Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: VOC • Low-E Glass • Photovoltaic

Building Commissioning

Term from Green Building industry explained for recruiters

Building Commissioning is a quality control process that ensures a building operates as efficiently and effectively as intended. Think of it like a thorough inspection and testing process, similar to how a new car goes through final checks before being delivered to a customer. Professionals in this field review and test all building systems - from heating and cooling to lighting and water systems - to make sure they work properly together. This process can happen in new buildings or existing ones (called retro-commissioning). It's becoming increasingly important as buildings focus more on energy efficiency and sustainability goals.

Examples in Resumes

Led Building Commissioning process for a new 50,000 sq ft office building, reducing energy costs by 15%

Performed Building Commissioning and Commissioning Agent services for LEED-certified healthcare facilities

Managed Building Systems Commissioning projects resulting in 20% improved energy efficiency

Typical job title: "Commissioning Agents"

Also try searching for:

Commissioning Authority Building Commissioning Engineer Cx Agent Commissioning Provider Building Systems Engineer Commissioning Specialist Building Performance Engineer

Where to Find Commissioning Agents

Professional Organizations

• Building Commissioning Association (BCxA)
• ASHRAE
• Association of Energy Engineers

Job Boards

Professional Networks

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: Can you describe a challenging commissioning project you managed and how you resolved the issues?

Expected Answer: Look for answers that demonstrate leadership, problem-solving abilities, and experience managing complex building systems. They should explain how they coordinated with different contractors and building owners to resolve issues.

Q: How do you approach developing a commissioning plan for a large commercial building?

Expected Answer: The candidate should discuss their systematic approach to planning, including reviewing building designs, coordinating with various trades, creating testing schedules, and ensuring compliance with relevant standards and regulations.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What types of building systems have you commissioned and what tools do you use?

Expected Answer: Should be able to discuss experience with HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and other building systems. Should mention common testing tools and software used in commissioning.

Q: How do you ensure energy efficiency goals are met during commissioning?

Expected Answer: Should explain methods for testing and verifying energy performance, including monitoring equipment, analyzing data, and making recommendations for improvements.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What is the basic commissioning process and its main steps?

Expected Answer: Should be able to outline the basic steps: design review, installation verification, system testing, and documentation. Understanding of fundamental commissioning principles is important.

Q: What documentation is typically included in a commissioning report?

Expected Answer: Should mention key components like system descriptions, test results, issues found, and recommendations. Basic understanding of commissioning documentation requirements is needed.