Company Purpose
5D’s is an independent third-party commissioning firm, certified by ACG. A truly independent third-party commissioning firm is one that is not associated with any other parties on the project, allowing complete objectivity and preventing any possible bias. 5D’s is not a design or construction firm that also does commissioning. We are a Commissioning Firm first and foremost.
The 5D’s team offers something few others can and that’s the extensive hands-on experience and knowledge about how mechanical systems work and why they work that way. This hands-on experience also provides the team with the unique ability to see the system from both the Owner’s and the O&M Team’s perspectives. This is essential to ensuring the systems can be maintained and sustainable for the long term.
Our goal is to provide unparalleled, client-focused commissioning and consultation services while also ensuring high-performing and sustainable buildings – all without sacrificing our integrity, our quality, or our relationships. We have a deep belief to do the Right Thing the Right Way – Always. We will not leave a project until the owner is confident and satisfied in the commissioned systems.
The Company’s Story
Mr. Doug Baggett and family spent 28 years in the Air Force but he had always dreamt of having a family business where everyone in the family could participate. When Doug retired from the Air Force he embarked on new challenges working for the private sector but that dream of a family business stayed in the back of his mind. Eventually, Doug was ready to retire “for real” but even so, he just couldn’t sit still. He enjoyed commissioning and troubleshooting HVAC systems and teaching others about the systems. It’s what he did for the Air Force and then in the private sector and the fact of the matter was he missed it. Plain and simple. So, when a previous client insisted Doug start his own company so that he could help troubleshoot and commission a critical mechanical system in a facility that needed to mission ready at all times, the wheels began to turn. 5D’s was born in 2012.
Doug’s first order of business was to bring Mike Baggett, his son, on board. Mike had the extensive knowledge and experience in the HVAC industry that Doug knew he needed for 5D’s, but Mike had more. Mike had the deep understanding, experience and love for BAS/DDC Systems (Building Automated Systems / Direct Digital Controls). His passion and profound insight of the BAS/DDC systems brought a whole new level of troubleshooting and perspective to the company. Mike also brought a new level of legitimacy to 5D’s by achieving the Commissioning Authority certification from the ACG organization, which is no easy task. The ACG organization is the pinnacle of objectivity and aligns with 5Ds’ Guiding Principles and one we are proud to be associated with.
The two men own 5D’s Inc. together and have been serving the public, private and government sectors ever since. In 2017 the company had grown to a point where they needed help with behind the scenes planning, organizing and basically streamlining the company. So, they brought the next family member on board, Andria Fallen. Andria is Doug’s eldest daughter and Mike’s sister. She worked in multiple leadership positions for large companies such as Pepsi, Nestle and Target across the eastern seaboard. Her experience consisted of leading teams of varying size and purpose, planning and scheduling production of multi-million dollar facilities, driving efficiency and executing company initiatives. Her experience, knowledge and passion for ‘Getting it Right’ has been a great addition to the company and will one day prepare her for taking Doug’s place of ownership when he’s finally read to retire – again.
Owners
DOUGLAS BAGGETT CMS USAF (RET), MECHANICAL CONTRACTOR, QCXP, CTAB
Mr. Doug Baggett is an Air Force veteran who proudly gave 28 years of service to our country. Chief Master Sergeant (CMS) Baggett has been in the Mechanical field for over 45 years, 21 of which have specifically been MEP Commissioning. He began his career and education of the industry in the Air Force and has now taken it to the civilian world.
He is QCxP certified by the University of Wisconsin’s College of Engineering. His experience includes many high-profile projects, such as, Airbus, NOAA and Apple Manufacturing, just to name a few.
Mr. Baggett has a Mechanical Contractor’s license in the state of Florida, is CTAB and OSHA Certified: Construction Safety and Health
MIKE BAGGETT CXA, CTAB, TRIDIUM AX
Mr. Mike Baggett has been in the HVAC Commissioning Industry for over 20 years with an extensive background and passion for Test & Balance and DDC Controls, as well as, Commissioning. He also has advanced knowledge and training of the Tridium Systems and the Mitsubishi M series VFR Systems.
Mike has served as the Project Manager on over 75 commissioning projects, including those for the Mobile School System, Georgia Tech, Georgia Southern University and North Carolina State University.
Mike is a certified CxA through the AABC (ACG) organization. He is also CTAB, OSHA and Tridium Niagara AX Certified (TCP).
FAQ
WHAT IS MEP COMMISSIONING (CX) AND WHY SHOULD I CARE?
Commissioning is the rigorous testing and validation that the MEP systems work together as intended.
The Commissioning Agent ensures that optimization has occurred for the building’s mechanical systems before the job is closed out.
Commissioning a building’s systems will ensure:
High-performance
Lower operational costs
Comfortable atmosphere for occupants
Reduction in RFI’s & construction cost creep
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A GOOD AND A BAD CX FIRM?
It is always difficult to know in advance but here are a few red flags to look for:
- If the cost/quote is “too good to be true” then it probably is
- If the firm talks about how easy it is (it’s not easy when done right)
- If it’s described as just being a checklist
- If they have provided a conflicting service (such as doing the TAB work and then commissioning it – that’s a conflict of interest)
HOW DOES COMMISSIONING SAVE THE OWNER MONEY?
By reducing the energy footprint and ensuring the systems all work together as efficiently as possible. This means less wasted energy and more sustainable buildings.
A report by California Energy Commission shows that projects for energy-related problem buildings, resulted in 16% median whole-building energy savings in existing buildings and 13% in new construction. This means a payback time of 1 – 4 years!
WHAT IS TAB?
TAB stands for the Testing, Adjusting and Balancing of the air & water flow systems.
The TAB technician tests the flows of air & water systems and then verifies they meet the design determined by the MEP Engineer.
In the instance where they do not, the technician will adjust the flow rates until they are balanced and meet the designed requirements.
DON’T I PAY THE GC TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING WORKS CORRECTLY?
First, it’s necessary to acknowledge the systems have become progressively complex due to high-tech designs and energy requirements – it’s difficult to keep track of the ever evolving changes and updates.
Second, the contractors will ensure their equipment works but that does not guarantee the equipment will perform in tandem with other equipment/systems as intended.
Third, who’s to say when one contractor is done another one doesn’t change it in order to make their equipment work better?
Commissioning agents validate the MEP systems all work together as designed after they are installed.
5D’s Inc. works as a team with the multiple contractors on the job to make sure all of the MEP systems work together as designed and as efficiently as possible.