Project description
Cator, Ruma & Associates served as the Commissioning Authority for Owyhee High School, a new two-story, approximately 245,000-square-foot high school for West Ada School District. The facility includes a wide range of space types, from classrooms and laboratories to gymnasiums, auditoriums, and commercial kitchen areas, each with distinct operational and energy performance requirements.
CRA’s commissioning scope focused on IECC-required building systems commissioning, including development of the commissioning plan, review of contractor submittals, verification of system installation, functional performance testing, and documentation of results. Commissioned systems included a large and diverse HVAC infrastructure, featuring 114 rooftop units, five dedicated outdoor air systems with energy recovery, supply, return, and exhaust air systems, kitchen hoods and makeup air units, kiln exhaust, destratification fans, electric heaters, and general exhaust systems. Plumbing systems such as water heaters and recirculation pumps were verified, along with electrical lighting controls incorporating daylighting zones throughout classrooms and common areas.
The commissioning process emphasized coordination with contractors, controls integration validation, TAB report review, and verification of owner training to support a smooth transition from construction to operations. Final commissioning documentation and seasonal follow-up activities were completed to support long-term system performance and operational understanding by district facilities staff.
Guiding Principles for the Design
- Verify Performance at Scale
- Clear Documentation and Accountability
- Energy Compliance Without Guesswork
- Centralized Reliability
- Support Long-Term Operations