Commissioning buildings, systems using ASHRAE Standard 202

ASHRAE Standard 202-2013 was recently released, which offers guidance on the building commissioning process.

By Terrence Malloy PE, CxA, exp US Services Inc., Chicago December 27, 2013

Learning objectives

  • Gain a basic understanding of the commissioning process.
  • Learn about ASHRAE Standard 202.
  • Examine some real-world examples of why commissioning is needed. 

We hear a lot about commissioning (Cx) and retro-commissioning (RCx) these days, but what do we really know about it, and what standards do we use to ensure that it is done correctly? ASHRAE’s answer to that question is the 2013 edition of ASHRAE Standard 202: Commissioning Process for Buildings and Systems. Its purpose is to ensure the proper procedures, protocols, and documentation are used in the completion of all building and systems commissioning. It identifies the minimum acceptable commissioning process that must be used.

The standard was developed by taking best practices from ASHRAE Guideline 0-2005, The Commissioning Process, which was first published in 1989 and then revised in 1996. The current Guideline 0-2005 was compiled by ASHRAE and the National Institute of Building Sciences to provide the guidelines for a universal commissioning process.

Standard 202 is designed to benefit the building industry by ensuring that all participants follow the owner’s process for verifying and documenting that the performance of buildings and systems meets defined criteria. The standard was officially approved by ASHRAE at its June 2013 meeting.

This article will discuss the basics of Standard 202-2013, but more importantly provide several examples from recent RCx projects that show that commissioning really is needed.

In summary, the standard describes the commissioning process, the role of the commissioning authority (CxA), and a framework for developing the owner’s project requirements (OPR), basis of design (BOD), commissioning plan, specifications, procedures, documentation, and reports. This standard also describes the general requirements for a training program for continued successful system and equipment performance. It addresses the need for a document with more detail and content than was previously available.

Whereas Guideline 0-2005 provided suggestions and guides through the Cx process, Standard 202 details the mandatory requirements of Cx that can be used and adopted by code officials. The new standard restates the same information contained in Guideline 0-2005 and also provides the minimum requirements for the owner and the Cx team. It details the mandatory role for the owner in defining requirements and developing the OPR. The main points are:

1. Purpose: The purpose is to identify the minimum acceptable commissioning process for buildings and systems.

2. Scope: This standard provides procedures, methods, and documentation requirements for each activity for project delivery from predesign through occupancy and operation, including:

  • Overview of commissioning process activities
  • Description of each process step’s minimum activities
  • Minimum documentation requirements
  • Acceptance requirements. 

3. Utilization:

Activity Deliverable
Initiate Cx process Roles and responsibilities
Decide project requirements Owner’s project requirements
Develop Cx plan Cx process plan
Design approach to requirements Basis of design
Set contractor Cx requirements Cx specifications
Review design to requirements Design review report
Review submittals Submittal review report
Observe and test Construction checklists and reports
Resolve issues Issues and resolution log
Assemble systems manual Systems manual
Conduct training Training plans and records
Post-occupancy operation End-of-warranty Cx report
Assemble Cx report Cx report

4. Initiation of the commissioning process: The standard delineates the owner’s responsibilities including CxA selection and development of the OPR, and also lists the overall Cx requirements.

5. OPR: The standard states that the OPR should be developed by the owner and the CxA during the pre-design phase, and list all of the systems to be commissioned. At a minimum, the OPR should contain the following:

  • Facility use and operating schedule
  • Energy and efficiency goals
  • Indoor space requirements such as temperature, ventilation, etc.
  • List of all systems/equipment to be commissioned
  • Project schedule
  • Testing and sampling procedures
  • Training requirements
  • Submittal requirements
  • Cx report format.

OPR should be included in contract documents for informational purposes, and be updated regularly throughout the Cx process to reflect any changes necessitated by the owner.

6. Commissioning plan: This provides the organizational plan and requisite documentation including:

  • Overview of Cx process specific to the current project
  • Roles of the Cx team
  • Cx activities and schedules
  • List and formats of all Cx evaluations and testing form
  • List of systems to be commissioned and specific evaluation procedures for each. 

7. BOD: The BOD lists the design team’s approach to meeting the OPR, and provides the owner with a better understanding of the design issues. The BOD is submitted by the design team to both the owner and the CxA and should contain:

  • Design assumptions and attention to the OPR
  • Consideration of design alternatives opportunities for improved performance
  • Proper location of equipment
  • Coordination of applicable technical and code requirements.  

8. Contractor and supplier requirements: The applicable Cx process specifications and requirements shall be included in all contracts with contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, service providers, and manufacturers for the systems and equipment being commissioned. Contractors, suppliers, etc., shall provide the required documentation as defined in the contract documents. Examples of these documents include submittals, shop drawings, installation manuals, operations and maintenance (O&M) manuals, and existing conditions documentation.

9. Design review: The CxA shall perform a review of the design documents to ensure that they comply with the OPR before construction documents are issued. A copy of this review shall be included in the final commissioning report. The CxA shall provide a design review report with comments, questions, and observations to the owner and design teams for compliance with the OPR. This design review is not design peer or code review.

10. Commissioning submittal review: The Cx team shall perform a review of the requisite submittal documents for all systems being commissioned, to ensure that they comply with the OPR. The CxA shall submit a written report to the owner and design authority. A copy of this review shall be included in the final commissioning report.

11. Construction observation and testing: The proper installation, operation, and systems interaction shall be tested and verified for all equipment listed in the Cx plan. This step in the process shall consist of:

  • Systems evaluation including detailed equipment information such as model, serial numbers, and nameplate data, and condition of equipment upon delivery.
  • Establishment of specific test procedures and sampling quantities for systems containing large numbers of components.
  • Execution of test procedures repeated as often as needed until systems are in compliance with requirements. The CxA witnesses and documents these tests.
  • Any equipment or system that fails to meet requirements in a timely manner is assigned an issue number and recorded in the issue and resolution log.

12. Issues and resolution documentation: The Cx team shall develop a formal issues and resolution log, and document any open or continuing item from the Cx progress reports. The log will list all continuing items along with the person/organization responsible for their resolution. The log will be maintained throughout the project until all issues are resolved, or accepted by the owner.

 13. Systems manual: This shall provide the information needed to understand, operate, and maintain the building’s systems. It is provided to the owner for training purposes, and should contain the following:

  • Executive summary
  • Facility design and construction: copies of OPR and BOD
  • Building systems: equipment specifications, contractor submittals, manufacturers’ O&M data
  • Facility operations: equipment operating schedules, control sequences and setpoints, operating plan
  • Training: training plan and materials, training records
  • Final commissioning report: Cx plan, testing and evaluation reports, design review report, and issues and resolution log.  

14. Training plan: O&M personnel and occupants shall be trained in the operation and maintenance of the commissioned systems. The training plan should contain:

  • Outline of instructional topics addressing the design, operation, and maintenance of specific systems and equipment.
  • The location and minimum duration of training sessions, along with the instructors’ qualifications, and training records.
  • A copy of the plan shall be included in the systems manual. 

15. Post-occupancy operation: The post-occupancy activities begin at substantial completion and include any delayed or seasonal testing not yet completed. Also, any warranty issues should be dealt with at this time. The owner or general contractor is responsible for contractor call-backs. At the conclusion of the post-occupancy operations, the systems manual, testing documentation, and final Cx report shall be submitted to the owner.

16. Commissioning report: The final Cx report shall summarize the Cx process and building operations, and be submitted to the owner. It shall contain the Cx plan and results of that plan. An executive summary will identify all systems commissioned and the location of the final OPR and BOD documents and project record drawings. It should also contain the following:

  • The final Cx process plans
  • Copies of design and submittals review reports
  • A completed copy of the CxA evaluations and start-up and test forms
  • Copies of all of the Cx progress reports
  • A copy of the issues and resolutions log and descriptions of measures taken for resolving all issues
  • A list and explanation of any systems that do not perform in accordance with the OPR
  • A resolution plan approved by the owner for any incomplete issues or testing and the party responsible for their resolution. 

Cx in the real world

As important as the Cx process is, in reality it is often not completed thoroughly, if at all. The examples in this article reveal projects in which one or more of the critical commissioning process steps were not completed properly—or were omitted entirely. The consequences of these omissions became apparent in the forms of high energy use, poor system operations, and occupant comfort complaints.

The four examples cited are indicative of what we find almost everywhere, and clearly indicate the need for more complete and rigorous commissioning. The new ASHRAE Standard 202 provides an excellent and straightforward manual from which to complete the commissioning process.


Terrence Malloy is project manager for the energy solutions group at exp US Services Inc. He focuses on energy conservation, retro-commissioning, and renewable energy systems.