Integrating MEP Coordination and Cx to Deliver a Successful Project

Dan Frasier, PE, CCPPrincipal / Dir of Cx ServicesCornerstone Commissioning

Integrating MEP Coordination and Cx to Deliver a Successful Project

John Schneider, PE, MSEA, QCxPPrincipalHeritage Consulting

AIA Quality Assurance

The Building Commissioning Association is a Registered Provider with The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems (AIA/CES). Credit(s) earned on completion of this program will be reported to AIA/CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon request.

This program is registered with AIA/CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product.

Questions related to specific materials, methods, and services will be addressed at the conclusion of this presentation.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Identify the obstacles that prevent a smooth handoff from MEP Coordination to the CxA.

2. Describe how to effectively integrate the MEP Coordination and Cx Process.

3. Properly prepare systems for effective Cx tests.

4. Utilize various tools for evaluating the performance of this integration process.

Learning Objectives

The Most Challenging Part of the Cx Process

Preparing systems for successful tests...

with no need for retesting.

The Intent of Cx During Early Construction

Goal:Streamlined commissioning process with minimal retesting.

Reality: Systems and project team are rarely well prepared for successful tests.

Common Stumbling Blocks

Why readiness for testing is often delayed• Misunderstanding of “ready for testing”• Complexity of today’s building systems• Lack of highly skilled craftsmen• Fast-track nature of projects• Sub-contractors rushed to complete their work

○Caused by overall schedule delays

Methods That Sometimes Work

Separate Cx schedule• Maintaining Cx schedule to coincide parallel

with Contractor’s schedule• Attempt to apply critical path methodology

Methods That Sometimes Work

Detailed Construction Schedule• Integrating Cx activities into Contractor’s

master schedule• Adding predecessors and durations• Applying critical path method• Updating detailed schedule regularly

Problems with Separate Cx Schedule

• Cx viewed as a segregated activity, disconnected from construction

• Difficult to maintain accurate parallel tracking of corresponding activities

• Can result in a detrimental view:“Commissioning starts after construction”

Problems with Detailed Construction Schedule

The list of Cx activities must be extensive• Must be detailed• Must be for each system • Must be tracked regularly • Must be updated frequently

It must be a royal pain for the scheduler!

Streamlining Project Delivery

Case study in streamlining integration of Cx to deliver a complex project

Past Experience of Project Team

“Overburdened construction schedules don’t work”

• List of Cx activities can exceed 1,000• Tracking and updating excessive Cx activities

required more than one day per week• Achieved the opposite of the goal

○Project team bogged down with data

Project Team Decisions

Reduce quantity of Cx activities in construction schedule

• Only essential activities included○Major systems and areas○TAB meets design flows (milestone)○BAS sequences complete (milestone)○Functional Performance Test (duration)

• Apply critical path methodology○Wet systems – air systems – zones – optimize

Project Team Decisions

Replace long list of Cx activities in construction schedule with spreadsheet

• Equipment Startup Schedule○Carries and tracks commissioning related tasks○Much more detailed with columns for activities○ Initial version by the CxA○Subsequent versions (typically) managed by

Contractor’s MEP Coordinator

Examples of Equipment Startup Schedule

Construction Corp Commissioning Firm

Tag

Installation / Start up Complete:

TAB complete?

Pre Functional Checklist complete

Ready for Functional 

Performance Test?

Functional Performance 

Test completion date

CommentsMechanical Piping Mechanical 

DuctworkMechanical Controls Plumbing Electrical

BAS/ Controls ‐point to point checkout

BAS/ Controls‐Sequence checks

TE‐9‐A Complete 80% done by 9/4 N/A Complete Access? 10/6/2011

EF‐PH2 Complete 85% done by 9/4 N/A Complete Yes 10/6/2011

EF‐PH1 Complete N/A Complete Yes 10/6/2011 fan blade hits frame

RHC‐6‐4A Complete Complete Complete N/A N/A Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 9/14/2011

RHC‐6‐1A Complete Complete Complete N/A N/A Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 9/14/2011

Commissioning FirmPre 

Functional Checklist complete

Ready for Functional Performance Test?

Functional Performance Test completion date

Comments

Access? 10/6/2011

Yes 10/6/2011

Yes 10/6/2011 fan blade hits frame

Yes Yes 9/14/2011

Yes Yes 9/14/2011

Examples of Equipment Startup Schedule

Equipment Tag Location Service AreaSystem is Complete Start up

date

FPT System Complete COMMENTSMech

ContrElec

Contr BAS TAB Vendor FPT Doc Complete

Make up AHU MAU1 Kitchen Roof Kitchen 5/5/2012Make up AHU (existing) HV‐2 Penthouse Guest Rooms 4/23/2012Roof top unit RTU1 Kitchen Roof Function 2 area (main floor) 5/5/2012Roof top unit RTU2 Lang Roof LangAir Handler AHU1 Mech Room Catering, empl Lnge, offices 5/3/2012Chiller CH1 Mech Room Building 4/24/2012Energy recovery unit ERV1A 1st floor function 1 Function1 (FCU‐10 & 11)Energy recovery unit ERV1B 1st floor function 1 Function 1 (FCU‐10 & 11)Energy recovery unit ERV2 2nd floor function 1 Function 2 Servery (FCU‐15)Energy recovery unit ERV3 Womens Room FCU‐12 & 14 5/1/2012Energy recovery unit ERV4 Roof Lower level (FCU‐1,2,3,4) 5/1/2012

Energy recovery unit ERV5Indoor (existing mech room) FCU‐5,6,7,8,9,13, AHU‐1

Energy recovery unit ERV6Indoor (existing mech room) Future Restaurant

Energy recovery unit ERV HOP Roof HOP ConnectorFan DDB1 Dryer Duct BoosterFan EF1 Parking garage Parking Garage 5/1/2012

Fan EF2Electrical room near parking garage Elec rm  ‐ parking garage 5/1/2012

FPTPre-FPT requirements

COMMENTSSystem Complete

System is Complete

Mech Contr

Elec Contr BAS TAB Vendor BAS point

checkout doneTAB 1st pass

completePFC

ready

FPT Doc Complet

e

Start up date

Hide & show columns to match the phase of readiness for testing

Project Team Decisions

Cx Authority Leadership• Understands building requirements well• Engages all in IST “what-if” discussions• Qualifications of this role are paramount

○Highly collaborative with Owner and MEP Coordinator

○Skilled at simplifying building operation

Project Team Decisions

Authoritative and engaged MEP Coordinator

• Critical role for success of Cx process• Qualifications of this role are paramount

○Manages subcontractors proactively○Highly collaborative with CxA and Owner○Understands coordination process○Understands unique system operation○Facilitates work face-to-face daily during Cx

Project Team Decisions

Execution of Tests• CxA controls building access during ISTs if

building is highly complex• Key individuals in brainstorming ISTs

○Cx Authority○MEP Coordinator○Design Engineer Construction Administrator○BAS PM and Programmer○TAB Technician

Summary

Completed 2 Months Ahead of Schedule• Don’t overburden the construction schedule• Use critical path to prepare building systems• Track schedule minutiae in a spreadsheet

(ESS) managed by the contractor• Maintain a high level of team camaraderie in

delivering the building

Summary

Project Delivery can be very Rewarding

Dan Frasier: [email protected] / www.cxhvac.com

John Schneider: [email protected]

Heritage Consulting