One of the main purposes and one of the strengths of commissioning is the verification of proper systems performance. Since commissioning approaches the end product as a whole unit, and since smoke management systems contain many individual components installed by various subcontractors, the commissioning process is well-suited for testing smoke management systems.
This column describes preparation activities prior to the final testing of smoke management systems. Depending on the specific project, the commissioning consultant will probably coordinate review of the system design, clarify the design if necessary, outline startup processes, and assist with a draft system test procedure.