Unsafe Conditions in Startup Testing and Commissioning — Part 3
Working with outdated drawings can be lethal. Ensure you have some kind of “controlled drawing” system.
At one time, start-up techs reviewed D-sized drawings “in the trailer” before starting a particular test, and then carried C-sized drawings with them. One typical way this worked is you would get a date/revision stamp on your paper drawings. At the start of each shift, you would check your drawings against the latest paper drawings hanging on “the central rack” to ensure you were working with the latest revision. Because you were marking up your drawings as your work progressed, you did not want to replace them unless you had to.
Today, we have a combination of cloud-based systems for storing drawings and mobile devices for accessing those drawings. Depending upon the system, the drawings can be field marked. Ideally, a “field copy” will be field marked.
Review whatever system you have, and make sure it allows field personnel to easily compare “their” revision to the current one, read engineering change notes, store field markups, and submit change requests.
About the Author
Mark LamendolaMark Lamendola
Mark is an expert in maintenance management, having racked up an impressive track record during his time working in the field. He also has extensive knowledge of, and practical expertise with, the National Electrical Code (NEC). Through his consulting business, he provides articles and training materials on electrical topics, specializing in making difficult subjects easy to understand and focusing on the practical aspects of electrical work.
Prior to starting his own business, Mark served as the Technical Editor on EC&M for six years, worked three years in nuclear maintenance, six years as a contract project engineer/project manager, three years as a systems engineer, and three years in plant maintenance management.
Mark earned an AAS degree from Rock Valley College, a BSEET from Columbia Pacific University, and an MBA from Lake Erie College. He’s also completed several related certifications over the years and even was formerly licensed as a Master Electrician. He is a Senior Member of the IEEE and past Chairman of the Kansas City Chapters of both the IEEE and the IEEE Computer Society. Mark also served as the program director for, a board member of, and webmaster of, the Midwest Chapter of the 7x24 Exchange. He has also held memberships with the following organizations: NETA, NFPA, International Association of Webmasters, and Institute of Certified Professional Managers.