A Guide to Building Commissioning
This online engineering CPD course provides a comprehensive, practice-oriented examination of building commissioning and its critical role in ensuring that building systems operate as intended, efficiently, and reliably.
Based on the U.S. Department of Energy guide “A Guide to Building Commissioning”, this course explains how commissioning improves energy efficiency, occupant comfort, indoor environmental quality, and long-term asset value by verifying that HVAC, lighting, and control systems are properly designed, installed, tested, and operated in accordance with the Owner’s Project Requirements.
This course examines the fundamentals of commissioning and the differences between commissioning in new construction and existing buildings. It explores the roles and responsibilities of the commissioning team and provides detailed coverage of the five commissioning phases, from pre-design through post-acceptance. It also analyzes common system deficiencies in commercial buildings, the causes of inefficient or unreliable operation, and how functional performance testing, proper documentation, and staff training help prevent energy waste, occupant discomfort, and premature equipment failure.
Furthermore, this course bridges commissioning principles with real-world implementation by reviewing federal guidance, industry best practices, and documented case examples. It covers key commissioning deliverables such as the Commissioning Plan, Issues Log, Functional Performance Tests, Systems Manual, and Final Commissioning Report. In addition, the course examines commissioning costs, payback potential, risk-reduction benefits, and the relationship between commissioning, green building programs such as LEED, and evolving building code requirements.
This 2 CPD online course is applicable to engineers, building owners, facility managers, as well as other technical professionals interested in evaluating and managing commissioning activities across the building lifecycle.
This PE continuing education course is intended to provide you with the following specific knowledge and skills:
- Understanding building commissioning fundamentals as a quality assurance process ensuring systems meet the Owner’s Project Requirements
- Differentiating between new construction commissioning, existing building commissioning, retro-commissioning, and recommissioning across the building lifecycle.
- Evaluating commissioning scope for HVAC, lighting, and control systems, including system integration and control performance
- Analyzing the commissioning phases, activities, and deliverables from pre-design through post-acceptance
- Assessing common building system deficiencies and identifying how commissioning detects and resolves operational problems
- Examining functional performance testing, documentation, and commissioning deliverables supporting proper system operation and long-term performance
- Evaluating commissioning benefits, including energy savings, reduced costs, improved equipment life, and reduced operational risk
- Understanding commissioning team roles, coordination requirements, and compliance with LEED and energy efficiency standards
- Applying commissioning knowledge to improve building performance, occupant comfort, and long-term asset value
Upon successful completion of the quiz, print your Certificate of Completion instantly. (Note: if you are paying by check or money order, you will be able to print it after we receive your payment.) For your convenience, we will also email it to you. Please note that you can log in to your account at any time to access and print your Certificate of Completion.