems , including all ACMV systems and their controls , ductwork , pipework , renewable and alternative energy technologies , lighting controls and daylighting systems , waste heat recovery and advanced technologies such as Under Floor Air Distribution ( UFAD ), Thermal Displacement Ventilation ( TDV ), chilled slab cooling , chilled beams , thermal storage , heat recovery system , and so forth .
● Commissioning activities that affect Indoor Environmental Quality ( IEQ ) include acoustics , temperature and humidity controls , ventilation systems ( inclusive of pandemic / endemic mode operation ), monitoring equipment , occupant controls , and day-lighting systems .
● The scope of commissioning incorporates both dynamic and static elements in the design and not merely the mechanical and electrical systems .
● Commissioning plumbing fixtures involves fixtures that are used to reduce water use , while the plumbing-infrastructure requirement applies to such areas as rainwater or grey-water recovery systems .
● Innovative wastewater technologies should also be commissioned .
● The CxS is expected to be well-qualified for the managerial and technical aspects of the project and exhibit experience in construction management , design , engineering , hands-on field experience with equipment and troubleshooting , energy efficiency , and operations & maintenance .
● In a nutshell , the CxS must ensure that the building ’ s energy-related systems are designed and installed to achieve proper commissioning to realise their full potential and intent .
Addressing the next lacuna – Building Automation System
As the need and benefits of appointing CxS gain traction ( for discerning Project Owners ), and continuous training to enhance the CxS delivery is put in place , it is increasingly evident that nonperforming Building Automation System ( BAS ) installations must also be addressed .
Following the author ’ s challenge to the leaders of the local BAS players to disprove that “ 95 % or more of BAS installations in Malaysia are never fully commissioned ”, BASAM ( BAS Association of Malaysia ) was formed in 2016 with unanimous support .
At this juncture , it is only fair to highlight that non-performing BAS installations are unfortunately prevalent globally , for the simple reason that when buildings are completed and handed over , the BAS cannot be fully commissioned as there are insufficient building loads to activate all the systems . This is duly recognised by the GBI rating system which stipulates at least 50 % building occupancy to enable full BAS commissioning . Compounding this problem is the lack ( and absence ) of training for BAS system integrators to program installations .
Since its formation , BASAM has begun a three-day training course ( with exam ) for System Integrators ( SI ) and to date , more than 50 have passed the exam despite the two-year hiatus during the pandemic .
With BAS installations expected to be fully functioning in the very near future , the CxS will then be able to complete comprehensive commissioning , including the author ’ s longawaited thrust to achieve Maximum Demand Limiting ( MDL ) programming for all high-energyuse buildings . For the record , it is heartening to note that LEED has recently also included Demand Response ( MDL equivalent ) in its criteria .
The Final Component of the Loop
Now that the BAS lacuna is being gradually ‘ closed ’ and it , hopefully , will be a matter of time before the CxS comprehensiveness is fully in place , the author will embark on preparing to redrive the final piece of the jigsaw of sustainable maintenance to reach the end goal of truly achieving high-performance energy-efficient green buildings .
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