1. (a)

   1. (1) The relationship of the commissioning agent or the TAB technician to the department is critical to the success of the project.
   2. (2) The commissioning agent should be under direct contract to the department and should act as the department’s representative during the design and construction phases of the project.
   3. (3) This direct relationship allows the commissioning agent to freely express ideas concerning design changes that will enhance the project goals and in reporting the correct status of the project construction and operation of the system components.
   4. (4) During the training and documentation phase, this direct relationship allows the commissioning agent to objectively evaluate the training and documentation to ensure that adequate time and preparation is provided to meet the department’s expectations.
   5. (5) While many small projects may be adequately handled by the concept of a TAB technician as a subcontractor, even these types of projects may be better served by the inclusion of an independent commissioning agent.

2. (b)

   1. (1) Commissioning agents are typically professional engineers who have developed the specialty expertise necessary to advise and evaluate construction for defects and omissions and to provide or oversee the start up and the testing and balancing of systems and components.
   2. (2) Commissioning agents also understand the documentation necessary to properly own and operate a building and understand the technical and operational parameters of a building well enough to oversee the training of the department’s operating personnel.
   3. (3) While professional registration is not always a requirement or necessity, it is a desirable qualification when considering the total building commissioning concept.
   4. (4) It is desirable to find a firm or team that contains professional representation in all of the critical building trades.

   5. (5)

      1. (A) Commissioning agents and TAB consultants shall be:

3. (i) Considered as specialized engineering consultants; and

   1. (ii) Selected and contracted in the same manner as engineering consultants.

      1. (B) Refer to 22 CAR § 111-101.
   2. (6) The commissioning agent or TAB consultant should be selected before or at the same time as the building design team.

   3. (7) The commissioning agent’s contract and the design professional’s contract should clearly define the role the agent will have as the department’s representative.

      1. (c)
   4. (1) The building design professional’s contract should clearly acknowledge the role of the commissioning agent.
   5. (2) The department is responsible for coordinating the two (2) contracts.
   6. (3) To make one (1) contract subordinate to the other would make the process less effective.

Codification Notes: "TAB" means testing, adjusting, and balancing.