LEVEL 2 – DATA CENTER COMMISSIONING | Component Delivery

May 22, 2023 |

Level 2 is the third stage/process to be completed after Level 1. Its focus is on verifying components, equipment, and materials after they have been delivered to the project to ensure that they are in line with the material submission, order, and general project requirements.

If planned correctly, including having the required checklists and documentation in place, the stage is relatively short and uncomplicated to complete focusing on the following:

  • Ensuring all delivery checklists are approved and in place,
  • Planning and management of the delivery schedule,
  • Documenting the receiving of equipment and materials onto site,
  • Documenting the onsite pre-installation requirements,
  • Provide a Yellow Tag upon completion.

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

| Step 1 – Write/Issue for Approval Checklists

To ensure that the delivery and acceptance onto the site of the equipment and materials are fully documented and in line with the project requirements, the main/general contractor will write and issue, to the MEP Designer and Commissioning Agent [CxA], the following documents for approval:

  • A detailed delivery checklist for each different type of equipment and material,
  • Storage area checklist for each type of equipment and material, if not being moved to its site location immediately after delivery.

A reference can be taken from the Level 0 deliverables where the commissioning agent will have provided templates of these documents in the commissioning plan/specification.

Further Reading

We have written the following article for further information on checklists; there are also examples:

Responsibility Matrix

RoleResponsibleAccountableConsultedInformed
ClientX
Project ManagerX
ArchitectX
Commissioning ProviderX
Green Building ConsultantX
MEP DesignerX
General/Main ContractorX
Sub ContractorX
VendorX
Building OperationsX

| Step 2 – Plan and Manage Deliveries

All equipment and materials should be delivered to the project on time and in line with the project programme.

The general/main contractor will manage and coordinate this step to ensure that all deliveries are planned and meet site requirements.

If needed, the main/general contractor could include the dates of this testing within their project 2-week look ahead programme to aid the planning and notification to the project team.

Further Reading

We have written the following article for further information:

Responsibility Matrix

RoleResponsibleAccountableConsultedInformed
ClientX
Project ManagerX
ArchitectX
Commissioning ProviderX
Green Building ConsultantX
MEP DesignerX
General/Main ContractorX
Sub ContractorX
VendorX
Building OperationsX

| Step 3 – Complete Delivery and Storage Checklists

Once a delivery has been received on the site, the general/main contractor should ensure that all paperwork, including the approved checklists, has been completed and any observations noted.

Any observations should be inputted into the ‘Project Issues Register’ for further tracking and closing out if the issues are not critical, where they should be logged and dealt with immediately.

As well as the general/main contractor, the MEP designer or Project QA/QC Team will also participate in these inspections validating the information.

To read more on Issues Registers see our article: 'COMMISSIONING ISSUES LOG | Explained with Template'

Responsibility Matrix

RoleResponsibleAccountableConsultedInformed
ClientX
Project ManagerX
ArchitectX
Commissioning ProviderX
Green Building ConsultantX
MEP DesignerX
General/Main ContractorX
Sub ContractorX
VendorX
Building OperationsX

| Step 4 – Pre-Installation Inspection

Prior to the equipment being installed the main/general contractor will complete a pre-installation inspection and document within the approved project checklists.

The checklists should cover the following:

  • Installation pre-requisites,
  • Maintenance,
  • Builders requirements, and
  • General access requirements.

Any observations should be inputted into the ‘Project Issues Register’ for further tracking and closing out if the issues are not critical, where they should be logged and dealt with immediately.

As well as the general/main contractor, the MEP designer or Project QA/QC Team will also participate in these inspections validating the information.

Further Reading

We have written the following article for further information on Checklists; there are also examples:

Responsibility Matrix

RoleResponsibleAccountableConsultedInformed
ClientX
Project ManagerX
ArchitectX
Commissioning ProviderX
Green Building ConsultantX
MEP DesignerX
General/Main ContractorX
Sub ContractorX
VendorX
Building OperationsX

| Step 5 – Manage Documentation and Filing System

Carrying on from the Level 0 & Level 1 commissioning documentation filing system, the general/main contractor should ensure that all documents related to the delivery and storage checklists are filed in line with the project requirements.

Responsibility Matrix

RoleResponsibleAccountableConsultedInformed
ClientX
Project ManagerX
ArchitectX
Commissioning ProviderX
Green Building ConsultantX
MEP DesignerX
General/Main ContractorX
Sub ContractorX
VendorX
Building OperationsX
Data Center Level 1-5 [Level 2] Tag

| Step 6 – Application of Yellow Tag

Once all the above checklists have been completed, the commissioning agent [CxA] will apply the ‘YELLOW TAG’, which will provide visual confirmation that the equipment has completed the Level 2 Data Center Commissioning Process and can move to Level 3.

Responsibility Matrix

RoleResponsibleAccountableConsultedInformed
ClientX
Project ManagerX
ArchitectX
Commissioning ProviderX
Green Building ConsultantX
MEP DesignerX
General/Main ContractorX
Sub ContractorX
VendorX
Building OperationsX

| Step 7 – Update OPR & BOD

Once all checklists have 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 2 works; the documents should be updated.

Further Reading

We have written the following articles for further information:

Responsibility Matrix

RoleResponsibleAccountableConsultedInformed
ClientX
Project ManagerX
ArchitectX
Commissioning ProviderX
Green Building ConsultantX
MEP DesignerX
General/Main ContractorX
Sub ContractorX
VendorX
Building OperationsX

| Step 8 – Issue Level 2 Closeout Certificate

Once all the above has been completed with all issues and observations closed and reinspected, the Data Center Commissioning Level 2 Certificate should be completed and issued to the project before moving on to the Data Center Commissioning Level 3 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:

Responsibility Matrix

RoleResponsibleAccountableConsultedInformed
ClientX
Project ManagerX
ArchitectX
Commissioning ProviderX
Green Building ConsultantX
MEP DesignerX
General/Main ContractorX
Sub ContractorX
VendorX
Building OperationsX

Level 3 Step by Step

Once the Level 2 works are complete, the Level 3 works can commence, click ‘Read More’ to go to the article detailing those steps.


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.

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