At its core, commissioning is the process of transitioning installed individual building services systems into a fully functional, integrated and interoperable set of services in an optimised operating building. However, the key to success is commissioning design reviews and planning before building commences.

The Independent Commissioning Agent (ICA) role can be defined as assisting with planning of that process and then validating the process occurs properly on the client’s behalf.

An evolving legacy

Commissioning also extends beyond system activation, it can encompass the critical post construction optimisation period where buildings are fine-tuned through the seasons to operate at peak efficiency, ensuring that building services perform as intended and deliver maximum value to building owners.

Since its introduction in 2003 by the Green Building Council of Australia, Green Star certification has played a key role in transforming building practices.

Over the past 22 years, the evolving role of the ICA highlights recognition that thorough commissioning is essential for all buildings – regardless of their sustainability rating.

The ICA process provides multidisciplinary advice to help building owners and facility managers transition into the day-to-day operation of their buildings post construction.

This deep operational knowledge becomes invaluable when applied at the early stages of new builds, enabling the team to anticipate challenges and address them during the design and construction phases; eliminating costly changes.

Commissioning Authorities

Whilst ICA expertise is often applied to Green Star projects, Commissioning Authorities (CxAs) fulfil a parallel, but distinct role under the international LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system.
From A.G. Coombs Advisory’s perspective, CxAs represent the same fundamental commissioning expertise applied, with a few subtle changes, via a different certification framework.

“The CxA role under LEED emphasises systematic verification that building systems perform according to design intent and operational requirements,” explains David Odd, ICA Leader (NSW & ACT) at A.G. Coombs Advisory.
“This includes comprehensive documentation review, functional performance testing and ongoing monitoring protocols. More and more the LEED rating is being applied in Australia for international benchmarking.”

The whole-of-life advantage

The whole-of-life perspective provided by A.G. Coombs is drawn from decades of experience in designing, delivering, operating and maintaining building services. This experience informs the commissioning of new projects with lessons from existing building operations in three management approaches:

1. ICA Services serve building owners and long-term tenants, providing independent oversight of Green Star and LEED projects.
2. Commissioning Management supports builders on complex projects, leveraging technical expertise to optimise operational performance and proactively assist the builder to manage the commissioning interface between multiple trades.
3. Transition to Operate assists facility managers receiving new buildings, assisting them to understand and optimise building systems during the critical handover period.

The soft landings revolution

Recent changes to Green Star requirements have introduced the Soft Landings Framework. This approach brings a focus on the building user’s experience as a key stakeholder input.

“The soft landings framework provides guidance right through the project delivery lifecycle from inception and briefing through to handover and into operations,” notes David Odd. “For projects where building services capital works exceed $20 million, Soft Landings implementation is now mandatory to achieve Green Star verification and handover.”