Standards Development

Scope

This proposed standard specifies the process for developing a commissioning plan for existing buildings. The commissioning plan describes the procedures to verify and document that the performance of the building in operation meets the owner’s requirements. This standard provides a general framework for commissioning plan development and is intended to be used in conjunction with system- or discipline-specific standards.

This standard constitutes Part 2 of the ISO 24359 series and does not cover the commissioning plans for new construction, major renovations, or system and assembly replacement projects, which were addressed in Part 1.

Purpose

The need for an international standard on commissioning planning for existing buildings arises from the growing demand for decarbonization, energy efficiency, and improved indoor environmental quality in the global building stock. The commissioning marketplace is expanding rapidly, and while some national standards and guidelines exist, there is a need for an internationally applicable and comprehensive approach that can address the specific circumstances of existing buildings.

Existing buildings present unique challenges compared with new construction: design documentation may be incomplete or outdated, as-built conditions often vary significantly from original plans, building operations impose strict constraints, and opportunities for system downtime are limited. These factors complicate the planning of commissioning activities and reduce the effectiveness of the process if not properly addressed.

To overcome these challenges and to realize truly effective commissioning in existing buildings, it is essential to establish an international standard that defines commissioning planning methods. This standard will specify concrete procedures for preparing commissioning plans, clarify the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders, and highlight key considerations to ensure consistency and reliability of the commissioning process.

The framework will be consistent with ISO 16813 General Principles and the commissioning standards developed in ISO/TC 205/WG 10 for functional performance testing of specific components and indoor environmental systems. It will complement ISO 24359-1, which addresses new construction, major renovations, and system or assembly replacement projects. In addition, it will support broader initiatives such as zero-energy building retrofits, carbon reduction programs, and performance verification required by financing schemes.