Commissioning & Retro-Commissioning Services
Commissioning is a systematic quality assurance process that helps clients verify that their building systems are performing according to design intentions. The commissioning of existing buildings, referred to as retro-commissioning, allows clients who did not initially test their buildings systems immediately post-construction (i.e. through commissioning) to examine their current performance and safeguard their building systems’ efficiency for the future.
As part of our (retro-)commissioning services, SWA identifies and corrects defects, revises operating protocol, calibrates and sequences systems, directs equipment maintenance and trains building owners and maintenance staff in proper maintenance and operation.
SWA provides commissioning services for educational, commercial and multifamily projects. Often, SWA acts as the Commissioning Authority (CxA), energy consultant, and LEED® certification consultant on a project. The LEED rating systems award credits for, and in some cases, require commissioning/retro-commissioning.
New Retro-Commissioning requirements in NYC
Beginning in 2009, the City of New York passed several Local Laws collectively known as the Greener, Greater Buildings Plan. As part of the City’s larger sustainability plan, PlaNYC, the Greener, Greater Buildings Plan radically changes the landscape of building efficiency — and building efficiently — in NYC.
Several SWA leaders participated on the Mayor’s PlaNYC Task Force as expert industry consultants in the formation of the new laws; we approach compliance with the most sophisticated understanding of the new requirements and their future implications.
Local Law 87 (Auditing & Retro-Commissioning in Buildings Over 50,000 sf):
Beginning in 2013, commercial building owners will also be required, every ten years, to conduct and submit an energy audit and retro-commissioning report on all buildings over 50,000 sf to the Department of Finance.
SWA professionals are prepared not only to conduct a Local Law 87-compliant energy audit and to perform required retro-commissioning, but also to provide design and oversight of retrofit implementation and to submit all necessary documents and records for full compliance.
Learn more about the Greener, Greater Buildings Plan and SWA’s Compliance Services.
New Stretch Energy Code in Massachusetts
As of July 2010, the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC 2009) has become the new energy portion of Massachusetts’ building code. Over forty-five cities and towns in the state have adopted this optional energy code, requiring home owners and residential and commercial developers to build more responsibly and to seek out commissioning services.
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