We have a LEED v2009 CS Project - existing building major renovation. Most of the systems will not be touched and there will be the addition of a couple new mechanical units. We understand that all of the new units will need to be commissioned, however it is not clear if the existing systems will need to be commissioned as well? Please advise.
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Scott Bowman
LEED FellowIntegrated Design + Energy Advisors, LLC
LEEDuser Expert
519 thumbs up
January 8, 2016 - 2:48 pm
CS is not like CI, it is really a form of New Construction, or in this case, a Major Renovation. It appears that you are rehabbing a building into a new managed property, so all systems would need to be commissioned. The existing units are just part of the overall system and must be included as such. This would be the case for your energy model as well, since the performance must be determined for the new configuration of the building.
Donald Green
Sr Project Manager / Operations ManagerProgressive AE
35 thumbs up
January 11, 2016 - 7:57 am
If we are not touching a system(s), why would we need to commission it? I would understand if we touched something then we have altered it, therefore we would need to commission it. But not if we have not touched it or altered the system(s) in any way. Is there any guidance on this perspective?
Scott Bowman
LEED FellowIntegrated Design + Energy Advisors, LLC
LEEDuser Expert
519 thumbs up
January 11, 2016 - 11:37 am
There is no direct guidance in a manner that you are asking. Very few things in LEED are direct yes/no or look it up kinds of answers, because every project is unique and different. I am sharing my opinion based on many years of experience, not a spokesperson for USGBC or GBCI. You can always ask for a CI or a conference call to discuss this, and I highly recommend the latter as a start.
My answer is based on how I understand the intent of the credit, and best practice (what you should do versus what the minimum allowed is). You are rehabbing an existing building (or at least you have not said differently yet). Most codes will consider this a change in use, so you have to bring the building up to current codes. This (and LEED) requires the systems to be brought to current standards for comfort, ventilation, etc. The units are going to be central to the energy modeling too; since they are installed, you have to model them in CS.
How can you confirm the units are meeting standards and performing in the way needed if you don't commission them?