Commissioning Guidelines Translated Amid Rise in Cx Practices in Spain
From eSociety, October 2019
Two more ASHRAE commissioning resources are available in Spanish.
Guideline 0, The Commissioning Process, and Guideline 1.2, Technical Requirements for the Commissioning Process for Existing HVAC&R Systems and Assemblies, have been translated to help Spanish-speakers implement the commissioning (Cx) process more efficiently. ASHRAE/IES Standard 202, Commissioning Process for Buildings and Systems, was translated into Spanish earlier this year.
The main translator of the guidelines—Andrés Sepúlveda, Member ASHRAE, vice president and Chapter Technology Transfer Chair for the ASHRAE Spain Chapter—said commissioning was not widely used in Spain until recently, Now, engineers are looking for resources to help with the process.
The two guidelines were translated for the ASHRAE Spain chapter’s technical session on commissioning, he said. Sepúlveda also discussed the significance of having more commissioning resources translated to help Spanish-speaking engineers.
1. Why is it important to translate these commissioning guidelines into Spanish?
Commissioning was not extensively used in Spain in the past. It was only considered when the owner or developers were looking for a sustainability certification where commissioning is mandatory. They did not see it as a quality process to enhance the delivery of a newly constructed or major renovated building or as an opportunity to give an existing building a second chance.
Fortunately, the situation has changed in the last few years. Having said that, the scope and budget for commissioning services are both still misunderstood, and providers with limited knowledge and experience over-promise and under-deliver, which is not good for the reputation of commissioning services.
That is why the translation of these guidelines can be so important to illustrate the process, define the activities, objectives and deliverables per project phase and explain clearly how commissioning can support the delivery of the owner’s requirements.
2. What technical information in these guidelines is helpful for engineers and building industry professionals?
The commissioning activities implemented through all project phases are very well-described. Industry professionals can then better understand the commissioning activities and realize how these will support their own duties, particularly property owners, end-users, design professionals, project managers, contractors and O&M personnel. These guidelines define also very well the contribution and responsibility of the above-mentioned stakeholders into the commissioning process.
3. Why were these guidelines chosen to be translated?
Commissioning of new projects and existing facilities is recognized as a fundamental process for the construction industry. Everybody in this industry agrees about the benefits of a well-commissioned building to deliver the Owner’s Project Requirements as well as to get back on track an existing building where the requirements might have been changed from the original delivery.