ACG CxA Exam Prep Latest Update 2026/2027
Questions And Well Elaborated Solutions
Define TAB - ANSWER -Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing or Test and
Balance. Process of controlling air and water flow through HVAC equipment.
Recommended that a third party be directly contracted with owner
What does TBE stand for? - ANSWER -Test and Balance Engineer
What does USGBC stand for? - ANSWER -United States Green Building
Council
What does ECM stand for? - ANSWER -Energy Conservation Measure
What does ANSI stand for? - ANSWER -Americans National Standards Institute
What does ASTM stand for? - ANSWER -American Society for Testing and
Materials International
What does ISO stand for? - ANSWER -International Organization for Standards
What does ARI or AHRI stand for? - ANSWER -Air Conditionaing, (Heating),
and Refrigeration Instiute
What does ACCA stand for? - ANSWER -Air Conditioning Contractors of
America
Define UL - ANSWER -Underwriters Laboraories - Demonstrates safety,
conformance, sustainablility, etc.
What does ASME stand for? - ANSWER -American Society for Mechanical
Enginners
What does SMACNA stand for? - ANSWER -Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning
Contractos National Institute
, Define Commissioning - ANSWER -A systematic process that facilities and
ensure the required communication, coordination testing, and verification and
results in the delivery of a building whose HVAC systems preform as intended.
During what phase should Commissioning be incorporated? - ANSWER -For
best results Commissioning should be included in all phases of the design and
construction process
Typically how much does Commissioning cost? - ANSWER -Comprehensive
HVAC Comissioning cost 2%-5% of HVAC construction cost
Define RFQ - ANSWER -Request for Qualifications. Document asking for
details concerning previous relevant Cx experience. Information includes:
Define Re-Commissioning - ANSWER -Periodically Re-commissioning systems
that were commissioned when they were new. The purpose is to diagnose the cause
of ongoing, unresolved problems or as part of a planned preventive maintenance
program to prevent issued from arising over time.
Define Retro-Commissioning - ANSWER -Commissioning of existing systems
that were not commissioned when they were new.
Name the different contruciton models - ANSWER -Plan and spec, Design-
Build
What is included in the Pre-design phase for Comprehensive HVAC Cx? -
ANSWER -1. Cx is established as part of project
2. Owner select CxA
3. Develop Cx Scope
4. CxA review design intent document
What is included in the Design phase for Comprehensive HVAC Cx? - ANSWER
-1. Review design to ensure it accommodates Cx
2. Write Cx specifications defining contractor responsibilities
3. Establish project schedule
What is included in the Construction phase for Comprehensive HVAC Cx? -
ANSWER -1. CxA reviews contractor submittals
2. CxA updated Cx plan
,3. Cx process is coordinated-through project schedule, Cx plan, and
commissioning meetings
4. Carry out document systems verification checks
5. Carry out the document equipment and system start-ups
6. TAB agency completes and documents test and balance work
What is included in the Acceptance phase for Comprehensive HVAC Cx? -
ANSWER -1. Carry out functional performance tests on all HVAC systems
2. Train the O&M staff for effective, ongoing operations and maintenance of all
systems
3. Provide full documentation
What is included in the Post-Acceptance phase for Comprehensive HVAC Cx? -
ANSWER -1. Correct any deficiencies, and carry out any required re-testing
2. Carry out any required "off-season" tests
3. Update documentation as required
What is the purpose of ASHRAE Guideline 0? - ANSWER -"...to describe the
commissioning process capable of verifying that a facility and its systems meet the
OPR."
What is a systems manual? - ANSWER -"A system-focused composite document
that includes the operation manual, maintenance manual, and additional
information of use to the Owner during the Occupancy and Operations Phase."
What is the basis for the Cx Plan and schedule? - ANSWER -The OPR (created
during the pre-design phase)
An effective commissioning process depends upon a clear, concise, and
comprehensive _____? - ANSWER -OPR
The OPR (evolves / doesn't evole) through each project phase. - ANSWER -
Evolves (like a dinosaur)
It must be noted in the contract documents that the _____ is issued for information
only and that this document shall not define, nor shall it be used to interpret the
requirements of the contract. - ANSWER -OPR
The _____ _____ address the OPR and reflects the defined scope and budget for
the commissioning process. - ANSWER -Commissioning plan
, The Cx Plan (is / is not) updated during the life of a project to reflect changes in
planning, design, construction, and occupancy and operations. - ANSWER -IS
The _____ _____ forms the core of the final commissioning report. - ANSWER -
Commissioning plan
What contains detailed descriptions of design, installation, or performance issues
that are at variance with the OPR? - ANSWER -The Issues Log
The frequency of Cx Process Progress Reports depends upon the amount of work
being accomplished and could vary from every 2 months to 6 months. A general
guide to follow is one progress report for every ____ Cx Team meetings. -
ANSWER -4
What are the five primary documentation requirements for the Pre-Design Phase
Commissioning Process? - ANSWER -1.) Cx Process scope and budget
2.) OPR
3.) Cx Plan
4.) Issues Log & reports
5.) Cx Process Progress Reports
During the Design Phase, the OPR is translated into _____ _____? - ANSWER -
Construction documents
The Basis of Design is created during what phase? - ANSWER -Design phase
During the design phase of the commissioning process, the CxA verifies the BOD
with the _____? - ANSWER -OPR
If the Cx Process starts at Design Phase, then the Cx Process activities described
for the Pre-Design Phase must be completed (before / after) the Design Phase
activities are begun. - ANSWER -Before
What does the Cx Team verify during the Design Phase? - ANSWER -That the
Construction Documents meet and properly convey the OPR
What does the BOD document? - ANSWER -How each criterion in the OPR is
implemented in the design.
Questions And Well Elaborated Solutions
Define TAB - ANSWER -Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing or Test and
Balance. Process of controlling air and water flow through HVAC equipment.
Recommended that a third party be directly contracted with owner
What does TBE stand for? - ANSWER -Test and Balance Engineer
What does USGBC stand for? - ANSWER -United States Green Building
Council
What does ECM stand for? - ANSWER -Energy Conservation Measure
What does ANSI stand for? - ANSWER -Americans National Standards Institute
What does ASTM stand for? - ANSWER -American Society for Testing and
Materials International
What does ISO stand for? - ANSWER -International Organization for Standards
What does ARI or AHRI stand for? - ANSWER -Air Conditionaing, (Heating),
and Refrigeration Instiute
What does ACCA stand for? - ANSWER -Air Conditioning Contractors of
America
Define UL - ANSWER -Underwriters Laboraories - Demonstrates safety,
conformance, sustainablility, etc.
What does ASME stand for? - ANSWER -American Society for Mechanical
Enginners
What does SMACNA stand for? - ANSWER -Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning
Contractos National Institute
, Define Commissioning - ANSWER -A systematic process that facilities and
ensure the required communication, coordination testing, and verification and
results in the delivery of a building whose HVAC systems preform as intended.
During what phase should Commissioning be incorporated? - ANSWER -For
best results Commissioning should be included in all phases of the design and
construction process
Typically how much does Commissioning cost? - ANSWER -Comprehensive
HVAC Comissioning cost 2%-5% of HVAC construction cost
Define RFQ - ANSWER -Request for Qualifications. Document asking for
details concerning previous relevant Cx experience. Information includes:
Define Re-Commissioning - ANSWER -Periodically Re-commissioning systems
that were commissioned when they were new. The purpose is to diagnose the cause
of ongoing, unresolved problems or as part of a planned preventive maintenance
program to prevent issued from arising over time.
Define Retro-Commissioning - ANSWER -Commissioning of existing systems
that were not commissioned when they were new.
Name the different contruciton models - ANSWER -Plan and spec, Design-
Build
What is included in the Pre-design phase for Comprehensive HVAC Cx? -
ANSWER -1. Cx is established as part of project
2. Owner select CxA
3. Develop Cx Scope
4. CxA review design intent document
What is included in the Design phase for Comprehensive HVAC Cx? - ANSWER
-1. Review design to ensure it accommodates Cx
2. Write Cx specifications defining contractor responsibilities
3. Establish project schedule
What is included in the Construction phase for Comprehensive HVAC Cx? -
ANSWER -1. CxA reviews contractor submittals
2. CxA updated Cx plan
,3. Cx process is coordinated-through project schedule, Cx plan, and
commissioning meetings
4. Carry out document systems verification checks
5. Carry out the document equipment and system start-ups
6. TAB agency completes and documents test and balance work
What is included in the Acceptance phase for Comprehensive HVAC Cx? -
ANSWER -1. Carry out functional performance tests on all HVAC systems
2. Train the O&M staff for effective, ongoing operations and maintenance of all
systems
3. Provide full documentation
What is included in the Post-Acceptance phase for Comprehensive HVAC Cx? -
ANSWER -1. Correct any deficiencies, and carry out any required re-testing
2. Carry out any required "off-season" tests
3. Update documentation as required
What is the purpose of ASHRAE Guideline 0? - ANSWER -"...to describe the
commissioning process capable of verifying that a facility and its systems meet the
OPR."
What is a systems manual? - ANSWER -"A system-focused composite document
that includes the operation manual, maintenance manual, and additional
information of use to the Owner during the Occupancy and Operations Phase."
What is the basis for the Cx Plan and schedule? - ANSWER -The OPR (created
during the pre-design phase)
An effective commissioning process depends upon a clear, concise, and
comprehensive _____? - ANSWER -OPR
The OPR (evolves / doesn't evole) through each project phase. - ANSWER -
Evolves (like a dinosaur)
It must be noted in the contract documents that the _____ is issued for information
only and that this document shall not define, nor shall it be used to interpret the
requirements of the contract. - ANSWER -OPR
The _____ _____ address the OPR and reflects the defined scope and budget for
the commissioning process. - ANSWER -Commissioning plan
, The Cx Plan (is / is not) updated during the life of a project to reflect changes in
planning, design, construction, and occupancy and operations. - ANSWER -IS
The _____ _____ forms the core of the final commissioning report. - ANSWER -
Commissioning plan
What contains detailed descriptions of design, installation, or performance issues
that are at variance with the OPR? - ANSWER -The Issues Log
The frequency of Cx Process Progress Reports depends upon the amount of work
being accomplished and could vary from every 2 months to 6 months. A general
guide to follow is one progress report for every ____ Cx Team meetings. -
ANSWER -4
What are the five primary documentation requirements for the Pre-Design Phase
Commissioning Process? - ANSWER -1.) Cx Process scope and budget
2.) OPR
3.) Cx Plan
4.) Issues Log & reports
5.) Cx Process Progress Reports
During the Design Phase, the OPR is translated into _____ _____? - ANSWER -
Construction documents
The Basis of Design is created during what phase? - ANSWER -Design phase
During the design phase of the commissioning process, the CxA verifies the BOD
with the _____? - ANSWER -OPR
If the Cx Process starts at Design Phase, then the Cx Process activities described
for the Pre-Design Phase must be completed (before / after) the Design Phase
activities are begun. - ANSWER -Before
What does the Cx Team verify during the Design Phase? - ANSWER -That the
Construction Documents meet and properly convey the OPR
What does the BOD document? - ANSWER -How each criterion in the OPR is
implemented in the design.
