Denver Museum of Nature and Science: Education and Collections Facility

Project number 2009.104

SECTION 26 08 00

klipp, a professional corporation

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LIGHTING CONTROL COMMISSIONING

PART 1 - GENERAL
1.01 COMMISSIONING METHODS
A. Jobsite Inspections
B.

Prefunctional and Functional Check Lists

C.

Functional Testing

D. Trending and Data Logging

1.02 COMMISSIONING ISSUES FOR LIGHTING CONTROL APPLICATIONS
A. Daylighting with Dimming
B.

Sweep Function

C.

Occupancy Sensors

D. General Indoor Light Levels

1.03 RESPONSIBILITIES
A. All work required to deliver a Lighting Control System that operates as specified in the
Contract Documents shall be performed by the Contractor. All sampling and verification
noted in Part 3 of this Section shall be performed by the Commissioning Agent, with the
Contractor present.
1.04 COMMISSIONING SCOPE
A. The following checked equipment will be commissioned in this project.
System
Electrical

Equipment
Sweep or scheduled lighting controls
Daylight dimming controls
Lighting occupancy sensors
Power quality
Security system
Emergency power system
UPS systems
Fire and smoke alarm systems
Fire protection systems
Communications system
Low Voltage Distribution Cable
Distribution Panel Circuit Breakers
Automatic Transfer Switch

LIGHTING CONTROL COMMISSIONING

Check
X
X
X

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Denver Museum of Nature and Science: Education and Collections Facility

Project number 2009.104

klipp, a professional corporation

100% Construction Documents

PART 2 - PRODUCTS (Not Used)

PART 3 - EXECUTION
3.01 COMMISSIONING METHODS
A. Daylighting issues targeted during a commissioning effort fall into two general categories.
Those items that can be addressed with prefunctional or functional check lists and items that
must be verified with functional testing or trending/logging. Both commissioning methods
must be used to ensure a successful commissioning process.
B.

During the normal equipment submittal process, contractor shall provide CxA with electronic
lighting controls submittals, as well as all IOM manuals. These electronic documents are to be
electronically word searchable, not images scanned from hard copies. Scanned copies are
unnecessary as printing the document form the original software in which it was created into
adobe acrobat format is readily available, simpler, smaller file, and more useful.

C.

Checklists are to be developed by the Commissioning Agent and completed by the contractor.
Completed installation and checklists ensure the lighting system, control system, and building
furnishings are ready for functional testing and/or trending.

D. Functional testing shall occur with the installing contractor present so that issues that arise
during testing can be quickly resolved. Trending with the lighting control system or
installation of data loggers could often be used as a substitute for functional testing but may
not be as cost effective as testing.
E.

Cost of Retesting
1.
2.

The cost for the Sub to retest a pre-functional or functional test, if they are responsible for
the deficiency, shall be theirs. If they are not responsible, any cost recovery for retesting
costs shall be negotiated with the GC.
The time for the CxA to direct any retesting required because a specific pre-functional
checklist or start-up test item, reported to have been successfully completed but
determined during functional testing to be faulty, will be backcharged to the GC. The GC
may choose to recover costs from the party responsible for executing the faulty prefunctional test.

3.02 COMMISSIONING ISSUES FOR DAYLIGHTING APPLICATIONS

A. Daylighting Function
1.
2.

Verify all space furnishings and interior finishes as being installed before functional
testing or logging begins
Light levels
a.
b.
c.

Light levels in the space shall meet requirements of the specification throughout the
functional area of the space.
Light levels at 30 in. above finished floor (the work level) shall meet requirements
as specified in the Owners Project Requirements, Environmental Performance
Criteria document.
Functional area of the space will exclude a 3 foot border around the perimeter of the
room.

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Denver Museum of Nature and Science: Education and Collections Facility

Project number 2009.104

d.
e.

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Light levels will be measured in a 5 foot grid pattern to determine compliance with
these requirements.
Sampling strategy
1) For rooms with identical exposures, shapes, furnishings, sources of natural and
electrical lighting and daylighting controls, light levels will be evaluated in one
room randomly selected.

3.

Variation in light level intensity

a.
b.
c.
d.

Variations in light level intensity throughout the space shall conform to average to
minimum ratio of 4:1 or less.
Variation in light level intensity throughout the space shall conform to maximum to
minimum ratio of 8:1 or less.
Light levels will be measured in a 5 foot grid pattern to determine compliance with
these requirements.
Sampling strategy
1) For rooms with identical exposures, shapes, furnishings, sources of natural and
electrical lighting and daylighting controls, light levels will be evaluated in one
room randomly selected.

4.

Dimming function
a.
b.

Verify all new lamps were burned in by operating at full power for a minimum of
100 hours.
Closed loop system photocell measures combination of electric and natural
lighting. Verify the following for 100% of the photocells;
1) Verify the photocell is of the closed loop type.
2) Verify photocell mounting location in the space and orientation is such that it
measures light level typical of the space work level away from the point of
natural light entry into the space.
3) Confirm spacer layout and material reflective properties have been finalized and
remain the same after adjustment of the photocell.

c.

Open loop system photocell measures natural light level entering space. Verify
the following for 100% of the photocells;
1) Verify photocell is of the open loop type.
2) Verify photocell mounting location and orientation is such that it measures
natural light level entering space.

d.
e.
f.
g.

Verify all types of dimming light fixtures match specifications with regard to
dimming ability
Verify all dimming light fixtures match specifications with regard to mounting
locations.
Simulate reduced natural light levels or perform test at dawn to verify dimming
fixtures are functioning. Measure amperage draw change during dimming process to
confirm functionality of at least one fixture per zone.
Verify or adjust daytime light level setpoint to comply with item 3.A.2 above. For
zones with similar geometry and natural light entry paths, replicate the calibrated
setpoints in the similar zones.

LIGHTING CONTROL COMMISSIONING

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Denver Museum of Nature and Science: Education and Collections Facility

Project number 2009.104

klipp, a professional corporation

100% Construction Documents

h.
i.
j.
k.

Verify or adjust rate of change function to be not noticeable.

Verify 100% of dimming override location(s) to be as specified.
Verify dimming override feature(s) to be functional.
Verify dimming does not cause lower than specified light levels in adjacent nondimmed spaces.
l. Verify manual dimming upper and lower limit range is set as specified.
m. Verify programmed length of override function meets specifications
n. Simulate a power failure to confirm power-up restart functions are operating as
specified.
o. Sampling strategy should be applied to all daylighting functions unless noted
otherwise.
p. Of the total controlled room lighting circuits, 10% should be tested to confirm
functions as listed. If 10% of the first group fails the test, select another 10% of the
total room lighting circuits. If 10% of these rooms fail, test all remaining rooms.

B.

Lighting Sweep Controls

1.

Either simulate sweep function by manual program initiation or by witnessing sweep

function at the programmed times of occurrence. If the sweep function is simulated,
verify programmed time of occurrence meets specifications by visually viewing
programming screens.
2. Verify programmed time of sweep functions meets specifications for weekdays,
weekends and all holidays.
3. Verify front-end PC and all controllers with independent time clocks are set for the
correct identical time and date.
4. Verify front-end PC security and access codes are in place.
5. If sweep function is implemented for 10 or more independently controlled room lighting
circuits with identical control hardware and software, utilize a sampling strategy to
implement functional testing.
6. Verify sweep function is operational for 50% of the room lighting circuits or a minimum
of 2 circuits per controller or controlled relay.
7. Verify override function is operational by turning lights back on after a sweep with a
minimum of 25% of the local override switches or 4 switches, whichever is greater.
8. Verify 100% of the local override switches are installed and located as specified.
9. Verify telephone and remote keypad override functions operate as specified.
10. For the conditions, specified sequences and modes tested, the sweep controls, integral
components and related equipment respond to changing conditions and parameters
appropriately as expected, as specified and according to acceptable operating practice.
11. Sampling strategy should be applied to all sweep functions unless noted otherwise.
a.

Of the total controlled room lighting circuits, 10% should be tested to confirm sweep
functions as listed. If 10% of the first group fails the test, select another 10% of the
total room lighting circuits. If 10% of these rooms fail, test all remaining rooms.

12. Simulate a power failure of the lighting system to confirm power-up restart functions are
operating as specified.
C.

Occupancy Sensor controls

1.

Verify 100% of occupancy sensors cover the entire space at its mounting location and
adjusted angle. In addition, confirm the following for each type of occupancy sensor.
a.

Passive infra-red sensor

LIGHTING CONTROL COMMISSIONING

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Denver Museum of Nature and Science: Education and Collections Facility

Project number 2009.104

klipp, a professional corporation

100% Construction Documents

1) Verify lens is adjusted for the space geometry and size of space.
2) Verify sensitivity is adjusted for coverage of entire space.
b.

Ultrasonic sensor
1)

2.
3.
4.

5.
6.
7.

Verify sensitivity is adjusted for coverage of entire space.

Verify sensitivity adjustment for both types of sensors does not trigger nuisance trips
from air diffusers close to the sensor.
Verify sensitivity adjustment eliminates trips from movement in an adjacent space
After room lighting circuit is triggered on from an occupancy sensor, confirm
programmed delay off time is functional. Temporarily reprogram the delay off time to
expedite testing. If reprogrammed, verify final programmed delay off time matches
specifications.
Verify all types of sensors installed have an additional contact for use by the HVAC
control system if so specified.
Simulate a power failure of the lighting system to confirm power-up restart functions are
operating as specified.
Sampling strategy applied to all occupancy sensor issues unless noted otherwise.
a.

Of the total controlled room lighting circuits, 10% should be tested to confirm
occupancy sensor controls. If 10% of the first group fails the test, select another 10%
of the total room lighting circuits. If 10% of these rooms fail, test all remaining
rooms.

D. General indoor light levels

1.
2.
3.

Average light levels in the space at the work elevation shall not be less than 10% below
nor greater than 30% above the specified light level range for the space.
Light fixtures with dimming capability will be adjusted to maintain light levels in
compliance of 3.A.4 above during the nighttime.
Sampling strategy applied to all general indoor light level issues
a.

4.

Of the total controlled room lighting circuits, 10% should be tested to confirm
proper light levels. If 10% of the first group fails the test, select another 10% of the
total room lighting circuits. If 10% of these rooms fail, test all remaining rooms.

Refer to sample lighting checklist following this Section.

END OF SECTION 260800

LIGHTING CONTROL COMMISSIONING

26 08 00 - 5