Rebecca T. Ellis, P.E.

After 25 years, this will be my final contribution to Engineered Systems’ Commissioning column.

OPRs are intended to document, in clear, concise, and verifiable terms, the definition of success for the project.

The more automated and complex a building is, the more important it is to clarify control system technical requirements.

With proper planning early in the construction phase, commissioning activities do not need to significantly impact the critical path of construction.

The earlier the commissioning professional can review design documents and provide feedback on compliance, the less potential rework the design team may need to do.

If the owner is not committed to the success of commissioning, the commissioned project will not be as successful as it could be.

Regardless of how automated a system is, its optimal operation will depend on monitoring and human intervention.

Systems documentation is critical, because each building’s systems are unique and designed by different engineers for different purposes in different climates in different architectural enclosures in different code jurisdictions.

No matter how technically successful a project’s functional performance testing is, if the people responsible for maintaining proper operation of the new systems do not know what they need to do and why, system performance and efficiency will likely start to degrade immediately upon turnover.

Commissioning professionals should be firm but fair with project teams when representing owners' interests, as the design and construction teams are ultimately responsible for achieving an owner's project requirements.