“Don’t question commissioning when it comes to lighting controls,” is the message of this article written by Lindsey Fimek, PE, LEED AP BD+C, Primera Engineers Ltd., Chicago, and published in a recent issue of CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER.
“Lighting controls are one of the last pieces installed in any building and the last to get programmed and commissioned. Many times the start-up and commissioning process can be rushed, leaving the lighting controls system and components in a functional but not optimal operation … Functional testing and follow-up after start-up and commissioning are performed help ensure the designed energy savings are realized. If you’re nearing project completion, persuading the owner to adopt this practice will mean he’ll enjoy a return on investment on current projects rather than waiting for future renovations or new construction. Skipping the start-up and commission, however, can lead to an underperforming system, unused features, and a loss of energy savings. After all, like many other moving parts in the MEP/FP discipline, you can’t just ‘build it and walk away,’ expecting the system to function efficiently. Commissioning and testing are as critical for lighting controls as they are for building management systems.”
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