Product and Process Modeling for Functional Performance Testing in Low-Energy Building Embedded Commissioning Cases

Our work deals with creating information assistance for commissioning (Cx) low-energy buildings throughout their life-cycle. We call this Embedded Commissioning in reference to the integration of persistent and reliable Cx information. We have developed digital models of the Cx process and products. Currently, we are testing system inspection and functional performance test (FPT) protocols developed by others to verify their applicability to individual facilities and compatibility with our product models, as well as standards, such as IFC and aecXML. To date we have tested a fin-tube radiant heat system FPT. Our findings include lessons learned in several areas: (1) adapting standard FPTs to specific facilities and their design intent, (2) common performance retarding system defects, and (3) implications for data representation in product/process models for FPT implementation