What is data center commissioning?
Data center commissioning is a systematic process that ensures all data center systems and components, including servers, cooling systems, power distribution units, and backup systems, are designed, installed, tested, and operating as intended.
This procedure involves a comprehensive assessment of every infrastructure element - from power and cooling systems to security and IT operations.
As with the general commissioning process described in ASHRAE Guideline 0 the main purpose is find any issues as early as possible in the process. Instead of the general naming as OPR and BOD we use the termonology of Levels.
Data centers and the commissioning process
In the world of data centers, ensuring effective and efficient commissioning is paramount. It's not just about getting the systems up and running; it's about optimizing performance, ensuring reliability, and maintaining flexibility for future adaptations.
That's where CxPlanner comes into play! This article here will dvele into the testing process with the different levels of tests. You can read more about general commissioning of data centers here.
The Process and Levels of Commissioning Testing in Data Centers
The following provides an overview of the five levels of commissioning testing, from Level 1 to Level 5, highlighting the specific purpose and scope of each level.
Level 1 - Red Tag (Factory Testing)
Level 1 commissioning, also known as Red Tag, involves conducting factory testing of components and systems before they are delivered to the data center site.
This level ensures that equipment, such as servers, cooling units, and power distribution systems, undergoes rigorous testing in controlled environments to verify their functionality and performance.
Level 2 - Yellow Tag (Pre-Installation)
Level 2 commissioning, referred to as Yellow Tag, focuses on the delivery and pre-installation phase of components and systems at the data center site.
This level includes inspecting the delivered equipment, verifying its compliance with specifications, and preparing it for installation.
Level 3 - Green Tag - (Pre-Commissioning)
Level 3 commissioning, known as Green Tag, involves pre-commissioning activities to ensure that individual components and systems are ready for operation.
This level includes functional checks, initial startup, and testing of components and systems to confirm their readiness for integration.
Level 4 - Blue Tag - (Functional Performance Testing)
Level 4 commissioning, represented by Blue Tag, is the stage where comprehensive functional performance testing of individual components and systems takes place.
This level focuses on evaluating the performance and capabilities of each component and system according to predefined criteria and specifications.
Level 5 - White Tag - System Integrated Testing
Level 5 commissioning, denoted by White Tag, involves testing the integrated operation and interoperability of all systems within the data center. Also named Integrated System Testing.
This level includes comprehensive testing scenarios that evaluate the overall functionality, coordination, and performance of the entire data center system.
Normal level 5 testing would be to simulate a power failure (blackout test) and see how the backup systems react. This is to ensure that the data center can handle a power failure without going down. For example, if the UPS systems can handle the load and if the generators start up as intended.
How to structure the testing in the different levels reflecting a data center
The commissioning testing process in data centers normally encompasses five levels, from Level 1 to Level 5, each serving a specific purpose in ensuring the optimal performance and reliability of the facility.
Some are expanding the levels to include even more levels (from level 0 til level 7). If you ever encounter that, just remember that these extra levels are implemented to have more points of validation.
By following the structured level-approach, data center operators can identify and address any potential issues, verify system functionality, and achieve a robust and efficient data center infrastructure.
Our other article on general commissioning of data centers includes a specific example of how this is on done a an actual EPOD in a data center.
The structure and methodology of the levels is to check and verify at each stage of the construction process that the systems are compliant with the design and the requirements. That also means the verifications scope and complexity increases with each level. During the first it is for the individual components, and at the last level it is for the entire system.
Can a Data Center be put into operation without commissioning?
Everything can be put into operation without commissioning, even data centers. But the question is, how long will it last? And how much will it cost to maintain it?
There's reason why all data centers uses a structured approach to commissioning. It's not just about getting the systems up and running; it's about optimizing performance and ensuring reliability. Because what is the worst that can happen for a data center? It's that it goes down.
The methodlogy of the commissioning process divided into five levels, from Level 1 to Level 5, ensures that all data center systems and components are designed, installed, tested, and operating as intended.
Can't we just use ASHRAE's commissioning process instead of the 5 data center levels?
The commissioning process described by ASHRAE in ASHRAE Guideline 0 is a great starting point for the commissioning process. But this guideline is structured for general construction projects and not specifically for data centers.
The concepts are similar, but the requirements for data centers are more specific and detailed. A data center primarily consists of IT equipment, cooling systems, power distribution units, and backup systems. Whereas a general construction project can be anything from a school to a hospital.
Both the ASHRAE Guideline 0 and the 5 levels of commissioning utilizes many of the same tools and methods, such as the Owner's Project Requirements (OPR) and the Test planning.
The 5 levels of commissioning testing in data centers are designed to ensure that all data center systems and components are designed, installed, tested, and operating as intended.
How many levels of testing are there in a data center?
The number of levels of testing in a data center can vary. The most common is the 5 levels of commissioning testing.
Some are expanding the levels to include even more levels (from level 0 til level 7). If you ever encounter that, just remember that these extra levels are implemented to have more points of validation.
E.g. a Level 7 could just be a verification during the first year of operation that the systems are still working as intended.
Can we just use level 1 and 2 and skip the rest?
No. The levels are designed to ensure that all data center systems and components are designed, installed, tested, and operating as intended.
By skipping levels you are risking not finding the issues, or finding them too late in the process. This could result in expensive changes or even worse, that it's not feasible to fix the issues.
Faster commissioning of data centers with CxPlanner's Commissioning Software
Today's data centers are the heartbeat of modern enterprises. Ensuring they function without hitches is essential. But why just aim for functionality when you can revolutionize the entire commissioning process? CxPlanner's commissioning software is designed to do just that.
Fits to all of your data center projects
CxPlanner fits to any project size - whether it is a small project or large complex constructions. You can easily manage 5 or 7 levels of data center testing!
Confidence and structure
Provide confidence to your client that you are on top of the process with a specialized tool. By utilizing CxPlanner you can make strict workflows and provide validation for your client that all levels have been tested.
Checklist with detailed features
Gone are the needs for multiple spreadsheets. Every test and their requirements are in CxPlanner. CxPlanner is the industry leading commissioning platform for easy, practical and super fast commissioning. The platform is used all over the world on various data center projects.
You can read more about data center commissioning here, or book a data center demo here.