Commissioning & Startup

Over the years, EAC Systems (AUS) personnel have collectively brought extremely valuable experience to the table when it comes to due process in the commissioning phases of a project. Making valuable contributions to decisions on process improvements and creative ways to work around many of the issues and problems that arise during commissioning and start-up of new and old plants alike.

“Commissioning isn’t just building it, pushing the big green button and expecting it to go the way the engineer said it should have gone on paper” 

This is one of the biggest problems faced in any project commissioning phase. The constructors have built it, but it doesn’t work how it was purported to have been designed. 

With Over 20 years of experience, it is not uncommon to see almost nothing work right first time no matter how hard you try. But in saying that. The lessons learned and the knowledge brought forward minimizes this significantly when applied through thorough discipline while pre- commissioning. There is also often a big misunderstanding between Quality Control and Quality Assurance. Most large companies have very regimented systems to ensure these are in abidance, but so many people misinterpret the use of the systems in place. 

Something learned over the years, is to stand fast if something is not right and apply the relevant processes for rectification and smoothing out commissioning processes for trouble free start-ups. Often, too many stakeholders put too much pressure on too soon in the project and this often leads to gross errors in the commissioning process as has been experienced so many times. 

In order to avoid the usual faux pas in this area, a new project means a clean slate to apply your experience, not to walk in the gate and try to change everything that is already in place. Using your knowledge to continuously improve things may see a multitude of negative feedback or disagreements. But understanding the reasons why is far more important. If you understand this in position of influence, then you will be able to manage your team far more effectively. 

In previous projects, EAC Systems (AUS) personnel have managed a team of over 100 personnel on a tight budget and time frame, with limited resources and has managed to successfully maintain quality, progress and results. Having selected the right people for the job and maintaining the right focus has been a key success in this area. 

As an enabler, it is also key to ensure there the right support mechanisms are in place for those performing the work at the coal face. Having been directly involved for so many years, sharing the experience is as important as managing it for others.