Conference on total building commissioning focuses on the future of commissioning

ACG’s Commissioning Conference offers information on Lighting Controls, Chilled Beams, LEED 2012 proposed revisions, new technologies available to commissioning field

By SOURCE: ACG March 9, 2011

ACG is running their 7th Annual Conference on Total Building Commissioning, April 13-15 in St. Louis. The program for 2011’s premier commissioning conference looks to the future of commissioning, with increasing demand for commissioning more advanced systems as well as the push for greater energy efficiency.

The keynote address, “Smart Buildings and the Future of Commissioning,” will be delivered by Michael Rogers. Known as “The Practical Futurist,” Rogers is a nationally recognized technology expert and futurist who has consulted with many Fortune 500 companies—including FedEx, Boeing, Dow Corning, GE, and Genentech—about planning for the future. He is completing a two-year tenure as “futurist in residence” at The New York Times, writes a regular column for Newsweek and is a frequent guest on radio and television.

Another highlight will be an in-depth review of the LEED 2012 proposed commissioning requirements. Big changes are being proposed, from which systems must be commissioned, to the scope of commissioning activities required to meet LEED requirements, to revised independence requirements. Consulting engineers, whether they also provide commissioning services or not, need to stay abreast of these developments. Jay Enck, chair of the commissioning subcommittee tasked with drafting the changes, will provide a detailed look at what’s changing, why, and what it will mean for those working on projects pursuing LEED certification.

Other Conference Highlights:

Lighting Control Commissioning: Digital controls are dramatically changing the way we design, install, commission and operate electric lighting systems. Join lighting technology experts Kostas Papamichael, PhD of the California Lighting Technology Center and Francis Rubinstein, PhD from Lawrence Berkeley National Labs for this in-depth session. Focus will be on the theory and practice of commissioning lighting controls, with special emphasis on current and emerging photosensor, occupancy and personal lighting controls, including examples of today’s available lighting controls design and commissioning tools.

Healthcare Facilities Commissioning: Healthcare facilities require in-depth plan reviews, commissioning of systems beyond HVAC and specific assistance in preparing the O and M staff. Rusty Ross, P.E., CxA, an author of ASHE’s Health Facility Commissioning Guidelines for a discussion of how commissioning specifically tailored for healthcare projects can help them operate as intended and prepare the facility staff for occupancy.

Commissioning the Building Envelope: As commissioning becomes more broadly implemented, the building envelope is more frequently expected to be part of the scope. For many providers though, envelope or enclosure commissioning remains something of a mystery; one of the industry’s acknowledged experts will explains the principles and processes behind this increasingly important discipline.

Energy Investment Analysis for Existing Buildings: Identifying opportunities to improve facility performance and estimating associated energy reduction can be challenging. Andrew Heitman, CxA, of Building Energy Sciences, LLC will explain how to break down and overcome that challenge using an energy investment analysis—a methodical process including site observations, graphical and numerical analysis of utility consumption, and energy simulation designed to identify and quantify measures that will conserve energy and improve facility performance.

Additional presentations will include Software Solutions for Ongoing Commissioning, Commissioning of Active Chilled Beams, and Measurement and Verification: Procedures and Methods. And as always there will be a preconference offering of ACG’s acclaimed CxA Workshop and Exam for those pursuing certification, or simply interested in an in-depth review of the details and philosophy of the commissioning process.

Conference Program

Register today

– Edited by Gust Gianos, CFE Media, Consulting-Specifying Engineer, www.csemag.com