full-scope commissioning - bcxa commissioning ... we interview them separately in conjunction with...
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Pieter L. van der Mersch, PE, QCxPUniversity of Colorado Boulder
Full-Scope Commissioningfor High-Quality Buildings
21st National Conference on Building Commissioning
AIA Quality Assurance
The Building Commissioning Association is a Registered Provider with The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems (AIA/CES). Credit(s) earned on completion of this program will be reported to AIA/CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon request.
This program is registered with AIA/CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product.
Questions related to specific materials, methods, and services will be addressed at the conclusion of this presentation.
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Presentation DescriptionIn the late 1980s, the University of Colorado - Boulder embarked on a journey of improving the quality of new buildings and major renovations, which resulted in what we now call Full-Scope Commissioning.
As we progressed, this became our vision:
“A proactive team approach to systems design and construction with well-defined functional expectations, design review, construction inspection, performance verification and operational training, to satisfy user needs, and achieve efficient and safe building operation, and cost-effective maintenance.” 21st NCBC Conference
At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
1. Get insights on how we developed the FCx Process
2. Embrace the huge benefits of being pro-active
3. Instill buy-in for the various elements of the process
4. Encourage strong participation and communication
Learning Objectives
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University of Colorado Boulder
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Campus Information 33,000 Students
6,800 Teaching, Administration and Research StaffOver 100 buildings of significant size:
11+ million square feet About equal space for Classrooms,
Research, Housing, Offices and Athletics/Recreation
Several over 100 years old600+ Acres
$280+ Million per year in Research
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Overview1
• Goals for High-Quality Buildings• Design and Construction Standards• Program Plans • Selection of Consultants• Design Process• Construction Process
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Overview L
• Start-up and Testing• Orientation / Training• Close-out• Warranty• Evaluation of Project and Participants
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Goals for High-Quality BuildingsBuilding-User satisfactionFunctionalitySafety AppearanceReliabilityServiceabilityEnergy-efficiencyReplaceability of components
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Design and Construction Standards Help us communicate our needs, experience and
expectations consistently. They help achieve our goals in a cost-effective
manner. For use by design consultants and standing-order
contractors. We update them yearly.
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Program PlansPlans are developed and submitted for approval after review by UCB:PlannersEngineersShop StaffConstruction Manager if assigned
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We select architect (only) first.
Architect submits the names of three sub-consultants per discipline.
We interview them separately in conjunction with the architect.
We decide as a group which sub-consultants are best for the project (not necessarily from the same firm).
Selection of Consultants
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Architect and Engineer meet with us (e.g., UCB Engineering and Shops) to: Clarify any questions regarding the StandardsShare insight with her/him on existing conditions in a
building (in the case of renovations)Share some ideas of what design concepts have
worked well for us.
We provide and review the Design Guidelines.
Pre-design Meeting1
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General
Follow the UCB Design and Construction Standards
Make sure to read the design guidelines in each section of the Standards
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HVAC
Include a heating source in all vestibules/airlocks and stairwells with exterior walls.
Match heating and cooling zones, and control with one heating/cooling thermostat per zone.
The use of fan-powered boxes is typically not acceptable, unless they are the only heating source (discuss with UCB engineer).
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Resource Conservation (for your information)
The following minimum building insulation values shall be provided:
R19 for walls and R30 for roofs, including stairwells and elevator shafts with exterior walls.
Confirm that architect is incorporating these into the design before performing load calculations.
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Pre-design Meeting L - Excerpt of Guidelines
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Have been performing design reviews “forever”, and now with Shop staff participation.
Have streamlined the review process. Reviews are for compliance with codes and UCB
Standards, and our prior-project experience.We submit written comments with red-lined drawings
and specs.
Design reviews1
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We are involved with the consultants throughout the design process.
Consultants can meet with us during any of our bi-weekly Shop-Tech Meetings or upon request.
We submit comments at every stage of the formal reviews:
- Schematic - Design Development (30%)
- 60%, and 100%. No 95% reviews.
Design reviews2
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We review designs with these this in mind:
Our customers are the Building Users and the Shops.Maintainability and replaceability “Good” design:
- compliance with Codes and UCB Standards- simple & not too conservative
- well thought out - clearly drawn and specified, etc.
Energy and Water efficiencyCost-reduction opportunities (true value engineering)
Design reviews3
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We inform the prospective bidders about our expectations:
We take the specifications and codes seriously.They need to be truly committed to following them.We need to have tradespersons who have experience
doing this type of work.The buildings are likely to not be renovated for 100+
years.
Pre-bid presentation
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Well-informed qualified foremen make a tremendous difference.
Once the bids are in, and before awarding the contract: • Qualifications of the foremen are required for
approval of the contractor.• We review the qualifications of the contractors. • We have interviewed the proposed foremen prior to
acceptance.
Approval of foremen
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Extremely valuable to the University and the Contractors
We remind the Foremen:Read Specs and Division 1!They need to be pro-active regarding space conflicts or
possible design errors.Call for inspection of first installations of piping, plumbing
and sheet-metal.Essential that equipment is accessible and maintainable.
Pre-construction meetings1
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Final product depends on a partnership among all the participants.
We provide lists of the typical misunderstandings, oversights and mistakes made in past projects (Oops Lists): Sheetmetal, Piping, Plumbing, Controls, Electrical, Structural
We review them with all the installation technicians as soon as they are on site.
Pre-construction meetings 2
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Excerpt of one of the Oops ListsMECHANICAL SYSTEMSInstallation RequirementsCONSTRUCTIONDrains shall be in "low" part of floor, and able to take water. Mech-room floors shall be properly sealed, and floor penetrations sleeved or curbed. Mech-room floors not on grade shall be water-proofed.********INSTALLATIONAccessibility to equipment; i.e., not over 5 feet high or in out-of-reach places.All equipment should be installed with maintenance and repair in mind; especially, room to pull equipment for repair.All floor-mounted equipment shall be anchored (shimmed, level and grouted).Verify mounting of pumps before running piping to equipment. Follow manufacturer's guidelines. Recheck alignment after installation.
Pre-construction meetings L
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Construction permits
We are responsible for all code inspections (like a City or County building department).
Building, Electrical, Fire-Protection, Civil, Mechanical and Plumbing
They are required for all projects.
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Review of submittals
They are done in conjunction with the consulting engineer.
We provide our comments to engineer, who presents combined comments to contractor.
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Inspections
Inspection Cards
Inspection Requests (w/ space for inspection reports)
Always looking for ways to improve the inspection process
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Inspection Process1
Pre-installation inspection of typical components First-installation inspectionsCompliance with codes
(e.g., IBC, UPC, IMC, etc.)Following construction standards
(e.g., SMACNA, UCB Standards in Specs)
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Inspection Process L
Supplements the observationsperformed by consultants:General compliance with Contract Docs.Witnessing of pressure tests (to reduce consultant
visits/costs)Quality assurance of the workHigh-lighting drawings when doing partial inspections
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Testing and Balancing
UCB requires that pre-approved testing and balancing contractors bid to the General Contractor
“the testing and balancing contractor is required to review and approve, in writing, the type and location of the balancing devices provided and installed by the mechanical contractor”
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Start-up & Testing (Commissioning)
Start-up and Testing Schedule
S & T Forms provided by us
Preparation of S & T Manual (by contractors)
S & T Process
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Partial List of S & T Checklists Mechanical Pre-Operational Verification General Verification List Air Handling Unit Automatic Temperature Control System Boiler CHW Cooling Coils Condensing Water - Hydronic Piping and Specialties Chiller Chilled Water - Hydronic Piping and Specialties Cooling Tower Ductwork Fire Dampers HW Heating Coils HW Heating - Hydronic Piping and Specialties Pump Steam and Condensate Piping
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We review independently from the consulting engineer
Electronic word-searchable manuals are expected to include IndexWarranty datesCutsheets of all the approved componentsO & M instructionsBalancing Report
O&M Manuals
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We review independently from the consulting engineer.
We check for general compliance to Contract Documents and Performance Expectations
Balancing report
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We review independently from the consulting engineer.
Confirm that drawings are updated to include true as-built conditions.
We require that they include the information of the equipment actually installed.
As-built drawings
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Should match the complexity of the systems (Specs should reflect this.)
Provide to all appropriate maintenance personnel and building users.
Orientation/training
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Consistent pre-design meetings with consultantsPromote and maintain the spirit of teamwork
among the architect, engineers and UCB staff.User/Designer understanding of system expectations,
capabilities and limitations: Perceived needs & desiresOptionsCosts and cost-reduction opportunities
Challenges1
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Consistent pre-bid & pre-construction meetings with contractors
Pre-approval of contractor foremen Inspection of fittings and first installations to check for
quality and conformance to specsMore random and periodic inspectionsEarly job observations with consultants to assure
contractors meet our expectations
Challenges2
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Orientation walk-throughs for shop personnel and orientation of building users: Consistent
Delivery of as-builts based on redlined drawings: Consistent and timely
Delivery of O&M manuals: Consistent and timely
Post-construction evaluations: Perform consistently
Challenges L
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THANK YOUPieter L. van der Mersch, PE, QCxPManager, Facilities Mechanical Engineering
University of Colorado Boulder
453 UCB
Boulder, CO 80309-0453