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Online course agenda:
Download the full online agenda in pdf format here
Classroom (in person) course agenda:
Download the full in-person agenda in pdf format here
Topics
Introduction and Course Orientation
Overview of the Commissioning Process (CxP)
- What is the ASHRAE Guideline 0 commissioning process?
- Current best practice
- What is a quality delivery process?
- Benefits of the commissioning process
- What occurs in each phase of project delivery?
Pre-Design Phase Commissioning Tasks (Part 1)
Developing the owner’s project requirements (OPR)
- Owner’s workshop: preparation and participants, nominal group technique, procedures and results
The Owner’s Project Requirements Workshop
- Executing an OPR workshop
- Determining which questions to ask – project success criteria
- Class activity: OPR workshop in action
Pre-Design Phase Commissioning Tasks (Part 2)
- Planning the CxP effort
- Commissioning plan fundamentals, key milestones, structure
- Evaluating the benefits of pre-design phase involvement
- The CxP as a strategic quality plan
Class Workshop: Defining CxP Needs
Developing the OPR Document
- Review of key OPR concepts
- Typical information required to develop needs
- Steps in document creation
- Group Activity: discussion of example document
CxP Activities in the Design Phase
- Pre-design meetings
- Design checklists
- Basis of design development
- CxP design review process
- CxPlan update
Design Review Workshop
- Group workshop using the four steps of a CxP design review procedure
Commissioning Specifications
- Format options
- Types of requirements: contractor participation; maintainability; checklist implementation; shop drawings, training, and systems manual; testing and verification
- Group specifications activity
Commissioning Process Checklists
- Purpose, goals
- Use in all project phases
- Construction checklists: development, tracking methods, verification, statistical sampling
- Checklist work session
Systems Manual and Training
- Systems manual (role in all phases)
- Training (role in all phases)
Construction Phase CxP Tasks
- Pre-construction activities (pre-bid, workshops, partnering)
- Cx meetings and coordination, role of the CxA
- Tracking commissioning activities
- Cx schedule
- Testing
- Commissioning reports
- Benefits/issues log
Commissioning Process Tests
- Developing test protocols
- Confirmation of readiness
- Implementation steps
- Documentation
- Group workshop
Integrating CxP with Contractor Efforts
- Quality processes
- Overlaps and gaps
Acceptance Phase, First Year of Operation, and Beyond
- Training
- Systems manual
- Project CxP report(s)
- Warranty review and seasonal testing
- On-going commissioning
Electronic and Web-Based Commissioning Tools
- Computer tools for site tracking
- Electronic systems manuals
Analyzing the Benefits of Commissioning: Case Studies
- Scope of commissioning
- Detailed cost analysis
- Benefits and lessons learned
Special Topics in the CxP
- Review of LEED Cx process
- Review of existing building Cx process
Event Dates/Times:
- 2/22/2027 1:00pm - 4:00pm Central Time
- 2/23/2027 1:00pm - 4:00pm Central Time
- 2/24/2027 1:00pm - 4:00pm Central Time
- 2/25/2027 1:00pm - 4:00pm Central Time
- 2/26/2027 1:00pm - 3:00pm Central Time
This instance has one attendance option - online.
Instructors
Sarah Maston
Director, Commissioning & Energy Services
Sarah Maston, P.E., BCxP, LEED AP BD+C, Director for Colliers Project Leaders, Commissioning and Energy Services Division, is a mechanical engineer with over 20 years of experience in mechanical/ HVAC systems evaluation, troubleshooting, design, startup, and commissioning for a variety of project types.
Serving as lead commissioning authority for new construction projects as well as existing building commissioning projects, her responsibilities include facilitating Owner's Project Requirement (OPR) workshops, project management, performing building system assessments, developing commissioning plans, design reviews, specifications, system readiness, system evaluations and facilitating functional performance tests. She also follows up with occupants to evaluate comfort and review 10-month warranty meetings.
She serves on ASHRAE’s Board of Directors as a Vice-President. She is also the Vice-Chair of Technology Council and a member of the Advanced Energy Design Guide Steering Committee as well as the Epidemic Task Force.
Joy Altwies
Program Director/Instructor
Joy Altwies, Ph.D., P.E., LEED AP+, is a program director for the University of Wisconsin-Madison Office of Interdisciplinary Professional Programs. Since 2004, Dr. Altwies has developed and taught continuing education courses emphasizing high-performance building design and construction, mechanical system design and operation, energy efficiency, and commissioning. She is also the program director of the Master of Sustainable Systems Engineering (SSE) degree program and an instructor of two graduate courses in the program.
Chad Dorgan
Executive Director
Dr. Dorgan currently serves as Senior Vice President, Enterprise Quality at Clayco, a full-service, turnkey real estate development, master planning, architecture, engineering, and construction firm that safely and sustainably delivers the highest quality solutions to clients across North America. He is also the Executive Director of the Design and Construction Excellence Exchange (DCX), a collaboration of design and construction companies, with owners, consultants, and insurance, technology and manufacturing companies to drive excellence across the industry.
Dr. Dorgan is a LEED Fellow of the United States Green Building Council and a Fellow member with the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). He has also been recognized with several industry awards, including the ASHRAE Distinguished Service Award and the 2004 Benner Award from the Building Commissioning Association for making commissioning business as usual.
Ian McIntosh
Program Director
Dr. Ian McIntosh is a Program Director for the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Office of Interdisciplinary Professional Programs (InterPro). He joined the InterPro Facilities and Building Systems team in December 2020 after being a frequent lecturer and course developer for the previous 20 years. His responsibilities include teaching, directing and business development for commissioning certification courses related to project management, existing buildings, and building enclosures. He is also the owner and founder of ianTEACH LLC, which provides innovative and strategic performance-based training and coaching to engineers, architects, construction, and facilities management professionals in various sectors of the national building industry.
Blair Richardson
Capital Projects - Commissioning Manager
Blair Richardson is currently a Service Line Manager at MBP (McDonough, Bouylard, and Peck). He provides senior leadership for complex projects, managing diverse teams, focused on strategic growth and business development.
His core focus has always been on energy efficiency and sustainability. With a foundational belief that sustainability must be economically viable, he has consistently demonstrated to clients how environmental responsibility can improve their bottom line. This approach of managing costs and maximizing incentives to create opportunities for energy conservation aligns seamlessly with institutional goals. Blair’s strategic oversight ensures that commissioning and retro-commissioning processes support evolving sustainability commitments.
Blair possesses a unique, 360-degree perspective on project management. As a general and mechanical contractor, Blair gained hands-on experience managing cost, quality, and schedule for critical infrastructure and executing complex design-build projects.
This direct accountability to installation teams provided invaluable practical knowledge. At an integrated A/E firm, He honed his skills as a design professional, working closely with architects and engineers. This deepened his understanding of each trade's priorities, enabling him to successfully lead large-scale, multi-disciplinary design projects.
This comprehensive background, combined with technical expertise, proven leadership, and strong communication skills, underpins a relentless drive for success and a clear vision for a sustainable future.
Program Director
Joy Altwies
This course can be taken in combination with one of the two-day special-topic elective courses to fulfill the education/training requirements of the UW Commissioning Provider certifications. The current list of special-topic electives can be found on the UW Commissioning Provider certifications page.
This course has been approved for 24 LU/HSW AIA CEUs.