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BOILERS, PUMPS & VALVES FEATURE


Comprehensive commissioning of heating systems


Commissioning is a vital part of any commercial heating installation, in order to ensure optimum performance, efficiency and energy savings


A


heating system will only perform as it should if it is installed,


commissioned and maintained correctly, regardless of its efficiency credentials. Nick Rees, national after sales manager at Baxi Heating, outlines five key considerations which should be made prior to the commissioning process to help prolong the life of a commercial boiler and ensure it complies with warranty terms and conditions.


PRE-COMMISSIONING CHECKS The commissioning process normally falls down if contractors and end-users fail to complete important pre-commissioning checks. These inspections ensure it is safe and appropriate to commission, whether it is the contractor completing the procedure or the manufacturer. The checklist includes assessing whether the installation is actually complete and has been completed by a competent, and importantly, GasSafe registered engineer. Also, that there is sufficient fuel supply (gas pressure) and system load for the boilers to run. Often, commissioning stalls due to a lack of gas or system load to enable the boilers to be run sufficiently to enable commissioning. Checking if there are any restrictions or inductions associated with being on-site is also crucial. Most manufacturers will supply a


pre-commissioning checklist for the product being installed on request or via their website, and this should be completed before they can arrange to attend the site to commission the boiler. At Potterton Commercial, a commissioning engineer will always check everything on this checklist is complete before starting the commissioning process. Skipping steps prior to commissioning will always be noticed and any other issues with the installation may be identified which could potentially prevent the commissioning taking place. This could cause unnecessary delays and additional costs for the customer/contractor.


GET YOUR PAPERWORK IN ORDER Potterton Commercial aims to attend site and commission a heating appliance


as soon as possible after its installation, at a date which is convenient for the client. After all, the quicker the commissioning is done, the quicker the heating system can be up and running. The problem with commercial boiler installations is that it is often unknown when they’re going to be ready, so it can be difficult to get commissioning booked in well ahead of time. In the interest of making the process as


swift as possible, contractors can prepare in a number of ways before they call the manufacturer to arrange commissioning of the product. These include providing the manufacturer with the order number for the appliance, it’s serial number or obtaining permission for the manufacturer to attend site and a required date. If the product has been purchased


through a third party, rather than direct, the manufacturer may need the original purchase order. So it’s worth contacting the manufacturer directly to get an idea of the information required before booking in for commissioning in these instances.


PREPARE THE PLANT ROOM Once the manufacturer is on site, everything should be prepared so the commissioning process runs as smoothly as possible. The plant room needs to be clear and easy to access, and there shouldn’t be any other work going on in the space when the engineer comes to commission the appliance. Plant rooms have often been


considered to be dark and dingy places with the potential for lots of crucial equipment to be installed in what is normally quite a tight space. Contractors and building owners should ensure the plant room has sufficient lighting so the procedure and any ongoing maintenance can be carried out correctly and safely. The manufacturer will carry out a risk assessment prior to commencing work.


PROMOTE WARRANTY BENEFITS The key benefit of having an appliance commissioned by the manufacturer is the additional warranty available. In some





cases, the client may request that the manufacturer commissions the boiler, or it could be written into the specification, as is often the case with local authority projects. Manufacturer-led commissioning offers peace of mind to the end user that a commercial boiler is set up according to manufacturer recommendations from day one and gives the contractor and end user the opportunity to record the initial settings that the manufacturer specifies, and note any tips for the operation and future maintenance of the boiler.


ATTEND PRODUCT TRAINING If contractors are commissioning products themselves, the best way to ensure they are equipped to carry out the process correctly is by attending manufacturer product training. This will help them to understand the product they are installing and commissioning inside out and give them the opportunity to freely ask any questions they may have about the process, and of course the product itself. Ultimately, the importance of


commissioning shouldn’t be underestimated, given its potential to secure the ongoing performance and safety credentials of a heating system. To make the most of the process, contractors should be as organised as possible by completing pre-commissioning checks, getting any admin in order and preparing the plant room ready for commissioning.


Potterton Commercial pottertoncommercial.co.uk


ENERGY MANAGEMENT | AUTUMN 2019 15


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