Date
Inquiry

The project is already going to be granted the Cx Prerequisite and the Additional Cx Credit. As part of TMCx deliverables for the Additional Cx Credit, Commissioning agent will prepare and deliver to Patagonia a "re-commissioning" manual at the end of the project. This re-commissioning manual will consist of Cx Work Plan as well as blank copies of their Cx testing forms (Functional Performance Test forms or FPT\'s). The assumption is that the Owner would re-commission the project at some point in time in the future when Building performance metrics would need to be benchmarked and re-established. But there is no current LEED requirement for any Owner to actually use this re-commissioning manual; only that it be prepared by the CxA and given to the Owner. Taking this one step further, we will have a re-commissioning contract in place to perform all of the FPT field Cx testing work, again, in 4-5 years past the initial Building occupancy. This re-commissioning would ensure, 4-5 years from now, that the Building has been maintained properly and that the operations of the systems that were previously commissioned can again be tested and possibly adjusted to meet its earlier optimal Building operation and performance. In addition to the proposed re-commissioning work, we would also have in place a contract with the project test, adjust, and balance (TAB) contractor, for that firm to re-TAB balance the water-side and air-side TAB work at the same time the re-commissioning occurs. This would allow the client to know the TAB\'d system still demonstrate the same system and thermal performance as at the time of the Building\'s initial occupancy. If the re-TAB work indicates a reduction in system operation and/or thermal performance, the proper remedial work to those affected HVAC systems could be planned by client and their HVAC service contractors. We will have the IPMV carried out one calendar year after the recommissioning has taken place to validate the positive results of the commissioning and to establish how close the building and systems have gotten back to post construction metering data from previous years. The building meters will be read after one year of operation following recommissioning and the results reviewed/tabulated by a design professional. With good records from previous years, the Owner could do this themselves by simply comparing meter readings. To add an additional degree of credibility, a design professional could do it. Also, if the client implements an annual IPMV program of review, the fourth year IPMV will reveal which systems and to what degree things might have gotten out of calibration or adjustment. By taking these steps, we believe we\'ll go "above & beyond" what LEED expects and requires in terms of Building commissioning and can we demonstrate the client, 4-5 years from now, is still committed to ensure the Building is operating at its peak performance-best many years after the initial Building occupancy. Will this qualify for an innovation point?

Ruling

Yes, the strategy described demonstrates exemplary performance above existing LEED requirements qualifying for an innovation credit. For documentation, please provide a signed contract that is in place to ensure re-commissioning at the 4-5 year mark that includes carrying out the entire Functional Performance Tests as documented in the Re-Commissioning Manual supplied at the time of the original commissioning for the project. Consistent with the intent of EAp1 and EAc3, it should be noted that the contracted agent should be "independent" of the design and construction team. Applicable Internationally.

Internationally Applicable
On
Campus Applicable
Off