PROJECT COMMISSION AND HANDING OVER

Commissioning and Handover is the point at which the client or the client’s agent can witness
the full performance of the structure and installations within its design parameters to ensure
the asset or system is capable of doing what it was designed to do and hand over the project to
the client or client representative after it was successfully commissioned.

Project commission
Project commission is the process of assuring that all systems and components of the
project are designed, installed, tested, operated, and maintained according to the operational
requirements of the owner or final client. A commissioning process may be applied not only to
new but also to existing units and systems subject to expansion, Revamping or renovation.

Some of the main building systems involved in commissioning include:

• Mechanical systems such as HVAC, ductwork and ventilation systems.
• Electrical systems such as power distribution and lighting controls.
• Plumbing systems.

• Communication and alarm systems.

• Protective systems such as fire/smoke protection.

• The building “envelope” such as the walls, roof, windows/curtain wall, doors, etc.
Ultimately, commissioning aims to integrate all of the disparate parts of a building in order to
deliver a facility that operates as a fully-functional whole. A fully developed and integrated
commission plan can help bridge gaps between building owners, design teams, contracting
teams and end users, thus ensuring a smoother transition from design to construction to
operation.
To achieve this, the commissioning process begins with assuring that each building component
is installed and operating correctly, and meets the performance requirements of the design. This
is accomplished by proper inspection, testing and certification of the basic installations. The
next step involves coordinating all of the individual components into functional systems and
ultimately integrating and optimizing these systems into one cohesive, unified whole.
The final level of the commissioning effort includes the process of documenting the completed
building and its components. The documentation of commissioning establishes the standards of
performance and serves as a benchmark to verify that the building systems have been designed
and constructed to meet those standards. It also acts as a historical roadmap of the “why, what
and how-to” decisions made during the commissioning process.
Commissioning should be looked upon as a holistic, integrative process that spans from pre-
design/planning to occupancy and operations. It should also include ongoing commission
functions after construction is finished.
Building commissioning delivers many measurable, bottom-line benefits to owners, occupants,
design and construction teams, the environment and the general public.
As a risk-management strategy and an important element of sustainable design, commissioning
helps mitigate risk, ensures building performance, prevents expensive breakdowns and
maximizes energy efficiency, environmental health and occupant safety. Buildings that are
appropriately commissioned tend to be more energy efficient, with lower operation and
maintenance costs and characteristically fewer change orders or claims.

Commissioning Goals

The primary goal of commissioning is to ensure a building and its systems meet the owner’s
project requirements. This includes, but is not limited to, the following commissioning goals:

1. To deliver a building or facility that performs according to its design intent and meets the
owner’s project requirements.
2. To verify all of the various systems and components are installed and working correctly
with benchmarks in place.
3. To provide lower energy, operation and maintenance costs for the owner.
4. To prevent future problems and costs though proactive quality measures.
5. To provide accurate documentation and records on the design, construction and testing in
order to facilitate future operation and maintenance.
6. To optimize building performance.

The Main Benefits of Project Commissioning:

1. Better energy performance. Commissioning ensures that a building meets the

performance and energy savings promised by the design, and can help reap quantifiable and
significant energy savings and/or emissions reductions. This directly equates to lower
utility bills and reduced payback times for existing and new buildings.

2. Operational cost savings. According to the GSA’s Building Commissioning Guide, the
operating costs of a commissioned building range from 8-20% less than that of a non-
commissioned building. Potential operational benefits include a reduction in
repair/replacement costs, longer equipment lifespans and a reduction in future
construction costs or tenant improvement projects.

3. Reduced project schedule and costs with fewer change orders. The
commissioning process helps uncover issues that could surface later on as expensive
maintenance or safety problems. According to a 2018 study by Lawre5 nce Berkley National
Laboratory, 79% of projects that participated reported that their buildings were occupied
on schedule due to commissioning, and up to 90% of those projects reported that problems
were detected and corrected earlier on. The study also found that 56% of projects reported
fewer change orders as a result of commissioning.

4. Enhanced occupant safety, health and comfort. Some injuries and illnesses
associated with unhealthy or unsafe building design and operation can be prevented by
measures that consider concerns such as indoor air quality, electrical safety and accident
protection. Commissioning aids in the delivering of an efficient, secure, safe and healthy
building for its occupants.

5. Improved system and equipment function. The commissioning process verifies all
systems and equipment are installed and working correctly. Commissioning documentation
serves as a benchmark to verify that the building systems have been designed and
constructed to meet the intended standards of performance.
Types of project Commissioning:

1. New Construction Commissioning: Generally, the plain term “commissioning” refers to

the process of commissioning a building that is newly constructed or in the design and
construction phases. This is the most common type of commissioning and can also be the
most impactful because it allows the commissioning process to begin early on in the project
and take preventative measures.
2. Re-commissioning: The second type of commissioning is re-commissioning. It refers to the
commissioning of an existing building that has already been commissioned in the past. Re-
commissioning often happens after a building becomes fully operational and the owner has
a more accurate picture of how the building is being used. It is common in buildings that
have aging systems and is helpful to ensure all components and systems are in good
working order. It is also used to verify system efficiencies or identify possible system
failures before they occur.
3. Retro-commissioning: Retro-commissioning refers to the commissioning of an existing
building that was not previously commissioned when it was initially designed and
constructed. It typically aims to help resolve problems that occurred during design or
construction or address issues that developed throughout the building’s life as the
equipment aged or as the building usage changed. Retro-commissioning aims to identify
areas where efficiency improvements can be made and help improve overall operations and
maintenance procedures. The goals of retro-commissioning are often tied to cutting energy
waste, maximizing energy cost savings and identifying and fixing existing problems.
4. Continuous Commissioning. Continuous commissioning refers to an ongoing
commissioning program tailored to meet specific operational and sustainability goals. It
leverages innovative technology and commissioning methods to integrate energy
management in a continuous, ongoing solution in order to resolve operating problems,
improve comfort, maximize energy use and identify retrofits for existing buildings. Unlike
traditional commissioning, the goal of continuous commissioning is not necessarily to
ensure all systems are functioning as originally intended. Rather, it ensures that the building
and its systems are operating optimally, to meet current requirements.

The Building Commissioning Process

The commissioning process is interconnected with the overall project delivery process. The
basic steps within the commissioning process include:

1. Pre-Design / Planning. During the pre-design or planning stage, the commissioning team
is identified and the owner’s project requirements are defined. This stage also includes
developing a preliminary commissioning plan and establishing the initial commissioning
budget.
2. Design. During design, a lot more detail is given to building systems including design
specifications, documents and drawings. Design stage commissioning activities assist in
ensuring the owner’s project requirements are properly defined and accurately considered
in the contract documents. At this stage the commissioning team will begin monitoring the
established owner’s requirements, conducting commissioning reviews, and refining the
commissioning plan.
3. Construction. At this point, construction begins and the commissioning process becomes
critical. The commissioning team begins verifying the systems and components are
operating to meet the project requirements. Construction-phase commissioning activities
 include ensuring quality through installation, start-up, performance system testing and
training.
4. Issue Resolution. Unforeseen issues develop during all projects. Early identification and
prompt resolution may be the most important component of a successful commissioning
process. From the moment commissioning begins through project completion, issues are
identified, documented, communicated and tracked until they are officially resolved. The
commissioning team participates in the resolution of most issue associated with their scope
of work. They will communicate with other team members, including the owner, designers
and contractors, provide supporting documentation or research and track the issues until
they are resolved. The commissioning provider and the project management team strive for
proactive issue resolution.
5. Handing over and Operations. At this point, construction is finished and the handover of
the project has been completed. This final stage is used to close out the commissioning
process, clear any defects and finalize any outstanding documentation. It includes
performing deferred and seasonal testing, re-inspecting performance prior to end of
warranty periods and the completion of the final commissioning report.

PROJECT HANDING OVER

Project handing over:-is the process or situation where the completed project is given to the
client with assurance of it is ready to serve it purposes. Project handover is the point in the
project management lifecycle when the completed project or tasks are being transferred to the
deliverable owner. It marks the completion of the project and is ready for serving its purpose.

Once the contractor has confirmed that the works defined in the contract is complete, the
handover, including handover of fundamentals like keys etc. is often performed on site in
accordance with a final inspection.

It is usually involves the client formally accepting the asset, the work area, and relevant
documents and information from the contractor.
A ‘handover’ comes at the end of the project. It is usually involves the client formally
accepting his asset, the work area, and relevant information from the contractor. The
handover process should ensure that the client is confident to his new asset and is ready and
safe for use and that they are able to operate, manage and maintain it.
Sometimes, clients are left with a seemingly random bundle of documents and a sense of
confusion about how to operate, or maintain their new piece of equipment, or building. In the
worst cases, assets with obvious and dangerous defects have been handed over to clients.
However, there are some general principles that can help ensure the process runs smoothly.
To make sure they have what they need at handover, clients should make their expectations
clear at the outset of the project; this helps prevent confusion or contention later on. To
clarify what those expectations are, clients should consider the four issues below and call on
the assistance and input of their own operational and maintenance staff, who are likely to
have a good understanding of what they need at handover:

1. What information and documentation should be available at handover (and what format
this should be in);
2. How the client will gain assurance that the asset is operating as required and expected
before accepting it;
3. What instruction or training should be given to whom on the operation or maintenance of
the new asset;
4. Details of the required, or recommended maintenance regime.
Project Hand over procedure

project handover procedure typically involve when a construction project is nearing practical
completion, parties begin preparing for the project handover starting with:
1. Testing and commissioning - Up-to-date testing and commissioning data is really
important in any project handover procedure. The asset owner or handover receiver should
obtain all necessary construction certificates, as well as inspect and approve the as built
documentation, operations and maintenance manuals and required inspections.
2. Defect management - The project handover procedure should involve discussion and
agreement around the defects reporting procedure, as well as access arrangements (and
insurance arrangements) for the contractor to remedy the defects.

3. Compliance reporting - The design manager (or similar) will review the project, functional
design brief and project specs to assess performance and identify any ongoing design risks.
4. The project handover - Once the contractor has confirmed that the works defined in the
contract is complete, the handover, including handover fundamentals like keys etc. is often
performed on site in accordance with a final inspection.
TEAM RESPONSIBLE FOR PROJECT COMMISSION AND HANDING OVER:

• The Client, or client representative.

• Project Manager.
• Architect.
• Facilities Operator.
• Engineers
• Designers and e.t.c.

CONCLUSION:

Commissioning and handing over is fundamental to the overall success of a project,

and delivers many measurable, bottom-line benefits to owners, occupants, designers
and construction teams, the environment and the general public.

REFERENCE:
1. HORSLEY, D. Process Plant Commissioning, a User Guide, Institution of Chemical
Engineering, 1998.
2. Fares, F., Montenegro, B., Prates, A., Commissioning of Oil & Gas Projects – Current
Status, Evolution and Trends. in: Rio Oil & Gas 2010, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, set 2010.
3. Bendiksen, T., Young, G. Commissioning of Offshore Oil and Gas Projects: The
Manager's Handbook, AuthorHouse Publishers, 2005.