Golden Rules for

Commissioning

The Golden Rules of Commissioning are behavioural actions that every completions / commissioning
team member should adopt as their way of doing business. The rules help develop safe and focused
work practices and set the path to a successful program of testing, commissioning and facilities
completion.

Golden Rules of Completions

1 Do not compromise safety for any reason
All commissioning instructions and activities must comply with the safety guidelines given in
the Commissioning Execution Plan. They must also comply with the permit systems that
are in place. If you see a breach of a safety rule or an unsafe act, stop the work
immediately and do not allow it to restart until you are sure it is safe to do so.
If you come across unsafe equipment, declare it so with an out of service tag.
2 Make safety an integral part of the commissioning process
Some useful safety guides are as follows:
 Include safety issues in the co-ordination meetings.
 Identify, document and resolve hazards.
 Plan ahead and order safety gear well before it is needed.
 Do not jump ahead; in doing so, you may leave safety behind.
 Be familiar with the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS’s) of those chemicals you
work with. Keep a set of MSDS’s at the workplace.
 Attend site safety and commissioning inductions before starting any field
commissioning activity.
3 Do not jump ahead, but do look ahead
The commissioning process consists of a chain of events where each event is dependent
on one or more other events. One specific event cannot effectively proceed unless all of
the other events on which it depends are complete. Jumping ahead of the agreed schedule
can, and in most cases will, adversely affect other events and jeopardise the safety and
integrity of the start up process.
4 Be aware that things can occur without warning at the commissioning site
Be aware that things can occur without warning during testing and commissioning and
especially when plant is operated for the first time. During commissioning, equipment
may fail, or may start or stop unintentionally, large volumes of liquid or gas may discharge
without warning and fires may also start at any time. So, be prepared for such occurrences
and stay alert.
Always ask the question “if I do it this way – what will happen”. Know the answer.
5 Test before touching
Find out what is in each system or circuit before touching, opening or operating it. Measure
voltages, fluid pressures and other important system parameters, before touching or
operating equipment.
6 Comply with the Permit to Work (PTW) Procedure that is current for the Site
and correctly place your personal danger tags on points of isolation before
starting work on an item of equipment
The purpose of the personal danger tag is to ensure that others do not accidentally
jeopardise your safety. So, use the tags to protect yourself and ensure that others do the
same.
7 Understand the equipment, and special operating and safety requirements
in your area
Walk through the area to become familiar with the activities that will be undertaken. Read
the appropriate sections of the commissioning instructions and procedures to know and
understand the scope of the work in your area. Also read the vendor documents relating to
items of equipment and take notes of special operating and safety requirements given by

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the vendors. Share your findings with other members of the team.
8 Know your responsibilities of work
Like any other work, you must know what you should do as a member of the
commissioning team before you start your work. Find them by reading the commissioning
instructions and procedures and attending the commissioning team meetings. If in doubt
about any of your responsibilities, talk to the commissioning manager until you are clear
about what you are required to do.
What are you doing? Know the answer
9 Use the commissioning instructions and procedures as your guide to
successful commissioning
Review the documents daily. Use them as a guide to every step that you take in the
commissioning process. Commissioning activities and their sequences are shown in the
commissioning plan, schedules and procedures.
10 Adhere to the commissioning schedules
Commissioning activities and their timings are shown in the commissioning schedules.
Adhere to these schedules as far as possible.
11 Ensure that test equipment and materials are always in good condition
Always use test equipment and materials that are of high quality and check them before
use to ensure that they are in sound condition. Also ensure that each pieces of test
equipment that you use has a current calibration certificate.
12 Plan your work on a monthly, weekly and daily basis
The commissioning manager will hold short coordination meetings with the commissioning
team and relevant specialists and support personnel at the start of each shift. This is to
focus attention on items of work planned for the next period and to review recently
completed work. You must attend these meetings and plan your work accordingly.
When there is a deviation from the planned activities, the commissioning manager will
arrange a special meeting of all relevant members of the commissioning team and other
personnel who are affected by the deviation. In this meeting the manager will advise every
one of the deviation and the team decides on a new plan.
13 Finish every one of your tasks completely and finish your commissioning
paperwork daily
Do not leave any loose ends. Always ensure that a task is complete in every respect. This
applies to shorter tasks such as individual field test records as well as larger tasks such as
starting up a system or area of the plant.
Finish your commissioning paperwork daily. This is the only way to win the paper war. If
necessary, get extra resources to stay on or ahead of the schedule.
List all unfinished work into the “project unfinished work log” to ensure it is completed and
closed out.
14 Always work with current drawings
Every time you use a drawing, ensure that it is the current revision. There is no excuse for
using outdated drawings. If you are not sure of the current revision, find out.
15 Work as a team member, not as an individual
Members of the commissioning team have diverse backgrounds and come from different
sites and projects. A member’s knowledge and experience complement those of other
members and are important for the success of the team. However, in isolation, such
knowledge and experiences are not enough to find the best course of action. That is why
free communication between members and frequent exchange of ideas are important. You
can enhance the effectiveness of the commissioning team by attending all of the meetings
arranged by the commissioning manager and freely participating in all discussions.
16 Always use a top down approach
View what you are doing from the bigger picture down. For example, when starting a
simple process unit, consider how this unit fits into the plant operation and what are the

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consequences of operating the unit (e.g. where does the process medium go and what will
happen to it). Not taking this approach may result in unintentional trips or spills.
17 Never make unfounded assumptions
Trouble shooting based on wrong assumptions lead to false conclusions. Check your
assumptions until you can verify their validity. Fact-finding is a necessity and not a waste
of time. Progress from the known to the unknown, in logical and organised steps towards
the goal.
18 Do not start system commissioning unless you have completed all of the
prerequisites
The prerequisites for starting system commissioning of a plant, system or sub-system are
as follows:
 Completion of commissioning stages 1 and 2 (mechanical completion and function
testing) of the plant, system or sub-system.
 All commissioning instructions, procedures and drawings are available and on hand.
 Familiarisation and understanding of the commissioning instructions and procedures
by all members of the commissioning team.
 Approval of the commissioning manager.
19 Always ensure that you complete 100% controls testing of each process
logic unit
One hundred percent testing of each process logic unit is necessary for successfully
commissioning the control system.
20 Use a safe and inert medium or water followed by product (where possible)
when starting a process for the first time.

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