Process

Energy Management Process

• Project Assessment Phase
  • Project Assessment Phase involves client consultation, preliminary site assessment, and benchmarking. During this phase, the EMP develops the client’s goals and gauges a building’s potential for reducing energy use and improving performance. The entire team must understand the direction of the project

• Energy Use Exploration Phase
  • During the Energy Use Exploration Phase, the EMP uses building energy data to perform detailed analyses of current and historical usage and cost patterns. These analyses are vital to determining the energy savings and cost reduction potential of potential measures.

• Site Investigation Phase
  • Field inspection as part of the Site Investigation Phase provides the EMP with detailed operational data regarding specific building systems. Preliminary TAB and functional testing provide the EMP with valuable insight to further refine measures and facilitate EBCx activities.

• ECS/FIC and EBCx Analysis Phase
  • The ECM/FIM and EBCx Analysis Phase tasks the EMP with producing detailed analyses of potential measures and EBCx activities. The EMP quantifies energy savings estimates and anticipated performance improvements in support of project goals.

• Implementation Phase
  • During the Implementation Phase, the EMP develops detailed plans for implementing measures and EBCx. Measures are then installed and EBCx is completed. The EMP will also be involved with commissioning new systems and installing measurement and verification (M&V) equipment.

• Final Acceptance Phase
  • The Final Acceptance Phase begins with functional testing to confirm that newly- installed systems operate as designed, followed by M&V. The EMP will also compile a variety of documents related to commissioning, operations and maintenance (O&M), and building staff training. These resources will collectively help maintain a high level of building performance

• Continuous Energy Management Phase
  • The project comes to a close with the Continuous Energy Management Phase. The EMP helps the building enact an Ongoing Commissioning Plan with the express goal of maintaining and prolonging the energy savings from installed measures and EBCx. The EMP will work with the client to develop strategies for ongoing energy management activities, including enhanced O&M practices, regular benchmarking, and additional training opportunities.

Our Methods

Facility Commissioning Group bridges the gaps between the Owner, the Design Team, the Construction Team and Vendors using a process employing:

• Thorough review of design and submittal documents
• Review of Design Intent Documents or Owner’s Project Requirements
• Progress and coordination meeting attendance
• Site observations and site meetings
• Resolution tracking forms
• System verification checks
• Start-up involvement for equipment
• Functional performance testing
• O&M and as-built documentation corroboration
• Specified factory service and off-season mode testing enforcement
• O&M training facilitation and recording
• Integration of subsystems to perform as a cohesive system
• Point of contact references for warranty action
• A final commissioning report including an executive summary

Our Standards

Facility Commissioning Group corporate standards derive from the most up to date industry references available for building systems commissioning. ASHRAE Guideline 0 and the ACG Commissioning Guideline serve as the basis for our development of procedures and protocols.  Utilizing personnel who have earned Commissioning Authority (CxA) and Commissioning Technician (CxT) certification assures that our clients receive highly qualified professionals succeeding at executing team approach commissioning process.

• AABC National Standards for Total System Balance Seventh Edition – 2016 
• AAMA 101 – 2009: North American Fenestration Standard for Windows, Doors, and Skylights 
• AAMA 501.1-17: Standard Test Method for Water Penetration of Windows, Curtain Walls and Doors Using Dynamic Pressure 
• AAMA 501.2-15: Quality Assurance and Diagnostic Water Leakage Field Check of Installed Storefronts, Curtain Walls, and Sloped Glazing Systems 
• AAMA 502-21: Voluntary Specification for Field Testing Newly Installed Fenestration Products 
• AAMA 503-14: Field Testing of Newly Installed Storefronts, Curtain Walls, and Sloped Glazing Systems 
• ACG Building Systems Commissioning Guideline – 2022 
• ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1 – 2016; Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low Rise Residential Buildings (SI Edition) 
• ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 189.1 – 2014: Standard for the Design of High-Performance Green Buildings 
• ASHRAE Standard 202 – 2018: Commissioning Process for Buildings and Systems 
• ASHRAE Guideline 0 – 2019: The Commissioning Process 
• ASHRAE Guideline 0.2 – 2015: Commissioning Process for Existing Buildings and Assemblies 
• ASHRAE Guideline 1.1 – 2007: HVAC&R Technical Requirements for the Commissioning Process 
• ASHRAE Guideline 1.2 – 2019: Technical Requirements for the Commissioning Process for Existing HVAC&R Systems and Assemblies 
• ASHRAE Guideline 1.3 – 2018: Building Operation and Maintenance Training for the HVAC&R Commissioning Process 
• ASHRAE Guideline 1.4 – 2014: Procedures for Preparing Facility Systems Manuals 
• ASHRAE 1.5 – 2017: The Commissioning Process for Smoke Control Systems 
• ASHRAE Commissioning Definitions and Terminology for the Building Industry: A Common Overview – 2018 
• ASTM E779-2019 – Standard Test Method for Determining Air Leakage Rate by Fan Pressurization 
• ASTM C1060-2015 – Standard Practice for Thermographic Inspection of Insulation Installations in Envelope Cavities of Frame Buildings 
• ASTM C1401-14: Standard Guide for Structural Sealant Glazing 
• ASTM E1186-2017 – Standard Practices for Air Leakage Site Detection in Building Envelopes and Air Barrier Systems 
• ASTM E1827-2017 – Standard Test Method for Determining Airtightness of Buildings Using an Orifice Blower Door 
• BCA New Construction Building Commissioning Best Practices –2018 
• BICSI: Telecommunications Distribution Methods Manual, 14th Edition 
• ICC G4 – 2018 Guideline for Commissioning 
• ICC International Energy Conservation Code (IeCC) – 2012; Section C408 
• Infrared Training Center Infrared Thermography Certification Program 
• ISO 6781-1983: Thermal Insulation – Qualitative Detection of Thermal Irregularities in Building Envelopes – Infrared Method 
• ISO 10878-2013 Infrared Thermography – Non-Destructive Testing 
• Kentucky Building Code – 2018  
• NECA 90: Commissioning Building Electrical Systems – 2015 
• NETA-ATS: Standard for Acceptance Testing Specifications for Electrical Power Equipment and Systems – 2017 
• NIBS Whole Building Design Guide – 2022 
• NFPA 70: National Electrical Code – 2017 
• NFPA 72: National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code – 2013 
• NFPA 110: Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems – 2019 
• USGBC LEED Reference Guide Version 4