Commissioning
Commissioning
Chinook’s Commissioning Services verify that fundamental building systems and assemblies perform as intended, satisfy tenant operational needs, and meet or exceed sustainability requirements. However, commissioning is more than a series of tests. As a Commissioning Authority, Chinook employs a methodology which embraces design and construction disciplines while serving the needs of ongoing Facility Operations and Maintenance programs.
Commissioning Process
Chinook performs commissioning services based on industry standards established by ASHRAE and ASTM, and best practices in accordance with USGBC, the Building Commissioning Association, the AABC Commissioning Group, and the National Institute of Building Sciences.
Internal guidelines for commissioning services expand upon those industry standards. Chinook harnesses internally-developed commissioning software to better manage the commissioning process, including commissioning data such as functional performance test results, master equipment lists, and facility documentation.
Commissioning Authority
Chinook’s commissioning services staff has decades of experience on hundreds of commissioning projects. In addition to being Certified Commissioning Authorities, all of Chinook’s commissioning managers and specialists have complementary professional certifications and degrees in energy management, engineering, and architecture.
Chinook assigns a dedicated team lead to every commissioning services project. This ensures pro-active and well-organized delivery of services, robust technical review, quality management, troubleshooting, testing, and information transfer.
Different Types of Commissioning Services Available through Chinook Systems
Commissioning Services processes and discipline ensure that building Owner’s Project Requirements are met and building performance is optimized.
There are, however, a variety of different types of Commissioning Services. Each type serves a distinct need, oftentimes with more emphasis on phase of facility lifecycle or aspect.
A building which has not been commissioned costs 8-20% more to operate over its lifetime.
– Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Whole Building Commissioning
Systematic verification and documentation occurring “from the design phase to a minimum of one year after construction.” This process is suitable for new and modernized facilities with the goal of setting up building for reliable, efficient, and cost-effective operations.
Views the facility’s integration of systems performance (e.g., HVAC) through matters of sustainability and workplace productivity. Additionally includes facility documentation and preparation of facilities operation personnel.
Application of a phased commissioning approach seeking to implement sustainable energy conservation measures. Retro-commissioning helps existing buildings achieve persistent high-performance operations plus energy and water efficiencies.
Integrated with operations and maintenance, a solid energy baseline combined with a well thought out implementation plan reaps long term benefits and cost-savings far beyond the cost of retro-commissioning services.
Retro-Commissioning
Retro-Commissioning
Application of a phased commissioning approach seeking to implement sustainable energy conservation measures. Retro-commissioning helps existing buildings achieve persistent high-performance operations plus energy and water efficiencies.
Integrated with operations and maintenance, a solid energy baseline combined with a well thought out implementation plan reaps long term benefits and cost-savings far beyond the cost of retro-commissioning services.
Re-Commissioning
The process of revisiting a project which has previously been commissioned. Re-commissioning leverages documentation from the original commissioning to verify systems which may have become out of balance or need adjustment due to regular building operations – or due to changing needs from tenants, owners, and new technologies.
Holistic and systematic adherence to Commissioning processes, with a heightened focus on ensuring that the exterior enclosure of a building meets or exceeds the Owner’s Project Requirements.
Recognizing threats from uncontrolled rainwater penetration and condensation, Building Enclosure Commissioning can mitigate some issues of thermal or structural movement, glazing, anchorage, or moisture disposal.
Building Enclosure Commissioning
Building Enclosure Commissioning
Holistic and systematic adherence to Commissioning processes, with a heightened focus on ensuring that the exterior enclosure of a building meets or exceeds the Owner’s Project Requirements.
Recognizing threats from uncontrolled rainwater penetration and condensation, Building Enclosure Commissioning can mitigate some issues of thermal or structural movement, glazing, anchorage, or moisture disposal.
LEED Enhanced Commissioning
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification requires fundamental commissioning activities for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and renewable energy systems. Enhanced commissioning provides multiple paths including monitoring-based procedure development and/or building envelope commissioning, that will further enhance energy, water, indoor environmental quality, and durability.
Chinook and it’s LEED accredited commissioning staff far exceed the qualifications required for LEED Enhanced Commissioning requirements and have been accredited since 2004.
Monitoring-based commissioning is a highly process-driven discipline which applies Retro-Commissioning techniques along with ongoing building energy system monitoring.
This data-driven commissioning service combines real-time measurement, algorithms, and analytics from a wide variety of building data sources. The process is used to evaluate equipment and system performance with the end goal of identifying and correcting operations repairs and deficiencies. Digital-based monitoring also can reduce the need for “boots on the ground.”
Monitoring-based Commissioning
Monitoring-based Commissioning
Monitoring-based commissioning is a highly process-driven discipline which applies Retro-Commissioning techniques along with ongoing building energy system monitoring.
This data-driven commissioning service combines real-time measurement, algorithms, and analytics from a wide variety of building data sources. The process is used to evaluate equipment and system performance with the end goal of identifying and correcting operations repairs and deficiencies. Digital-based monitoring also can reduce the need for “boots on the ground.”
Cyber Commissioning
CyberCx™ – a registered trademark of Chinook Systems – ensures control systems and operational technology are designed, procured, constructed, and maintained in accordance with cyber security standards and regulations.
Chinook Cyber Commissioning applies systematic processes to examine and assess Control Systems and Operation Technology in context of the Risk Management Framework and NIST Cybersecurity Framework.