Small and Medium-Sized Facilities

This article describes the approaches used in the commissioning of two laboratory buildings at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y. and the results that were achieved. It is an approach based on the requirements outlined in ASHRAE Guideline 1-1989, The HVAC Commissioning Process and can be used where resources may not be available for a full, formal commissioning process. The following is a detailed description of the approach and a list of 20 of the deficiencies discovered during commissioning. Three of these items are explored in detail and serve as examples of how problems can occur and why commissioning is necessary.