STF Feature: THE CONSULTANT’S SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT ROLE IN SYSTEM COMMISSIONING

THE CONSULTANT’S SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT ROLE IN SYSTEM COMMISSIONING

BY KRISTIAN NIELSEN

There’s no shortage of industry secrets in this tight lipped industry. Even today the world at large is only now beginning to take notice of the niche of submarine fiber telecoms. In an effort to shed light on the importance of every aspect of system development, this article outlines the process of developers working with Subject Matter Expert (SME) consultants for the commissioning and acceptance of a new system build.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The SME will travel to and witness network system tests, validating the installation, and provide a “findings” report to include performance verification and any resulting discrepancies requiring Supplier rectification. They will provide a System Acceptance Report for the system, identifying close-out issues accomplished by Supplier to the satisfaction of Client. If desired by Client, The SME will accomplish a Follow-Up System Report approximately six months after the system has been turned over to Operations.

REVIEW SYSTEM TEST PLANS AND PROCEDURES

The purpose of the Commissioning System Test Plans and Procedures Report Review is to identify any deficiencies discovered by the SME within the system commissioning and acceptance plans and procedures, and system handbooks of the Client’s submarine fiber optic cable system.

The SME will attend a teleconference briefing meeting with Client. This meeting may be combined with the FAT briefing meeting. At this briefing meeting the detailed responsibilities of the SME and the schedule of his ac-

tivities will be agreed upon. All relevant documentation required by the SME to accomplish his responsibilities will be made available at this meeting. All test plans and procedures for the Final System Testing and Acceptance will be reviewed in a formal process to ensure that Client is satisfied that all appropriate parameters will be accurately tested in a manner to verify that the system, from Optical Distribution Frame (ODF) to ODF, or other fiber termination location if ODF to ODF facilities are not in place, meets all technical and commercial specifications.

ACCOMPLISH SYSTEM TESTING REPRESENTATION

The purpose of the Confidence Trial Test Report Review is to identify any deficiencies discovered by the SME within the system commissioning and acceptance operation of the Client’s submarine fiber optic cable system.

The SME will witness on Client’s behalf the Final System Testing and Acceptance of the system from one of the system Cable Landing Station.

The SME will travel to the appropriate Cable Landing Station designated by Client. The SME will arrive on site in time for the completion of the marine installation and will witness the optical testing conducted on the system, between ODF panels, by the System Supplier.

The SME will be responsible for the following:

• Confirming the technical performance of the installed end-to-end system including the terrestrial sections, pursuant to Supply Contract requirements;

• Verifying that the Final System Testing and Acceptance plan is conducted in accordance with Supplier Quality Plan and any ISO 9001 requirements;

• Verifying that the Final System Testing and Acceptance plan is conducted in accordance with Supplier’s optical safety procedures;

• Verifying that the test results are consistent with Final System Testing and Acceptance plan and are within the specified tolerances;

• If necessary, signing off any Test Reports required under the Supply Contract.

The SME will leave the Cable Landing Station once the Final System Testing and Acceptance plan has been satisfactorily completed. He will attend a debrief meeting with Client.

The SME will validate the following:

• Ready For Service (RFS) Report showing service within acceptable limits for the RFS trial period and that all requirements to put the service in to operation have been met

• Copy of completed Commissioning Test Report which demonstrates test results are within parameters specified

The SME will also provide project oversight and technical support during the period in which deficiencies are rectified, documentation delivered, and all Supplier activities concluded (typically ninety-days after RFS). The SME will review the Final Monitor Acceptance Report detailing implementation issues and rectifications, which will be forwarded to Client.

ACCOMPLISH SEGMENT COMMISSIONING

The SME will witness all segment commissioning activities, as detailed in the Daily Progress Report. Prior to testing, The SME will review and approve all test procedures and pass/fail criteria. The SME representatives will be present at all Cable Landing Station for completion of segment commissioning. The SME will review all test results and sign off all acceptance test certificates. The SME will identify any non-compliant results and make specific recommendations regarding remedial actions to be taken. The SME will liaise with Supplier to track any such non-conformances using Client Incident Reports or similar.

Particulars the SME will undertake and scrutinize while witnessing Final Testing and Acceptance include the following:

1. Check-in with the Central Office Foreman every day.

2. Check-in with the IT Test Engineer.

3. Wear the required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at all times while on site; even if others in the party are not wearing theirs, e.g., safety sunglasses.

4. Be sure to attend the daily “toolbox” meeting and review the daily job procedure. Be aware of any hazards!

5. Take lots of pictures, especially if something is wrong. Get pictures of the BMH, OGB, duct bank, cable entrance, Cable Termination Unit, FO cable runs inside the Central Office, the ODF, ground bar, and test equipment setup.

6 . Make sure the C-OTDR has a current calibration sticker (and the Megger if they do electrical testing).

7. Check to make sure the optical testing is appropriate for the segment length.

8. Identify the location of the spares, and get pictures, if possible.

9. Get names and positions of everyone on-site.

10. Make sure the test reports are dated and signed.

11. If something is wrong, point it out right away.

12. Send a daily report back to HQ so we know what you are doing.

13. BE SAFE. BE SAFE. BE SAFE!

ACCOMPLISH TRANSMISSION EQUIPMENT COMMISSIONING

The SME will witness the transmission equipment commissioning activities. Prior to testing, The SME will review and approve all test procedures and pass/fail criteria. A SME will be provided at applicable Cable Landing Station, the number of which will be dependent on the Supplier’s test procedure; however, test results will be collected from all locations with the cooperation of Supplier. The SME will review all test results and sign off all acceptance test certificates. The SME will identify any non-compliant results and make specific recommendations regarding remedial actions to be taken. The SME will liaise with Supplier to track any such non-conformances using Client Incident Reports or similar.

The SME will determine what, if any, Client’s tests are required and ensure these tests are conducted. The SME will review the commissioning test results and make recommendations regarding the need for additional testing, Provisional Acceptance of the System, or some alternative arrangement. The SME will generate a draft provisional System Acceptance Test Certificate for Client review upon completion of the commissioning tests.

The SME will then upload the System Acceptance Test Certificate to the file sharing system for the purpose of distribution, retrieval, and archiving.

PREPARE SYSTEM PUNCH LIST LOG

A System Punch List Log is accomplished by the SME detailing actions required for submarine cable system acceptance.

This effort is accomplished by the vendor’s in-field SME personnel. The SME will then upload the System Punch List Log to the file sharing system for the purpose of distribution, retrieval, and archiving.

PREPARE ACTIONS REQUIRED FOR ACCEPTANCE

An Acceptance Checklist is accomplished by the SME detailing actions required for submarine cable system acceptance.

This effort is accomplished by the vendor’s in-field SME personnel. The SME will then upload the Acceptance Checklist to the file sharing system for the purpose of distribution, retrieval, and archiving.

PREPARE BACKBONE TRUNK CABLE GAP REGISTER

The purpose of the Backbone Trunk Cable Gap Register is to identify any deficiencies discovered by the SME within the gap register of the submarine fibre optic cable system.

This effort is accomplished by the vendor’s in-field SME personnel. The SME will then upload the Backbone Trunk Cable Gap Register to the file sharing system for the purpose of distribution, retrieval, and archiving.

REVIEW AS-LAID RPL AND CHARTING

The purpose of As-Laid RPL And Charting Review Report is to identify any deficiencies discovered by the SME within the marine installation and charting reports of the Client’s submarine fibre optic cable system.

The SME will review the as-laid RPL, including BU, Repeaters and Cable Termination Assembly/UJ location and details of achieved burial and cable protection within Client leases. They will then upload the As-Laid RPL And Charting Review Report to the file sharing system for the purpose of distribution, retrieval, and archiving.

The purpose of the System Commissioning and Acceptance Report is to identify any deficiencies discovered by Client Representative within the system commissioning and acceptance of the submarine fiber optic cable system.

The SME will then upload the System Commissioning and Acceptance Report to the file sharing system for the purpose of distribution, retrieval, and archiving.

CONCLUSION

Working with SMEs is paramount to accomplishing a highly successful submarine cable project. SME years of experience and expertise plus unbiassed appraisal of Supplier activities affords the Client owner effective system commissioning review and peace of mind. STF

Kristian Nielsen, WFN Strategies Quality & Fulfillment Director

KRISTIAN NIELSEN is the Quality & Fulfilment Director at WFN Strategies. He is a Project Management Professional (PMP™) and ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 27001:2013 auditor and possesses more than 13 years’ experience and knowledge in submarine cable systems, including Polar and offshore Oil & Gas submarine fiber systems. As Quality & Fulfilment Director, he reviews subcontracts and monitors the clients and vendors, and is the final check on all delivered WFN products. He is responsible for contract administration, as well as supports financial monitoring and in-field logistics. He has worked in-field, at-desk and everywhere in between.

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