Reports that the proposed energy audit form and procedures developed by ASHRAE SP-56 were tested, evaluated and improved in the ASHRAE Research Project RP-669. A trial database of building characteristics and energy use based on the form and procedures was developed, tested and revised to establish forms and procedures for auditing a variety of buildings in the field and to develop a means of collecting, normalising and distributing information on commercial and institutional building energy consumption to the industry. Energy audit data from 100 buildings were transferred to the form, which was modified based on input from auditors and project monitors. A trial database uses the form as an input form and contains primarily the building, energy and space function data from it. Presents the documentation in an appendix. States that use of the form and data base widely would permit the collection and analysis of information for building owners, utilities, agencies and energy analysts, including comparison of energy use of any individual building to the entire stock of buildings of similar size, space functions, climate, energy sources and fuel costs.

KEYWORDS: year 1997, Energy auditing, buildings, USA, databases