The commissioning phase – where a data center transitions from construction to full operation – is a pivotal moment that can make or break a facility's long-term reliability and efficiency.

The foundation of successful commissioning lies in meticulous planning. This involves thorough review of design documents, precise planning of each commissioning phase, and detailed documentation of all systems and processes. "Our role is to advocate for the owner," explains Anthony Russo, Executive Director of Technical Services at JLL. "We ensure that every step, from design and installation to final turnover, is carefully documented and executed."

A strong commissioning plan includes clearly defined objectives and scope, a detailed timeline and milestones, roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders, comprehensive testing procedures, and documentation requirements. By investing time in thorough planning, data center operators can significantly reduce the risk of costly downtime and set the stage for long-term reliability.

Redundancy is the backbone of data center reliability. During commissioning, it's essential to develop rigorous testing procedures for critical systems, simulate multiple failure scenarios, and verify redundancies in cooling and equipment.

"We carefully develop our procedures to rigorously test the critical systems and equipment response to multiple failure scenarios, including loss of utility power and loss of any single critical component," Russo explains.

Effective redundancy testing involves conducting specific room validation tests, monitoring temperature trends to plan against single component failures, and testing different failure modes for systems and equipment. This thorough approach ensures that in the event of a failure, the system can smoothly transition to backup components without disrupting operations.

The ever-evolving landscape of data center technology demands a team that's always at the cutting edge. A full-service operator such as JLL prioritizes hiring experienced engineers with backgrounds in both construction and operations, providing continuous education and training, and staying current with industry developments and trends.

To train your own team, effective development strategies include regular training sessions on new technologies and methodologies and cross-training to ensure versatility and comprehensive knowledge across data center systems. By maintaining a highly skilled and knowledgeable team, data center operators can effectively manage the complexities of modern facilities and adapt to emerging challenges.

Of course, the commissioning process doesn't end when systems are operational. Ensuring long-term success requires comprehensive knowledge transfer to facility staff, accurate and detailed documentation of all systems, and ongoing support during the transition to full operation.

Key aspects of effective knowledge transfer include developing comprehensive training programs for facility staff, creating detailed, user-friendly documentation for all systems, and establishing clear communication channels for ongoing support.

By prioritizing knowledge transfer and documentation, data center operators can ensure that their facilities remain efficient and reliable long after the commissioning team has departed.

In an industry where every millisecond counts, the commissioning phase of a data center is a critical moment that sets the stage for long-term success. By implementing these essential strategies, data center operators can lay a foundation for reliability, efficiency, and adaptability in the face of ever-increasing demands.

Your data has never been more critical, and neither has your data center partner. From site selection and land acquisition to upgrades and facilities and energy management, JLL’s team of dedicated technical experts are trained and experienced in every phase of the data center lifecycle.

To learn more about JLL’s data center commissioning services, click here.