Inside the Dashboard: Rachel Kennedy’s FTT Replacing Spreadsheets for Fan Powered Terminal Unit Testing

What does the Functional Testing Tool (FTT) do?

Hi, my name is Rachel, and I’m a Senior Solutions Architect here at KODE Labs. In this Inside the Dashboard walkthrough, I’m going to show you how KODE’s Functional Testing Tool automates functional testing and replaces manual spreadsheets, helping teams move from days of manual work to overnight, unit-level reports.

Functional testing is a core part of commissioning. It’s how engineers confirm that equipment and controls operate the way they were designed, before turnover, before comfort issues, and before small gaps become repeat work orders.

But for years, the workflow looked the same: engineers went unit by unit, ran tests manually, and documented results in spreadsheets. The process was slow, resource-intensive, and often ended in static spreadsheet outputs that were difficult to scale and quickly became outdated, especially when testing large numbers of terminal units across a building.

That’s where FTT (Functional Testing Tool) modernizes that process.

Built into KODE OS, FTT digitizes functional testing by letting engineers remotely command and verify key operational functions like airflow, temperature, pressure, and damper response consistently and repeatably. Each test run is scored, the results are stored, and every unit has a clear unit-level record you can review and share.

Instead of chasing spreadsheets and manual checklists, you get repeatable testing at scale with less time spent on documentation and fewer inconsistencies.

How can I use FTT?

FTT is designed for real commissioning timelines and operational constraints: tight schedules, high unit counts, and limited bandwidth, delivering the speed and rigor needed for high-volume, time-sensitive terminal unit testing. Here’s how our users typically use it: 

• Replace manual spreadsheets with automated execution: Reduce manual steps, eliminate manual data entry, and standardize outcomes.
• Run unit-level testing at scale: Execute tests and generate unit-level results without increasing manual effort during commissioning.
• Verify performance against design intent: Confirm that each unit behaves as intended, with consistent scoring and repeatable results.
• Catch issues while they’re still small: Identify gaps early, when they’re easier (and cheaper) to correct, before turnover, complaints, or repeated truck rolls.
• Re-test anytime (continuous commissioning): Validate fixes, confirm seasonal performance, and keep systems aligned over time.

Create a reusable baseline for operations: Save unit-level results at turnover so there’s a clear “as-tested” reference point later.

A real example: replacing spreadsheets for Fan Powered Terminal Unit testing

A practical application of FTT is Fan Powered Terminal Unit (FPTU) testing, where manual workflows can quickly become a bottleneck.

For a KODE REIT client, FTT replaced spreadsheet-based workflows used during FPTU commissioning. Engineers ran automated heating and cooling tests, validated performance against the design criteria, and surfaced small but essential issues digitally.

What used to take days of manual execution and documentation was completed overnight, with individual reports per unit ready for review the next morning to clearly see outcomes and focus on only the units that needed attention.

In practice, it’s a simple shift: from waiting for issues to show up to staying ahead of them, verifying performance, fixing exceptions early, and keeping a clear record for every unit.

New construction commissioning and continuous verification

FTT supports functional testing during new construction commissioning, helping engineers validate equipment operation before turnover with consistent, unit-level results.

Once the building is live, that same testing capability becomes continuous commissioning, allowing engineers and operators to re-test equipment whenever needed after a change, repair, seasonal shift, or comfort issue.

That matters because buildings don’t stay the same. Setpoints evolve, equipment drifts, overrides happen, and performance can degrade quietly. With FTT, you can re-verify operation when it matters after a fix, after a change, or when results don’t match expectations.

Over time, these insights help properties transition from fixed maintenance schedules to needs-based servicing, reducing unnecessary work while improving reliability and comfort. 

With pre-scheduled tests running automatically, teams using FTT consistently report faster insights, better performance control, and greater confidence in how their building systems operate day-to-day.

FTT from KODE Labs accelerates commissioning, optimizes servicing, and powers the buildings of tomorrow.

If you want to learn more about how FTT can impact your commissioning and building operations, let’s connect on LinkedIn or book a demo with our team.