Building commissioning for energy using systems

1.1 General 

1.1.1
This Standard provides guidelines for the commissioning of buildings and all energy and domestic water related building systems. It applies to new construction only for Part 3 buildings, as specified in the National Building Code of Canada (NBC). It does not apply to equipment and systems installed by the owner or others after building completion. 

1.1.2
This Standard is intended to assist the commissioning team in the preparation and implementation of a commissioning plan. This plan specifies commissioning requirements for building systems that affect energy and domestic water usage, and includes, but is not limited to, descriptions of the following: 

a) the commissioning process; 
b) the resources required to complete commissioning; 
c) the responsibilities of the commissioning team;
d) the sequence and integration of commissioning activities; 
e) the functional testing of energy-related building systems; 
f) monitoring-based commissioning; and 
g) analyzing and providing data to assist in determining compliance with local energy efficiency regulations. 

1.1.3
This Standard is intended to be complementary to CSA Z320, with additions as appropriate to address the special requirements for verifying energy performance during the commissioning of buildings. 

1.2 Specific systems 

1.2.1
The systems covered in this Standard are classified as 

a) architectural and building enclosures; 
b) vertical and horizontal transportation; 
c) electrical and lighting; 
d) mechanical; 
e) controls and building automation; 
f) energy monitoring-metering; and 
g) water using systems. 

1.2.2
This Standard does not apply to 

a) fire pumps; 
b) smoke pressurization fans; 
c) fire alarm and detection systems; 
d) other life safety systems that operate only during testing or emergencies; and 
e) equipment or systems exempt from the National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings (NECB). 

1.3 Terminology 

In this Standard, “shall” is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the standard; “should” is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and “may” is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the Standard. 

Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material. 

Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements. 

Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (non-mandatory) to define their application.