LEVEL 0 – DATA CENTER COMMISSIONING | Design & Planning

Within Data Center Commissioning, Level 0 is usually the first stage to be started, it focuses upon the design and planning of the projects data center commissioning process, tasks, and activities where there are various objectives:

• Design reviews are conducted to ensure that the systems and equipment are able to be functionally tested and commissioned,
• Single point of failure reviews are conducted to ensure that upon any issue or failure on a system with redundancy there are no points where the whole system will fail,
• The overall commissioning process is agreed upon, specified, and stipulated within the contract documents,
• The commissioning process is set up and ready prior to the following Levels being started.

If looking at a standard type of commissioning delivery model based upon ASHRAE, Level 0 would equate to the ‘Pre-Design and Design Stages’.

Below we look at more detail about delivering this stage, including explaining the tasks, activities, and responsibilities.

🟩 Step 1 – Write and Issue CxA Request for Proposal

To ensure a fully experienced and knowledgable CxA is employed for the project, the client should create, write and issue a Request for Proposal [RFP] document, which later will be consolidated with the Scope of Works [SOW] document and sent to the selected Commissioning Management [CxA] tenderers.

This starts the data center commissioning process.

🟧 Further Reading

To help we have written the following articles that provide more information on this step:

• CxA REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL | [RFP] How to write and format

🟧 Responsibility Matrix

🟩 Step 2 – Write and Issue CxA Scope of Works

As well as the Request for Proposal [RFP] the client should create, write and issue the Scope of Works [SOW] document, it will then be combined with the RFP and sent to the selected Commissioning Management [CxA] tenderers.

🟧 Further Reading

To help we have written the following articles that provide more information on this step:

• CxA SCOPE OF WORKS | [SOW] How to write and format

🟧 Responsibility Matrix

🟩 Step 3 – Conduct a full Tender Process for CxA

With the Request for Proposal and Scope of Works document written and complete, the client/project manager should then send the documents and any other information required to the Commissioning Provider Tenderers.

A full tender process should be completed in line with the client’s requirements where on completion, a commissioning agent [CxA] will be selected and appointed.

🟧 Further Reading

To help we have written the following articles that provide more information on this step:

• TENDERING PROCESS | How to Complete in 20 Steps
• TENDER INTERVIEWS | Simple Guide

🟧 Responsibility Matrix

🟩 Step 4 – Assemble a Commissioning Team

Once the order has been placed and the client’s Commissioning Agent [CxA] is on board, they will need to form the project Commissioning Team.

In most projects, this will not be the final team, as members will arrive throughout the project.

As the commissioning delivery will be completed by multiple parties, the client and designers will need to be spoken to understand who will be responsible for any commissioning discussions, including all meetings and workshops within their organization.

Below provides a list of who would usually be included, the General/Main Contractor may not be on board at this time so add them later if needed:

• Client | CL
• Project Manager | PM
• Architect | ARCH
• Commissioning Consultant | CxP
• Green Building Consultant | GBC
• HVAC / Electrical / Fire / Plumbing Designer | DES
• General/Main Contractor | GC
• Building Operations Team | BOT

Once the team has been understood, an organization chart should be created for inclusion later in the commissioning plan and documentation.

The organization chart should include the following information:

• Date of document
• First Name, Surname
• Job Role/Title
• Company
• Lines of reporting

🟧 Responsibility Matrix

🟩 Step 5 – Owners Project Requirement Document

The commissioning agent will create, supported by the owner the ‘Owners Project Requirement Document’ [OPR].

This document is extremely important to understand the client’s expectations for the overall project, systems, and equipment, to ensure it is completed and includes the relevant information workshops and meetings will also be conducted.

🟧 Further Reading

To help we have written the following articles that provide more information on this step.

• ‘OWNER’S PROJECT REQUIREMENT | [OPR] What is it’

🟧 Responsibility Matrix

🟩 Step 6 – Basis of Design Document [BOD]

The purpose of the BOD is to clearly identify and provide the project with a full understanding of the reasons why the MEP design is what it is.

The document is usually created by the MEP Designer and overseen by the Commissioning Provider.

🟧 Further Reading

To help we have written the following articles that provide more information on this step.

• ‘BASIS OF DESIGN | [BOD] How to Write’

🟧 Responsibility Matrix

🟩 Step 7 – Conduct Commissioning Meetings and Workshops

Throughout the Level 0 tasks and activities, the Commissioning Agent should conduct regular Commissioning Meetings and workshops which will be minuted.

The meetings during this stage will usually be attended by the Client, Project Manager, Commissioning Agent, and any other consultants employed on the project.

🟧 Further Reading

To help we have written the following articles that provide more information on this step.

• COMMISSIONING MEETINGS | Explanation and downloadable agenda

🟧 Responsibility Matrix

🟩 Step 8 – Write a Commissioning Specification

The commissioning agent will create and write a commissioning specification that clearly specifies and details the project testing requirements from a technical and onsite point of view.

This document will then be included within the construction tender documentation to ensure that all tenderers are pricing and allowing for the correct requirements.

🟧 Responsibility Matrix

🟩 Step 9 – Write and stipulate the IST & HLT Requirements

As well as the commissioning specification the commissioning agent will create and write the integrated systems testing and heat load testing requirements document.

This document should include all information relating to the expectations for this testing including:

• Roles and responsibilities,
• Testing requirements,
• Temporary equipment requirements,
• Design requirements and tolerances,
• Script requirements,
• Reporting requirements.

This information can be also included within the commissioning specification document and then should be included within the construction tender documentation to ensure that all tenderers are pricing and allowing for the correct requirements.

🟧 Responsibility Matrix

🟩 Step 10 – Specify Data Center Commissioning Levels & Tagging Requirements

Where a project is using Data Center Levels to help manage and deliver the commissioning process, these should be specified and stipulated including all tagging requirements.

Again like with Step 9 – this information can be created as an individual document or included within the commissioning specification or commissioning plan.

The tagging should cover Level 0 to Level 7.

🟧 Further Reading

To help we have written the following articles that provide more information on this step.

• DATA CENTER | 5 Levels Of Commissioning Explained

🟧 Responsibility Matrix

🟩 Step 11 – Write a Commissioning Plan

A commissioning plan should be created and written by the commissioning agent, to detail the overall project commissioning process.

This document will then be included within the construction tender documentation to ensure that all tenderers are pricing and allowing for the correct requirements.

🟧 Further Reading

To help we have written the following articles that provide more information on this step.

• COMMISSIONING PLAN | What is one and what to include
• COMMISSIONING PLAN | Outline + [PDF]

🟧 Responsibility Matrix

🟩 Step 12 – Create Initial Commissioning Programme

The initial commissioning programme will be a high-level document, written by the commissioning agent to provide the tenderers and project with an overview of the commissioning tasks, activities, and general works sequence.

The programme will then be included within the construction tender documentation to ensure that all tenderers are pricing and allowing for the correct requirements.

🟧 Responsibility Matrix

🟩 Step 13 – Create Template Trackers

Template trackers should be created and issued by the commissioning agent to provide the project with examples of what would be expected and the level of detail accepted.

The types of trackers to be created would be:

• Document Tracker
• Factory Acceptance Testing Tracker
• First of Kind [FOK] Tracker
• Onsite Functional Testing Tracker
• Tagging Tracker
• Issues and Defect/Punch List Tracker
• Temporary Loading Tracker
• Commissioning Handover Documentation Tracker
• Others

These templates will then be included within the construction tender documentation to ensure that all tenderers are pricing and allowing for the correct requirements.

Alternatively, if a commissioning management platform was to be used see Step 23.

🟧 Responsibility Matrix

🟩 Step 14 – Training Information

To ensure that the building operations/facilities team is fully trained on the operation and how to use the new equipment and systems, the main/general contractor should complete ‘handover training’.

To ensure that this is allowed for within the construction costs, the commissioning agent will write the following:

• Training Requirement Document
• Initial Training Programme

These documents will then be included within the construction tender documentation to ensure that all tenderers are pricing and allowing for the correct requirements.

🟧 Responsibility Matrix

To read more on training and see a Training Manual Template see our article: 'TRAINING MANUAL | for Operational Staff at Handover [with template]'

🟩 Step 15 – Detail Reporting Requirements

Reporting will be a requirement throughout the data center commissioning works to help the project understand the status and to document the progress and process.

Throughout the works there will usually be 4 types of progress reports produced and issued:

• Final Commissioning Report [written at the end of the project]
• Monthly Commissioning Report [written at the end of each month]
• Weekly Commissioning Report [written at the end of each week]
• Daily Commissioning Report [written each day]

Depending upon the stage of the project will depend on what reports will be written.

These templates should be created and issued by the commissioning agent to provide the project with examples of what would be expected and the level of detail accepted.

They can then be included within the construction tender documentation to ensure that all tenderers are pricing and allowing for the correct requirements.

🟧 Further Reading

To help we have written the following articles that provide more information on this step:

• COMMISSIONING REPORTS | Templates Weekly, Monthly, Daily, Final Report

🟧 Responsibility Matrix

🟩 Step 16 – Provide Template Systems Manual / Building Log Book

An important document that should be written and provided to the operations/facility manager at the handover of the project is the Systems Manual [USA] / Building Log Book [UK].

Usually, it is one of those documents that are not completed as is put in the ‘to hard’ basket, people do not understand what it is or what it is to include.

To help the general/main contractor understand the requirements the commissioning provider should clearly detail the expectations of this document – this can be done by providing a template within the commissioning plan.

🟧 Further Reading

To help we have written the following articles that provide more information on this step:

• Building Log Book | What and Why?

🟧 Responsibility Matrix

🟩 Step 17 – Operating & Maintenance Manual Expectations

Like with the System Manual, O&M Manuals are extremely important written documents that are provided at the handover stage of a construction project from the general/main contractor to the building operator/facilities engineeres.

They will provide the building operator with up-to-date, as-built information relating to how the equipment and systems have been designed, installed, commissioned, and set to work, allowing an efficient understanding of the building’s operation and maintenance requirements for future works and use.

To ensure that the general/main contractor understands the requirements, the commissioning provider should clearly detail the expectations of this document.

🟧 Further Reading

To help we have written the following articles that provide more information on this step:

• O&M MANUALS | Quick guide and template [pdf]

🟧 Responsibility Matrix

🟩 Step 18 – Factory Testing Report Requirements

Factory Acceptance Testing is used to ensure that, before dispatch to the site/project, there is no manufacturing, build quality, or performance issues with the equipment prior to dispatch to the construction site.

To ensure that the general/main contractor understands the requirements, the commissioning provider should clearly detail the expectations of this document, this information can be included within the project commissioning plan.

🟧 Further Reading

To help we have written the following articles that provide more information on this step:

• FACTORY ACCEPTANCE TESTING | Guideline, Agenda & Report

🟧 Responsibility Matrix

🟩 Step 19 – Functional Testing Document Requirements

To ensure that the factory and onsite functional testing documentation is formatted properly and includes the correct information, the commissioning agent should clearly detail the expected requirements.

The information provided should cover the format and information that should be included.

🟧 Further Reading

To help we have written the following articles that provide more information on this step:

• HOW TO WRITE | A Method Statement

🟧 Responsibility Matrix

🟩 Step 20 – Ensure that Commissioning Requirements are included within Tender Documents

Completing Steps 1 to 19 will have created all of the commissioning requirements for the project.

Prior to the client/project manager issuing the tender package for the general construction works, the commissioning agent should review the package to ensure that all of these requirements have been included.

Providing the correct information will allow the tenderers to accurately price the work and fully understand the requirements.

🟧 Responsibility Matrix

🟩 Step 21 – Complete Design / Commissioning Review

The commissioning authority should complete a full review of the design to ensure that once the systems are built, they can be commissioned and set up in line with the design requirements.

Any observations raised from this review should be documented and managed until they are closed out with the design and project team.

🟧 Responsibility Matrix

Part of the commissioning review will usually include understanding the design and redundancy, we have written an article explaining this: Data Center Redundancy | N, N+1, N+2, 2N & 2N+1 Explained 

🟩 Step 22 – Complete Continual Reporting

To ensure that the project is kept up to date regular reporting should be completed by the commissioning agent [CxA], and issued to the client/project team.

At this stage of the data center construction project, as works are mainly around documentation and not much is happening, we would just issue an end-of-month report.

Weekly reports would be issued when the project programme is moving a lot faster.

🟧 Responsibility Matrix

🟩 Step 23 – Select the Commissioning Software Platform to be used

If it is deemed a requirement to utilize a commissioning management platform to aid the tracking, reporting and management of the works and activities, the CxA should, at this step should select, setup, oversee and start the implementation of the system.

Example platforms would be:

• Cx Alloy
• Bluerithm
• Facility Grid

Usually, it is best for the CxA to control and manage the platform, allowing the main/general contractor and the vendors to input their information into the platform.

🟩 Step 24 – Set Up Document Management System

Projects will generally use an electronic document management system [DMS], they are used as an efficient way to digitize, organize, store, manage, track, approve and access project documents.

The commissioning agent should understand how to use the system and ensure that all documents relating to the works are uploaded and stored on the system.

🟧 Responsibility Matrix

🟩 Step 25 – Create Commissioning Checklists

Construction checklists should be written and available for the general/main contractor to use. They are required to ensure that the correct inspections are completed and documented prior to the functional testing works taking place.

Types of lists required would be, covering all systems, equipment, and components that will be installed, set up, and commissioned on the project.

• Delivery
• Storage
• Pre-Installation
• Maintenance & Access
• Pre-Commissioning / Pre-Functional

🟧 Further Reading

To help we have written the following articles that provide more information on this step:

• COMMISSIONING CHECKLISTS | the 3 types explained and listed

🟧 Responsibility Matrix

🟩 Step 26 – Aid in the Selection of General/Main Contractor

The client/project team should ensure that the commissioning agent is fully engaged in the tender process for the general/main contractor.

The reason for this is to allow the CxA opportunities to review the proposals and interview the tenderers ensuring that they have fully allowed for all commissioning requirements and have an experienced team to deliver them.

🟧 Responsibility Matrix

🟩 Step 27 – Update/Integrate Commissioning Team

Once the order has been placed with the main/general contractor and they are onboard, the CxA should update the commissioning team and organization chart and integrate the new members from the project into the existing client team.

🟧 Responsibility Matrix

🟩 Step 28 – Complete Commissioning Kick-Off Meeting

Before the commissioning tasks and activities start on-site, and once the contractor’s engineers have been integrated into the commissioning team, the CxA should complete a ‘Commissioning Kick-Off Meeting’.

The aim of the meeting is for the CxA to present to the team the project commissioning requirements and expectations so that everyone is on the same page.

🟧 Further Reading

To help we have written the following articles that provide more information on this step:

• COMMISSIONING KICK-OFF MEETING | Guide, Agenda, and download

🟧 Responsibility Matrix

🟩 Step 29 – Update the Commissioning Plan

With the project now underway and the contractors/vendors onboard, there will usually be a requirement to update the commissioning plan with the new organization chart and any changes agreed from the commissioning kickoff meeting.

Once complete it should be reissued to the project document management system and transmitted to the project team.

The commissioning plan should be treated as a live document throughout the project programme, where it will be updated periodically.

🟧 Further Reading

To help we have written the following articles that provide more information on this step.

• COMMISSIONING PLAN | What is one and what to include
• COMMISSIONING PLAN | Outline + [PDF]

🟧 Responsibility Matrix

🟩 Step 30 – Develop a Detailed Commissioning Programme

To ensure that the commissioning works are planned, sequenced, and integrated with the construction programme, the general/main contractor should prepare and develop and fully sequenced commissioning programme, broken down into the various data center levels, documentation, factory testing, power/water on, equipment, systems, pre-functional checks, functional commissioning, and integrated systems testing and heat load testing.

Once complete the document should be issued to the commissioning agent for review and approval.

🟧 Responsibility Matrix

🟩 Step 31 – Training Programme

As noted previously, training is an integral part of the handover process to let the facilities team understand how the newly installed systems and equipment are designed and should be operated.

Usually, a new project will mean that the client/building management team will need to employ additional engineers, to allow the planning of when this resource is needed, the general/main contractor should write and issue a detailed training programme.

For an understanding of the requirements, the contractor can refer to the documents that have been created in Step 14:

• Training Requirement Document
• Initial Training Programme

🟧 Responsibility Matrix

🟩 Step 32 – Manage Documentation and Filing System

To ensure that the commissioning documentation is being managed and filed correctly, the CxA and Contractor should complete a review and any observations closed out.

Completing this review early on in the project will either provide confidence that the filing expectations are being met or will pick up any issues and allow them to be resolved before the bulk of the documentation is created.

🟧 Responsibility Matrix

🟩 Step 33 – Create a Detailed Documentation List

A full commissioning documentation list is useful to have agreed upon early in the project. This is to help ensure that the contractors understand what is required and when they should be issued.

There are a couple of ways to do this, the first being the contractor completes and issues it for review and approval. we find sometimes that this takes a while to get exactly what is needed and too many revisions.

The second way, and most efficient, is for the commissioning agent to provide a full list to the contractor.

🟧 Further Reading

To help we have written the following articles that provide more information on this step.

• COMMISSIONING DOCUMENTS | 368 Listed

🟧 Responsibility Matrix

🟩 Step 34 – Write and Approve all Material Submissions

To ensure that the plant, equipment, and materials being purchased and installed for the project are in line with the design requirements, the general/main contractor should write and issue the Material Submission / Technical Submission Documents for review and approval of the designer and commissioning agent [where related to commissioning].

These documents and approvals should be in place prior to the commissioning documentation being completed, to ensure everything aligns.

🟧 Responsibility Matrix

🟩 Step 35 – Write and Approve all Commissioning Documents

From the Commissioning Document list noted in the above step, the contractor should start to write and issue them for comments and approval to the client commissioning authority.

Generally, we note that there are about 85-95 documents required to complete this task, so the earlier it is started and completed the better for the whole project.

The time allowance to do this, if made a focal point with a small team managing the expectations, should be around 3 months [12 weeks], to get all documents approved.

🟧 Responsibility Matrix

🟩 Step 36 – Create and issue BMS Points List/Graphics for Approval

The BMS Points List and Graphic Document will be developed by the BMS designer/contractor and general/main contractor from the design drawings and specifications, it will cover the requirements of what points are to be installed onsite to the equipment and systems ensuring the correct items are being monitored out in the field and the information relayed back to the BMS head end and graphic.

Once completed the document should be provided to the MEP designer and commissioning agent for review, comment, and approval.

These documents can take a considerable amount of time and revisions before they are approved, so with this in mind, we would start this step as early as possible.

🟧 Responsibility Matrix

🟩 Step 37 – Develop and Issue for Approval Electrical Discrimination Study

To ensure that an electrical system operates in line with expectations under fault/tripping conditions, a discrimination study will be conducted that focuses on and determines the distribution path and breaker settings required for tripping correctly, not allowing nuisance trips to happen which would add a lot of risk to the running of the data center.

Later in the project programme, the approved study will be used and referenced to physically set the electrical system breakers.

This study would be managed by the general/main contractor and completed, usually, by an external consultant or breaker manufacturer.

Once complete, it should be issued for review, comment, and approval by the MEP designer and commissioning agent.

🟧 Responsibility Matrix

🟩 Step 38 – Develop and Issue for Approval Electrical Arc Flash Study

To ensure that the operatives who will be working on the electrical systems including maintaining them are kept safe in the future and provided with the correct personal protective equipment to use and wear, an arc flash study should be completed.

Later in the project programme, the approved study will be used and referenced to create hazard/risk stickers for each breaker/switchboard.

This study would be managed by the general/main contractor and completed, usually, by an external consultant or breaker manufacturer.

Once complete, it should be issued for review, comment, and approval by the MEP designer and commissioning agent.

🟧 Responsibility Matrix

🟩 Step 39 – Develop and Issue for Approval the CFD Report

CFD stands for ‘Computational Fluid Dynamics’ using data structures and numerical analysis to predict the airflow and ambient temperatures that will be expected within a data hall under normal and failure conditions. This will flag any future potential issues with the physical installation and allow remedial actions to be taken or modifications of the design.

If not provided by the MEP designer, this study would be managed by the general/main contractor and completed, usually, by an external specialist consultant who has the tools to complete the tasks.

Once complete, it should be issued for review, comment, and approval by the MEP designer and commissioning agent.

🟧 Responsibility Matrix

🟩 Step 40 – Create and Issue Plant Setting Document

The plant setting document will provide the project with information on all the internal set points and settings for a particular piece of equipment.

As some clients, usually ones with global portfolios, require that all settings be the same across each facility and region, the main/general contractor should write and issue this document for comment and approval of the client facilities team, MEP designer, and commissioning provider.

The information will be provided to the contractor from the vendors for consolidation into a document.

Later in the project programme, the approved document and settings will be used and referenced to visually inspect the settings onsite.

🟧 Responsibility Matrix

🟩 Step 41 – Issue Level 0 Closeout Certificate

Once all the above has been completed the Data Center Commissioning Level 0 Certificate should be completed and issued to the project prior to moving onto the Data Center Commissioning Level 1 works.

The main/general contractor should issue this to the commissioning agent [CxA] for review and approval.

🟧 Further Reading:

To read more and download a set [Levels 0-7] of Sign-Off Certificates we have written the following:

• LEVEL 1-7 DATA CENTRE COMMISSIONING | Sign-Off Certificates

🟧 Responsibility Matrix

🟩 Colored Tags

As this Level is more aimed at administration and reviews there are no colored tags that will be associated with it.

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⬜ Level 0 to Level 7 Data Center Commissioning Checklist Template [Open / PDF]

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Click the ‘Buy It Now‘ button to purchase the fully editable copy of the document below, which can be used straight away.

You will direct to our shop page.

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