LEVEL 1 – DATA CENTER COMMISSIONING | Factory Testing

Within Data Center Commissioning, Level 1 is the second stage to be completed after Level 0. Its focus is on the Factory Testing Requirements and any other quality assurance checks needed before any equipment is dispatched to the site.

The stage is relatively short and uncomplicated to complete focusing on the following:

• Documentation to be provided and reviewed, such as testing procedures,
• Equipment that is to be tested,
• QA/QC Checks,
• Reports and data gathering,
• Attachment of the correct tag

For a full understanding of the Factory Acceptance Testing Requirements see our article | FACTORY ACCEPTANCE TESTING | Guideline, Agenda & Report

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

| Step 1 – Write and Issue the Factory Functional Testing Procedures

To ensure that factory testing is conducted in line with the project requirements and that the data is obtained is correct, the general/main contractor should write and issue for comment/approval to the Commissioning Agent and MEP Designer the factory functional testing procedures, as listed within the commissioning documentation schedule.

The general/main contractor should ensure that the document is formatted according to the requirements as previously noted by the Commissioning Agent [CxA] within the Level 0 deliverables.

Responsibility Matrix

| Step 2 – Plan and Manage Testing

To ensure that the testing is conducted correctly, including at the correct time with the relevant people in attendance, the general/main contractor should ensure that the works are well planned.

Items that would require focus and planning are:

• Documentation
• Resources, who will be attending the testing
• Transportation to/from the location of Factory or Test [international and local]
• Accommodation, if staying overnight
• Food
• Testing works and programme
• Setting up of Factory
• Calibration of Equipment and Instruments

Responsibility Matrix

| Step 3 – Oversee and Validation of Factory Testing

The main/general contractor will usually be fully responsible for overseeing and managing the works associated with the testing.

The validation/witness will usually be completed by the Client Commissioning Agent [CxA], MEP Designer, and sometimes a Facility Engineer.

Only once the client team is happy, there are no significant defects in the factory testing accepted and the go-ahead provided to dispatch the equipment.

Responsibility Matrix

| Step 4 – Conduct Testing

Once all the pre-requisites have been completed, documentation approved, factory set up, people transported to the location. The testing will commence.

Responsibility Matrix

| Step 5 – Write and Issue Factory Testing Reports

To ensure that factory testing works are fully documented, the general/main contractor should write and issue for comment/approval to the Commissioning Agent and MEP Designer the factory functional testing report, as listed within the commissioning documentation schedule.

The general/main contractor should ensure that the document is formatted according to the requirements as previously noted by the Commissioning Agent [CxA] within the Level 0 deliverables.

Responsibility Matrix

| Step 6 – Obtain QA/QC Checklists from the Factory

All equipment that has not undergone a full factory test will still need documentation provided by the factory.

The general/main contractor should obtain the internal factory QA/QC records/checklists for each piece of equipment to prove that it has been checked and inspected.

This can take quite a lot of time, so the process should be started as soon as possible.

Responsibility Matrix

| Step 7 – Manage Documentation and Filing System

Carrying on from the Level 0 commissioning documentation filing system, the general/main contractor should ensure that all documents related to the factory testing are filed in line with the project requirements.

Responsibility Matrix

| Step 8 – Application of Red Tag

Once all the above has been completed, the commissioning agent [CxA] will apply the ‘RED TAG’, which will provide visual confirmation that the equipment has completed the Level 1 Data Center Commissioning Process and can be dispatched to site, allowing Level 2 to start.

Responsibility Matrix

| Step 9 – Ship/Dispatch to Site

Once the ‘RED TAG’ has been attached and agreed with the construction and client team, the equipment should be shipped/dispatched to the project, where it will then undergo the Level 2 tasks and activities.

Responsibility Matrix

| Step 10 – Update OPR & BOD

Once all testing has been completed a review of the Owners Project Requirements Document [OPR] and Basis of Design [BOD] should be conducted by the Commissioning Agent and Designer.

Any changes noted from the Level 1 works, the documents should be updated.

Further Reading

We have written the following articles, for further information relating to the OPR & BOD documents:

• OWNER’S PROJECT REQUIREMENT | [OPR] What is it & Template
• BASIS OF DESIGN | [BOD] How to Write with download

Responsibility Matrix

| Step 11 – Issue Level 1 Closeout Certificate

Once all the above has been completed with all issues and observations closed and reinspected, the Data Center Commissioning Level 1 Certificate should be completed and issued to the project prior to moving onto the Data Center Commissioning Level 2 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

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

To help us expand the site and create more resources, we have created the below documentation in [Microsoft Word] for download.

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.

066-Data-Center-Commissioning-Checklist-R3-word

066-Data-Center-Commissioning-Checklist-excel-1

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