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Commissioning Levels 1 and 2
Factory Witness Testing & Installation Checks
Problems found at the factory cost a phone call. Problems found at IST cost weeks. AAAT3 supports factory witness tests and installation checks so generators, UPS, switchgear and cooling gear arrive right and get installed right.
- Factory witness tests
- Submittal checks
- Delivery inspections
- Pre-functional checklists
- Installation verification
By the numbers
Why early commissioning pays
Deficiencies found by commissioning, from data on only one third of the buildings studied
Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 2009Median payback for commissioning new buildings
Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 2009Lead times for large power transformers, so damaged or wrong gear can wreck a schedule
POWER Magazine and Wood Mackenzie, 2025What’s included
Catch it before it ships, catch it before it’s covered
Levels 1 and 2 are the cheapest place to find a problem.
Factory witness tests
Watch the gear run at the factory before you accept it.
- Test procedures reviewed in advance
- Witness at the factory or remote
- Results checked against the spec
- Punch items before shipping
Delivery inspections
Gear can be damaged or wrong when it arrives.
- Shipping damage checks
- Nameplate and model checks
- Spare parts and documents received
- Storage and protection rules
Installation checks
Pre-functional checklists prove the gear is ready to start.
- Anchoring, clearances and connections
- Torque and termination records
- Labels and arc flash labels
- Pre-functional checklists signed
Project management and consulting
Project management and consulting for Levels 1 and 2
AAAT3 can manage factory testing and installation checks, or support your commissioning agent.
Factory test coordination
Schedule, scripts and witness for long lead equipment.
Best for: Projects buying generators, UPS and switchgearSubmittal and spec review
Check submittals against design before release.
Best for: Owners and GCs with many equipment packagesReceiving inspection program
Delivery checks, storage rules and damage claims.
Best for: Sites receiving high value gearPre-functional checklist management
Checklists issued, completed and verified by trade.
Best for: Projects heading into startupCommissioning QC (USACE CQM)
Inspection records to federal QC standards.
Best for: Federal and military data centersEquipment issue tracking
Every defect logged and tracked to the vendor fix.
Best for: Projects with vendor quality issuesHow it works
From factory to ready for startup
Submittals
Gear checked against design.
Factory
Witness tests and punch items.
Ship
Packing and protection checks.
Receive
Delivery inspection.
Install
Installation verified.
Ready
Pre-functional checklists signed.
Rule of thumb: never sign the delivery ticket until you have looked at the gear. Damage claims start at the truck.
Ways to work with us
Pick the level of support you need
Start small with a review, put a qualified person on site, or hand us the whole program. Every option is priced to your scope.
Quick start
Factory test support
Script review and witness for one equipment package.
- Script review
- Witness
- Findings report
- Punch list
Most popular
Level 1 and 2 support
AAAT3 supports factory tests and installation checks.
- Factory witness
- Receiving checks
- Checklist tracking
- Weekly reports
Full program
Early Cx management
We manage Levels 1 and 2 for all major equipment.
- Test coordination
- Receiving program
- Checklist management
- Owner reporting
What you get
Deliverables
Factory test reports
Results and punch items by unit.
Receiving reports
Condition, nameplates and documents.
Pre-functional checklists
Completed and verified by trade.
Issue log
Defects tracked to vendor fixes.
Storage plan
Protection rules for stored gear.
Weekly Cx report
Status and risks.
Standards
Codes and standards we work to
Commissioning
3- ASHRAE Guideline 0
The commissioning processIndustry
- ASHRAE Standard 202
Commissioning process for buildings and systemsIndustry
- NETA ATS
Acceptance testing of electrical equipmentIndustry
Federal
2- UFGS 01 91 00
Commissioning for federal projectsFederal
- USACE CQM
Construction quality managementFederal
Related data center services
Every phase of the build, one partner
Where we do this work
Long lead gear on order? Get factory testing and receiving checks planned now.
Get a Level 1 and 2 QuoteFAQ
Common questions
What is Level 1 commissioning?
Factory testing of major equipment before it ships, often witnessed by the owner or commissioning agent.
What is Level 2 commissioning?
Delivery and installation checks on site, including pre-functional checklists that show the gear is ready to start.
Can factory tests be witnessed remotely?
Often yes. Many vendors offer video witness tests, though some owners still require in-person witness for critical gear.
Can AAAT3 manage receiving inspections?
Yes. We inspect deliveries, check documents and set storage rules.
Why do early levels matter so much?
Problems found early are far cheaper and faster to fix than problems found during startup or integrated testing.
Get a quote for Factory Witness Testing & Installation Checks
Tell us about your project, location and start date. We reply with a plan and pricing.
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