Systems, assemblies, equipment and components will tend to shift from their as-installed conditions over time. In addition, the needs and demands of facility users typically change as a facility is used. The Post-Construction Stage allows for the continued adjustment, optimization and modification of building systems to meet specified requirements.
The objective of the Post-Construction Stage is to maintain building performance throughout the useful life of the facility. The active involvement of the Commissioning Agent and the Commissioning Team during initial facility operations is an integral aspect of the commissioning process.
Commissioning activities during Post-Construction include issues resolution, seasonal testing, delivery of the Final Commissioning Report, performing a post-occupancy review with the Customer Agency and developing a plan for recommissioning the facility throughout its life cycle.
Perform Deferred and Seasonal Testing
Due to seasonal climate conditions, not all systems can be tested at or near full load during the construction phase. For instance, testing of a boiler system might be difficult in the summer and testing of a chiller and cooling tower might be difficult in the winter. For this reason, commissioning plans shall include off-season testing to allow for testing of certain equipment under the best possible conditions.
Second, several systems may have been deferred during the initial testing for a number of reasons including incomplete prerequisite activities, phased occupancy issues, and improper testing conditions. The commissioning team must use the issues log as a guide during the post-construction stage to complete all deferred testing.
Therefore, requirements for seasonal and deferred testing must be clearly defined in the contract documents as it will require some contractor personnel to return to the site after the project is completed. It is also necessary to withhold money for this activity in addition to the traditionally withheld warranty items.
Complete Final Commissioning Report
During post-construction, the commissioning agent (CxA) is responsible for delivering a final commissioning report. The final commissioning report shall include at a minimum:
- A statement that systems have been completed in accordance with the contract documents and that the systems are performing in accordance with the final owner’s project requirements document.
- Identification and discussion of any substitutions, compromises, or variances between the final design intent, contract documents and as-built conditions
- Description of components and systems that exceed owner’s project requirements and those which do not meet the requirements and why.
- Summary of all issues resolved and unresolved and any recommendations for resolution.
- Post-construction activities and results including deferred & seasonal testing results, test data reports and additional training documentation.
- Lessons learned for future commissioning project efforts.
- Recommendations for changes to GSA standard test protocols and/or facility design standards.
- The final commissioning report will be a critical reference and benchmark document for future recommissioning of the facility.
The CxA is also responsible at this stage to ensure that the architect/engineer’s (A/E’s) update to the computer-aided-design (CAD) as-built drawings is completed.
Post Construction Activities
•Testing & Commissioning
•Final Inspection & Snagging
•Taking over Certificate
•Defects Liability Management
•Close out Report