Charles Jackson III, P.E., PMP, CxA, LEED AP, CMTA, Inc., presents an article “Past, Present & Future of Commissioning Trends” with HVAC/P magazine.

When I stepped onto my first commissioning site in 2007, we carried binders thicker than building permits. Back then, documentation lived in Word and Excel files. We walked around with binders that held all the documentation and final reports and systems manuals read like multi-volume novels requiring at least six copies for delivery to the client. The scope was modest, primarily focusing on HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) with minimal electrical requirements. LED lighting was gaining traction in the industry. Commissioning requirements were limited primarily to government and early Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design projects.

The commissioning process, as defined by ASHRAE and referenced in the ACG Building Systems Commissioning Guideline, is a quality-focused process for enhancing the delivery of a project. The process, vital for every project, focuses on verifying and documenting that all of the commissioned systems and assemblies are planned, designed, installed, tested, operated and maintained to meet the owner’s project requirements.