Physical Security Systems Commissioning (Cx)
Independent Physical Security Systems Commissioning
At some point, someone has to decide that your security system is ready
Physical security systems commissioning (Cx) gives you the evidence to make that call, before you accept the installation and the warranty period begins.
WHY ORGANIZATIONS TRUST BPS
- 36 years in business
- 150+ years of combined expertise
- Independent and product neutral
- 96% Net Promoter Score
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We’ll be in touch within 48 hours.
In the meantime, here’s a quick look at our approach.
Do I Need Commissioning?
Organizations usually come to us for commissioning for one of two reasons.
APPROACHING ACCEPTANCE
A new installation or a major upgrade is nearing handover. You’re being asked to accept the work, and you need to know the system was installed in line with the approved design before that happens.
NO INDEPENDENT RECORD
The system is already in place, but you don’t have a record showing how it performs against the original requirements.
BPS commissions new and existing installations in complex environments, including enterprise organizations and fast-growing multinationals.
Whatever the project history, we give you a clear account of what was tested, how the system performed, and what still needs attention.
What Does Commissioning Verify?
Commissioning tests the complete installation against the requirements set for protecting your people, assets, and operations. We verify four things at turnover:
- Installed against the approved design
We confirm if the system meets documented project requirements and design intent, and whether it supports the risk reduction the design was built to deliver. - Operating in the required sequence
We test the specified sequence of operations, including the cause-and-effect outcomes that determine what should happen when a security irregularity occurs. - Performing in irregular situations
Functional testing covers normal operation and the irregular and crisis conditions defined for your project. Depending on the system, that can include power failure, communications failure, fire, or a security incident. - Documented and code compliant
We confirm code compliance, record deficiencies and punch-list items, and document what needs correcting before acceptance. The final report gives you a narrative of how the system operates and recommended setpoints to guide facility maintenance.
The testing basis is agreed with the owner before functional testing begins. We document the results using records generated by the installed system, including activity and alarm reports.
When should commissioning begin?
Commissioning has the most impact when it starts before design.
- Pre-design. A physical security risk assessment guides design decisions and system selection. Starting early carries the original risk analysis into later phases.
- During design. The commissioning plan is developed with the owner’s requirements, basis of design, operational requirements, and sequence of operations. Together, they guide design and construction.
- Later stages. BPS commissions systems from our security system design engagements and systems designed by others. We create scripts and checklists to verify the installation and document deficiencies before the warranty begins.
- External teams. We work alongside architects and engineers.
The Commissioning Process
Scope depends on the project and when we become involved. A typical engagement follows these steps.
- Review the requirements and design
We review the Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR), the document that records what the owner needs the finished project to achieve, how it will be used and operated, and the criteria it will be judged against. We also review the basis of design, operational requirements, specified sequence of operations, and relevant project documentation. - Develop the commissioning plan
We create the commissioning scripts and checklists that define what gets tested, how each function will be checked, and how results are recorded. The owner, project team, and installer can review them before testing begins, so everyone knows how performance will be judged. - Confirm contractor pre-testing
The installing contractor completes its own pre-testing and provides documentation of successful completion before we begin. - Conduct functional testing
Functional testing during construction checks system compliance and identifies potential issues. We test individual functions and the way connected components respond together. We document performance using evidence generated by the installed system, including activity and alarm reports. - Record deficiencies
We document what doesn’t perform as intended, along with the status of corrective work. Those items should be addressed before acceptance. - Issue the commissioning report
The final report provides a narrative of system operations and recommended setpoints to guide facility maintenance. The scripts and checklists carry forward into maintenance and ongoing testing.
Why choose BPS as your commissioning agent?
Owner-aligned commissioning
Commissioning may be carried out by the consultant who designed the system or another member of the BPS team. In either case, the commissioning role, owner alignment, and testing basis are established and approved early. Testing is carried out on behalf of the owner against the approved design and commissioning scripts. BPS has no commercial interest in the products selected or the installation work.
Experience across design and commissioning
For 36 years, BPS has identified and reduced physical security risk and designed complex physical security systems. Commissioning is the final step in the turnover of each system our experts design. It often identifies defects that normal operation hasn’t revealed, including panic and door alarms protecting critical assets or areas that didn’t perform as designed. Without functional testing, those faults could remain hidden until an alarm is needed.
Sequence-of-operations documents built for your project
We develop project-specific sequence-of-operations documents for testing under normal, irregular, and crisis conditions.
Scripts shared before testing
The owner, project team, and installer see the commissioning scripts before testing begins. Everyone knows what will be checked, how it will be tested, and how the results will be recorded. That gives the team an agreed basis for acceptance.
What are the outcomes?
Once commissioning is complete, you have a documented basis for accepting the system and operating it after handover.
You receive:
- A record of deficiencies and punch-list items, tracked for resolution before the warranty period starts to help protect its value.
- Evidence showing whether the system meets your documented project requirements.
- Functional test records covering normal operation and the irregular and crisis conditions defined for your project.
- Confirmation of code compliance.
- Accurate closeout documentation that can help lower operating and maintenance costs, with scripts and checklists for continued maintenance and testing. You’ll find out if the system you paid for performs as designed when tested. Clear testing and closeout records can also reduce avoidable callbacks during the warranty period.
Commissioning can’t remove every security risk or prevent every future system fault.
FAQs
Common questions about physical security systems commissioning (Cx).
Know what you’re accepting before the warranty starts
Whether your system is in design, under construction, or approaching handover, we’ll help you define the right commissioning scope and timing.
