Request a quoteCommissioning L1 to L5: what each level proves
Five levels take a facility from equipment in a factory to systems proven under failure. Here is what each level proves, the evidence it produces and who signs it off.
- Levels are a convention in the data centre sector, not one published standard, and definitions differ between operators.
- Each level proves something the next level relies on.
- The evidence matters as much as the test: scripts, measured results and signatures.
- A problem found at an early level costs less to fix than one found at level 5.
Factory acceptance: the equipment meets its specification.
Level 1 happens before anything ships. Switchboards, RPPs, manifolds and skids are tested in the factory against a script agreed in advance, and you can witness the test in person or remotely.
A fault found here is fixed on the bench, not on a live site.
- FAT report signed by the witnesses
- Routine test certificates and declaration of conformity
- Punch list closed before shipment
Delivery and installation: what arrived is what was approved.
Each unit is inspected on arrival against the approved submittals, stored and protected until it is installed, then checked against the drawings once it is in place.
- Inspection records for each unit, not for each consignment
- Installation checks against the drawings
- An asset register that links every serial number to its position
Start up and pre-functional: safe to energise or to fill.
Electrical systems receive their dead tests before they are energised: continuity, insulation resistance, polarity, phase rotation and protective device settings.
Liquid systems are pressure tested, flushed with the CDUs isolated and filled, and the fluid is tested in a laboratory.
- Test sheets for each circuit and each loop section
- Pressure test records
- Laboratory fluid certificates
Functional performance: each system works on its own.
Every system is run through its operating modes, alarms and failovers on its own, under load. Load banks and heat load emulators stand in for IT that is not yet installed.
- Signed functional test scripts with measured results against the design figures
- Load bank records at each step of duty
- Thermographic survey under load
Integrated systems testing: everything together, under failure.
All systems run together while real failure scenarios are applied: loss of utility, generator start and transfer, UPS transfer and retransfer, loss of cooling and fire alarm cause and effect.
- Integrated systems test report with time stamped events
- Trend data for power and temperatures
- Open issues list, closed and retested
Who signs off each level.
The commissioning manager or commissioning authority on your project signs off each level. Contractors and suppliers provide the scripts, the records and the people who witness and run the tests for the levels in their scope.
Where your project has its own commissioning matrix, the levels and their evidence follow it.
Commissioning L1 to L5 checklist
What each level should cover and the evidence to keep. Enter your email and download it straight away, with our sample FAT report and inspection and test plan.