Commission air conditioning and heat pump systems
Overview
This standard is for people who commission air conditioning and heat pump systems.
The person performing this work must be able to comply with the correct procedures and practices for commissioning air conditioning & heat pump systems. This work must be in accordance with the current versions of the appropriate industry standards and regulations; the specification; industry recognised working practices; the working environment and the natural environment. They must know and understand the types, operation, operating principles and/or application of:
- systems (unitary/package; split/multisplit; complex)
- heat pumps
- system components
- air handling units
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
1. verify that the job and system information and documentation are current and relevant and that the plant, instruments, access equipment and tools are fit for purpose
2. confirm before work starts that the work location and work area can be accessed safely
3. interpret system information, diagrams and drawings to identify the location of the equipment, accessories and components that need commissioning
4. confirm that the equipment, components and accessories installed are:
- of the right type and size
- fit for purpose in accordance with the air conditioning & heat pump system design
- suitable for the working environment in which they are to be installed
5. confirm that the site services are compatible with the system's design
6. produce a risk assessment and method statement in accordance with organisational procedures for the work to be performed, including the identification and use of personal protective equipment
7. complete safe-isolation to ensure the safe commissioning of the system
8. perform checks to ensure that the equipment, components and accessories have been fixed, fitted, and connected in accordance with:
- the system design
- the working environment
- manufacturer instructions
9. confirm, as appropriate, the integrity of the installed system
10. commission appliances, components and accessories, adjusting the controls to ensure the configuration, safety and effective performance of the system in accordance with:
- the system's design
- the working environment
manufacturer's instructions
organisational procedures
11. confirm with the relevant people:
- those necessary variations to the planned programme of work
- the actions to be taken to ensure that any variations to the planned programme of work will minimise the potential for hazard and risk
12. obtain customer/client acceptance of the commissioned system and its associated equipment, components and accessories in accordance with organisational procedures
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
1. the operation and operating principles of different systems and their associated equipment, components and accessories in relation to:
- the system's design
- the working environment
2. the appropriate industry standards and regulations relevant to commissioning air conditioning and heat pump systems
3. how to verify that job and system information and documentation is current and relevant and that the plant, instruments, access equipment and tools are fit for purpose
4. how to produce a risk assessment and method statement for the work to be carried out, including the identification and use of personal protective equipment, in accordance with:
- the system's design
- the conditions of the working environment
- organisational procedures
- activities of other personnel on site
5. the checks required to confirm that the equipment, components and accessories have been fixed, fitted and connected in accordance with:
- the system's design
- the conditions of the working environment
- manufacturer instructions
6. how to interpret system information, diagrams and drawings to identify the location of the equipment, components and accessories that need commissioning
7. safe-isolation procedures to ensure the safe commissioning of the system
8. the methods and techniques for commissioning the system and its associated equipment, components and accessories in accordance with:
- the system's design
- the working environment
- manufacturer instructions
- organisational procedures
9. the procedures and tests to confirm the integrity of the system
10. the methods and techniques for confirming that the system provides cooling and/or heating by measuring air flow temperature difference across relevant key points to determine whether it meets the system's design
11. the organisational procedures for:
- confirming with relevant people those necessary variations to the planned programme of work that may have the potential to introduce a hazard and/or impact
- confirming with relevant people the correct actions to be taken to ensure that any variations to the planned programme of work will not introduce a hazard and have minimum impact on the commissioning work to be undertaken
- obtaining customer/client acceptance of the commissioned system and its associated equipment, components and accessories
12. how to implement organisational procedures for the safe transport and/or disposal of any waste material, substances and liquids in accordance with suppliers' and manufacturers' instructions
13. how to complete relevant documentation in accordance with organisational procedures
Scope/range
Scope Performance
Working environments (internal and/or external)
- domestic
non-domestic
- commercial
- industrial
- agricultural
- horticultural
- leisure and entertainment
- residential medical and care facilities
- public services establishments
- pre-1919 traditional/historic buildings
Systems
- unitary or package
- split or multisplit
- complex
Equipment, components and accessories
- heat pumps
- condensers
- evaporators
- compressors
- expansion devices
- accumulators
- filters
- controls for pressure/temperature (including complex/smart)
- line and regulating valves
- sensors and gauges
- vacuum pumps
- condensate pumps
- grilles/diffusers/fans/filters
- heat exchangers
- air handling units
- liquid receivers
Organisational Procedures
- information management
- project management
- risk assessment management
- implementing and monitoring health & safety requirements and issues
- implementing and monitoring issues relating to the natural environment
- customer service
- accident reporting
- emergencies
- communication with relevant people
Plant
- transformers for low voltage hand-tools
- lifting equipment
- access equipment
- hot work equipment
Relevant people
- customers/clients
- client representatives
- supervisors
- site/contract manager
- other contractors/trades
members of the public
work colleagues