Building commissioning standard open for comment

How can we strengthen the building commissioning process to ensure building systems function as designed, and as efficiently as possible? It’s a question that industry has grappled with for years, and which led to a Standards Australia project to develop a technical specification in 2021.

That technical specification has now been turned into a fully fledged Australian Standard – AS 5342. As the standard goes out for public comment, we speak with Robert Simic, M.AIRAH, Testing & Commissioning Manager at Lendlease Construction, and AIRAH’s representative on the Standards Australia committee developing AS 5342.

What do you see as the significance of getting a standard in place for building commissioning?

Establishing a standard for building commissioning is significant because it promotes a consistent, industry-wide approach. This consistency helps ensure that systems are commissioned effectively across all projects, leading to improved performance, reliability, and outcomes for both the built environment and its occupants.

What kinds of people were involved in the development of the standard?

A wide range of stakeholders contributed to the development of both the Australian Standard and the earlier technical specification. This included representatives from industry disciplines such as HVAC&R, fire protection, hydraulics, and vertical transportation.

There were also representatives from key sectors within the built environment, including designers and design consultants, property owners, developers and facilities managers, contractors, commissioning practitioners and agents, and government bodies.

This diverse involvement helped ensure the standard reflects the needs and perspectives of all major stakeholders in the commissioning process.

What are some key features of the standard – and are there any particular areas where people might want to focus their review?

The standard builds upon the previous technical specification, with key features focusing upon clear documentation of commissioning requirements within the design, and identifying requirements for planning, managing and implementing the commissioning. For example, this includes details on the development of a project-specific commissioning plan, program and procedures.

Those working in HVAC&R building services – such as AIRAH members – may want to focus their review on sections most relevant to their roles.

For example, designers should pay close attention to how commissioning requirements are specified in project documentation. Installing contractors may want to review the requirements around developing and implementing commissioning procedures.

This standard was developed off the back of SA TS 5342:2021, the technical specification. Any major differences between the TS and the AS we should be aware of?

There are no major differences between the standard and the previous technical specification; rather, in transforming the document into a standard, further critique and rigour was applied to reduce ambiguity, and to tighten language on the requirements that will enable readers to understand what is required to conform with the standard. There is further refinement of the informative appendices to assist readers with application of the standard.

What do you think the pathway could be for getting this standard applied in industry? Could it be adopted into regulations, for example?

There are several potential pathways for this standard to be adopted within the industry.

It could gain traction through developers and asset owners seeking greater certainty and consistency in commissioning outcomes; sustainability initiatives that promote standardised practices; designers incorporating it into their specifications to streamline requirements; or regulatory bodies potentially adopting it into formal regulations.

This reduces ambiguity compared to other industry documents that often serve as guidance rather than enforceable standards.

AS 5342 Building commissioning is open for public comment until September 24, 2025.

To review the draft standard and submit comments, visit the Standards Australia public comment portal.

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