5/12/2014 - Ontario Association of Architects Envelope... · Source: ASHRAE Guideline 0-2005, The Commissioning Process. 5/12/2014 2 4 What is Commissioning? Simply7 Set goals, check

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PULLING IT ALL TOGETHER:

May 9, 2014

COMMISSIONING THE

BUILDING ENVELOPE

David Kayll, FMA, P.Eng.Principal, Building Science Specialist

MORRISON HERSHFIELD, Ottawa

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What is

Commissioning?

Some definitions:

� Cx = Commissioning

� BECx = Building Envelope/Enclosure

Commissioning

� CxA = Commissioning Authority

� Cx Agent = Contractor’s

Commissioning Agent / Coordinator

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What is

Commissioning?

“The Commissioning Process is a quality-focused

process for achieving, verifying, and documenting that

the performance of facilities, systems, and assemblies

meets defined objectives and criteria.”

Source: ASHRAE Guideline 0-2005, The Commissioning Process.

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What is

Commissioning?

Simply7

Set goals, check goals, meet goals

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Modern Cx is based upon7

• 1984: ASHRAE forms a committee on Cx for HVAC

• 1989: ASHRAE Guideline 1: HVAC Commissioning

• 1994: PWGSC publishes a project Cx manual

• 1998: NIBS begins “Whole Bldg Commissioning”

• 2005: ASHRAE Guideline 0: The Commissioning Process

• 2006: NIBS Guideline 3 - Exterior Enclosure Technical

Requirements for the Commissioning Process

• 2011: CSA Guideline Z320-11 – Building Commissioning (Whole-Building)

• 2012: NIBS / GSA Airtightness Requirements

• 2012: NIBS Guideline 3-2012: Building Enclosure

Commissioning Process

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Whole-Building Cx Process

ASHRAEGuideline 1-2007,

HVAC&R

Technical Requirements for

the Cx Process

NIBSGuideline 3-2012,

Exterior Enclosure Technical

Requirements for the Cx

Process

Guidelines2-200X and 4-200X through 14-200X, Technical Cx guidelines

dealing with structure,

electrical, lighting, interiors,

plumbing, etc.

Source: NIBS Guideline 3-2006, Exterior Enclosure Technical Requirements for the Cx Process.

ASHRAE Guideline 0-2005, The Commissioning ProcessUsed as the foundation for Cx process

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Whole-Building Cx Process

ASHRAEGuideline 1-2007,

HVAC&R

Technical Requirements for

the Cx Process

NIBSGuideline 3-2012,

Exterior Enclosure Technical

Requirements for the Cx

Process

Guidelines2-200X and 4-200X through 14-200X, Technical Cx guidelines

dealing with structure,

electrical, lighting, interiors,

plumbing, etc.

Source: NIBS Guideline 3-2006, Exterior Enclosure Technical Requirements for the Cx Process.

ASHRAE Guideline 0-2005, The Commissioning ProcessUsed as the foundation for Cx process

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NIBS Guideline 3

• Guideline 3 is a big document

of what can be done

• Covers wide range of tasks

• Includes lots of supporting

documentation and sample

formats

“The commissioning objectives

… can vary tremendously…”

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NIBS Guideline 3

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NIBS Guideline 3

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NIBS Guideline 3

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7 can vary tremendously7”

Do you have to do it all??

Historical Assemblies(Mass masonry)

New to market

Unique and Untested

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The Cx Process Timeline

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A Cx Process

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How is BECx Different?

Follow the same steps as Cx but:

• Systems are different

• More passive than active

• More often “site-built” assemblies 7

• 7 Often in problematic weather

• Multiple manufacturers and trades at one location

• Building Science is the blend of Architecture with

Mechanical and Materials Engineering

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The BECx Process

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Step 2: Owners Project

Requirements

Owner’s Vision:

� Quality / Aesthetics

� Durability / Service life

� Use / Expansion

� Form / Shape / adaptability

� Energy (code to regenerative)

� Impact on Occupant Health

� 7 other

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Step 2: Owners Project

Requirements

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Step 4: Overall Cx Plan

Purpose includes:

� Establish team & expertise

� Align goals

� Define roles &

responsibilities

(including BECx)

� Plan for success

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Step 4: BECx Plan

Input to Main Cx Plan:

� Issues specific to Building Envelope as they

relate to the overall Cx Plan structure

� OPR’s

� Design reviews

� Installation and Perf Verification

� BECx forms

� Close-out documentation

� Warranty Period services

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Step 3: Review of BoD

Initial Design Review:

� Review of Basis of Design (Schematic Concepts)

� Identify issues related to compliance with OPR’s

� Reviews should include (as minimum) management of:

− Air leakage

− Vapor diffusion

− Heat transfer

− Water penetration

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Design Reviews may include:

� References to practice guides or

design reference documents

� Marked-up drawings & specs

� Letter report(s)

� Meeting minutes

� Review of similar buildings

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Step 5: Cx Specs

Incorporate BECx items into overall Cx

Specs:

� Testing requirements (manufacturer or on-

site)

� Shop drawing submittal requirements

� Material submittal requirements

� Mandatory Mock-ups

� Mandatory Manufacturer’s site visit,

testing and reporting

� Sample removals/renewals

� Pre-installation Meetings

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Step 6: Review Construction

Documents

Review Design Drawings and

Specifications:

� Identify that issues raised during Step 3

(Review of BoD) have been addressed

� Detailing issues

� Material compatibility issues

� Reviews should include (as minimum)

management of:

− Air leakage

− Vapor diffusion

− Heat transfer

− Water penetration

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The BECx Process

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Start with the Commissioning

Start-Up Meeting

As part of main Cx Meeting or Separate:

� Transfer design information to contractor and

trades

� Review BECx Process, Plan, and Forms

� Establish roles during construction

− BECx Authority vs. BECx Agent

� Establish Quality Control and Quality

Assurance activities

� Determine mock-up locations

� Determine testing date

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Step 7: Review of Contractor

Submittals

Review of:

� BE Shop Drawings

� Material Data Sheets

� Requests for Alternative s

� Cx Schedule

Review needs to focus on

OPR’s and General

Conformance with Design

Documents

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Step 8: Installation &

Performance Verification

Two Steps:

1. Installation Verification

− Systems are being installed as required

− Mock-ups

− Field Review

2. Performance Verification

− Systems Performing as needed

− Testing

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Mock-ups

Key for all projects:

� Sub-contractor’s workmanship & quality

control

� Potential transition issues

� Contractor’s Quality Assurance activities

� Architect’s or BEP’s Quality Review

activities

� Expected Quality of installation

(assists in finalizing the PSLs)

� Clarifying roles and responsibilities of all

team members

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Field Review

� Assess installation quality

control

� Address “one-off” details

� Quality assurance activities are

documented.

� Frequency is dependent on team

make-up and requirements

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Testing

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Testing

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Get ready for thisD

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Paperwork

Building Envelope - Commissioning Checklists?

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Paperwork

� Document what’s reasonable

− Meaning: commission the intent and the ability

− Educate those involved

� Utilize the building envelope site reviews

− Identify and record deficiencies

(photos / videos)

− Construction Progress

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Paperwork

� Examples

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The BECx Process

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Steps 9, 10, and 11: O&M

Manual, Training, Cx Report

O&M Manual:

� Contractor submitted manufacturer product info.

� Or formal BE Maintenance Manual

Operator Training:

� Confirmation of Building Operator training on systems

� Not common on BE systems (passive in nature)

Commissioning Report:

� BE contribution to main CxA report

� Collection of Design Review, Mock-up, Field Review,

and Testing Reports as appendixes to Cx Report

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Step 12: Post-Occupancy

Conduct Warranty-stage review of BE:

� Review conditions

� Interview building facility managers / staff

� Review any noted issues

� May require field investigation of some issues

� Coordinate with Design Team, Contractor, CxA

� Report to supplement Cx Report

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Applicable Building Types?

Plaza 2006 Brock University

St. John’s Long term Care, NL

Ottawa Archives & Library

Collaborative Life Science, Portland, OR

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Collaborative Life Sciences

Building, Portland, OR

Case Study

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Oregon University System /

Oregon Health & Sciences University:

� Owner: OSU/ OHSU/ OUS/ PSU

� Owner’s Rep: DayCPM

� Arch: SERA Architects/CO Architects

� GC: JE Dunn Construction

� Size: 650,000 sq. ft

� Project Value: $211M (GMP)

� Target: LEED Platinum NC

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The MH Role on Project:

� BECx to provide technical feedback, review and

keep the ownership group informed whether the

design meets the OPRs.

Sounds easy,

right?

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Curtain Wall:

� Verify compliance with OPRs

& BOD

� Design Review

� Review submittals and shop

drawings

� Mock-up review/testing.

� Visit fabrication shop

� Site visits

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Opaque Wall / Metal Panels:

� Verify OPRs & BOD compliance

� Design Review

� Review submittals and shop

drawings

� Mock-up review / testing

� Pre-construction meetings

� Review on-site panel fabrication

� Review on site installation of WRB

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Opaque Wall Assembly:

� Steel stud

� Self-adhered, vapor impermeable

WRB

� Mineral wool insulation

� Fiberglass clips with z-girts

� Water shedding membrane

� Perforated metal panel

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Challenges:

� OPR completed in CD phase;

largely based on earlier meetings

with Owner and Design Team.

� Our involvement began in CD

phase

� End-user contact

� Role definitions – especially for

technical solutions

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Challenges:

� Design refinements

� Energy efficiency vs.

condensation potential

� Thermal modeling to quantify

assembly performance

� Reduced cost through modeling to

refine design

� Amount of Documentation needed

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VE Process:

� Some involvement in VE process related

to envelope issues

� Review of VE changes to see if systems

still in accordance with OPRs

� Some decisions will require

revisions to OPRs

That’s OK

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Mock-up Testing:

� Water, nozzle test

� Water spray rack / chamber test

� Air testing, glazing unit

� Air testing, assembly

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Documentation:

� Base Assumptions for BE Cx coupled

with Budget vs. Perceived Value

� GC complete one (large) checklist

(team decision)

� GC hosted Sharepoint site = single

point for updating forms + auto-

reminders

� Getting completed documentation was

a challenge

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Performance Testing Challenges:

� Testing by others resulted in coordination issues (dates/times);

effort needed to coordinate testing and witnessing.

� Limitations to access (crowded site, other construction activities,

access to power/water, etc.) so coordination of testing locations

critical

� Project goal was to test vapour performance as well as air, water,

and thermal performance. Determining suitable method to test

field installed vapour barrier was a challenge

� Disagreements on value of infrared thermography to test / verify

the thermal layer performance

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Lesson Learned:

� Earlier involvement of the BE CxA is critical (before design starts)

� Clear definitions of role and responsibilities

� Draw the link between OPRs and consequences for end user

� Planning documentation with O/A/C team will help ‘buy-in’ from all

parties and streamline the process

� Complete BECx Plan prior to retention of Contractor. Include in

the specifications (becomes contract document).

� Coordinate level of BECx service with Owner’s expectations, and

Owner’s budget. Determine best “bang for the buck”

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Evolution of Buildings:

� Buildings getting taller

� Construction getting

faster

� Materials advancing

� Climate is changing

The Future of BECx7

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The Future of BECx7

Control of Heat Flow:

� Thermally Broken

Cantilevered Balconies

� Thermally broken

cladding attachment

� Vacuum Insulated Panels

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The Future of BECx7

Advanced Glazing:

� Triple Glazed Curtain wall

assemblies

� Vacuum Insulated Glass

� Exterior shading devices

� Smart glass

− Electrochromic glass

− Refractive light

− Integrated PV / Shading

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The Future of BECx7

Earlier Integration of BECx:

� Beyond mark-ups and

editing specs

� Concept design

� Performance goal setting

� Modeling:

− 3D Component Modeling

− Whole Envelope Effective U-

value Analysis

− Material analysis:

• Lifecycle analysis (LCA)

• Durability analysis

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The Future of BECx7

LEED ver 4:

� Fundamental Commissioning

− Requirements for exterior enclosures are limited to inclusion in the owner’s project requirements (OPR) and basis of design (BOD), as well as the review of the OPR, BOD and project design.

− NIBS Guideline 3-2012 for Exterior Enclosures provides additional guidance.

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The Future of BECx7

LEED ver 4:

� Enhanced Commissioning (4+2 credits)

− Option 2. Envelope commissioning (2 points)

− Fulfill the requirements in EA Prerequisite Fundamental Commissioning and Verification as they apply to the building’s thermal envelope in addition to mechanical and electrical systems and assemblies.

− Complete the following commissioning process (CxP) activities for the building’s thermal envelope in accordance with ASHRAE Guideline 0–2005 and the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) Guideline 3–2012

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Summary

Simply

Set goals, check goals, meet goals

Owner’s Project Requirements –

What does the client want?


… can vary tremendously…”

Timing is critical

Design it right,

test to check

QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?