Building Commissioning — Interior BC
Independent Commissioning for Buildings That Have to Perform.
Healthcare facilities, LEED projects, and institutional buildings across BC’s Interior rely on Inland Technical Services for independent, field-based commissioning. CSA Z320 and BCxA-aligned. Serving Kamloops and Kelowna since 1986.
38yrs
In operation — Interior BC commissioning since 1986
10+
Full hospital tower commissions completed
100%
Prefunctional checklists and FPTs verified
2
BC offices — Kamloops and Kelowna
What Is Commissioning
Verifying That Your Building’s Systems Work — Before You Sign Off.
Technical Definition
Building commissioning is the systematic process of verifying that a facility’s mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and control systems are designed, installed, tested, and capable of being operated and maintained to meet the owner’s project requirements.
When a building is handed over, contractors certify that their systems are complete. Commissioning provides independent, third-party verification that those systems are actually performing to design intent — before the owner accepts responsibility for them.
Without independent commissioning, building owners routinely inherit systems with installation deficiencies, controls sequences that were never tested under real operating conditions, and equipment that meets spec on paper but underperforms in practice. Commissioning catches these issues during construction — when they’re far cheaper and faster to fix.
For healthcare facilities, LEED-certified buildings, and complex institutional projects, commissioning is not optional. It is a requirement under BC Building Code, CSA standards, and LEED certification pathways. ITSL provides the independent oversight to satisfy those requirements — and to protect the building owner’s long-term interests.
ITSL’s commissioning philosophy goes beyond checklists. Our providers are in the field — observing systems under real operating conditions, testing control sequences, reviewing design documentation, and collaborating directly with owners, consultants, and contractors to resolve issues in real time.
Our Process
Commissioning From Design Through Handover
Effective commissioning begins before construction starts and doesn’t end until the building operator knows how to run the systems. ITSL provides continuity through every phase.
01
Design-Phase Review
Review of mechanical and electrical construction documents against the Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR) and Basis of Design (BOD). We identify design gaps before they become construction deficiencies — when they’re still easy and inexpensive to address.
02
Construction Observation & Prefunctional Verification
Field verification that systems are installed per specification. ITSL verifies 100% of prefunctional checklists — not a sampling. Every piece of mechanical, electrical, and controls equipment is documented before functional testing begins.
03
Functional Performance Testing
Systematic testing of all building systems under representative operating conditions. Controls sequences, alarm responses, emergency scenarios, and integration points are tested and documented. Issues are tracked in Bluerithm cloud software for real-time stakeholder visibility.
04
Cx Report, Manual & Training
Final commissioning report, issues log resolution, and Commissioning Manual delivery. Owner and operator training ensures the building team can operate and maintain systems as intended — protecting the building’s performance long after handover.
Real-Time Tracking via Bluerithm: Every deficiency, checklist, and test result is tracked in Bluerithm’s cloud-based commissioning platform. Owners, consultants, and contractors have live access to project status, issues log, and test records throughout the commissioning process — no waiting for monthly reports to find out where a project stands.
Commissioning Services
What ITSL Delivers on a Commissioning Engagement
Our commissioning scope is adapted to each project type — from new hospital towers to existing facility retrofits.
New Building Commissioning
Full commissioning scope for new construction — from design review through functional testing and handover documentation. Aligned with CSA Z320, ASHRAE Guideline 0, and LEED requirements. ITSL serves as the independent Commissioning Authority with no conflicts with the installing contractors.
Healthcare Commissioning
Specialist commissioning for BC acute care hospitals, long-term care facilities, and medical office buildings. We have commissioned over 10 full hospital towers and numerous phased renovations. Our team is experienced with all BC Health Authority procurement and compliance requirements.
LEED Commissioning
Commissioning Authority services for LEED Fundamental and Enhanced Commissioning requirements. ITSL manages the Owner’s Project Requirements, reviews contractor submittals, and delivers the commissioning report required for LEED certification submission — for both the CaGBC and international pathways.
Retro-Commissioning
Systematic investigation and optimization of existing building systems that are underperforming. ITSL identifies and corrects controls drift, equipment degradation, and operational inefficiencies — often avoiding costly capital replacements. BC Hydro Continuous Optimization Program approved vendor.
Renovation & Phased Cx
Commissioning of phased renovations and tenant improvements in occupied facilities — including hospitals, university buildings, and civic facilities. ITSL manages the sequencing complexity of commissioning active buildings where systems must remain operational throughout construction.
Commissioning Management
For owners and project managers who need commissioning coordination across multiple disciplines — ITSL provides commissioning management services that integrate mechanical, electrical, controls, and life safety testing into a single, coordinated program. Includes stakeholder reporting and milestone management.
Healthcare Specialization
BC’s Most Experienced Independent Commissioning Firm for Hospital Projects.
Healthcare facilities are the most demanding commissioning environments in the built environment. Infection control zones, life safety systems, medical gas distribution, isolation rooms, and 24/7 operational requirements create a commissioning complexity that general firms are not equipped to manage.
ITSL has commissioned over 10 full hospital towers in BC, including Royal Inland Hospital Patient Care Tower (LEED Gold, 2023), Kelowna General Hospital, Penticton Regional Hospital, and Comox Valley Hospital. Our commissioning providers understand BC Health Authority requirements, CSA healthcare standards, and the operational constraints of commissioning in live hospital environments.
Our team recently completed Integrated Systems Testing (CAN/ULC S1001) for both Penticton Regional and Royal Inland Hospital — the most complex life safety commissioning scope available.
Healthcare Commissioning Standards
10+
Full hospital tower commissions across BC
2
Recent IST completions — Penticton Regional & Royal Inland
LEED Gold
Royal Inland Hospital Patient Care Tower, 2023
Interior BC
The only specialist commissioning firm based in the BC Interior
LEED Commissioning — Interior BC
The Commissioning Authority for BC’s Most Demanding Sustainable Building Projects.
LEED certification requires an independent Commissioning Authority — a qualified third party who is not affiliated with the project’s design or construction team. For LEED projects in Interior BC, ITSL is the most experienced, most credentialled option available.
Our team has served as Commissioning Authority on LEED Gold buildings including Royal Inland Hospital Patient Care Tower (2023), UBCO Health Sciences Building (2011), Penticton Regional Hospital Patient Care Tower, Comox Valley and Campbell River Hospitals, and multiple BC Housing and Okanagan College projects.
LEED commissioning is not just a checkbox. The buildings we commission perform better over their lifetimes because the commissioning process forces design teams and contractors to verify that systems function as designed — not just as installed. The energy and operational savings from well-executed commissioning typically far exceed the cost of the commissioning scope itself.
ITSL aligns our LEED commissioning work with ASHRAE Guidelines 0 and 1.1, CaGBC LEED v4 requirements, and BCxA best practices — ensuring that the commissioning process delivers both certification compliance and genuine building performance.
LEED Fundamental Commissioning
Minimum requirement for most LEED certifications. Covers mechanical, electrical, and controls systems. Required for LEED BD&C and ID&C projects.
LEED Enhanced Commissioning
Additional credit requiring expanded scope: envelope commissioning option, systems manual, operator training, and post-occupancy review. Highest value for long-term building performance.
LEED O+M Recertification
Existing buildings pursuing LEED Operations & Maintenance certification or recertification. ITSL’s retro-commissioning scope can support LEED O+M energy and water performance credits.
Envelope Commissioning
Optional LEED Enhanced credit. ITSL verifies building envelope system performance — air barriers, fenestration, and thermal continuity — as an extension of the mechanical commissioning scope.
Recent Commissioning Projects
Proof of Work Across Interior BC and Beyond
A selection of commissioning projects completed by ITSL’s team — spanning healthcare, education, civic, and residential sectors.
Healthcare · LEED Gold
Royal Inland Hospital — Patient Care Tower
Full commissioning and Integrated Systems Testing (CAN/ULC S1001) for the new Patient Care Tower at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops. One of the most complex healthcare commissioning scopes completed in the BC Interior. LEED Gold certified, 2023.
Healthcare · LEED
Penticton Regional Hospital — Patient Care Tower
Commissioning and Integrated Systems Testing for the Penticton Regional Hospital Patient Care Tower. Full mechanical and life safety commissioning scope delivered under CSA Z8001 and CAN/ULC S1001 requirements for BC Health Authority.
Healthcare · Kelowna
Kelowna General Hospital — Multiple Phases
Ongoing commissioning relationship across multiple renovation and expansion phases at Kelowna General Hospital — including cardiac, operating room, MRI, and catheterization lab projects. Extensive experience with occupied hospital commissioning in the Okanagan.
Education · LEED Gold
UBCO Health Sciences Building
Commissioning Authority for UBC Okanagan’s Health Sciences building — one of the first LEED Gold academic facilities in the BC Interior. Complex laboratory HVAC commissioning including fume hood exhaust systems, pressurization, and BAS integration.
Healthcare · Coastal BC
Comox Valley & Campbell River Hospitals
Full commissioning scope for the new Comox Valley Hospital and Campbell River Hospital — LEED certified facilities on Vancouver Island demonstrating ITSL’s province-wide commissioning capability beyond the BC Interior.
Civic & Education
Thompson Rivers University — Multiple Buildings
Commissioning and retro-commissioning across multiple TRU campus buildings in Kamloops, including the Library and Old Main Retrofit. ITSL’s Kamloops office has a long-standing relationship with TRU facilities management and construction teams.
Why Inland Technical
What Sets ITSL Apart as a Commissioning Firm
Healthcare Commissioning Depth No Other Interior BC Firm Matches
10+ full hospital towers and dozens of phased healthcare renovations. Our CxPs know BC Health Authority processes, CSA healthcare standards, and how to manage commissioning in live clinical environments. This is not a service offering — it’s a specialization.
100% Checklist Verification — Not a Sampling
Every prefunctional checklist and functional performance test is independently verified by an ITSL CxP. We don’t spot-check. We verify the system, document the result, and track issues to resolution — providing the owner with a complete, defensible record.
Based in the BC Interior — We Work Where Your Buildings Are
Our Kamloops and Kelowna offices mean our commissioning providers are not flying in from Vancouver and billing travel time. We have long-standing relationships with BC Interior contractors, consultants, and facility teams — and we show up consistently, not just for milestone events.
Standards Leadership — Not Just Compliance
Luke Buis serves as President of the BCxA Western Canadian Chapter and contributes to authoring national CSA standards Z5000 and Z5001. ITSL’s founder helped develop BC’s original commissioning protocols. This is an organization that shapes industry standards — and applies them on every project.
Real-Time Transparency via Bluerithm
All commissioning tracking — checklists, issues, test results, milestones — is managed in Bluerithm’s cloud platform. Owners, consultants, and contractors have live visibility into project status. No lag between site activity and stakeholder awareness.
Truly Independent — No Conflicts, No Divided Loyalties
ITSL has no affiliation with mechanical contractors, engineering firms, or equipment suppliers. Our only obligation is to verify that systems perform to the owner’s requirements. That independence is the foundation of the commissioning role — and it’s non-negotiable here.
Falcon Engineering has worked with Inland Technical Services on both tendered and design build projects with great success. ITS brings strong technical expertise with regards to the balancing and commissioning services required to bring a project to a successful conclusion.
Andrew Stringer, P.Eng, Principal — Falcon Engineering
Commissioning Credentials & Affiliations
ACP — ASHRAE Certified
AScT — ASTTBC
LEED AP BD+C
BCxA Member
UL Certified
CAN/ULC S1001
CSA Z320 / Z8001
BC Hydro COP
CSA Z5000/Z5001
Project Types We Commission
Acute Care Hospitals
Long-Term Care
University & College
K–12 Schools
LEED Commercial
Civic & Aquatic
Multi-Unit Residential
BC Housing
Labs & Research
Wineries & Industrial
Common Questions
Commissioning — Answered for Building Owners and Project Teams
When should commissioning begin on a project?
As early as the schematic design phase — and no later than the start of construction documents. Commissioning that begins at design review catches issues before they become construction deficiencies. Starting commissioning after substantial completion means many problems are already baked in and expensive to fix.
What is the difference between commissioning and testing and balancing (TAB)?
TAB is the process of adjusting airflow and hydronic systems to meet design specifications — it’s a construction trade activity performed by the installing contractor or a TAB firm. Commissioning is independent verification that systems, including those that have been balanced, are performing to the owner’s project requirements under all operating modes. TAB is one input to commissioning — commissioning is the broader verification process.
What is Integrated Systems Testing (IST) and how does it relate to commissioning?
CAN/ULC S1001 Integrated Systems Testing verifies that all life safety systems — fire alarm, sprinkler, emergency power, smoke control, fire doors — operate together as an integrated system under realistic emergency scenarios. IST is a distinct scope from mechanical commissioning but is typically coordinated with it on hospital and complex institutional projects. ITSL is UL certified to perform IST.
Is commissioning required by BC Building Code?
Commissioning requirements apply to specific building types and systems under the BC Building Code, CSA standards, and project-specific requirements. Healthcare facilities require commissioning under CSA Z8001. LEED certification requires a Commissioning Authority under ASHRAE Guideline 0. Many institutional owners include commissioning as a contractual requirement regardless of code mandate.
Can ITSL commission projects outside Kamloops and Kelowna?
Yes. While our two Interior BC offices are our operational base, ITSL has commissioned facilities across BC — including Vancouver Island (Comox Valley, Campbell River), the Peace Region, Whitehorse, and the Lower Mainland. We evaluate project-by-project based on scope, schedule, and resource availability. Reach out to discuss your project location.
What does retro-commissioning involve and when is it worth it?
Retro-commissioning investigates why an existing building’s systems are underperforming relative to design intent. Common findings include controls drift, sensor calibration errors, failed actuators, and operational changes that were never accounted for in BAS programming. The BC Hydro Continuous Optimization Program funds retro-commissioning investigations for eligible facilities — ITSL is an approved vendor.
Our Offices
Interior BC’s Commissioning Specialist — Two Locations, One Team.
Based in Kamloops and Kelowna, our commissioning providers serve the full BC Interior — and beyond when projects call for it.
Kamloops
Thompson-Okanagan · Shuswap · Northern Interior · Peace Region
✉️ estimating@inlandtechnical.ca
Royal Inland Hospital · Thompson Rivers University · Interior Health projects
Kelowna
Okanagan · Kootenays · South Interior · Vancouver Island
✉️ estimating@inlandtechnical.ca
UBCO · Kelowna General Hospital · Penticton Regional Hospital · Okanagan College
Ready to Discuss Commissioning for Your Project?
Send us the project type, location, and anticipated scope — and we’ll respond with how ITSL can support your commissioning requirements.