After reviewing documentation that’s made available, preferably electronically, by the building owner (as addressed in my February 2021 column), the next step in a virtual retro-commissioning process is to learn what the building operators know.
We all understand that existing buildings rarely operate exactly as originally intended. In addition, original design, construction, and operations and maintenance (O&M) documentation cannot be relied on for full accuracy or completeness. Therefore, the commissioning professional needs to go to the people who know the system best to fine-tune, add to, and enhance his/her understanding of the building systems. This will typically be the full-time operations staff, if there is one, or out-sourced service contractors.