A Building That Is Built Correctly But Commissioned Incorrectly Still Doesn't Perform as Designed
Building commissioning is the systematic process of verifying that a building's mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and life safety systems are designed, installed, tested, and operating in conformance with the owner's project requirements. Commissioning is not the same as contractor testing - the contractor tests systems to confirm they are installed correctly; commissioning is an independent verification process, performed by a Commissioning Authority (CxA), that confirms the systems are working as the design intended and that the integrated performance meets the owner's operational goals. LEED requires commissioning for certain credits; ASHRAE Standard 202 establishes a national standard for the commissioning process; and many owners require commissioning as a contractual obligation in the construction agreement. Understanding commissioning's scope, the CxA's role, and how commissioning intersects with the architect's CA obligations is tested on the ARE PPD exam.
What Commissioning Covers
Fundamental building commissioning (required for LEED certification) covers: HVAC systems (air handling units, VAV boxes, cooling towers, chillers, boilers - confirming airflows, temperatures, and control sequences match design); electrical systems (lighting controls, emergency power transfer testing); plumbing systems (domestic hot water temperature and distribution confirmation); renewable energy systems (PV inverter function, metering). Enhanced commissioning (LEED enhanced prerequisite/credit) extends the scope: reviews design documents and specifications for constructability and systems coordination; develops detailed owner project requirements; is engaged earlier in the design process. Retro-commissioning applies commissioning to existing buildings to restore performance that has degraded over time.
The Commissioning Authority (CxA)
The CxA is an independent party (not the design engineer or the contractor) who manages the commissioning process. The CxA: develops the commissioning plan and functional test protocols; witnesses and documents mechanical and electrical functional performance tests; reviews contractor test reports; develops the Systems Manual (documentation of the commissioned systems' operation); and verifies that operations and maintenance staff are adequately trained. The CxA's independence from the design team and the contractor is critical - the CxA is the owner's advocate, verifying that both the design and the construction meet the owner's operational requirements.
Key Exam Points
- Commissioning: independent verification of systems design, installation, and performance per owner's project requirements.
- CxA: independent party (not designer or contractor); owner's advocate for system performance verification.
- ASHRAE 202: Standard Commissioning Process for Buildings and Systems; national commissioning standard.
- LEED: fundamental commissioning required for certification; enhanced commissioning earns additional credits.
- Commissioning vs. contractor testing: contractor tests for correct installation; CxA verifies integrated performance meets design intent.
AREprep's PPD and CE content covers building commissioning - its scope, the CxA's role, LEED commissioning requirements, and how commissioning activities integrate with the architect's construction administration responsibilities - giving ARE candidates the commissioning knowledge the exams test in building performance and construction administration questions where the verification of as-built system performance is the focus.
Study PPD on AREprep
AREprep's PPD flashcards and practice exams are built around the actual NCARB exam guide - so every study session targets what the exam tests.