Testing and Commissioning Procedures and Tests for an Office Building

[arvinolga]

Hi,

Does anyone have a manual for a complete testing and commissioning procedures as well as the complete tests required for a newly constructed office building (Plumbing, Fire protection, HVAC, Integrated Automation, Electrical and Communication Works).

Thanks,
Arvinolga

 

[jghrist]

Try

http://www.netaworld.org/

 

[SpecialSystems]

The process you are speaking of is called "commisioning". When commisioning a building each syatem is identified, then a test is custom designed for the specific system and how it works in that building. Such as the electrical system and how it may operate in a power failure, if there are emergency power generators, transfer switches,etc,etc. Each buildings syystems are going to operate differently from another buildings systems. This will apply to fire systems, sprinkler systems, Lighting ,and HVAC. There is no "one test fits all" procedure out there that can properly and correctly commision a new building.This is generally done by an experienced "commisioning agent" or at minimum sopmeone with a good bit of experience doing such work. The current example of High end commisioning is to seek out a "LEED" cerified company to commision a building and get it LEED certified for tax benefits and such. I hope this helps, if you are determined to try this yourself than seek out the manufacturers recommended test for each system and use those as the very minimum to be done. As far as your fire systems go, they will be tested by local fire marshall and he determines if they are god to go or not. Good lUck

 

[DM2]

With regard to fire alarm systems, have a look at NFPA 72 Chapter 10.

With regards to fire sprinkler systems have a look at NFPA 13 and 25.

The biggest problem I've seen, is a coordinated test between systems, where one systems, fire alarm for example, has to interface with another system, Building Management for example.

The trades installing these systems should be able to provide you with their test procedure, assuming they're working for you and you're not one of the trades. Still I've seen some of those providing these systems lack the experience for testing all aspects of the system.

Regards,
Dan Marr

"Real world Knowledge isn't dropped from a parachute in the sky but rather acquired in tiny increments from a variety of sources including panic and curiosity."

 

[rbulsara]

The short answer is NO and even if there is one, no one will be handing it out.

You are asking for a manual where as there is no real consensus on what a building commissioning should include, who should write it and who is best suited to conduct it, etc. In the end, someone has to pay for the time and effort that varies greatly with project budget.

There can be as many variant of a manual as there are types of buildings and systems.




Rafiq Bulsara

http://www.srengineersct.com