Phases of the Commissioning Process

Project commissioning is crucial to ensure that all the systems and constituent parts of a building or an industrial plant are designed, set up, operated, and maintained in accordance with the operational requirements of the client. The process of commissioning is not only restricted to new projects but also to old ones that are to be expanded, renovated, or revamped. Commissioning involves the combined employment of several engineering techniques to monitor, inspect, and test the operational component of the project from the simple individual components, like the instruments and equipment, to the most complex groupings, such as the subsystems, systems, and so on.

Project owners need optimal returns in terms of process improvements and efficiency, as well as higher output from their investments in projects. To ensure maximum returns, the owners need to make commissioning a part of their project plans. The commissioning is done in phases that give maximum value, as they start with defining the owners’ needs, which remain the focus throughout the life of the project. Here are the phases of the commissioning process:

Pre-design/design phase

Contents

1 Pre-design/design phase
2 Construction phase
3 Acceptance testing
4 Integrated system testing
5 Warranty phase
- 5.1 Conclusion

This phase has to do with developing elaborate and comprehensive commissioning specifications and evaluations, or offering criticism of the design in relation to commissioning. The owner’s needs are identified in this phase, and it is advisable to have a commissioning authority at this stage, although the expert can join the project at any stage. You should also consider getting a good system for commissioning, like CORS, that has been developed by experts in the field.

Construction phase

This stage is meant to review and bring together the application of the testing plan through the scrutinizing and documenting of the components and systems. Also, it ensures the function is in line with the facility’s project system’s needs, objectives, and all contract papers.

Acceptance testing

This phase includes onsite testing, commissioning, and assessing the performance. This phase is the most significant one in the commissioning process. Some of the crucial components, like the chillers, boilers, air handling units, and pumping systems, are checked or tested for proper functioning. Also, other critical tests are done, such as checking internal failures, recovery test reporting, and the sending of alarm alerts and notifications of abnormal conditions.

Integrated system testing

It is in this phase that the working together of equipment is demonstrated, both in normal and abnormal conditions. The assessment and validation of the likely performance of the site structure—chillers, electrical systems, heating plant, and air handlers—over the next several years is done.

Warranty phase

This phase involves one year of retesting all the components and systems covered by the commissioning contract. Additionally, any outstanding issues within the original and seasonal commissioning are reviewed again. The phase also allows for rectification of any mistakes or defaults. After carrying out tests on the components and systems, the next thing is to integrate the final test results, documentation, and reports into the prevailing commissioning records and the current operations and maintenance (O&M) manual.

Conclusion

Commissioning, which is done in the above phases, is crucial to ensure the client or project owners’ objectives are achieved and that their investment is safeguarded.

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