Articles by Rebecca T. Ellis, P.E.

While monitoring-based commissioning (MBCx) is a relatively new term in the mainstream commissioning dictionary, its practice has been part of some commissioning programs for more than 10 years.

As the old guard retires, it’s time to reinforce the crucial benefits of commissioning.

Interpreting common commissioning classifications.

Prior versions of LEED focused on commissioning the dynamic energy-consuming building systems for confirmation of successful implementation of LEED’s sustainability objectives for each project.

When it comes to commissioning success, who takes on the main point of responsibility?

Change orders, especially late in the process, can create major headaches. But there are steps to ease the pain.

Early? Late? Which works best? There are pros and cons for each.

Last month, this column explored the best time to functionally test new systems. This month and next month, I want to back up and talk about the best time to prepare the functional performance test procedures (or “scripts” as some people call them).

When every project and system is unique, there may not be a “correct” time.

In the commissioning specification, the owner made the general contractor responsible for the cost of retesting required due to deficiencies discovered during initial functional performance testing.