CSA Group CSA Z5001:26 National Standard of Canada Existing building commissioning for energy using systems

Preface

This is the second edition of CSA Z5001, Existing building commissioning for energy using systems. It supersedes the previous edition published in 2020.

This Standard provides requirements for the commissioning of systems for building energy use or greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through the building enclosures, mechanical and electrical equipment, and water uses. It applies to existing Part 3 Buildings as they are defined in the National Building Code of Canada. The commissioning process and concepts contained in this Standard are based on CSA Z320, CSA Z5000, and CSA Z8001.

The purpose of this Standard is to provide consistent protocols for commissioning existing building system energy use, GHG emissions, and monitoring plans. Where requirements of this Standard generally refer to energy, it is inferred that both the building enclosures and water systems are included in the effort to improve energy and resource usage.

This edition includes the unique commissioning requirements of low carbon heating systems, particularly complex systems that may include both low carbon heating devices (e.g., heat pumps) as well as conventional heating equipment (e.g., gas boilers). Recognizing the complexities of retrofitting mechanical equipment into existing buildings, this Standard emphasizes rigorous testing and detailed attention during the commissioning phase to ensure that greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction objectives are effectively met.

CSA Group acknowledges that the development of this Standard was made possible, in part, by the financial support of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), BC Hydro, Efficiency Manitoba, Hydro Québec, and the BC Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions.

This Standard was prepared by the Subcommittee on Existing Building Commissioning for Energy Using Systems, under the jurisdiction of the Technical Committee on Building Energy Systems and the Strategic Steering Committee on Performance, Energy Efficiency, and Renewables, and has been formally approved by the Technical Committee.

This Standard has been developed in compliance with Standards Council of Canada requirements for National Standards of Canada. It has been published as a National Standard of Canada by CSA Group.

Scope

1.1 General

1.1.1 Application

This Standard provides guidelines for the commissioning of energy and water systems in existing buildings, as defined in Part 3 of the National Building Code of Canada (NBC). This Standard addresses the special requirements for verifying energy and water performance during the commissioning of existing buildings. The commissioning of new systems in existing buildings may reference the commissioning requirements of CSA Z320 and CSA Z5000.

Note: Annex A describes when to consider the application of CSA Z5000 and CSA Z5001.

1.1.2 Commissioning work

This Standard is intended to assist the commissioning team in the planning and implementation of the scope of the commissioning work. This scope of work specifies commissioning requirements for systems that affect GHG emissions, energy, and water usage, and includes, but is not limited to, the following:

a) the owner’s current facility requirements (CFR);

b) the development of the commissioning plan;

c) the resources required to complete commissioning;

d) the responsibilities of the commissioning team;

e) the sequence and integration of commissioning activities;

f) the investigation and testing of energy- and water-related building systems;

g) the use of metering and monitoring systems;

h) the quantification of Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions from building system operations; and

i) the measurement and reporting to be put in place to confirm ongoing compliance with local energy, GHG, and water efficiency regulations.

1.2 Specific systems

1.2.1 Classification

The systems covered in this Standard are classified as

a) architectural and building enclosures;

b) vertical and horizontal transportation;

c) electrical and lighting and related controls;

d) mechanical and related controls;

e) energy and water monitoring and metering; and

f) water-using systems.

1.2.2 Exclusions

This Standard does not apply to

a) fire pumps;

b) smoke pressurization fans;

c) fire alarm and detection systems;

d) other life safety systems that operate only during testing or emergencies; and

e) equipment or systems exempt from the National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings (NECB).

1.3 Terminology

In this Standard, "shall" is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the Standard; "should" is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and "may" is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the Standard.

Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material.

Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements.

Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (non-mandatory) to define their application.