Draft Proposal CA-5b 

This concept has been developed by the DOE Building Energy Codes Program (BECP) as a possible code

change proposal to the Commercial provisions of the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code

(IECC).   Interested parties are asked to submit any and all comments on DOE's initial concepts and draft

code change proposals. For instructions on submitting comments, visit:

www.energycodes.gov/development/commercial/codes/iecc/concepts/

Commission Service Water Heating (CA-5b) 

Objective: Increase HVAC commissioning scope to also include the building service water 

heating systems. 

Suggested Code Change Proposal  

Add Section C404.8 and Revise Sections C408.1, C408.2, C408.2.3.2, C408.2.4, C408.2.4.1, C408.2.5.2,

and C408.2.5.4.

C404.8 Service water heating systems commissioning and completion requirements. Service water 

and swimming pool and spa heating systems and controls shall be commissioned and completed in 

accordance with Section C408.2. 

C408.1 General. This section covers the commissioning of the building mechanical systems in Section 

C403, service water heating systems in Section C404, and electrical power and lighting systems in 

Section C405. 

C408.2 Mechanical systems and service water heating systems commissioning and completion 

requirements. Prior to passing the final mechanical and plumbing inspections, the registered design 

professional shall provide evidence of mechanical systems and service water heating systems 

commissioning and completion in accordance with the provisions of this section. 

Construction document notes shall clearly indicate provisions for commissioning and completion 

requirements in accordance with this section and are permitted to refer to specifications for further 

requirements. Copies of all documentation shall be given to the owner and made available to the code 

official upon request in accordance with Sections C408.2.4 and C408.2.5. 

Exception: The following systems are exempt from the commissioning requirements: 

1. Mechanical systems and service water heating systems in buildings where the total mechanical 

equipment capacity is less than 480,000 Btu/h (140 690 W) cooling capacity and 600,000 Btu/h 

(175 860 W) space heating capacity. 

2. Systems included in Section C403.3 that serve dwelling units and sleeping units in hotels, 

motels, boarding houses or similar units. 
C408.2.3.2 Controls. HVAC and service water heating control systems shall be tested to document that 

control devices, components, equipment, and systems are calibrated, adjusted and operate in accordance 

with approved plans and specifications. Sequences of operation shall be functionally tested to document 

they operate in accordance with approved plans and specifications. 

C408.2.4 Preliminary commissioning report. A preliminary report of commissioning test procedures 

and results shall be completed and certified by the registered design professional or approved agency and 

provided to the building owner. The report shall be organized with mechanical and service hot water 

findings in separate sections to allow independent review. The report shall be identified as “Preliminary 

Commissioning Report” and shall identify: 

1. Itemization of deficiencies found during testing required by this section that have not been 

corrected at the time of report preparation. 

2. Deferred tests that cannot be performed at the time of report preparation because of climatic 

conditions. 

3. Climatic conditions required for performance of the deferred tests. 

C408.2.4.1 Acceptance of report. Buildings, or portions thereof, shall not pass the final mechanical and 

plumbing inspections, until such time as the code official has received a letter of transmittal from the 

building owner acknowledging that the building owner has received the Preliminary Commissioning 

Report. 

C408.2.5.2 Manuals. An operating and maintenance manual shall be provided and include all of the 

following: 

1. Submittal data stating equipment size and selected options for each piece of equipment 

requiring maintenance. 

2. Manufacturer’s operation manuals and maintenance manuals for each piece of equipment 

requiring maintenance, except equipment not furnished as part of the project. Required routine 

maintenance actions shall be clearly identified. 

3. Name and address of at least one service agency. 

4. HVAC and Service hot water controls system maintenance and calibration information, 

including wiring diagrams, schematics, and control sequence descriptions. Desired or fielddetermined setpoints shall be permanently recorded on control drawings at control devices or, for 

digital control systems, in system programming instructions. 

5. A narrative of how each system is intended to operate, including recommended setpoints. 

C408.2.5.4 Final commissioning report. A report of test procedures and results identified as “Final 

Commissioning Report” shall be delivered to the building owner and shall include: 

1. Results of functional performance tests. 
2. Disposition of deficiencies found during testing, including details of corrective measures used 

or proposed. 

3. Functional performance test procedures used during the commissioning process including 

measurable criteria for test acceptance, provided herein for repeatability. 

The report shall be organized with mechanical and service hot water findings in separate sections to allow 

independent review.

Exception: Deferred tests which cannot be performed at the time of report preparation due to climatic 

conditions.

Reason:  The value of commissioning of a commercial building has been documented and was included

for mechanical and lighting systems during the prior code development cycle as a new Section C408 in

the IECC.  Those provisions are intended to ensure that the building has been “tuned” prior to

occupancy to make sure it is properly operating and capable of continuing to operate properly.  This

extends the value and validity of the code provisions because there is little value in requiring something

be provided in a building if it is not properly installed and ready to perform its intended function.

The commissioning of the service hot water system is the next logical step in enhancing the value of the

IECC.  As noted above, why require something in the code if there is no activity to make sure it is

properly installed and can perform its intended function.

The proposed change expands the scope of mechanical commissioning to include service hot water

systems.  For the size of building not exempt from commissioning, service hot water and mechanical

systems are often integrated and the controls and commissioning are likely to be completed by the

same parties.  The provisions require that the preliminary and final commissioning reports be organized

so that mechanical and service hot water results are separate and can be independently reviewed.  This

will allow mechanical and plumbing inspectors to separately review the results where appropriate.  

Cost Impact:  There is a cost impact associated with this proposed change to the degree that the

commissioning activity is currently not being performed and would have to be performed and

documented in the proposed change.  The cost would be modest, as it would be accomplished by the

same staff completing the mechanical commissioning and would be included in the same commissioning

report.  That said, there should also be a decrease in costs to the degree that such commissioning

reduces the burden on state and local government in enforcement of the code as commissioning serves

to ensure and document compliance with the code.  Without commissioning to ensure the code‐

required controls and other systems are in place, the cost effectiveness of other energy code provisions

is in jeopardy.  A study of 643 commissioned building in 26 states found that new building

commissioning had a median payback of 4.2 years (http://cx.lbl.gov/2009‐assessment.html).