Page 6 - INDEX SPRING SUMMER 2022

When conducting off-site pressure testing, she also stated
that particular care needs to be taken to maintain the
integrity of internal surfaces of pipework or equipment that
has become wet.

When talking about choosing between a conventional
cleaning method or a filtration cleaning method for a
project, Liz proposed that factors such as those shown on
the right need to be considered.
He stated that commissioning does not replace the process If a conventional flushing and cleaning method is adopted,
of quality assurance, which needs to be carried out Liz highlighted the importance of the project team having
during manufacture and construction as part of normal, a shared understanding of what specific stages need to be
good engineering practice. He did however propose that included in the overall process.
installation inspections led by the commissioning manager
(CxM) can help confirm that systems are ready to advance She also stated how important it is to have the correct
to the next stage of the on-site commissioning process – flushing velocities and to adopt the correct sampling
pre-functional testing. methodologies.
Historically, this pre-functional testing stage has often been • Materials of construction
referred to as pre-commissioning and/or static testing. As • Duration since initial fill – at the time of cleaning
systems are set to work at this stage, Ted stated that working • System cleanliness & care before cleaning
practices must be adopted that maintain high standards of • Availability of appropriate filter
health and safety • Sectional cleaning requirements
• Terminal unit characteristics
Liz Day of Chesterfield WT Consultants started her • Experience of flushing team
presentation about pre-commissioning cleaning best
practice by stating there are 4 reasons why we do it: To conclude her presentation, Liz stated that it is essential
that systems are handed over with full auditable records,
1. Remove particulate matter such as sectional fill dates, flow readings, backflushing
2. Ensure that pipework surface is in records, strainer cleaning records, chemical cleaning test
acceptable/clean/ stable condition results, chemistry test results, microbiological test results
3. Create good foundations for and trend information
microbiological control
4. Add chemicals to prevent corrosion Terry Sharp, Immediate Past-president of the Building
and allow microbiological control Controls Industry Association (BCIA), talked about making
Smart Buildings work by integrating building services with
She stated that the first time is the best other systems and by using the Internet of Things (IoT) to
time to get this right. facilitate affordable data exchange.
Liz highlighted the need have good storage and installation He first illustrated the benefits that Smart Buildings can
practices in order maintain the cleanliness of pipework. generate such as:

She also highlighted the need to avoid filling, draining and • Employers attracting and retaining the best staff
re-filling systems multiple times because this leads to flash • Flexible and remote working
corrosion. • Lower utility and maintenance costs
• Lower environmental impact
• More efficient billing of tenants
• Automated profiling of users
• Better data sharing