SF Permits MCP Server

{ "meta": { "source": "2022-NRCC-CXR-E-NonresidentialBuildingCommissioning.pdf", "title": "Nonresidential Building Commissioning (CXR-E)", "authority": "California Energy Commission — 2022 Energy Code (Title 24, Part 6)", "form_id": "NRCC-CXR-E", "effective": "2023-01-01", "last_reviewed": "2026-02-15", "knowledge_tier": 1, "relevance": "Required for all nonresidential new construction and major alterations; common correction trigger when missing or incomplete" }, "overview": { "description": "The NRCC-CXR-E is the Certificate of Compliance for nonresidential building commissioning (Cx) under the 2022 California Energy Code. It documents that building systems have been designed to enable proper commissioning and that a commissioning plan is in place.", "when_required": [ "All new nonresidential buildings", "Major alterations to nonresidential buildings where HVAC or lighting systems are substantially modified", "Mixed-use buildings (nonresidential portions)", "High-rise residential buildings (>3 stories above grade)" ], "who_completes": "Design professional of record (architect or engineer) responsible for the systems being commissioned", "submission_timing": "Submitted with building permit application as part of the NRCC package; updated versions may be required at plan check corrections", "related_forms": [ {"form": "NRCC-PRF-01-E", "description": "Performance compliance approach — overall building energy model"}, {"form": "NRCA-LTI-04-E", "description": "Acceptance test for lighting controls"}, {"form": "NRCA-MCH-04-E", "description": "Acceptance test for HVAC systems"}, {"form": "NRCI-CXR-E", "description": "Installation certificate for commissioning (field verification)"} ] }, "commissioning_requirements": { "design_phase": { "description": "Requirements that must be documented during design/permit application phase", "items": [ { "id": "CX-D01", "requirement": "Commissioning plan", "detail": "Written plan identifying systems to be commissioned, testing procedures, schedule, and responsible parties", "common_correction": "Missing or incomplete commissioning plan is one of the top 5 nonresidential plan check corrections" }, { "id": "CX-D02", "requirement": "Owner's Project Requirements (OPR)", "detail": "Document stating the owner's functional requirements for building systems, including energy efficiency goals" }, { "id": "CX-D03", "requirement": "Basis of Design (BOD)", "detail": "Document describing the design approach for meeting the OPR, including system descriptions and design criteria" }, { "id": "CX-D04", "requirement": "Commissioning specifications", "detail": "Technical specifications included in the construction documents describing commissioning procedures for each system" }, { "id": "CX-D05", "requirement": "Design review documentation", "detail": "Narrative describing how the design achieves the commissioning requirements of the energy code" } ] }, "construction_phase": { "description": "Requirements during construction and pre-occupancy", "items": [ { "id": "CX-C01", "requirement": "Functional performance testing", "detail": "Systematic testing of each commissioned system under various operating conditions (full load, part load, failure modes)" }, { "id": "CX-C02", "requirement": "Commissioning report", "detail": "Final report documenting all test results, deficiencies found, corrections made, and system performance verification" }, { "id": "CX-C03", "requirement": "Training documentation", "detail": "Evidence that building operations staff received training on commissioned systems" } ] } }, "systems_requiring_commissioning": { "hvac": { "description": "Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems", "applicable_when": "All new HVAC systems in nonresidential buildings", "commissioning_items": [ { "system": "Air handling units (AHU)", "tests": ["Airflow verification", "Outside air damper operation", "Economizer control sequence", "Supply air temperature reset", "Fan power/VFD verification"] }, { "system": "Variable air volume (VAV) terminals", "tests": ["Minimum/maximum airflow setpoints", "Zone temperature control", "Reheat valve operation", "Damper stroke verification"] }, { "system": "Packaged/split systems", "tests": ["Thermostat operation", "Economizer functionality", "Fault detection diagnostics", "Refrigerant charge verification"] }, { "system": "Boilers and chillers", "tests": ["Equipment staging", "Temperature reset schedules", "Safety controls", "Efficiency verification at part load"] }, { "system": "Exhaust systems", "tests": ["Airflow measurement", "Demand control ventilation (DCV)", "Kitchen hood controls", "Garage CO sensor integration"] }, { "system": "Controls and DDC/BAS", "tests": ["Schedule verification", "Setpoint optimization", "Alarm functionality", "Network communication", "Trend logging setup"] } ] }, "lighting_controls": { "description": "Lighting control systems", "applicable_when": "All new lighting systems in nonresidential buildings", "commissioning_items": [ { "system": "Occupancy/vacancy sensors", "tests": ["Sensor coverage verification", "Time delay settings", "Override functionality", "Integration with HVAC"] }, { "system": "Daylight harvesting", "tests": ["Photosensor calibration", "Dimming response curves", "Setpoint verification", "Window management integration"] }, { "system": "Demand response", "tests": ["Signal reception", "Load shed levels", "Recovery timing", "Override procedures"] }, { "system": "Scheduling controls", "tests": ["Time clock programming", "Holiday/weekend schedules", "Sweep-off timing", "Manual override duration"] }, { "system": "Automatic daylighting controls", "tests": ["Primary sidelit zone dimming", "Secondary sidelit zone dimming", "Toplighting zone dimming", "Calibration under varying sky conditions"] } ] }, "domestic_hot_water": { "description": "Service water heating systems", "applicable_when": "Systems serving nonresidential occupancies", "commissioning_items": [ { "system": "Water heaters and boilers", "tests": ["Temperature setpoint verification", "Recirculation pump controls", "Timer/sensor operation"] }, { "system": "Solar thermal systems", "tests": ["Collector orientation/tilt", "Pump controls", "Freeze protection", "Integration with backup heating"] } ] }, "building_envelope": { "description": "Envelope-related commissioning (advanced commissioning only)", "applicable_when": "Projects pursuing advanced commissioning or where envelope performance is critical", "commissioning_items": [ { "system": "Air barrier systems", "tests": ["Blower door testing", "Pressure differential verification", "Joint/seal inspection"] } ] } }, "advanced_commissioning": { "description": "Enhanced commissioning requirements that go beyond basic code compliance", "when_triggered": [ "Buildings over 10,000 sq ft conditioned area", "Buildings with complex HVAC systems (multiple zones, central plant)", "Projects claiming energy credits for advanced commissioning" ], "additional_requirements": [ { "id": "ACX-01", "requirement": "Monitoring-based commissioning (MBCx)", "detail": "Post-occupancy energy monitoring system capable of measuring whole-building energy use and major end uses, with fault detection and diagnostics" }, { "id": "ACX-02", "requirement": "Independent commissioning agent", "detail": "Commissioning conducted by an independent agent not on the design or construction team" }, { "id": "ACX-03", "requirement": "Seasonal testing", "detail": "Functional testing under both heating and cooling conditions (may require return visit)" }, { "id": "ACX-04", "requirement": "Systems manual", "detail": "Comprehensive operating manual for all commissioned systems including sequences of operation, maintenance schedules, and troubleshooting guides" } ] }, "common_corrections": [ { "id": "CXR-C01", "category": "Missing documentation", "description": "Commissioning plan not included with permit application", "frequency": "Very common — top 3 nonresidential correction", "resolution": "Submit complete commissioning plan per Section 120.8 requirements", "timeline_impact_days": 14 }, { "id": "CXR-C02", "category": "Incomplete scope", "description": "Commissioning plan does not cover all required systems (often missing lighting controls or DHW)", "frequency": "Common", "resolution": "Expand commissioning plan to include all systems per Tables 120.8-A and 120.8-B", "timeline_impact_days": 7 }, { "id": "CXR-C03", "category": "Missing design review", "description": "Design review narrative not provided or does not address energy code compliance", "frequency": "Common", "resolution": "Provide design review narrative addressing OPR, BOD, and code requirements", "timeline_impact_days": 7 }, { "id": "CXR-C04", "category": "No commissioning agent identified", "description": "Commissioning plan does not identify the responsible commissioning professional", "frequency": "Moderate", "resolution": "Identify commissioning agent with qualifications per Section 120.8(a)", "timeline_impact_days": 3 }, { "id": "CXR-C05", "category": "Acceptance test forms missing", "description": "Required NRCA acceptance test forms not referenced or included in commissioning plan", "frequency": "Common", "resolution": "Include applicable NRCA forms (LTI-04, MCH-04, etc.) and identify when each will be completed", "timeline_impact_days": 5 }, { "id": "CXR-C06", "category": "CXR-E form not submitted", "description": "NRCC-CXR-E compliance certificate not included in the Title 24 documentation package", "frequency": "Very common", "resolution": "Complete and submit NRCC-CXR-E signed by design professional of record", "timeline_impact_days": 3 } ], "sf_specific_notes": [ { "topic": "DBI plan check", "detail": "San Francisco DBI reviews commissioning documentation during M-06 (Mechanical) and M-08 (Energy) plan check stages. Missing CXR-E is flagged as a correction that holds permit issuance." }, { "topic": "AB-093 green building overlay", "detail": "SF's green building ordinance (AB-093) may require commissioning beyond Title 24 minimums for new construction and major alterations, including enhanced commissioning per LEED or GreenPoint Rated requirements." }, { "topic": "Inspection coordination", "detail": "Functional performance tests for HVAC and lighting controls must be witnessed by a DBI inspector or approved third-party. Schedule through the DBI online inspection request system." }, { "topic": "Certificate of Final Completion", "detail": "Commissioning report and acceptance test results must be provided before DBI issues Certificate of Final Completion. Green Building Final Compliance form (AB-093 Attachment E) is also required for applicable projects." } ], "tool_integration": { "required_documents": { "triggers": ["nonresidential_new_construction", "major_alteration_nonresidential", "title24", "commercial_ti", "green_building"], "documents_to_add": [ "NRCC-CXR-E (Commissioning Certificate of Compliance)", "Commissioning plan per Section 120.8", "Owner's Project Requirements (OPR)", "Basis of Design (BOD)", "Design review narrative" ] }, "revision_risk": { "triggers": ["nonresidential_new_construction", "major_alteration_nonresidential", "title24"], "risk_factors": [ "Missing commissioning plan (CXR-C01): +14 days", "Incomplete system coverage (CXR-C02): +7 days", "Missing CXR-E form (CXR-C06): +3 days" ] }, "estimate_timeline": { "note": "Projects requiring commissioning typically add 1-3 weeks to the overall permit timeline due to plan check review of Cx documentation and potential corrections" } } }