The A2C Level 0–6 Commissioning Process
From preconstruction planning to final turnover, how an independent commissioning authority (CxA) verifies your facility, level by level.
A2C's Level 0–6 process takes the industry's five core testing levels (L1 factory witness testing through L5 integrated systems testing) and extends them with Level 0 design-phase commissioning and Level 6 owner turnover.
The Level 0–6 Timeline
Follow the line from preconstruction planning through final turnover.
Preconstruction Planning & Commissioning Strategy
Early engagement to establish a collaborative plan and review build plan and design intent, so commissioning is planned before construction begins.
- Design review
- OPR (Owner's Project Requirements) validation
- Script development and support
Preconstruction Planning & Commissioning Strategy
Early engagement to establish a collaborative plan and review build plan and design intent, so commissioning is planned before construction begins.
- Design review
- OPR (Owner's Project Requirements) validation
- Script development and support
Factory Testing / Component Verification
Verification of equipment manufacturing and factory acceptance before shipment.
- FAT (factory acceptance test) witnessing and oversight against the owner's script
- Equipment verification
- Submittal & shop drawing review
- Manufacturer coordination
- Quality assurance documentation
Factory Testing / Component Verification
Verification of equipment manufacturing and factory acceptance before shipment.
- FAT (factory acceptance test) witnessing and oversight against the owner's script
- Equipment verification
- Submittal & shop drawing review
- Manufacturer coordination
- Quality assurance documentation
Installation Verification & QA/QC
Field verification that equipment and systems are installed per specification and design intent, including the script for what the GC (general contractor) should look for and validation of the paperwork.
- Site arrival inspection and acceptance
- Set-in-place inspections
- Prefunctional checklists (PFCs) and QA/QC verification
- Installation compliance review and deficiency tracking
- Pre-energization walk validation
Installation Verification & QA/QC
Field verification that equipment and systems are installed per specification and design intent, including the script for what the GC (general contractor) should look for and validation of the paperwork.
- Site arrival inspection and acceptance
- Set-in-place inspections
- Prefunctional checklists (PFCs) and QA/QC verification
- Installation compliance review and deficiency tracking
- Pre-energization walk validation
Startup & Prefunctional Testing
Verification that individual systems operate correctly under normal conditions, with documentation and controls validation through final sign-off.
- Vendor startup coordination
- Controls validation and document verification
- QA/QC final sign-off
Startup & Prefunctional Testing
Verification that individual systems operate correctly under normal conditions, with documentation and controls validation through final sign-off.
- Vendor startup coordination
- Controls validation and document verification
- QA/QC final sign-off
Functional Testing
The CxA writes the test scripts and validates the outcome of each step.
- Functional Performance Testing (FPT)
- Sequence of Operations verification
- Controls integration checks
Functional Testing
The CxA writes the test scripts and validates the outcome of each step.
- Functional Performance Testing (FPT)
- Sequence of Operations verification
- Controls integration checks
Integrated Systems Testing (IST)
Interconnected systems tested under simulated operating and failure scenarios. The CxA writes the script, oversees execution, and validates the outcome.
- Integrated Systems Testing (IST)
- Failure mode and redundancy verification
- Emergency power transition testing
- Cross-system operational validation
Integrated Systems Testing (IST)
Interconnected systems tested under simulated operating and failure scenarios. The CxA writes the script, oversees execution, and validates the outcome.
- Integrated Systems Testing (IST)
- Failure mode and redundancy verification
- Emergency power transition testing
- Cross-system operational validation
Owner Turnover & Operations Support
Final readiness verification and operational handoff.
- Final commissioning reports
- O&M documentation review
- SOP / MOP validation
- Competency-verified operator training
- Turnover coordination
- Seasonal testing coordination
Owner Turnover & Operations Support
Final readiness verification and operational handoff.
- Final commissioning reports
- O&M documentation review
- SOP / MOP validation
- Competency-verified operator training
- Turnover coordination
- Seasonal testing coordination
What Sets the Process Apart
Four disciplines that run through every level of the engagement.
The CxA Writes the Scripts
At Levels 4 and 5, the CxA writes the test scripts, oversees execution, and validates the outcome of each step.
Independence
Independent. No design or construction interest to protect. We work owner-direct or as an independent commissioning (Cx) partner inside the project team, led by an ASHRAE Building Commissioning Professional (BCxP).
Documentation Rigor
QA/QC verification from design review through turnover: prefunctional checklists (PFCs), installation compliance review and deficiency tracking, then QA/QC final sign-off.
DACx (Data Assurance Commissioning)
DACx verifies point naming, sensor calibration, and trend integrity, so the data your facility runs on is trustworthy from day one and your AI and analytics stack is ready before turnover.
Start with a Risk Review
Not sure which levels your project actually needs? That's the first question the Owner's Commissioning Risk Review answers.