The ICT consultant has an itemized QA checklist for all components
of the ICT cabling infrastructure. Attention must be given to visual
inspection, as well as labelling compliance. The installation vendor should
also have its own QA check list to hand over in addition to the testing
documentation. All codes, installation (BICSI) best practices, and industry
standards must be in full compliance.
FPT subjects all inter and intra-building cabling components of the
ICT cable installation to a full-cycle performance test. The ICT consultant
verifies that the correct test equipment is being used (fiber optic testing
Tier I vs. Tier 2) and set up properly in accordance with the SOW
specifications. The calibrations must be current and the technicians certified
in order to meet tester manufacturer and cable manufacturer warranties.
Be aware; the cable manufacturers or other members of the commissioning
team may want to witness all or a percentage of the testing. Any irregularities
are reported on a punch list and corrected, but this may necessitate a change
order (CO). The final step involves the authority having jurisdiction
(AHJ) signing-off, thereby ensuring compliance with local applicable
construction codes.
All QA, testing documentation, and as-built drawings are formulated
for client acceptance and integrated into the OPR.
May/June 2019 I 19
Phase 4: Acceptance Phase
The acceptance phase is based
upon the fourth stage, functional
performance testing (FPT),
and inspection of the ICT cabling
infrastructure. This testing is
performed on all cabling-related
systems to ensure conformance
to the design/planning and
construction/build phases
(Figure 9).
FIGURE 9: Testing is the integral step in commissioning, starting from the set-up process through documentation.