Facility Commissioning Group is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council and our commissioning process adheres to the requirements of the 2009 Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System - New Construction Version 3.0 pertaining specifically to Energy and Atmosphere (EA) Prerequisite 1: Fundamental Commissioning of Building Systems and EA Credit 3: Enhanced Commissioning. Benefits of commissioning for LEED include reduced energy use, lower operating costs, reduced contractor callbacks, better building documentation, improved occupant productivity, and verification that the systems perform in accordance with the owner's project requirements.

LEED-NC Version 3.0 section EA Prerequisite 1: Fundamental
    Commissioning of Building Energy Systems

Intent: 

       Verify that the building's energy related systems are installed,
          calibrated, and perform according to the owner's project  
          requirements, basis of design  and construction documents.

Requirements:

       Designate an individual as the Commissioning Authority (CxA) to
          lead, review, and oversee the completion of the commissioning
          process activities.

          a) The CxA shall have documented commissioning authority
          experience in at least  two building projects.

          b) The individual serving as the CxA shall be independent of the
          project's design and construction management, though they may 
          be employees of the firms providing those services.  The CxA may
          be a qualified employee or consultant of the Owner.

          c) The CxA shall report results, findings and recommendations
          directly to the Owner.

          d) For projects smaller than 50,000 square feet, the CxA may
          include qualified persons on the design or construction teams who
          have the required experience.

       Owner shall document the Owner's Project Requirements (OPR).
          Design team shall develop the Basis of Design (BOD). The CxA shall
          review these documents for clarity and completeness. Owner and
          design team shall be responsible for updates to their respective
          documents.

       Develop and incorporate commissioning requirements into the
          construction documents.

       Develop and implement a commissioning plan.

       Verify the installation and performance of the system to be
          commissioned.

       Complete a summary commissioning report.

LEED-NC Version 3.0 section EA Credit 3: Enhanced Commissioning

Intent:

       Begin the commissioning process early during the design process
          and execute additional activities after systems performance
          verification is completed.

Requirements: 

       Prior to start of construction documents phase, designate an
          independent Commissioning Authority (CxA) to lead, review, and
          oversee the completion of all commissioning process activities.  The
          CxA shall, at a minimum, perform Tasks 2, 3 and 6. Other team
          members may perform Tasks 4 and 5.

          a) The CxA shall have documented commissioning authority
          experience in at least two building projects.

          b) The individual serving as the CxA shall be:

              i.   independent of the work of design and construction;
              ii.  not an employee of the design firm, though they may be
                  contracted through them;
              iii. not an employee of, or contracted through, a contractor, or
                  construction manager holding construction contracts; and
              iv. (can be) a qualified employee or consultant of the Owner.

       The CxA shall conduct, at a minimum, one commissioning design
          review of the Owner's Project Requirements (OPR), Basis of Design
          (BOD), and design documents prior to mid-construction documents
          phase and back-check review comments in the subsequent design
          submission.

       The CxA shall review contractor submittals applicable to systems
          being commissioned for compliance with the OPR and BOD.  This
          review shall be concurrent with A/E reviews and submitted to the
          design team and the Owner.

       Develop a systems manual that provides future operating staff the
          information needed to understand and optimally operate the
          commissioned systems.

       Verify that the requirements for training operating personnel and
          building occupants are completed.

       Assure the involvement by the CxA in reviewing building operation
          within 10 months after substantial completion with O&M staff and
          occupants.  Include a plan for resolution of outstanding
          commissioning-related issues.