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When an HVAC system performs poorly in a building, the managers can be faced with a significant loss of building efficiency. Indoor air quality can suffer, bacteria can grow in cooling towers, and occupant health can deteriorate, leaving companies at risk for low productivity, excessive sick time, degraded system performance, and possible liability claims. By implementing a third party review of the design of the HVAC system prior to installation, potential design deficiencies can be discovered and avoided altogether. The experienced engineering staff at EH&E can completely review an HVAC system design for compatibility and integration with other building systems and owner’s requirements well before the start of construction. Based on their many years of experience, they will identify potential problem areas and present reasoned recommendations for correction. This allows the client to avoid expensive fixes after a building is finished and occupied.
The number one problem reported by owners of newly constructed or renovated buildings is a malfunctioning HVAC system. The goal of EH&E’s specialized commissioning process is to identify and correct equipment and operational problems before they affect building operation and negatively impact occupant health and comfort.
EH&E promotes “building systems commissioning” as a quality assurance process. In new construction the commissioning process is implemented to ensure that equipment and systems perform as intended, and it is generally accepted that commissioning is most effective when applied as early in the construction process as possible to have maximum impact. Commissioning addresses the verification of both the tangible and intangible aspects of materials, equipment, and systems and focuses on the difference between systems simply operating and achieving the intended performance parameters. EH&E has the expertise to apply commissioning to all building Mechanical, Electric, Plumbing (MEP), and Fire Protection Systems (FP).
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Documentation of building design intent and owner’s requirements
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Review and comment of design documents for application, system compatibility, performance testing requirements, and operation and maintenance issues
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Create commissioning plan
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Installation inspections
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Creation of pre-functional and functional performance test requirements
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Functional performance testing
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Commissioning action list (issues to be addressed by design and construction team)
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Verification of contractor closeout requirements (training, warrantees, O&M manuals, as-built drawings, etc.)
When our process is included as part of the original construction contract, a positive impact on schedule adherence and the reduction in change orders and warranty period issues in the construction and building acceptance phases can be significant. We review, verify, and document systems performance and make recommendations for enhanced performance, equipment longevity, and potential energy savings.
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