After commissioning is performed and accepted, the construction project team turns everything over to the operations team. The state of the building and information passed along at that juncture makes all the difference when it comes to future functioning.
One thing that needs to be looked at is Operational Readiness. This is a structured process that ensures the operations team has everything they need to keep the business running smoothly. It should be incorporated in the early stages of the project’s planning and execution to limit the risk of unforeseen circumstances.
This article will go into depth about what it takes to meet the requirements of Operational Readiness.
What Phases of Building Design Pertain to Operational Readiness?
There are five phases of the building process and Operational Readiness must be considered in each. They include:
- Preliminary research
- Design and engineering
- Procurement
- Construction
- Project closeout and handover
Operational Readiness should be considered in every building process. This will ensure accurate documentation is collected throughout the project.
What are the Components of Operational Readiness?
There are several factors that come into play in ensuring Operational Readiness and a successful project handover. These include:
Documentation
The operations team will use the project documentation for ongoing maintenance of the building. Therefore, it is crucial that it’s accurate during handover. It should include:
Historical Data and Standard Operating Information: This pertains to information essential to regular maintenance and operation as well as the historical data collected at each building phase. It should include Safe Working Procedures, equipment maintenance details and more.
Facility Documents: Facility documents contain information on day-to-day procedures and ensure that systems run smoothly. They include O & M Manuals, system test procedures and building and system structure plans.
Building Site Operational and Support Personnel: Operational readiness means having staff onboard to handle the building’s operations and maintenance. Operations and commissioning experts can collaborate to decide who is best qualified for these duties. The commissioning team may also be brought in to assist with the upkeep of the property through continuous or monitored commissioning and/or for staff training purposes.
Maintenance and Service Contracts: Maintenance and service contracts should be in place regarding the ongoing maintenance of the building.
Central Control Operations
The central control system monitors the facility and integrates it into the existing system. The operations team should be trained to deal with integration tools including the following:
- Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) which is used to monitor and analyze equipment performance
- Communication tools and procedures for testing and reports
- An Emergency Management System (EMS) to deal with security and access issues
- Data processing and backups to ensure information is safe and accessible
Safety and Environmental Standards
To ensure the safety of the building, the operations team must be trained in:
- Environmental compliance standards
- Personnel safety standards
- Emergency response procedures
- Hazardous material handling
- Asset management
Asset and Equipment Management System
The Asset and Equipment Management System contains all relevant data for managing the facility including IT system inventory, security data, equipment configurations, nameplate issues and other necessary information.
Commissioning is an essential part of the operational readiness process. 5D’s will see to it that all paperwork is accurate and all necessary information is passed on during the turnover process. Call us first to get the most of your new and existing construction projects.