ET Management and Advice was recently allowed for a second lecture at the offices of the Technical Association for Heating and Air Conditioning (TVVL). It took place after about one year Bertus Toering debuted in Woerden with a similar set-up: the expert once again performed a presentation to ‘professional colleagues’. Like last year, the guest lecture was about what the profession of Commissioning Manager (Cx-Manager) entails in practice with the main topic being how to come up with a test protocol.
The issue about the test protocol came up in response to an earlier experience of Bertus Toering at an installation extracting isotopes. This installation was redundant so that if one of the extraction fans failed, the other should take over one hundred per cent. This did not happen during the test: the so-called standby fan did not take over when the other one stopped working due to a software error, it turned out afterwards. Apart from the serious consequences to which this could have led in practice, the usefulness and importance of the test was immediately apparent to the client and all others involved Commissioning thus once again proved its value.
Framework for test protocol
Back to the question, how do you come up with a test protocol that detects errors? Using the above example as a guideline, Bertus Toering explained the guidelines he uses before writing down such a protocol.
- It starts with carefully reading the principles, known as the Programme of Requirements;
- By extension, in the case where there are some requirements regarding isotope emissions, read the environmental permit carefully;
- Interview the users;
- Interview the owner of the building;
- Study drawings, P&IDs, the Building Management System (or building management system) and so on;
- Form a picture of your test protocol: what do you want to test and mirror this against the principles;
- Finally, write the test protocol;
- Share this with users, the building owner and specialists;
- After everyone you have shared the protocol with agrees, finalise the test protocol;
- Perform the test and record your findings.
Would you like to know more about test protocols or about Bertus Toering’s wider expertise? Then contact us on 06-53256105.