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INTRODUCTION
The process of commissioning is
often viewed as validation of
components and systems only. Done
right, commissioning is a
comprehensive integration process
that includes not only the physical
infrastructure but also the people who
will operate the facility.
Data Center construction and
operations are often managed by two
of the organization’s internal groups,
often with different objectives. A
design / build team has to be
concerned with infrastructure
requirements, schedule, and
construction costs while facility
operations is focused more on
availability and operating
expenditures.
All of the above are a part of the
company’s holistic objectives,
although in the absence of common
leadership or synergy between the
groups, often the design / build
objectives don’t take into account
those of facility operations.
Often missed during commissioning
is the opportunity for facility
operations to contribute and better
understand sequences, consequences
of outages, and other attributes of
the infrastructure by participating in
the full project lifecycle
commissioning process. Missing this
once-in-a-facility’s-lifetime opportunity
is an unfortunate and all too common
occurrence.
OPPORTUNITY
ABOUNDS
There are a number of specific areas
where operations stands to benefit
from participating in commissioning,
including:
• Sequence Optimization
• Equipment Familiarity
• Troubleshooting Techniques
• Resource Identification
• Cause and Effect Baseline
Knowledge
• Continuous Improvement
Commissioning begins in earnest
during the design phase with project
requirements review and participation
in commenting on the design itself.
This is a great time to engage
operations to provide initial input.
A critical aspect during this phase is
the Sequence of Operations (SoO)
development which will take into
consideration the facility’s operating
obligations. Having operators
comment on the SoO, and then
subsequently participate in the
validation testing, provides an
important opportunity for the team to
influence and truly understand the
design basis of the facility.
The inner workings and nuances of
equipment operation are never more
accessible than during start-up and
functional testing (commonly referred
to as Levels 3 and 4 of the
commissioning process). If planned
properly, operators can be scheduled
to participate in activities like chiller
control checkouts, manipulating
system flow, and electrical switching
evolutions.
Once these components and systems
are deemed operational and placed
in service, the equipment is
infrequently available for this type of
hands-on manipulation. By including
facility operations in testing, the
operators stand to better understand
the equipment for the purpose of
maintenance evolutions, future
problem identification, and
troubleshooting during emergency
situations. In instances where they
have not experienced this level of
familiarity, they are at a disadvantage
and forced to be tentative when they
are better served as decisive.
Speaking of troubleshooting, the
commissioning process typically
7X24 MAGAZINE SPRING 2015
by
Brian Durham