One of the reasons facilities owners choose to commission new or renovated building systems is because they have analyzed the risk associated with not commissioning the systems. Most people agree that commissioning increases the chances of building systems operating properly at the end of construction and not after a months- or years-long "shakeout" period. What is the potential cost of the systems not working when the building is turned over for occupancy and/or use by the owner?
I have been commissioning building systems for over 15 years and have been intrigued by the evolution I've witnessed. The following is a chronological list of building system types that have been added over time to the category of "likely to be commissioned" facilities: art and history museums, research laboratories, and health care facilities.