BG 8-2009 Front cover2.

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A BSRIA Guide www.bsria.co.uk

Model Commissioning Plan

by Salim Deramchi and Glenn Hawkins

BG 8/2009
 CONTENTS
CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION 1

COMMISSIONING WORKS 3

Preparation 4
Design 4
Pre-construction 4
Construction 5
Commissioning of engineering services 5
Pre-handover 5
Initial occupation 5
Post-occupancy aftercare 6

MODEL COMMISSIONING PLAN TEMPLATE 7

REFERENCES 14

MODEL COMMISSIONING PLAN

© BSRIA BG 8/2009
 INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this document is to provide a commissioning plan

template for a construction project. It is intended to help construction
project teams and building control officers understand and record the
commissioning activities that need to be carried out during the different
stages of the project process in order to produce operationally ready
facilities that really meet the needs of project stakeholders.

The model commissioning plan maps all eight stages of a construction

project:

Stage 1: Preparation

Stage 2: Design

Stage 3: Pre-construction

Stage 4: Construction

Stage 5: Commissioning of engineering services

Stage 6: Pre-handover

Stage 7: Initial occupation

Stage 8: Post-occupancy aftercare

The commissioning plan is a document that outlines the scope and

defines the responsibilities, processes, schedules and documentation
requirements of the commissioning process. It should:

• Provide general information about the project

• Identify the commissioning team members during each stage of the
commissioning process
• Define the roles and responsibilities for each commissioning team
member
• Identify the systems to be commissioned
• Create a schedule of commissioning activities for each stage of the
commissioning process
• Establish documentation requirements associated with the
commissioning process
• Establish communication and reporting procedures for the
commissioning process

MODEL COMMISSIONING PLAN 1

© BSRIA BG 8/2009
 INTRODUCTION

Commissioning of construction projects will benefit from a dedicated

commissioning manager acting as the focus for various commissioning
activities. However, projects of all sizes and complexity can benefit from
following the model commissioning plan.

This model commissioning plan draws on existing commissioning

guidance including CIBSE Commissioning Code M (reference 6) and is
designed to provide a focus for the commissioning activities carried out
during a construction project.

All projects can benefit from following the model commissioning plan,
from domestic dwellings to multiuse commercial developments.

Commissioning management is a process used to ensure that the client

receives a fully functioning, energy efficient building by the planned
initial occupancy date.

A well executed commissioning process will help produce better

engineering system design, enable a project to be handed over more
smoothly and reduce the troubleshooting required during the first year of
occupancy. It will also help produce facilities that better meet the needs
of users and operators, and help reduce the energy use throughout the
life of a building.

2 MODEL COMMISSIONING PLAN

© BSRIA BG 8/2009
 MODEL COMMISSIONING PLAN TEMPLATE

The following tables show the commissioning activities that will be undertaken on this construction
project. (These activities have been compared with CIBSE activities found in Responsibility Matrix of
CIBSE Code M and the relevant cross reference shown at CIBSE ACT 1, CIBSE ACT 5 etc). The lead and
support responsibility for each activity will be supplied by members of the commissioning team. This
activity checklist sheet will be used to ensure all activities are planned against the project programme
and project cost plan.

Support
Stage Activities Lead role End date Comments
role

Define project requirement

Develop the design brief

Appoint commissioning management

specialist
Preparation

Form the commissioning team

Review of design brief for commissioning

requirement [CIBSE ACT 1]

Develop the outline budget for

commissioning works

Develop an outline scope of works for the

commissioning process

Support
Stage Activities Lead role End date Comments
role

Review and clearly define the responsibilities

of commissioning team member

Plan for commissioning meetings to be

attended by all member of the commissioning
team
Provide input to the development of design
drawings and specifications to ensure that
systems can be commissioned properly
Design

including:
• Schematic drawings
• Detailed design drawing
• Installation wiring diagrams [CIBSE ACT 1]
• Building management system integration

Determine the equipment and systems to be

commissioned
Develop commissioning method statements
for different equipments and systems
[CIBSE ACT 5]

MODEL COMMISSIONING PLAN 11

© BSRIA BG 8/2009