CHOP | Chapter 2.3.12 | pp 4 -5 (Excerpts)

Commissioning

Commissioning includes a range of activities undertaken to transform the design of a facility into a fully integrated and operating system. It is a process of quality assurance which:

• begins with the definition of the “design intent” and ends with the delivery of a building; confirms the contractor’s implementation of the architect’s design as defined in the contract documents;
  
• confirms the ability of the architect’s design to satisfy the client’s defined requirements;
  
• addresses any shortcomings.

Note: Commissioning and the services of a commissioning agent are over and above the architect’s normal fee.

Pre-occupancy Services

Commissioning may begin at the pre-design stage of a project with an interpretation of the client’s expectations in the functional program. Refer to Chapter 2.3.4, Pre-design, for information on functional programs. [...]

Because the contractor is usually a late arrival to the project team, an explanation of the verification and testing procedures by the commissioning agent should appear in the bid documents. This will assist bidders in evaluating the time and cost implications of a commissioning agent‘s participation and the agent’s impact upon acceptance of the work. [...]

Component Verification

The use of performance specifications often results in the supply of components with service characteristics or operational outputs which require minor revisions to the design. The component verification process is an excellent tool to highlight these variances. [...]

Systems Verification

The process of systems verification begins after all components within the system are accepted and deficiencies are corrected. [...]

Attendance at testing procedures by the independent commissioning agent and by the future building operator is beneficial.