CMS Implementation

Pre commissioning phase

The CMS is normally first used by the commissioning team in the office as they build the model of the project in the database. This is an ongoing and iterative stage as data is imported into the system.

CMS Checks

Several checks are run during the import stage to validate the data taken from the P&ID drawings etc. These checks will pick up inconsistencies in the Tag data which can then be resolved to ensure quality. It was found to be very useful to make imports incremental: for example a tag import is run and errors are found. The errors are sent back and corrected. What now? The CMS will put the status of the import for each row of the excel import on the row, so subsequent re-imports of the excel sheet will not create duplicates.
Once the imports have been verified and all the data set up then the Mechanical Completion phase can begin. MC and Commissioning Forms can be automatically assigned to tags according to the tag type during the import stage (the commissioning team can sp4ecify a default set of forms for each tag type). This process can be refined if necessary by manually adding or removing forms as required.
Tags are grouped into MCPacks (Mechanical commissioning packs) by discipline (e.g. Electrical or piping). These MCPacks make up a CommPack which is the smallest part of a subsystem that can mechanically completed and safely made ready for the commissioning phase.

Mechanical Completion phase

Once the CMS model is ready then it is used on site by the engineers and managers to print off the MC forms (A forms), the CMS auto-populates certain fields. The engineer takes the forms on site and checks the tests on the form, noting any faults. The form is then signed off by the engineer.
The forms are then returned to a CMS operator who inputs the completion status of these forms that is the basis of the MC progress reports.
Any faults can be monitored creating Punch items (faults) in the CMS (A for serious faults, B for minor ones) and then printing them off. Once the fault is fixed the Punch form is completed by the test engineer, if it passes the inspection then the form is cleared in the CMS, and the progress automatically updated. This process is quick as the forms can be displayed in Commpack and MCPack order and the operator can use a search facility to easily locate the form and clear it providing the authorisation data for auditing purposes.

Commissioning phase

Once the Mechanical completion of a Commpack has been completed and signed off then the commissioning phase can begin. The Commpack is now at AC1. Note the Commpack cannot be raised to AC1 with an outstanding A form. The commissioning forms (B Forms) are printed off and processed in the same way as the A forms. Once all the B forms have been completed for a system and there are no outstanding Punch A items then the system is ready for AC2 sign off.
Currently this is the extent of the CMS range although it could easily be extended further if required.