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LEED v2009
Schools
Energy and Atmosphere
Enhanced Commissioning

LEED CREDIT

Schools-2009 EAc3: Enhanced Commissioning 1-2 points

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Scott Bowman

Integrated Design + Energy Advisors, LLC
LEED Fellow

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Requirements

Implement, or have a contract in place to implement, the following additional commissioning process activities in addition to the requirements of EA Prerequisite 1: Fundamental Commissioning of Building Energy Systems and in accordance with the LEED Reference Guide for Green Building Design and Construction, 2009 Edition:

  • Prior to the start of the construction documents phase, designate an independent commissioning authority (CxA) to lead, review, and oversee the completion of all commissioning process activities.
    • The CxA must have documented commissioning authority experience in at least 2 building projects.
    • The individual serving as the CxA:
      • Must be independent of the work of design and construction.
      • Must not be an employee of the design firm, though he or she may be contracted through them.
      • Must not be an employee of, or contracted through, a contractor or construction manager holding construction contracts.
      • May be a qualified employee or consultant of the owner.
    • The CxA must report results, findings and recommendations directly to the owner.
  • The CxA must conduct, at a minimum, 1 commissioning design review of the owner’s project requirements basis of design, and design documents prior to the midconstruction documents phase and back-check the review comments in the subsequent design submission.
  • The CxA must review contractor submittals applicable to systems being commissioned for compliance with the owner’s project requirements and basis of design. This review must be concurrent with the review of the architect or engineer of record and submitted to the design team and the owner.
  • The CxA or other project team members must develop a systems manual that provides future operating staff the information needed to understand and optimally operate the commissioned systems.
  • The CxA or other project team members must verify that the requirements for training operating personnel and building occupants have been completed.
  • The CxA must be involved in reviewing the operation of the building with operations and maintenance (O&M) staff and occupants within 10 months after substantial completion. A plan for resolving outstanding commissioning-related issues must be included.
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Cost estimates for this credit

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Frequently asked questions

Who can perform enhanced commissioning services?

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If my project uses a District Energy System (DES) is enhanced commissioning required for the DES?

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See all forum discussions about this credit »

Checklists

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Documentation toolkit

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Credit achievement rate

XX%

Upgrade to LEEDuser Premium to see how many projects achieved this credit. Try it free »

LEEDuser expert

Scott Bowman

Integrated Design + Energy Advisors, LLC
LEED Fellow

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USGBC logo

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

Requirements

Implement, or have a contract in place to implement, the following additional commissioning process activities in addition to the requirements of EA Prerequisite 1: Fundamental Commissioning of Building Energy Systems and in accordance with the LEED Reference Guide for Green Building Design and Construction, 2009 Edition:

  • Prior to the start of the construction documents phase, designate an independent commissioning authority (CxA) to lead, review, and oversee the completion of all commissioning process activities.
    • The CxA must have documented commissioning authority experience in at least 2 building projects.
    • The individual serving as the CxA:
      • Must be independent of the work of design and construction.
      • Must not be an employee of the design firm, though he or she may be contracted through them.
      • Must not be an employee of, or contracted through, a contractor or construction manager holding construction contracts.
      • May be a qualified employee or consultant of the owner.
    • The CxA must report results, findings and recommendations directly to the owner.
  • The CxA must conduct, at a minimum, 1 commissioning design review of the owner’s project requirements basis of design, and design documents prior to the midconstruction documents phase and back-check the review comments in the subsequent design submission.
  • The CxA must review contractor submittals applicable to systems being commissioned for compliance with the owner’s project requirements and basis of design. This review must be concurrent with the review of the architect or engineer of record and submitted to the design team and the owner.
  • The CxA or other project team members must develop a systems manual that provides future operating staff the information needed to understand and optimally operate the commissioned systems.
  • The CxA or other project team members must verify that the requirements for training operating personnel and building occupants have been completed.
  • The CxA must be involved in reviewing the operation of the building with operations and maintenance (O&M) staff and occupants within 10 months after substantial completion. A plan for resolving outstanding commissioning-related issues must be included.

XX%

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Got the gist of EAc3 but not sure how to actually achieve it? LEEDuser gives step-by-step help. Premium members get:

  • Checklists covering all the key action steps you'll need to earn the credit.
  • Hot tips to give you shortcuts and avoid pitfalls.
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  • Ideas for going beyond LEED with best practices.
  • All checklists organized by project phase.
  • On-the-fly suggestions of useful items from the Documentation Toolkit and Credit Language.

In the end, LEED is all about documentation. LEEDuser’s Documentation Toolkit, for premium members only, saves you time and helps you avoid mistakes with:

  • Calculators to help assess credit compliance.
  • Tracking spreadsheets for materials purchases.
  • Spreadsheets and forms to give to subs and other team members.
  • Guidance documents on arcane LEED issues.
  • Sample templates to help guide your narratives and LEED Online submissions.
  • Examples of actual submissions from certified LEED projects.

Who can perform enhanced commissioning services?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

If my project uses a District Energy System (DES) is enhanced commissioning required for the DES?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

LEEDuser expert

Scott Bowman

Integrated Design + Energy Advisors, LLC
LEED Fellow

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