855773644-LEED-v5-BD-C-Reference-Guide-Launch-Edition - Page 241

Extracted Content

• The CxP can be a third-party entity not currently contracted for any design or construction aspects of the building or site.

  • The owner can employ the CxP, provided the entity meets the CxP minimum qualifications.

  • The CxP can be employed by the company performing the design or construction of the building; however, they must be a completely independent member of the design team and not directly associated with any aspect of the design and/or installation of the building systems.

  • If the CxP employs any company that has direct influence on the design and construction, the Commissioning Plan must clearly address any potential conflicts of interest and demonstrate that the CxP acts and operates solely on behalf of the owner, reports directly to the owner, and works entirely independently from the design and construction team.

Verification and Testing (V&T) Providers

ASHRAE Standard 90.1 also requires that the CxP includes Verification and Testing (V&T) providers. A V&T provider is an entity that completes the activities needed to implement the building functional performance testing (FPT) activities or verify that elements of the building project meet stated requirements. In many cases, the entity acting as the CxP fulfills this requirement. Confirm that an individual qualified in verification and FPT execution is part of the commissioning team.

CxP requirements for Building Envelope Commissioning

The CxP must include qualified individuals who can perform the building envelope design review and air barrier inspection or a V&T provider who can perform air leakage testing.

V&T PROVIDER FOR BUILDING ENVELOPE COMMISSIONING ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2019, Section 5.4.3.1.1 requires an independent third party to test whole-building pressurization for air leakage. Alternately, a continuous air barrier design and installation verification program conducted by an independent third party meets the requirements when using Section 5.4.3.1.1, Exception 3. ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2019, Section 5.9.1.2, requires verification and testing, including a design review, periodic field inspection, and reporting.

Teams must confirm the compliance path for testing and ensure qualified individuals conduct each element of the commissioning efforts.

U.S. Green Building Council LEED v5 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, April 2025 Launch Edition 231