Successful integration of the commissioning process requires careful schedule coordination ensuring commissioning activities support rather than delay project progress, with early planning preventing conflicts.<\/p>\n
Design phase coordination establishes realistic commissioning impacts to construction schedules. Commissioning authorities should participate in the development of pre-purchased equipment (Owner-Furnished-Contractor-Installed, OFCI) testing specifications, where to insert commissioning specification sections into architectural and engineering specifications, project schedule development, and identifying commissioning milestones (submittal reviews, installation observations, testing windows). It is essential that the commissioning specifications are integrated into the project specifications during the design phase and before the project goes out to bid to ensure all contractors carry the appropriate time and resources to support the owners\u2019 requirements for commissioning. Compressed schedules often inadequately account for commissioning, causing conflicts later.<\/p>\n
Submittal review integration occurs early in construction. Commissioning authorities review mechanical, electrical, controls, envelope, and other related submittals concurrently with design team reviews. Coordinated review schedules prevent commissioning from extending submittal review periods. Early CxA engagement in submittal reviews (within 2-3 weeks) maintains schedule flow and coordination for any owner or contractor required factory witness\/acceptance tests, identification of needed components or options that may have been excluded or not selected, reconfiguration needed to support construction testing, accessibility, and maintenance.<\/p>\n
Installation observation coordination requires communication between commissioning authorities and contractors. The CxA identifies critical installation stages requiring observation (air barrier installation, duct pressure testing, equipment rigging, control panel installation) and coordinates with construction schedules. Advanced notice (1-2 weeks typically) allows CxA presence without work delays. Where Catalyst is providing Commissioning support and\/or QAQC staff augmentation, we typically require less notice as we are more frequently onsite working directly with all trades.<\/p>\n
Pre-functional testing timing affects schedules significantly. Pre-functional checklists must be completed by the contractor and their trades before functional testing, requiring contractors to allocate time for thorough equipment checkout. Commissioning plans typically require pre-functional completion 2-4 weeks before functional testing, allowing time for deficiency correction. Contractors who defer pre-functional work until functional testing has been scheduled typically experience delays and extended testing periods. Again it is essential to have the contractor acknowledge that they have purchased the time and the resources needed to complete the pre-functional checklists.<\/p>\n
Functional testing windows require careful coordination, development of testing scripts, effective communication of testing expectations, and micro-scheduling. Testing occurs prior to contractual substantial completion when systems are operational but before final owner acceptance. Typical functional testing durations will differ based on system quantities, accessibility, complexity, and size:
\n\u2022 Small systems (single AHU, small package units): 4-8 hours
\n\u2022 Medium systems (multiple AHUs, central plant equipment): 1-5 days
\n\u2022 Large complex systems (hospital boiler plant, campus chiller plant): 1-8 weeks<\/p>\n
Contractors must ensure systems are complete, operating, and available for dedicated testing periods. Attempting testing with incomplete systems wastes time and requires repeat testing, potentially leading to additional costs associated with an impractical amount of remobilizations. Catalysts QAQC and Commissioning Support services help contractors ensure systems are ready for testing and owner commissioning.<\/p>\n
Seasonal testing considerations affect schedules. Systems must be tested during appropriate seasons, heating systems in cold weather, and cooling in warm weather (preferably as close to a peak design day as possible to verify designed capacities). Projects completed in winter may require return visits for cooling system testing, extending commissioning timelines. Schedule planning should anticipate deferring seasonal testing requirements to meet the owners’ and design teams’ performance verification expectations.<\/p>\n
Deficiency correction time must be scheduled. Functional testing typically identifies issues requiring correction before final acceptance. While the type of impact of an issue will drive corrective action duration, contractors may anticipate 1-2 weeks for each possible deficiency corrections and scheduled retest following initial testing. This schedule risk further reinforces the value of QAQC and our Cx Support services.<\/p>\n
Parallel activity opportunities minimize schedule impact. Many commissioning activities (monitoring equipment operation, analyzing control sequences, reviewing documentation) occur in parallel with ongoing construction, intended to stay away from critical paths.<\/p>\n
Early commissioning integration prevents schedule conflicts. Projects attempting to add commissioning late in construction often experience compressed testing periods, inadequate deficiency correction time, and schedule pressure compromising testing thoroughness. Projects with commissioning, commissioning support, and QAQC planned from project inception integrate activities smoothly with minimal schedule impact.<\/p>\n
For commissioning planning and scheduling that supports rather than conflicts with construction schedules, contact Catalyst Commissioning Group at info@catalystcx.com.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"template":"","class_list":["post-884","faq","type-faq","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n