The Effectiveness of Installation and Commissioning Processes in Delivering New Mass Low Carbon Social Housing

Presentation by Dr Terry Keech B Eng(Hons) C Eng PrD MCIBSE MEI MIET

CONTENTS

• Introduction

• Framework for Research

• Research Scope and Methodology

• Industry Makeup

• Commissioning Process

• Findings

• Conclusions

• Future

• References

Performance of low carbon homes is failing on a number of levels, indicating that ‘design’ and ‘as built’ construction vary considerably (Zero Carbon Hub, 2011). BelizOzorhon (2016) identifies that quality and process is underperforming, giving cause for concern in the construction industry’s response to housing low carbon challenges. My research investigated aspects of this underperformance witnessed through practitioner engagement on low carbon housing projects.

INTRODUCTION

FRAMEWORK FOR THE RESEARCH

Fig 1

• The performance of new build low carbon dwellings is a substantial subject area with a considerable quantity of literature and research concentrated on post occupancy behaviour and technology operation. There is much less research focused on training and commissioning of the technologies at the construction stages, with most of the research based on commercial buildings. Hopkins et al (2017) point to the apparent silence on the subject for UK housing development, recognising the need for the capture of the link from installation and commissioning to handover of the development.

• Data gathering has been achieved through the use of questionnaires, in-depth interviews and site observations.

• The questionnaires were circulated to over 600 contacts with a return of 255 respondents giving a return rate of 42.5%.

• Questionnaire surveys were enhanced by in-depth semi-structured interviews with a number of the construction professionals that had completed the survey, and site observations and interventions.

RESEARCH SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY

The Construction Statistics Annual Tables show the UK registered construction companies in the third quarter of 2014 (Office for National Statistics, 2015). These indicate that the employee make-up of the 66,533 Building Services construction companies, split into Electrical, Plumbing and Heating Ventilation and Air-conditioning (HVAC), operating within the UK are as follows:

INDUSTRY MAKE UP

Noyne et al (2013) identify the five primary steps to the commissioning process, with Level 3 being the predominate level, and Levels 4 and 5 rarely used.

COMMISSIONING PROCESS

Mostly not Achieved

FINDINGS – PARTICIPATION IN THE STUDY

Fig 2 Fig 3

FINDINGS – EXPERIENCE

Fig 4

FINDINGS – FORMAL / INFORMAL KNOWLEDGEThe questionnaire identified key areas with regards to training and education in low carbon technologies. Figures 5 and 6 indicate that there is a low level of formal qualification in the survey group, whilst the main form of knowledge transfer is short duration seminars and ‘in house’ staff led seminars.

Fig 5 Fig 6

FINDINGS – FORMAL / INFORMAL KNOWLEDGEThe chart illustrates that practical information from the stakeholder organisation and site experience are the two main areas identified in the survey.

Tacit – Explicit Knowledge Exchange – Social Learning Theory Walters (1963).

Fig 7

FINDINGS – FORMAL / INFORMAL KNOWLEDGEWhat is evident from the responses is the perception that monitoring of low carbon technologies is uncommon within the installation process (74.4% of respondents).

Fig 8

FINDINGS – COMMISSIONINGGaps highlighted in commissioning indicate that the process is considered disjointed and lacking co-ordination, with validation by the designer as the least engaged area of commissioning.

Considering that most low carbon technologies require a higher degree of co-ordination with the building and other building services to operate effectively, the deficiencies observed indicate a serious concern for efficient performance of the technology. Fig 9

FINDINGS – EFFECTIVENESSFigures 10 and 11, where the survey asked questions on the effectiveness of the commissioning and the subsequent occurrence of defects during the defect period. There is a noticeable level of opinion that suggests its effectiveness is lower than should be expected for low carbon performance. When this is read in conjunction with the incidence of defects a distinct pattern is observed from failing commissioning processes through to the direct operation of the technology by residents.

Fig 10

FINDINGS – DEFECTSWhere complex technologies are being used for low carbon housing, the higher rate of defects could be related to the extended ‘undeclared post-handover’ commissioning of the installed system.

Commissioning is continuing long after the building is handed over, hidden within defect rectification, as Lohne et al (2016) suggests ‘fuzzy commissioning’. Consequently uncoordinated commissioning is taking place whilst the residents are living in the dwelling. In this way, dependent on the level and duration of the intervention, the resident perceives the technology to be faulty and subsequent trust in operation is lost at the important early stage of occupation.

Fig 11Only 2% stated less defects

FINDINGS – BARRIERSBarriers identified as installation standards; challenge to performance and actual performance not assessed at completion.

Fig 12

FINDINGS – INTERVENTIONSProcess adopted for Intervention Cycles:

Fig 13

FINDINGS – INTERVENTIONS

Process adopted for Intervention Cycles:

Fig 14

Feedback Loop

Feedback Loop

Feedback Loop

CONCLUSIONS – PROCESS PERFOMANCE MONITORING

Removing the lack of process identified by Lohne et al (2015) as ‘fuzzy commissioning’ and adopting Process Performance Monitoring.

Fig 15

FUTURE

SAP 10• Mains Gas and Electricity are now

much closer suggesting that Heat Pumps will possibly become more prevalent for residential schemes.

• Building Regulations – Part L1B (Existing Building) amended 2018 (latest edition of the Domestic Building Services Compliance Guide)

• Part L1A – still awaiting confirmation of new edition (also when SAP 10 comes into force).

Grid Watch October 2018

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THANK YOU