Pushing the Envelope – the Need for Enhanced Commissioning

Pushing the Envelope – the Need for Enhanced Commissioning
January 2014 SABMag ConEd Article
GBCI: 0090010874

Overview
This article looks at Building Envelope Commissioning and the role it plays in a project. Readers will learn what functions are evaluated, how to integrate it into a project timeline, and the role of the Building Envelope Commissioning Authority. This article is for project Owners, designers, and facility managers and will provide insight into commissioning beyond mechanical and electrical building systems.

Learning Outcomes
On completion of this learning unit, the reader will be able to:

Describe what Building Envelope Commissioning is.
Understand the role of the Building Envelope Commissioning Authority.
Describe the role of Building Envelope Commissioning in the project timeline.
Understand what building envelope functions should be evaluated.

Assessment
All articles offered by SABMag are GBCI approved. To qualify for continuing education learning hours, practitioners must first read the technical article below, and then proceed to complete the short quiz at the end. You must receive 80% on the quiz to record the activity as part of your continuing education. An email will be sent to you and will act as your certificate of completion once you have successfully completed the requirements.

In order to obtain your CEU Certificate of Completion for this course (1h CE):

STEP 1 : Read the article Pushing the Envelope – the Need for Enhanced Commissioning (PDF format)

STEP 2 : Take the quiz and get a minimum of 8 out of 10 correct answers to receive your Certificate of Completion.

Quiz by: SABMagazine

1.

Which of the following standards or guidelines include Building Envelope Commissioning (BE Cx)?

a. LEED

b. ASHRAE 90.1

c. CSA Z-320-11

d. ASHRAE Guideline 0

2.

BE Cx provides an effective means to:

a. Set goals, check goals, meet goals

b. Develop Owner’s Project Requirements

c. Plan, deliver, and operate building systems

d. Influence the design of the building envelope

3.

The BE Cx Authority is involved only during the construction phase. True or False?

a. True

b. False

4.

The BE Cx Authority acts as:

a. The Owner’s advocate

b. The Architect’s advocate

c. The Contractor’s advocate

d. The Mechanical Engineer’s advocate

5.

Which of the following is not a consideration in the development of the Owner’s Project Requirements?

a. Cost

b. Durability

c. Energy Performance

d. Functional Performance

6.

Which of the following is imperative to implementing an effective BE Cx process?

a. Targeted design reviews

b. Building envelope testing

c. Have the BE Cx Authority as part of the design team

d. Have the BE Cx Authority develop the Owner’s Project Requirements

7.

As construction begins, who is going to be responsible for coordinating and implementing the BE Cx activities?

a. The Contractor

b. The project Owner

c. The project Trades

d. The BE Cx Authority

8.

The BE Cx Authority’s role is to challenge and independently evaluate design assumptions and selections against the Owner’s Project Requirements. True or False?

a. True

b. False

9.

Which of the following is NOT one of the functions typically evaluated as part of building envelope performance.

a. Durability

b. Fire Control

c. Accessibility

d. Heat Flow Control

10.

During the design review, which of the following is an important element that is evaluated?

a. Material selection

b. Sequence of installation

c. Functional Performance

d. Installation of correct materials

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Pushing the Envelope – the Need for Enhanced Commissioning

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