Don’t get into a fight when testing on site – Ensure these 5 preconditions are right!
Pre-commissioning and testing of equipment on site is critical to ensuring equipment and plant operate per design and function as intended. Significant time and effort is put into developing Inspection and Testing plans and procedures. Often overlooked are the prerequisites and pre conditions for sending the testing team to site. Failing to do so compromises on safety of both personnel and equipment and can greatly impact the desired quality outcomes.
Every measure should be taken to ensure the area and equipment to be commissioned is in a suitable state for testing activities to commence.
There are 5 key elements to consider:
- Documentation
- Access/Egress
- Interface
- Personnel
- Equipment
Documentation should include Work-packs, SWMS/JHA, As-built installation documentation and relevant schematics, drawings, functional design specifications and single lines.
Suitable entry points to the workfront should be confirmed. Test equipment and work by others should be considered. Safe, unimpeded access and egress to the workfront is critical.
Coordination of works with others ensures minimal interface clashes and maximises efficiency. Ensure that permits as required have been requested and are available along with Lock-out-tag-out (LOTO) being in place as needed.
Competent and trained personnel are worth their weight in gold when allocating tasks. The right people with the right skills will avoid overcrowding and work inefficiencies.
When it comes to equipment don’t forget the basics. Ladders, lights, leads, tables & chairs are simple but vital. Plant and equipment should be site inducted as necessary and testing/tagging in date. The right model of testing equipment should be ready and available at site along with suitable generators and/or construction supplies.
Good communication is key to success. Implementation of the above elements helps to ensure a smooth transition to site for the testing team. Once site testing works have commenced, integrity of the testing area should be maintained using suitable exclusion zones.
For assistance with test procedures or an audit on your existing Documentation contact the team at EQ-House.
