Building Commissioning

Design Guideline 4.3 “Building Commissioning” provides an overview of the U-M building commissioning (Cx) process and defines the Architect/Engineer’s responsibilities in the Cx process.

Design Guideline 4.3.1 “Design-Phase Commissioning” is the procedure by which the Commissioning Authority (CxA) shall assist a project’s U-M Design Manager by participating in the technical decisions affecting the project’s mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) design.

Design Guideline 4.3.2 “MEP Design Coordination” is the procedure by which the CxA shall assist a project’s U-M Design Manager by actively managing all technical aspects of the project’s MEP design.

Design Guideline 4.3.3 “Full Construction Phase Commissioning” is the procedure by which the CxA shall direct construction-phase Cx on new buildings and major building renovation projects (including projects pursuing LEED® Certification).

Design Guideline 4.3.4 “Reduced Scope Construction Phase Commissioning” is the procedure by which the CxA shall direct construction-phase Cx on small projects, typically projects consisting of a single system with a few pieces of equipment.

Design Guideline 4.3.5 “Commissioning Plan Procedure” defines the process for developing and maintaining a Commissioning Plan that the CxA must follow for projects undergoing Full Construction Phase Commissioning.

Design Guideline 4.3.6 “Commissioning General Procedures” describes the procedures the CxA must follow regarding conducting Cx meetings, providing Cx reports, obtaining operation and maintenance (O&M) manuals for the Owner, and managing and conducting Owner training.

U-M Master Specification Section 019100 “Project Commissioning” is a CSI-formatted generic specification section that specifies the contractors’ requirements related to the U-M Cx process.  During the Contract Documents design phase, the A/E shall make this specification section project specific and include it in the project’s construction specifications.

U-M Master Specification Section 017823 “Operation and Maintenance Manuals” is a CSI-formatted generic specification section that specifies the contractor’s and CxA’s requirements related to operation and maintenance manuals. During the Contract Documents design phase, the Architect/Engineer shall make this section project specific and include it in the project’s construction specifications. During construction, the CxA shall review and approve the contractors’ completed O&M manuals.

The “Generic Sample Commissioning Plan” is the basis for the project’s Cx manual, and is referenced in U-M Master Specification Section 019100 “Project Commissioning”.  At the beginning of construction, the CxA will make this sample plan project specific and give it to the contractors.  The contractors together with the CxA shall complete the project-specific manual by gathering the requested information and by performing the specified Cx tasks.  On a large project, consider incorporating the sample plan as a reference document in the construction documents.

The “Unit Substation Energization Requirements” checklist compiles the requirements that must be completed before a new unit substation can be energized.  To ensure personnel and equipment safety, dozens of requirements from the construction documents, State of Michigan codes, national standards, OSHA regulations, and U-M operational procedures must be completed before energization.  This list summarizes the requirements to reduce last minute surprises and energization delays

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