The requirement for a commissioning agent to “Verify operator and occupant training delivery and effectiveness” as part of enhanced commissioning is a bit ambiguous. Are we supposed to witness the training? Document it? Lead it? The sessions are usually bad anyway. Is there a way to improve the training process so that, as a new building becomes an existing building, the chances of success are improved?
As with many aspects of commissioning, trying to figure out your role in the construction process can be difficult at times. Buildings were going up long before commissioning began as a specialty, and many construction teams are certain they can succeed without the involvement of a Certified Commissioning Authority (CxA). However, as buildings become more complex, and their control systems ever more sophisticated, it becomes increasingly crucial that each building be staffed by people who understand how the building is intended to operate and can identify when the operation falls short.
The training process as envisioned by LEED’s Enhanced Commissioning credit is intended not only to train the initial staff, but also to leave a record to help educate those who come after. Here are some tips to get everyone on board and assist the transition from “new” to “existing.”
Get a good start
Just as any house needs a good foundation, the training process needs to be rooted in the building design. This is emphasized by the text of the LEED rating system, which states that the CxA must “verify inclusion of operator and occupant training requirements in construction documents.” The ideal place for these requirements to live is in Division 01 of the spec book. CSI Master Format sets aside number 01 79 00 for Demonstration and Training. Placing the language instead in the individual subcontractor sections (22, 23 or 26) does have the virtue of increasing chances that the requirements might actually be read; however, duplication of language in a spec book should be avoided whenever possible. A better strategy is to provide a reference to section 01 79 00 in the subcontractor specs and leave it at that.
https://www.usgbc.org/articles/pro-tip-meeting-enhanced-commissioning-requirements
