INDEPENDENT COMMISSIONING AGENT - ICA

Independent Commissioning Agent

Green Star (GBCA)

Verification And Handover:

As part of Green Star’s Verification And Handover Credit Achievement an independent level of verification is provided. This verification includes involvement of an Independent Commissioning Agent (ICA) throughout the design, planning, commissioning and tuning periods. An ICA must be appointed to advise, monitor, and verify the commissioning and tuning of the nominated building systems. 

The ICA's Role Includes:

• Advocating for, and reports directly to the building Owner. 
• Independent of any consultant, contractor or sub-contractor organisation that has been involved in the design or installation of the nominated systems.
• A registered or qualified technician with demonstrated knowledge and competency of commissioning of each of the nominated systems.

This ICA appointment is in addition to the Verification And Handover credit ‘Minimum Expectations’ which includes:

  • The building is set up for optimum ongoing management due to its appropriate
    metering and monitoring systems.
  • The building has set environmental performance targets, designed and tested for airtightness, been commissioned, and will be tuned.
  • The project team create and deliver operations and maintenance information to the facilities management team at the time of handover.

For buildings with a Total Building Services Value of over $20m seeking Credit Achievement, both independent level of verification (ICA) and a Soft Landings approach must be used.

How Innovo Helps:

With Innovo’s ICA involvement from initial design through to post-completion, we ensure strict adherence to Green Star Verification And Handover Credit.  We are proficient with current and legacy Green Star rating tools like Green Star Buildings and Green Star-Interiors, and Green Star – Design & As Built.

As the appointed ICA, we offer a comprehensive suite of services to advise, monitor, and verify the commissioning and tuning of the nominated building systems.

Generator

Phases of the ICA Process

Design:

  • Set environmental energy & water consumption performance targets for the project.
  • Review Metering & Monitoring Strategy to ensure compliance.
  • Review of Operational monitoring expectations of energy, water, and indoor environment quality.
  • Review Design for Airtightness
  • Conduct services and maintainability reviews to address commissionability, controllability, maintainability, operability, and safety of systems.
  • Develop a commissioning plan following CIBSE or ASHRAE commissioning guides.

Construction:

  • Oversight on the development of comprehensive commissioning plans for MEP&F.
  • Oversee the building commissioning activities to align with the design intent and as per recognised commissioning
    standards (I.e. CIBSE or ASHRAE commissioning guides).
  • Witness and report on airtightness testing.
  • Building tuning – collaboration with services providers, including BMS, to create a building tuning plan.

Post Completion:

  • Building Tuning – Represent and advocate for our clients during the 12-Month Seasonal Tuning.
  • Provide operations and maintenance information, including a building logbook and user guides.
  • Green star certification support for ICA documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Independent Commissioning Agent (ICA)?

An Independent Commissioning Agent (ICA) is a professional who oversees and ensures that building systems are installed and function correctly according to project requirements. They act as a third-party verifier, separate from contractors and consultants, to ensure quality, efficiency, and compliance. Their role is crucial in optimising energy performance and ensuring the required outcomes.

When selecting an ICA, ask for a history detailing their industry experience, certifications (Green Star Accredition or TACA etc), and what technical training have they undertaken.  A good ICA should have hands on technical experience in commissioing building systems, tehcncial know how, and the ability to communicate clearly with stakeholders. Choosing a well-qualified ICA with the right technical ability can make a substatial difference in your buildings long-term running costs and operational performance.

Engaging an ICA ensures that all building systems operate efficiently and meet the required performance standards. ICA’s help reduce long-term operational costs by identifying difficult to spot problems and ensuring proper system integration before Practical Completion and during the seasonal tuning period.  ICAs also improve project accountability by conducting thorough testing and documentation of such. Their involvement minimises the risk of premature equipment failures and performance issues after the expiration of DLP. 

Unlike conlsultants & contractors, who focus on construction, an Independent Commissioning Agent evaluates and verifies system performance objectively during the commissioning phase. They do not have a financial stake in construction or equipment sales, ensuring unbiased recommendations. ICAs assess whether installed systems meet design specifications and operational needs. They act as supvisory commissioing experts, identifying potential issues before they lead to costly problems. Their independent status ensures transparency and accountability throughout the project.

ICAs are commonly required in industries such as construction, healthcare, commercial real estate, and manufacturing. They are essential for projects involving HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and renewable energy systems. Many government and NABERS rated projects require commissioning to meet energy efficiency and sustainability standards. Data centers and industrial facilities also rely on ICAs to optimize system performance and minimise downtime. Their expertise is valuable for any industry requiring high-performance & high-reliability building systems.