Electrical Commissioning Scope

Renee - sorry for delay, I have been on a travel/training binge lately. Not sure I can "calcification" the scope, or even give a clarification;) This particular scope items is not that changed from v2009. However, since v4 brings ASHRAE 90.1-2010 into play, that standard requires commissioning of lighting controls, and in my experience, 100% of lighting controls should be performance tested...there are too many different conditions and settings in these systems and devices to use statistical testing...in my opinion of course. In general, the commissioning scope of LEED has always centered around systems involved in using or controlling energy or water; especially anything related to LEED credits. A simple example is that a sump pump is not typically a required item in a LEED scope, but if coupled to a rainwater capture system, it would be part of the system that is saving potable water. So, in an electrical "service and distribution" system it would be items that relate to credits or are involved in controlling energy. One example I can think of would be the new Demand Control credit. You can get a point if you are "ready" to shed load if your local utility offers the service. This would mean there are controls in place that upon getting a signal can shed load in a meaningful way. That system would need to be commissioned. Another would be if advanced metering is being pursued, then all those meters would need to be commissioned. All of the above is focused on scope as required by LEED, but there are lots of very good reasons to do more extensive Cx for electrical distribution systems, especially in healthcare. But that is not the topic of this reply!

Oh yeah, just to be clear, all systems that relate to lighting, controls, and daylighting are required.

Hi Scott - have there been any updates or further clarification from GBCI on what the electrical Cx scope should entail for v4, or do you feel that projects should use the approach you described in your comment above regarding electrical 'service and distribution?' Thank you.

I have not, and typically they do not go into much more detail than they have here. The scope that I describe above should be good to meet their requirements, but I do not work for GBCI either. Just an old guy who has been around a while!

Hi Scott, Is it required to include grounding system and emergency power generation in the scope of fundamental commissioning of electrical system? Thank you for your help

Sorry for a late reply. Grounding is an important system and having it tested would be of high value, especially in any data center or laboratory. Other than observing the test there would not be much you could do other than perhaps witnessing the torque of the larger grounding conductors and perhaps observing all major connections of the grounding system to building systems and grounding rods. The generator certainly should be in the scope related to the operation of transfer switches, any automatic functions that are to happen if there is a power failure, pumping for fuel oil or other aligned systems. Life safety is something that should always be included in the Cx scope.

Hi Guys! So we asked the question directly to GBCI and they replied that "Grounding and lightning protection systems do not need to be commissioned as part of "electrical distribution."" Hope this helps!  

Good to know, thanks for sharing what you learned!

I know this subject is literally a year old, but I am still unclear as to what the scope is for commissioning of "electrical service and distribution".  Scott's response above appears to indicate that we are to commission the electrical supply to systems that control the use of energy and water.  But I would like a little more detail.  What specific tests should we be performing/monitoring?

We are having the same question about power and distribution commissioning.  After reviewing ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2013 and 2016, it appears that the focus of this effort may also need to address the controlled receptacles and power monitoring requirements of the energy code.  This would be in addition to the special cases noted above for demand load shedding, etc.

This seems to be the eternal question. There is very little guidance and the information that Gabriela is the most definitive I have seen. In many ways, treat this as a question for what you feel needs to be tested. Anything that affects the energy use of the total system must be tested, so controls on lighting and receptacles would be required. Since points are based on costs, demand limiting is an area that would require testing. Also, monitoring of circuits and what they serve should be checked. We all want detail but as with many things, you sometimes have to go back to the foundation of the requirement and develop the plan. GBCI is not going to give all the answers.

Hi! Our team understands that the commissioning scope is around systems involved in using or controlling energy or water. For Electrical, however, we'd like to verify the extent of service and distribution. Specifically the equipment included in the scope, e.g. generators and transformers  Have anyone been able to verify this issue with usgbc? Thanks.

GBCI has seemingly been resisting listing systems that must be reviewed but has said a few that are not required (see above). I recommend using engineering judgment on what electrical systems are involved in meeting the energy modeling done for the project. Emergency only generator? Probably not. Peak shaving demand control generator? Definitely yes. Lighting control? Of course. Electrical distribution? No. Energy meters for distribution? Yes.