Facility Services Incorporated,
Building Commissioning

What is Building Commissioning ? 

The role of a Building Commissioning Agent is a systematic process whereby someone, representing the Owners’ interest, ensuring that a building’s complex array of systems is designed, installed, and tested to perform according to the design intent and the building owner’s operational needs. The commissioning of new buildings will be most effective when considered throughout the planning stages and as early as schematic design.  Additionally this process results in a successful and sustainable energy conservation initiative thus reducing a facility's carbon footprint making good sense to the environment, business, and a higher conscious self.  The Commissioning process always represents the interest of the owner in its dealings with other design and construction professionals, and with other private and public entities.

What are the Benefits of Building Commissioning ? 

Traditionally a local government inspector, a design firm, or a contractor will only tell you what is not there or what is not correct if they catch it.  These firms rarely prove thru a documented process what is right.  Modern day building programs should be energy efficient, satisfy stringent indoor air quality, comfort expectations, and be designed and constructed within tight pro forma model budgets.  The installation and design of these systems typically have many components, sub-stations, and controls.  Additionally, building construction involves many specialized trades and design firms that work independently from one another requiring effective communication and coordination between contractor and designer. 

The Commissioning Agent, preferably a third-party, should be a team experienced in architectural and engineering design, construction procurement, and construction who is a qualified person, company, or agency that implements the overall Commissioning Process.  It is critical that the Commissioning Agent be an independent, third party.  The designer or contractor should never Commission their own work.  The Commissioning Agent must have the freedom to function as an objective, independent advocate for the Owner.  The goal is to ensure that all of the building’s systems operate in conformity with the requirements that were designed, specified, contracted, and purchased. The ultimate goal is to turn over an effective and fully functioning building ready for occupancy.  This systematic process starts in the design phase and ends during the warranty phase. 

A primary goal of the Commissioning Agent is overall control of the program from pre-design planning to occupancy.  The complex mechanical, electrical, plumbing, gas, fire alarm, life safety, and fire sprinkler systems make up approximately 32% of the total cost of construction and are responsible for over 80% of the overall operational energy cost.  The Commissioning process helps to fill the gaps and overlaps often seen in poor coordination from the design and specifications, value engineering process, contractor procurement, and field installation. The Commissioning Agent will work with the Owner and the other construction professionals in determining the Facility’s requirements regarding such issues as energy conservation, indoor environment, staff training, as well as, operation and maintenance.  The Commissioning Agent will then write the functional testing program thus objectively verifying that the building systems perform interactively in accordance with the Project Documents.  The Commissioned written specifications and repeatable test procedures are prepared specifically for each project and are used to test components and systems in all modes of operation.  These tests are documented to clearly describe the individual systematic test procedures, as well as, the expected systems response or acceptance criteria.

Facility Services Inc. Commissioning Agent Approach:

The FSI team has over 150 years in combined experience resulting in a staff of highly experienced design, construction, maintenance, and building owner professionals. Our approach is as unique as your markets are diversified. Facility Services takes your building program to a new height of efficiency in both time and money. Building Owners are finding that the cost of implementing a commissioning process can be offset by the energy, water, and productivity savings achieved by the commissioned building program.  Facility Services recognizes the high cost of energy and the Owner’s concerns regarding indoor air quality and environmental pollution reinforce the need for all Building Systems to operate properly and in conformity with State and Federal requirements.

Facility Services Inc. also specializes in Retro-Commissioning relating to the high cost of energy for existing buildings.  An energy analysis of existing building/s might indicate the need for a more efficient heating and cooling system, a more efficient lighting system, or simply balancing the thermal distribution system.  Commissioning can also include testing equipment to make sure it works properly and meets operational specifications.  Our proven systematic approach to facility and system modernized upgrades helps our clients achieve reductions in operating cost, while increasing productivity and performance.   It is our mission to make sure our client's facility functions properly and that their staff has the systems and the training to keep things running smoothly and efficiently.

The process of checking and balancing the Building Environmental Systems to produce the design objectives includes:

• Check for conformity to design
• Balance the air and water distribution
• Measure and adjust the total systems to provide design quantities
• Physical principles of building systems performance and interaction
• Operation and Maintenance Procedures
• Specification for each system and component for which the Suppliers’ support is required
• Provide input for the resolution of any system deficiencies
• An evaluation of the operation conditions at the functional test completion
• Pre-Functional Test Procedures
• Record and report the results

No single established procedure is applicable to all systems.  However, knowing your Program will help in saving operational capital dollars. According to the commissioned study done by PECI; Commissioning usually pays for itself in the first 4 months.

There is no project that is too small or too big.  FSI has offices in Brentwood TN, Chattanooga TN, Dallas TX, and Washington D.C.  Those offices currently work on projects ranging from $200,000 to $2.6 billion from Washington D.C. to San Diego, California.  We are a company made of Construction Managers, HVAC Control Specialist, Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.  Our specialties are the Health Care, Hospitality, and Educational markets.