Are Commissioning and Startup the Same Thing?

These terms are often confused or used interchangeably and they are most definitely not the same.

Startup is a process of going through a checklist that varies by equipment, but they all carry different versions of the same basic elements:

1. Power connection verified
2. Piping or duct connections verified (supply, return, drain, vent)
3. Instruments installed and correct type, scale
4. Labeling installed (so we can tell which is supply, return, etc.)
5. Valves, shutoffs installed where needed
6. Safe off verified

This is typically performed by the installing contractor and their vendors, supervised by the General Contractor and the Commissioning (Cx) Agent. Startup should be planned well in advance and coordinated with all parties to ensure that all systems are ready and no safety issues are created. "Bumping" motors to check they are rotating in the correct direction should be done in startup.

Though the Cx Agent (CxA) often witnesses startup or reviews the startup documentation, it is not commissioning. Put simply, commissioning is a 3rd party installation and functional verification of the Owner requirements, design and contract documents. The CxA writes functional tests based on the contract documents, and then performs them / witnesses them / troubleshoots with the assistance of the controls contractor, installing contractors and General Contractor.

See our related blog post for more on what a Cx agent does and why you need one on your project.