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LEED v4.1

Core and Shell
Energy and Atmosphere
Fundamental Commissioning and Verification

LEED CREDIT

CS-v4.1 EAp1: Fundamental commissioning and verification Required

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View the LEED v4 version of this credit »

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Credit language

USGBC logo

© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.

Intent

To support the design, construction, and eventual operation of a project that meets the owner’s project requirements for energy, water, indoor environmental quality, and durability.

Requirements

Commissioning Process Scope
Complete the following commissioning (Cx) process activities for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and renewable energy systems and assemblies, in accordance with ASHRAE Guideline 0-2013 and ASHRAE Guideline 1.1–2007 for HVAC&R Systems, as they relate to energy, water, indoor environmental quality, and durability.
  • Develop the OPR.
  • Develop a BOD.
The commissioning authority (CxA) must do the following:
  • Review the OPR, BOD, and project design.
  • Develop and implement a Cx plan.
  • Confirm incorporation of Cx requirements into the construction documents.
  • Develop construction checklists.
  • Develop a system test procedure.
  • Verify system test execution.
  • Maintain an issues and benefits log throughout the Cx process.
  • Prepare a final Cx process report.
  • Document all findings and recommendations and report directly to the owner throughout the process.
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. ASTM E2947-16: Standard Guide for Building Enclosure Commissioning provides additional guidance.

The review of the exterior enclosure design may be performed by a qualified independent member of the design or construction team (or an employee of that firm) who is not directly responsible for design of the building enclosure for the project.
Commissioning Authority Qualifications
By the end of the design development phase, engage a commissioning authority with the following qualifications.
  • The CxA must have documented commissioning process experience on at least two building projects with a similar scope of work. The experience must extend from early design phase through at least 10 months of occupancy;
  • The CxA may be a qualified employee of the owner, an independent consultant, an employee of the design or construction firm who is not part of the project’s design or construction team, or a disinterested subcontractor of the design or construction team.
    • For projects smaller than 20,000 square feet (1 860 square meters), the CxA may be a qualified member of the design or construction team.
In all cases, the CxA must report his or her findings directly to the owner.

Current Facilities Requirements and Operations and Maintenance Plan
Prepare and maintain a current facilities requirements and operations and maintenance plan that contains the information necessary to operate the building efficiently. The plan must include the following:
  • a sequence of operations for the building;
  • the building occupancy schedule;
  • equipment run-time schedules;
  • setpoints for all HVAC equipment;
  • set lighting levels throughout the building;
  • minimum outside air requirements;
  • any changes in schedules or setpoints for different seasons, days of the week, and times of day;
  • a systems narrative describing the mechanical and electrical systems and equipment;
  • a preventive maintenance plan for building equipment described in the systems narrative; and
  • a commissioning program that includes periodic commissioning requirements, ongoing commissioning tasks, and continuous tasks for critical facilities.
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Addenda

2/1/2021 – Updated: 11/12/2021
Rating System Correction
Description of change:
v4.1 BD+C, ID+C EA prerequisite Fundamental Commissioning and Verification:

1. Under Commissioning Authority Qualifications, delete the following sentence: "Project teams that intend to pursue EA Credit Enhanced Commissioning should note a difference in the CxA qualifications: for the credit, the CxA may not be an employee of the design or construction firm nor a subcontractor to the construction firm."

v4.1 BD+C EA credit Enhanced Commissioning:

1. Under Commissioning Authority Qualifications, revise the second bullet to read as follows: "The CxA may be a qualified employee of the owner, an independent consultant, an employee of the design or construction firm who is not part of the project’s design or construction team, or a disinterested subcontractor of the design team."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
2/19/2021 – Updated: 3/1/2021
Form Update
Description of change:
Fundamental Commissioning and Verification form edits:

1. Under "Commissioning Authority" section, delete the following note:
"If pursuing EAc Enhanced Commissioning, the CxA may not be an employee of the design or construction firm nor a subcontractor to the construction firm."

2. Under "Commissioning Activities" heading, in the sentence "The commissioning authority (CxA) has completed the following tasks for all mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and renewable energy systems:" add the phrase "or will complete" after the word "completed".

3. Under "Table: Commissioning systems scope" revise the sentence that begins "Indicate whether the following..." to read as follows:
"Indicate whether the following subsystems are included in the commissioning scope."

4. Under the last upload button titled "Upload an executive summary of the commissioning report that includes a list of systems commissioned (and by whom), a summary of issues corrected, and a list of major outstanding/unresolved issues." add the following note:

"For projects submitted for LEED construction preliminary phase review less than three months after project occupancy: If commissioning is incomplete, in addition to an executive summary of the commissioning report, provide a detailed list of the construction phase commissioning tasks that have not been completed, with a specific timeline for anticipated completion. Include an affidavit signed by the commissioning authority affirming that all unfinished tasks will be completed by the CxA."

Enhanced Commissioning form edits:

1. At the top of the form, below the sentence "Upload documentation demonstrating the commissioning authority's appropriate project experience for at least two similar projects of comparable size. Include the individual's name, certifications, company, and any other relevant information.", add the following sentence:

"If the CxA is an employee of the design or construction firm, upload documentation confirming: that the CxA has no responsibilities related to project design or construction; the CxA is reporting all findings to and communicating directly with the building owner; and the owner has signed off on this arrangement."

2. Delete the following note under the Add File button:

"Note: The CxA may not be an employee of the design or construction firm nor a subcontractor to the construction firm".

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
2/1/2021 – Updated: 2/5/2021
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
Under "Further Explanation" section, add new section titled "Commissioning Authority Qualifications" above the section "Related Credit Tips":

"Commissioning Authority Qualifications
Delete the phrase “If the project is pursuing fundamental commissioning only” in the second paragraph.

In Table 1. Who can be the CxA:
 Revise the heading “be CxA for…” to “be CxA” in the right column
 Delete the subheading “fundamental Cx” in the right column
 Delete subheading “enhanced Cx” and all rows beneath it in the far right column of the table "
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
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USGBC logo

© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.

Intent

To support the design, construction, and eventual operation of a project that meets the owner’s project requirements for energy, water, indoor environmental quality, and durability.

Requirements

Commissioning Process Scope
Complete the following commissioning (Cx) process activities for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and renewable energy systems and assemblies, in accordance with ASHRAE Guideline 0-2013 and ASHRAE Guideline 1.1–2007 for HVAC&R Systems, as they relate to energy, water, indoor environmental quality, and durability.
  • Develop the OPR.
  • Develop a BOD.
The commissioning authority (CxA) must do the following:
  • Review the OPR, BOD, and project design.
  • Develop and implement a Cx plan.
  • Confirm incorporation of Cx requirements into the construction documents.
  • Develop construction checklists.
  • Develop a system test procedure.
  • Verify system test execution.
  • Maintain an issues and benefits log throughout the Cx process.
  • Prepare a final Cx process report.
  • Document all findings and recommendations and report directly to the owner throughout the process.
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. ASTM E2947-16: Standard Guide for Building Enclosure Commissioning provides additional guidance.

The review of the exterior enclosure design may be performed by a qualified independent member of the design or construction team (or an employee of that firm) who is not directly responsible for design of the building enclosure for the project.
Commissioning Authority Qualifications
By the end of the design development phase, engage a commissioning authority with the following qualifications.
  • The CxA must have documented commissioning process experience on at least two building projects with a similar scope of work. The experience must extend from early design phase through at least 10 months of occupancy;
  • The CxA may be a qualified employee of the owner, an independent consultant, an employee of the design or construction firm who is not part of the project’s design or construction team, or a disinterested subcontractor of the design or construction team.
    • For projects smaller than 20,000 square feet (1 860 square meters), the CxA may be a qualified member of the design or construction team.
In all cases, the CxA must report his or her findings directly to the owner.

Current Facilities Requirements and Operations and Maintenance Plan
Prepare and maintain a current facilities requirements and operations and maintenance plan that contains the information necessary to operate the building efficiently. The plan must include the following:
  • a sequence of operations for the building;
  • the building occupancy schedule;
  • equipment run-time schedules;
  • setpoints for all HVAC equipment;
  • set lighting levels throughout the building;
  • minimum outside air requirements;
  • any changes in schedules or setpoints for different seasons, days of the week, and times of day;
  • a systems narrative describing the mechanical and electrical systems and equipment;
  • a preventive maintenance plan for building equipment described in the systems narrative; and
  • a commissioning program that includes periodic commissioning requirements, ongoing commissioning tasks, and continuous tasks for critical facilities.
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