Job Book 9th Edition - Book - Page 277
ONLINE VERSION
Stage 5 > Construction: Supplementary Material: 5/SM11
operating and maintenance manuals for building services installations. Reference
to appropriate documents such as these will normally be made when specifying
methods of commissioning.
Tender documents should clearly state the level of commissioning and testing
which will be required, both before handover and additionally, perhaps with a
defects liability period of appropriate duration. Thought should also be given to
the need for incorporating special conditions of contract because most standard
forms do not make specific reference to such matters.
Where services installations are of a complex nature, it is likely that consultants and
specialist firms will be involved, and expert commissioning engineers might need
to be brought in. Nevertheless, the main contractor still has the responsibility for
overall programming, and for ensuring that the works are finished by the contract
completion date. This will usually necessitate commissioning, testing and the
preparation of operating or maintenance manuals before handover. Sometimes
difficulties arise where these latter operations are not allocated sufficient time,
or where the costs entailed have not been fully covered in the contract sum.
A common difficulty is the precise definition of responsibilities. Contract
administrators will obviously have a responsibility to see that requirements are
properly included for and stated at the outset.
Manufacturers will also have a responsibility, particularly where use of particular
components is specified. Inspection of services installations as work proceeds
may be largely in the hands of consultants and subcontractors, although the main
contractor will ultimately remain responsible for all matters of workmanship and
materials. While contract administrators will have a duty to see what appropriate
arrangements are made for commissioning and testing, responsibility for carrying
out such operations should clearly lie with others.
The following checklist can be used:
Pre-completion checks:
• Warn the contractor to make sure that the building is ready for inspection
well before the date of Practical Completion.
• Instruct the site inspectorate to maintain systematic preliminary inspections
and to keep the contract administrator informed of progress and any
difficulties likely to arise as well as defects discovered.
• Check progress of building control and any other statutory approvals.
• Consolidate a schedule of outstanding items from:
–– the contract administrator’s progress meeting minutes
–– the consultants’ reports
–– site inspection reports
265
5
