TRANSFORMING FACILITIES WITH FAULT DETECTION AND DIAGNOSTICS (FDD) FOR CONTINUOUS COMMISSIONING 

As defined in the Federal Energy Management Program’s (FEMP) Commissioning Guidebook, Continuous Commissioning is “an ongoing process to resolve operating problems, improve comfort, optimise energy use and identify retrofits for existing commercial and institutional buildings and central plant facilities.” Where most Commissioning processes focus on bringing building operation to the original design intent, Continuous Commissioning instead focuses on optimising the HVAC system operation and control for the existing building conditions.

FDD software continuously monitors building systems such as HVAC, lighting, and energy usage, to ensure optimal building operation.

By leveraging real-time data, FDD technology can identify deviations from expected performance. This means that issues can be detected and diagnosed as soon as they arise, often before they become apparent through increased energy costs or decreased system performance. This proactive approach helps prevent minor issues from escalating into major system failures. 

ROOT CAUSE EVALUATION THROUGH FDD 

One of the most significant advantages of FDD software is its ability to not only detect irregularities but also suggest probable causes and recommend corrective actions. This level of diagnostics can often pinpoint the exact component or setting that is causing inefficiency or failure, saving significant time and effort in troubleshooting. This empowers energy managers to effectively partner with facility managers to address the root cause of issues quickly, reducing downtime, and improving system reliability. 

Another advantage of FDD software is that it can be configured to constantly monitor and prioritise maintenance and extend the lifespan of building systems. By ensuring that all components are functioning correctly, and by addressing issues promptly, wear and tear on equipment is minimised. This prolongs the periods between major repairs or replacements, providing a better return on investment for expensive building systems and equipment. 

Continuous commissioning through FDD software contributes to a stable and comfortable building environment. With building systems functioning correctly, facility managers can provide a consistent climate, which is crucial for occupant satisfaction and productivity. Additionally, early detection of faults can prevent situations that may compromise occupant safety, such as failures in critical systems like fire alarms or air quality controls. Especially important for critical spaces – such as hospitals, laboratory research facilities, and chemical production facilities – continuous commissioning using FDD software can support the seamless operation of these environments.   FDD tools often include easy to understand dashboards as well as digestible yet comprehensive reporting features. FDD reporting capabilities build organisational knowledge by helping clarify data and communicate information on energy usage, system efficiency, and maintenance activities. These reports are invaluable for internal audits, compliance with energy and environmental standards, and in communicating with stakeholders about building performance. 

CONTINUOUS COMMISSIONING CASE STUDY – US HEALTHCARE PORTFOLIO

A shining example of effective FDD implementation can be seen through a US Healthcare Facilities continuous commissioning program. The healthcare facility is one of the nation’s largest health care providers. Their services span the country and their building assets run the gamete from office building to high performance computing, to surgical rooms.  

The continuous commissioning program began as a selective implementation and has grown into a standardised procedure across all new construction projects and significant maintenance work, integrating the use of Building Analytics FDD software. The Asset Assess platform fits this requirement fully with full FDD capabilities.

STRATEGIC DEPLOYMENT AND FDD INTEGRATION 

While FDD is becoming more common in existing buildings, its application in new building projects is still novel. Yet, this is one of this health care providers key strategies – embedding analytics and FDD into their capital improvement program, the healthcare provider has overcome several barriers simultaneously.  

For instance, a common barrier to FDD deployment is the software procurement budget. By factoring an FDD platform into the project budget from the get-go, decision makers can incorporate licensing costs into the cost of the new construction project upfront. Process integration of FDD is also a common challenge. The healthcare provider has instead streamlined the deployment process and ensured that FDD became a standard part of their building management decision hierarchy across various regions. 

Unique to this healthcare provider, the program leader acknowledges that the dual nature of this approach can present challenges when applied to other organisations. He said that while this approach facilitated adoption in projects with ample budgets, it presented challenges in fostering uniform adoption across buildings on larger campuses. This insight underscores the necessity of a balanced strategy that accommodates both centralised and decentralised organisational structures. 

OVERCOMING CHALLENGES AND LEVERAGING LEADERSHIP 

The journey hasn’t been without its challenges. The healthcare providers decentralised structure posed significant hurdles in standardising practices across all facilities (over 250 separate facilities across the United States). However, through strong leadership and alignment at the national level, including buy-in from executives and field technicians alike, the program has seen substantial success. 

The program leader emphasised the importance of engagement at all levels to drive the program’s success. He underscored the fact that engagement is the biggest predictor of impact. When facility teams are actively using the FDD software, the results are markedly better, demonstrating the critical nature of human interaction with digital tools. 

Looking forward, the healthcare provider aims to deepen the integration of FDD software with other enterprise systems to drive more engagement and better results. This approach will enhance the visibility and usability of data, driving more informed decision-making processes across the organisation. Additionally, the ongoing adjustments and learning from different regions contribute to a robust, adaptable strategy that meets diverse needs. 

A MODEL OF SUCCESS IN BUILDING MANAGEMENT 

The healthcare providers experience with continuous commissioning and FDD software offers valuable lessons for other organisations seeking to improve their building operations. The key takeaways include the importance of integrating technology early in project cycles, the need for strong leadership and clear communication, and the critical role of engagement across all levels of the organisation. 

By embracing these strategies, facilities can not only improve their operational efficiency but also extend the lifespan of their infrastructure, enhance safety, and reduce environmental impact. As buildings become more connected and data-driven, the integration of sophisticated tools like FDD software in continuous commissioning will undoubtedly become more prevalent, reshaping the landscape of facility management.

Please reach out to us to find out more about how we can integrate with your new construction project, to see how continuous commissioning will help maintain and even improve your property portfolio’s ongoing energy profile, and to request a demo of the Asset Assess platform here. We will provide a complete, no obligation quotation for any property or project, small or large.