COMMISSIONING: LIMITED BY DESIGN

What exactly is the point of the commissioning process? And why are commissioning agents required to refrain from providing solutions to the problems they uncover? A response from one of our Commissioning agents to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding commissioning restrictions is presented here.

What are the benefits of putting in a commission order?

Building commissioning refers to the process of bringing in a third party that was not involved in the design or construction of the project in order to verify that the systems and equipment that were installed live up to the expectations of the design. Building owners generally collaborate with architects and engineers in the beginning phases of a project to develop a plan for the construction endeavor. The contractors are responsible for putting that plan into action. It is the responsibility of the commissioning agent to ascertain whether or not the final product of the project complies with the plans that were designed and meets the objectives that the owner set for the undertaking.

What advantages does it provide to have commissioning as part of a project?

The level of attention to detail—or lack thereof—that everyone participating in a project demonstrates can have a significant impact on the project's overall level of success. In the end, the owner is the one who pays the price if there are mistakes in the design elements or if the contractors do not follow the plans. Commissioning service providers contribute value by recognizing and diagnosing these faults, as well as by facilitating communication between the design team and the installing contractors, with the goal of reducing the amount of problems that the owner inherits upon completion of the project.

Why don't those in charge of commissioning just address the problems they uncover?

After the highlighted problems have been discussed, the commissioning provider may be asked for their stamp of approval or for some direction by the contractors. It would be irresponsible for me, as a commissioning provider, to take responsibility in making decisions that lie within the expertise of the design team or other specialists, despite the fact that I am eager to assist in finding a solution. In the event that the purpose of the design does not appear to be met, it is essential that the appropriate individuals be included in the process of decision making. The commissioning process has been restricted on purpose.