LEVEL 6 – DATA CENTER COMMISSIONING | Closeout & Turnover

Level 6 of the Data Center Commissioning Process moves the project from the onsite commissioning phase to close out, turn over, and hand over. The end product of the works during this stage is for the Client’s Commissioning Authority [CxA] to write and issue the Close Out Report, which will be accepted by the Client and End User.

Note: Level 6 should be managed and completed by the Client’s Commissioning Authority, with some light support from the general/main contractor team.

The main steps to complete closeout will be:

• Ensuring all L5 reports have been approved,
• Closing out and resolving all defects and punch lists,
• Issuing of final operating and maintenance manuals,
• Issuing of building log books/systems manual,
• Complete lessons learned workshop, document, and create/issue schedule to the client team,
• Finalize owners project requirement document [OPR] and basis of design document [BOD],
• Complete final settings verification on all critical equipment,
• Complete training of building operator/facility engineers,
• Complete and issue final commissioning report,
• Complete and issue closeout/turnover report,
• Client acceptance that the systems and data center have been proven to be operating as per the project requirements and design.

Below, we run through more detailed information on how these steps can be completed.

| Step 1 – Verification of Level 5 Reports Approval

The CxA [commissioning authority] should ensure that their Level 5 Report has been approved and any observations closed out from the previous Level by the Client and End User.

If there are any observations noted relating to the operation of the Data Halls, it would usually fall to the designer and general/main contractor to resolve, under guidance from the CxA.

Responsibility Matrix

| Step 2 – Ensure All Defects/Observations/Punchlists are Closed Out from Previous Levels

All issues and punch lists should have already been completed to allow the Level 4 & 5 tasks to commence. But if they are not they should be by this step.

The CxA should review the issues register/punch list and push for completion by the general/main contractor, also managing any vendor or suppliers that have been employed by the client.

Responsibility Matrix

| Step 3 – Issue Final Operating and Maintenance Manuals

To allow the total project documentation to be signed off and closed out the final operating and maintenance manuals should be issued by the main/general contractor to the Client Team for review.

The expectation should be that the O&M manuals will already have been reviewed and commented upon during previous Levels where they are provided as ‘draft formats’, and at this point should be easily approved.

Further Reading

We have written the below article that may be of use to understand more about these manuals including formats and layouts:

• 🔗 O&M MANUALS | Quick guide and template

Responsibility Matrix

| Step 4 – Issue Building Log Book or Systems Manual

Building Log Book – Within the UK, under the Building Regulations Approved Document L2A, a Building Log Book should be written and issued to the building owner/operator once all building works have been completed.

The logbook should provide enough detailed information to allow the facility to be run efficiently and allow easy maintenance of all building services systems in line with the design intent.

Systems Manuals – are created under the ASHRAE Commissioning Process requirements and written to provide the facilities, building operations staff, and direct building users a complete overview of the equipment, systems, settings, and sequences of operation allowing the building to be effectively managed and maintained, similar to the building log book above.

Both of the above documents are intended to provide all information relating to the day-to-day running of the building and should be used as a reference guide and read in conjunction with the Operating and Maintenance Manuals and Final Commissioning Report.

The document will usually be written by the main/general contractor and issued to the client team for review, comments and approval.

Further Reading

We have written the below articles that may be of use to understand more on the log books/system manuals including formats and layouts:

• 🔗 Building Log Book | What and Why?

Responsibility Matrix

| Step 5 – Complete Lessons Learned Workshop, Document, and Issues Schedules

A detailed lesson-learned schedule/document should be created and maintained throughout a data center construction program. The document should provide a clear list of any notable/repeated positives or negatives that have happened during the design, construction, and commissioning process of the project.

🔗 To know more about Lessons Learned, see our article: LESSONS LEARNED | Tips, Best Practices & Templates

The expectation will be that the commissioning manager should keep the schedule up to date, presenting/discussing it during the workshop.

Once the workshop has been completed, it will be updated with anything needed and issued to the client and their consultants [designer, commissioning, architect etc.].

Responsibility Matrix

| Step 6 – Finalize OPR/BOD Documents

As with alot of the commissioning process for a general building or data center, the owners project requirement document and basis of design document should be reviewed and updated.

At this step, they both should be finalized and issued within the final commissioning report.

Further Reading

We have written the below articles that may be of use to understand more on these documents including formats and layouts:

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

Responsibility Matrix

| Step 7 – Inspect and Verify All Plant and Equipment Settings

All plant and equipment settings that were inspected and verified during the data center level 3 tasks and activities will be reinspected at this point to verify that, prior to turnover/handover, nothing has been changed that could impact the future operations of the facility and everything is set correctly.

The inspections and verification will be conducted under the direction of the commissioning provider [CxA] and supported by the main/general contractor, sub contractors and vendors.

All checks should be documented with each being signed by the relevant parties prior to being included within the Level 6 Closeout Report.

Responsibility Matrix

| Step 8 – Training of Building Operator/Facility Engineers

As noted in Level 0, there is a requirement, once all installations are complete, commissioned, and operating, that the commissioning agent [CxA] should ensure that the building operator/facility engineers are fully trained and familiar with the systems and equipment installed.

The training should be organized, coordinated, delivered, and recorded at this step.

Responsibility Matrix

| Step 9 – Issue Final Level 6 Commissioning Closeout Report

The final commissioning report is written and issued at this step by the client commissioning provider [CxA] being supported by the main/general contractors team.

The report is created to provide a full historical document of the commissioning process and activities used to deliver the facility and will provide a basis incase of any future reference is needed during recommissioning works etc.

Further Reading

We have written the below article that may be of use to understand more on the final commissioning report including formats and layouts:

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

Responsibility Matrix

| Step 10 – Management of Document Filing System

Carrying on from the Level 0, Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4 & Level 5 commissioning documentation filing system, the commissioning agent and general/main contractor should ensure that all documents related to the delivery of the Level 6 integrated work are complete and filed in line with the project requirements.

Responsibility Matrix

| Step 11 – Issue Level 6 Closeout Certificate

Once all the above has been completed, the Data Center Commissioning Level 6 Certificate should be completed and issued to the project before moving on to the Data Center Commissioning Level 7 works.

The commissioning agent [CxA] should issue this to the client and project team 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 / Excel]

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

Click the ‘Buy Here‘ 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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