LEVEL 2 – DATA CENTER Cx | Delivery, Installation & Pre-Start Up

Level 2 is the third crucial stage in the data center commissioning process, following Level 0 and Level 1. Managed by the General Contractor, this phase ensures the successful delivery, installation, and thorough verification of all equipment, facilities, and components through pre-start-up activities. The primary goal is to ensure that everything is installed in line with design and able to be energized, before the Level 3 Systems Start-up activities.

The primary focus of tasks and activities during Level 2 include:

Component, Equipment, and Material Compliance
Installation Conformance and Quality
Pre-Start-up Checks and Readiness
Completion of Static Works and Testing
Attaching the Appropriate Level 2 Tag

Table of Contents

⬛ Additional Resources

To help navigate around the site and provide additional resources, we’ve added plenty of helpful links throughout this article to help you complete your data center commissioning, also below is a list of other articles that we have written that you may find helpful:

🟩 Sampling Rate

When it comes to witnessing and validation onsite, many Owners will utilize a ‘Sampling Rate‘ to make the process of evaluating the facilities systems, components, and equipment more efficient and manageable, as it’s often impractical or unnecessary to examine every single data point or component across a project.

By witnessing and validating ‘Samples’, the Owners Commissioning Provider can confidently conclude and advise them on their entire facility and its systems.

During the ‘Level 2’ tasks and activities, we refer to this sampling as ‘First Of Kind [FOK]’ Inspections or Testing. This means the CxP will randomly select 1No. piece of equipment, component, or system from a batch for witnessing and verification.

If the witnessing activities ‘Pass’, all units and parts of the batch will also be determined to ‘Pass’.

🚀 The General Contractor should ensure that no matter the verification requirements of the Owners Commissioning Consultant, they complete 100% testing of all plant, equipment, components, and systems.

🟧 Sampling Rate to Use

For the Level 2 works, the following would be pretty common to see on a standard Data Center Project:

🟨 Documentation Sampling

⚠️ Note: the documentation sampling rates are not to be confused with items like ‘Single Point of Failure’ or ‘Discrimination Study Reviews‘, where 100% would be expected.

Type	Sampling Rate
Design Documents	25%
Construction Documents	25%
Handover Documents	100%

🟨 Onsite Sampling

Sampling Rate	Notes
Critical Systems & Components [FIRST OF KIND]	Inspect, witness and Validate 1No. of each model of Equipment, Components and Systems. Covers: Anything that affects the operations of the data halls and critical spaces, either via plant, equipment, components, and systems directly installed within the halls, or plant, equipment, components, and systems housed outside of the data halls and critical spaces but serves them.
Non-Critical Systems & Components [20%]	Inspect, witness and Validate 20% of Equipment, Components and Systems. Covers: Non-Critical Systems and Components would include plant, equipment, components, and systems individually serving toilets, cupboards, external corridors, office, meeting rooms etc.

🟩 Using the RASCI Matrix

For the roles and responsibilities, we will utilize the RASCI format, which helps with defining and communicating the required roles and responsibilities within the process and will dictate, via a structured framework, who is Responsible, Accountable, Supportive, Consulted, and Informed for each task, activity, or decision.

Using the matrix will enhance management and teamwork, promoting clarity, reducing confusion, and fostering effective communication.

Responsible	[R]	This is the person that is responsible for doing the work ensuring the activities are completed by the relevant team members, they can also provide comments as well.
Approve	[A]	This person comments, approves and signs off and owns the activity.
Supportive	[S]	Persons who will provide support to the Responsible party, aiding in completion of the task.
Consulted	[C]	Opinion sought, where required.
Informed	[I]	This person is informed when a decision is made, or an activity is performed. They may be required to act because of the outcome.

🟩 Roles of Team Members

The following participants will be involved in the delivery of the Level 2 – Commissioning Tasks and Activities:

Owner	[O]	The owner is the person who will own/occupy or run the facility once it is complete; they have the final say in the overall expectations of the project and finance it.
Building Operator	[BO]	The company and people responsible for operating the facility once handed over.
Project Manager	[PM]	The project manager, employed to represent the owner, running and managing the overall project and programme. [where owner is not fully involved in the day to day running of the project].
Commissioning Provider	[CxP]	The consultant employed by the Owner to ensure that the project is verified to meet their expectations,
Designer	[DES]	Responsible for taking the Owner's expectations/requirements and creating a design that works in line with them,
General Contractor	[GC]	The company employed to construct, build and commission the project,
Sub-Contractor	[SC]	Works for the General Contractor delivering specialist services
Vendor/Supplier	[VEN]	Supplies goods, materials and equipment for the project.

Full Detailed Document	Data Center Commissioning Guideline [MS Word] Pros: Use Straight Away Insert in Tender Documents Industry Wide Process from Level 0 to Level 6 Detailed Responsibility and Roles Includes Commissioning Checklist Description: Aimed at anyone who needs a detailed delivery plan and checklist for deploying Commissioning within a Data Center Project, this document is formatted in Microsoft Word/Excel and written so that it can be deployed quickly and easily with minimal updating to suit your specific needs. *[Once through to the shop there is a sample of the document to view]*	Buy Here \| $29.99
Quick Checklist	Data Center Commissioning Checklist [MS Word] & [MS Excel] Pros: Easy Quick High Level Tracker Description: Here is our open copy [MS Word] & [MS Excel] of the Data Center Commissioning Checklist, for making life a little easier...	Buy Here \| $1.99
Buy All Our Documents	Buy All 126No. Site Commissioning Documents Pros: 126No. Documents Use Straight Away Amazing Value Description: We have been asked several times to create a complete document package covering everything we have uploaded to the site. So it's taken some time, but here it is....126No. Documents for you to download in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel & PDF Formats. CLICK THE BUY HERE TO SEE/DOWNLOAD A FULL LIST OF DOCUMENTS INCLUDED...	Buy Here \| $129.99

Full Detailed Document

Data Center Commissioning Guideline [MS Word]

Pros:

Use Straight Away
Insert in Tender Documents
Industry Wide Process from Level 0 to Level 6
Detailed Responsibility and Roles
Includes Commissioning Checklist

Description:

Aimed at anyone who needs a detailed delivery plan and checklist for deploying Commissioning within a Data Center Project, this document is formatted in Microsoft Word/Excel and written so that it can be deployed quickly and easily with minimal updating to suit your specific needs.

[Once through to the shop there is a sample of the document to view]

Buy Here | $29.99

Quick Checklist

Data Center Commissioning Checklist [MS Word] & [MS Excel]

Pros:

Easy
Quick
High Level
Tracker

Description:

Here is our open copy [MS Word] & [MS Excel] of the Data Center Commissioning Checklist, for making life a little easier...

Buy Here | $1.99

Buy All Our Documents

Buy All 126No. Site Commissioning Documents

Pros:

126No. Documents
Use Straight Away
Amazing Value

Description:

We have been asked several times to create a complete document package covering everything we have uploaded to the site.

So it's taken some time, but here it is....126No. Documents for you to download in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel & PDF Formats.

CLICK THE BUY HERE TO SEE/DOWNLOAD A FULL LIST OF DOCUMENTS INCLUDED...

Buy Here | $129.99

🟩 Level 2 – Tasks, Activities, Roles, and Responsibilities

🟧 Level 2 – 21 Step Matrix

The below table has been written to allow the planning of Level 2 tasks and activities, and we have included a purchasable resource that can be downloaded at the end of this article.

Level	Task/Activity	O / PM	BO	CXP	DES	GC	VEN
L2-01	Write and Issue Level 2 Checklists and Scripts that will be used to facilitate the works.	I	I	A	I	R	S
L2-02	Plan and Manage Deliveries of plant, equipment, and materials. [If not, Factory Tested]	I	I	I	I	A	R
L2-03	Complete Delivery and Storage Checklists when plant, equipment and materials arrive on site.	I	I	A	S	R	S
L2-04	Complete Installation Checklist Inspections.	I	I	A	S	R	S
L2-05	Complete Pre-Start-up / Energization Inspections.	I	I	A	I	R	S
L2-06	Conduct any First of Kind [FOK] Inspections if noted in the project process with the owner’s CxP.	I	I	A	I	R	S
L2-07	For Electrical Panels ensure Arc Flash Stickers are attached and Breakers Set in line with the Arc Flash Report and Discrimination Study.	I	I	A	S	R	S
L2-08	Complete Foreign Object Detection [FOD] Inspection for all electrical panels and equipment.	I	I	A	I	R	S
L2-09	Update Commissioning Tracking to reflect actual status and progress. [Manually or as per Commissioning Electronic Platform]	I	I	A	I	R	S
L2-10	Manage the Overall Programme for the Commissioning Tasks and Activities.	I	I	A	I	R	S
L2-11	Add any issues to Observation Register and managing to close.	I	I	A	I	R	S
L2-12	File and manage documentation and records within the Project electronic filing system.	I	I	A	I	R	S
L2-13	Issue regular 2 Week Look Ahead Schedules for Commissioning Team Resource Planning.	I	I	A	I	R	S
L2-14	Conduct Daily Morning Coordination Workshop.	I	I	A	I	R	S
L2-15	Provide Daily Commissioning Updates.	I	I	A	I	R	S
L2-16	Conduct Commissioning Focused Weekly Meetings and Workshops.	I	I	A	I	R	S
L2-17	Provide to CxP, Commissioning Focused Reports [monthly/weekly]	I	I	A	I	R	S
L2-18	Provide to Owner Commissioning Focused Reports [monthly/weekly]	A	I	R	I	S	I
L2-19	Install all Yellow Tags where applicable.	I	I	A	I	R	S
L2-20	Provide to Owner, Level Close Out Reports.	I	I	A	I	R	S
L2-21	Sign off Level.	A	I	R	S	S	S

🚀 Below is an overview of each step noted in the above table.

🟧 L2-01 Write and Issue Scripts

The Level 2 Scripts, based upon the formats and expected information agreed in Level 0 – Design & Planning Stage, for each piece of equipment, component, and system being inspected, should be issued to the Owners Commissioning Provider for review and approval.

🟧 L2-02 Plan & Manage Deliveries

⚠️ Note: if not factory tested.

For any equipment, components, and materials not factory tested, the General Contractor should ensure that the deliveries are managed and planned, ensuring that all manufacturers and vendors understand the inspection process to be deployed.

🟧 L2-03 Complete Delivery/Storage Checklists

When items of equipment, components, and materials are delivered, the General Contractor should ensure that they are inspected and checked in line with the relevant delivery checklist that has been approved. Before putting them into storage, the area and conditions meet the expectations.

🟧 L2-04 Complete Installation Checklists

Once installation work has been completed, the General Contractor should conduct the required installation checks in line with the checklists that have been approved for the project.

These checks ensure that the plant, equipment, and systems have been installed correctly and are fully aligned with the project drawings and specifications before energization.

🚀 Some benefits of conducting the Level 2 Installation Checks:

✅ General Quality Control: Inspections are essential to spot any defects.

✅ Verify Design Intent: Checking the installations will ensure that the design expectations are met and that the site conditions align with the drawings.

✅ Avoid Future Issues: Improper installation can lead to problems such as malfunctioning equipment, failures, or problematic maintenance, meaning costly rework.

✅ Safety: Ensuring proper installation per the design helps mitigate safety hazards. If equipment is installed incorrectly, it could create unsafe conditions that put workers or end users at risk.

✅ Proper Function: Equipment should be installed per specifications to function correctly and as intended. The systems may not work correctly if the installation does not align with the design.

✅ Meet Codes and Standards: Systems are usually installed following relevant codes and standards. Installation checks provide assurance these requirements have been met.

✅ Warranties: Most warranties require equipment to be installed per manufacturer specifications.

🟧 L2-05 Complete Pre-Startup Inspections

After the Installation Checklists have been completed, the General Contractor should check if the equipment, components, and systems are ready for startup and energization by completing ‘Pre-Startup Checks‘ in line with the approved documentation.

Each Pre-Startup inspection will verify that the equipment, components, and systems are ready for safe electrical and mechanical startup and operation.

🟧 L2-06 Conduct First Of Kind [FOK] Inspections

Once the General Contractor has completed their Delivery, Installation, and Pre-Startup Checks, they shall invite the CxP to complete a ‘First of Kind Inspection.’

🚀 see the Sampling Section at the beginning of this article for more information on FOK.

When invited, the CxP will randomly select a piece of equipment, component, and or system from each type that has been installed and conduct the same inspections to ensure the installation meets the requirements.

🟧 L2-07 Inspect Arc Flash Stickers

At this step, the General Contractor should inspect to ensure that all Arc Flash Stickers are attached to the Switch Boards and Electrical Appliances where required.

🟧 L2-08 Complete Foreign Object Detection [FOD] Inspections

At this step, the Owners Commissioning Provider, supported by the General Contractor, will carry out a Foreign Object Detection [FOD] Inspection for each Switchboard, Electrical Cupboard, Distribution Panel, Ring Main Unit, Control Panel, and Power Distribution Unit etc.

The inspection is conducted to identify foreign objects or debris [dust, debris, wiring, corrosion, water, damage, etc] that may not have been removed during the deep cleaning process and pose a risk to the overall operation of the facility.

🟧 L2-09 Maintain Commissioning Progress Tracking

Throughout the Level 2 tasks and activities, the General Contractor should consistently update the Commissioning Progress Tracking Schedules.

🟧 L2-10 Manage and Update Cx Programme

Throughout the Level 2 tasks and activities, the General Contractor should ensure the Commissioning Programme is consistently updated.

🟧 L2-11 Manage Punch Lists and Closure of Issues

Any observations or issues noted during the testing should be inputted individually by the General Contractor into the Punch List in the format agreed upon during the Level 0 – Design & Planning Stage. The General Contractor is responsible for closing them out with the Vendors before the Owners CxP approves.

All observations should be closed before the Level 3 tasks and activities commence.

🟧 L2-12 File and Manage Information

Once all documentation for the Level 2 works has been completed and approved by the Owner CxP, the General Contractor should ensure it is filed and stored in the location as agreed during the Level 0 – Design & Planning tasks and activities.

🟧 L2-13 Maintain 2-Week Look-Ahead Schedules

Based on the format agreed upon during the Level 0 – Design & Planning Stage, the General Contractor should issue [weekly] a 2-week look ahead schedule that fully represents the progress of the commissioning works and future activities.

🟧 L2-14 Conduct Daily Morning Coordination Workshops

Morning Coordination Workshops should be held daily, led by the General Contractor, to provide a forum where the commissioning team [Owner, Building Operator, CxP, Designer, General Contractor, Vendors, and Subcontractors] can be aligned, helping to keep commissioning efforts moving forward proactively.

These workshops should be used to review the status of commissioning activities, with key objectives being to coordinate that day’s tests and tasks, address any issues or roadblocks, update commissioning checklists and documentation, review action items, and also discuss and prepare for the next day’s activities.

🟧 L2-15 Issue Daily Commissioning Updates

As the Owners Commissioning Provider is not usually overseeing all commissioning activities, the General Contractor should provide a simple update each day on the progress made and any problems or issues encountered. The format of this report should be based upon the agreement during the Level 0 – Design & Planning Stage.

This ‘Daily Report‘ should be issued to the CxP for information.

🟧 L2-16 Conduct Commissioning Meetings & Workshops

Commissioning meetings and workshops will be conducted throughout the Level 2 stage to ensure alignment and coordination among the members of the project commissioning team [Owner, Building Operator, CxP, Designer, General Contractor, and Vendors/Subcontractors].

These meetings & workshops should help facilitate discussions around the commissioning processes, documentation, schedules, observations, level 2 works, and the future tasks and activities that need to be addressed and planned, such as integrated systems testing, training, manuals, and handover procedures.

🟧 L2-17 Issue CxP Commissioning Reports

The General Contractor should issue weekly/monthly reports to the Owners Commissioning Provider based upon the formats and expected information agreed upon in the Level 0 – Design & Planning Stage.

At this stage, we expect Weekly & Monthly Reports to be provided.

🟧 L2-18 Issue Owner Commissioning Reports

Once received from the General Contractor in the previous step, the Commissioning Provider should issue the Owner a consolidation of the General Contractor’s report and theirs.

🟧 L2-19 Attach Yellow Tag

Once the Owners’ Commissioning Provider has verified that all Level 2 tasks and activities have been completed with all punch list items closed for each piece of equipment, component, or system, meeting the Level 2 expectations, the General Contractor should attach the required project ‘Yellow Tag.’

🟧 L2-20 Provide Closeout Report

The General Contractor should issue a comprehensive ‘close-out report’ as a final summary of the Level 2 commissioning process, capturing the results, findings, and outcomes of the various steps.

This report should be provided to the Owners Commissioning Provider for review and acceptance.

🟧 L2-21 Sign-Off Level

Once the ‘Closeout Report’ has been received, reviewed, and approved by the Owner CxP, the Level 2 works will be deemed complete and a Certificate Issued.

🟩 Level 3 Tasks and Activities

Click on the above for Level 3 – System Startup Tasks and Activities.

⬜ Level 0 to Level 6 Data Center Cx Checklist Template [Open / PDF]

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

Click the ‘Buy Here‘ button to purchase the fully editable copy of the document below, which can be used immediately.

You will direct to our shop page.

Buy Here | $1.99

⬛ Author

If you would like to know more about the author, here is my Personal Linkedin Account

LEVEL 2 – DATA CENTER Cx | Delivery, Installation & Pre-Start Up

⬛ Additional Resources

🟩 Sampling Rate

🟧 Sampling Rate to Use

🟨 Documentation Sampling

🟨 Onsite Sampling

🟩 Using the RASCI Matrix

🟩 Roles of Team Members

🟩 Level 2 – Tasks, Activities, Roles, and Responsibilities

🟧 Level 2 – 21 Step Matrix

🟧 L2-01 Write and Issue Scripts

🟧 L2-02 Plan & Manage Deliveries

🟧 L2-03 Complete Delivery/Storage Checklists

🟧 L2-04 Complete Installation Checklists

🟧 L2-05 Complete Pre-Startup Inspections

🟧 L2-06 Conduct First Of Kind [FOK] Inspections

🟧 L2-07 Inspect Arc Flash Stickers

🟧 L2-08 Complete Foreign Object Detection [FOD] Inspections

🟧 L2-09 Maintain Commissioning Progress Tracking

🟧 L2-10 Manage and Update Cx Programme

🟧 L2-11 Manage Punch Lists and Closure of Issues

🟧 L2-12 File and Manage Information

🟧 L2-13 Maintain 2-Week Look-Ahead Schedules

🟧 L2-14 Conduct Daily Morning Coordination Workshops

🟧 L2-15 Issue Daily Commissioning Updates

🟧 L2-16 Conduct Commissioning Meetings & Workshops

🟧 L2-17 Issue CxP Commissioning Reports

🟧 L2-18 Issue Owner Commissioning Reports

🟧 L2-19 Attach Yellow Tag

🟧 L2-20 Provide Closeout Report

🟧 L2-21 Sign-Off Level

⬜ Level 0 to Level 6 Data Center Cx Checklist Template [Open / PDF]

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