Courtesy of Treasa Sweek, PE. Sweek Consulting Engineers, LLC

The BCxA Advocacy Committee is dedicated to identifying and acting upon commissioning-focused code activity in each Chapter’s area across the U.S. and Canada. Treasa Sweek, Northwest Chapter past president and committee member, has spent many years advocating for commissioning in the State of Washington, gaining significant success advancing the integration of Cx into codes in a way that benefits owners and providers alike.

As active as BCxA Advocacy Committee is, it is a small voice in a big chorus. To help you understand how to engage in promoting the role and importance of commissioning, Treasa shares this outline of steps you can take, wherever you are, to make quality commissioning “business as usual.”

1. Figure out how your code process works

  • Google it: <location> energy code adoption process
    • Key phrases such as
      • "code adoption cycle"
      • "technical advisory group"
      • "code council"
    • Follow the threads. You are looking for:
      • A list of people who sit on a committee
      • A schedule of public meetings
      • Meeting notes from code adopting committees (participants will be listed)
      • A copy of the current code and/or code change proposals
      • Notifications of meetings where code is discussed
  • Read the relevant codes you find. Pay attention to any information about the people involved in the code development/adoption.
  • Email or call administrative staff (not your legislator): ask _administrative_ questions such as
    • Your website says that <location> has adopted <year> <name of model code>. Is that correct?
    • Who is the adopting group? Do they have public meetings?
    • What is the schedule to review and revise the code?
    • Can you please add me to the meeting notification system? (e.g. an email list)

2.  Figure out if you already know someone who is involved in the code adoption cycle

  • Utility companies. Most energy efficiency utility folks will know about how code affect their energy efficiency programs. Many utility companies have designated individuals who follow code changes, propose code changes, etc. These people are generally happy to talk about the code adoption process
  • Professional building-focused organizations may have advocacy groups, like the BCxA, that track codes in your area. Try calling the chapter leadership and asking about how code changes get made.

3. Learn all you can about the pressures affecting the codes.

  • Determine if there is legislation that affects the code adoption cycle
    • This can be found on websites but it's really hard. It's easier to ask for pointers from (a) the jurisdictions or (b) the affected utility companies. They will know what legislation is driving the codes.
  • If you find relevant legislation, read it.
  • Meet folks in person on their turf. Attend a public meeting. Or 2 or 3.
  • Determine who may not agree with you. For commissioning, the developers and business owners may fear that Cx would add cost to the construction process.

Tips on how to be effective at a public meeting

Starting on a journey towards changing local code requires that you first understand the basics of how the system works (see above) and who the players are. Unless you know someone or get lucky enough to be seated on a code adoption panel, it's likely that you'll need to attend some public meetings so you can form a coalition of folks with similar opinions.

Here are 7 ideas for finding the best opportunities to participate:

  1. Get on all of the mailing lists. Read the emails, including any meeting agendas.
  2. Research the agenda topics so you know if you have questions. If you know anyone who will be at the meeting, consider calling them to ask their opinions about the meeting.  Calling the administrative staff might help too.
  3. Show up early. Try to mingle and meet new people.
  4. Write down the names of the speakers and who they represent. Pay attention to what everyone says during the meeting.
  5. If there is an opportunity to speak, take it. State the reason you are attending (I am a professional commissioning provider and I think our code should require that the complex buildings in our area are commissioned).
  6. Ask relevant questions whenever possible.
  7. Try to understand other people's interests and motivations. You are looking for people who agree with your point of view. How do your interests in commissioning align with theirs?

If you’re interested in advocacy for the commissioning profession, let us know – the BCxA Advocacy Committee is more than happy to support your efforts to improve the recognition of quality commissioning in the context of local, state and national policymaking and legislation.