Commissioning is a key project milestone and must be planned well in advance and implemented consistent with the project deed requirements.
The objective of commissioning is to ensure that the project assets are equipped and operating as planned upon completion of construction. Commissioning, completion and hand-over are very much interlinked.
Some Partnerships Victoria projects involve 'core' service delivery by the government party and non-core or ancillary service delivery by the private party. In these projects, the government party's involvement in commissioning planning and hand-over becomes much more pronounced than if the private party delivers the whole of the services. In contrast, in projects that will be operated by the private party, that party's operational readiness, ramp-up and commissioning responsibilities are more significant and their development and implementation should be carefully monitored by the government party.
The main aspects of commissioning, completion and hand-over will generally cover the following reporting requirements:
• preparation of lists identifying deficiencies/defects;
• program for carrying out all remedial and completion work;
• status of training, including training of operating staff;
• the provision of:
- as-built drawings and installed record drawings, plans, schedules, specifications, performance data, test results;
- commissioning and test reports, calibration records, operating and maintenance manuals, including related health, safety and emergency procedures;
- planned maintenance schedules/asset management plan;
- statutory inspections and approvals;
• certification of and possession at each stage; and
• copies of any reports (such as independent engineer's reports) required by the financiers.