Post construction, and once a building has been handed over to the client, it is important to ensure that the building services installed are operating in-accordance with the design intentions and objectives of the project.  A Building Tuning Plan provides a framework for the continual checking and monitoring of systems with space to report and reflect on performance so that tweaks and improvements can be made.   

The building systems performance is monitored each month, recording the energy usage / consumption and identifying adjustments made to the systems during the period (Tuning Register).  

Each quarter, the monthly records are reviewed against the design data / projected energy use and further adjustments made.  This is documented in a quarterly report with recommendations for performance improvements.

After 12 months occupation, a full review of the system is carried out, reporting on the annual energy usage, comparing that to the modelled usage and putting forward further suggestions for improvements.

Although this is primarily used during the 12 months post PC (during the DLP period), Building Tuning can / should be carried out throughout the life of the building, comparing seasonal energy usage between years with the aim of optimising performance of the building as a whole.  In conjunction with a detailed maintenance plan, Building Tuning can assist in identifying system faults / failures otherwise not noticed.

Building Tuning Plans are a core requirement of Green Star, LEED, WELL and BREEAM sustainability assessment models.

Dewick & Associates provide full detailed Building Tuning Plans to compliment our Commissioning Plans and O&M Manuals as part of a complete handover package.

Author: Louise Gardner, General Manager of Dewick & Associates

A PDF version of this technical note is available via this link