"We have used the commissioning process on all major projects at
Dartmouth since 1996 because it ensures that systems work as
intended, points out design and installation mistakes, trains
maintenance staff on building systems, and improves energy
efficiency."
Bo Petersson, PE, Facilities Engineer, Dartmouth
College
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WHAT IS COMMISSIONING?
Commissioning is a process
that gives owners what they paid for.
Commissioning is not simply the
start-up of systems at the end of a construction project.
Commissioning is much more than that.
Commissioning is a quality
control process to create environments that meet the functional
needs of a facility.
Cornerstone Commissioning, Inc.,
is an owner's representative to lead this process.
Cornerstone conducts workshops
with all the key players. These workshops address HVAC
performance issues to ensure buildings perform as
intended. Cornerstone also develops a Design Intent
Document which sets the stage for the entire design and
construction process, so the HVAC system supports the critical
needs of the space.
Commissioning
of Existing Facilities
HVAC systems must accurately
control and monitor temperature, humidity, ventilation and room
pressurization. This is especially true if AAALAC accreditation
is a goal for a facility.
Evaluate HVAC system components and performance
Cornerstone evaluates systems to help prepare for AAALAC site
visits or to deal with issues that arose during a visit. System
reports are generated, listing recommendations in compliance
with The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and
good engineering practices.
Test and adjust to maximize environmental control
Sometimes referred to as "re-commissioning", the system is
optimized to operate at its peak performance based on the
system's capacity and the facility's needs.
WHY USE COMMISSIONING?Laboratories, Medical
Centers and Laboratory Animal Facilities have unique needs:
- stability
- safety
- reliability
- flexibility
- comfort
- maintainability
Problem
Although these needs are often
designed into labs, many new, costly facilities have significant HVAC
system deficiencies.
- Insufficient ventilation
- Temperature and humidity fluctuations
- Room pressurization and balancing problems
- Value engineering degrades functionality
Too often, the
construction process delivers a building that does not perform
to meet its intended use.
Solution
Commissioning solves these problems.
Whether you are planning
a new facility or have an existing facility, the
commissioning process addresses these problems so that
buildings can perform as intended.
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