ASHRAE protocols for measuring building performance published

ASHRAE has published the "Performance Measurement Procedures for Commercial Buildings: Best Practices Guide," providing steps and advice to manage and improve a facility's performance.

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Tools and techniques for measuring, managing and improving the performance of a facility as demonstrated by its energy and water use and indoor environmental quality, are contained in a new guide by ASHRAE.

“Performance Measurement Procedures for Commercial Buildings: Best Practices Guide” serves as the how-to guide for continuously evaluating and improving the performance of commercial buildings throughout their service life.

Published by ASHRAE and funded in part through a grant from the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the book provides specific best practices in the areas of energy use, water use and four elements of indoor environmental quality (IEQ): thermal comfort, indoor air quality (IAQ), lighting/daylighting and acoustics. Using this guidance, owners can be proactive on an ongoing basis to reduce costs through measurement and verification of their buildings’ environments.

The book is a companion to the 2010 publication, “Performance Measurement Protocols for Commercial Buildings,” which identifies what to measure, how to measure it and how often it is to be measured for inclusion in buildings’ operation and maintenance plan.

The Guide presents step-by-step procedures at three process levels of performance, which are intended to match the level of cost and intensity of effort for a range of types and sizes of facilities. An accompanying CD contains a report template and standardized forms, worksheets and checklists for use by the building in implementing the procedures.