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Commissioning is the process of ensuring that building systems are designed, installed, functionally tested, and capable of being operated and maintained according to the owner´s operational needs. Commissioning also can restore existing buildings to high productivity through renovation, upgrade and tune-up of existing systems.
Benefits of commissioning include:
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Early detection of potential problems
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Fewer change orders
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Precise tune-up of HVAC systems and controls
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Better building documentation
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Trained building operators
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Shortened occupancy transition period
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Lower operation and maintenance cost
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Lower utility bills
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Healthy and comfortable work environment
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How much commissioning costs depends on the size and complexity of the project. But it accounts for a small portion of construction and renovation budgets. When commissioning is done properly, the savings far outweigh the costs.
Advancing Public Building Commissioning in Oregon
- The Oregon Department of Energy participated in a regional effort to demonostrate the benefits of commissioning when applied to public buildings. Eight projects were selected and closely monitored. Funding for the project was provided by the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance.
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Building
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Owner
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Size
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Project
Type
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Com.
Provider
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Sexton Mountain Elementary School, Beaverton |
Beaverton School District |
65,000 square feet |
Retro-commissioning |
Keithly Welsh Associates, LLC |
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Beaverton City Library |
City of Beaverton |
69,500 square feet |
New building commissioning |
System Commissioning Consultants |
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Clackamas High School, Clackamas |
North Clackamas School District No. 12 |
250,000 square feet |
New building commissioning |
Interface Engineering |
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Day Care Center, Lane Community College, Eugene |
Lane Community College |
18,300 square feet |
New building commissioning |
Systems West Engineers, Inc. |
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Courthouse Square, Salem |
Marion County / Salem Area Mass Transit District |
160,000 square feet |
New building commissioning |
Environmental and Engineering Services, Inc. |
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Portland State University |
Portland State University |
213,000 square feet |
Commissioning of a new chiller |
Northwest Engineering Service, Inc. |
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Marion Miller Elementary School, Salem |
Salem-Keizer School District 24J |
49,000 square feet |
New building commissioning |
Environmental & Engineering Services, Inc. |
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Public Service Building, Salem |
Dept. of Administrative Services |
172,400 square feet |
Retro-commissioning |
Systems West Engineers, Inc. |
Case studies for five of the projects are now available:
Full commissioning reports are available at the Oregon Department of Energy. Contact Andrzej Pekalski at 1-800-221-8035 (in Oregon) or (503) 378-4040 (Salem).
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Resources
Retrocommissioning Handbook for Facility Managers
Commissioning Toolkit
A comprehensive guide that takes you through the commissioning process: selecting a commissioning agent, drafting contracts, developing and carrying out commissioning plans, and managing commissioning agents and contractor.
Case Studies
Hillsboro School District
Sexton Mountain Elementary
Clackamas High School
Courthouse Square
Portland State University
Public Service Building
Financial Assistance
Business Energy Tax Credits
Energy Loan Program
Links and Regional Contacts
Building Commissioning Association
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
Portland Energy Conservation, Inc.
Better Bricks
Building Commissioning in Washington
Building Commissioning in Idaho
Building Commissioning in Montana
For more information on building commissioning in Oregon, call Andrzej Pekalski toll-free in Oregon at 1-800-221-8035. In Salem or out of state, call (503) 373-1581. |
