Service
CRAC Commissioning & SAT Packs
ARC-licensed CRAC commissioning, precision cooling commissioning, Site Acceptance Test packs and warranty activation support for new and refit installations.
Commissioning a CRAC unit verifies that the unit, controls, refrigerant circuit, airflow path and connected mechanical plant perform to the design brief before the protected room goes live. The process records pressure, temperature, airflow, valve actuation, alarm response and BMS point data for client handover.
CRAC Services provides manufacturer-aligned CRAC commissioning and precision cooling commissioning across Australia for Vertiv Liebert, Schneider Uniflair, Stulz, Daikin Applied and other precision cooling systems. ARC-licensed technicians complete refrigerant checks, start-up testing, setpoint tuning and fault simulation so the unit can enter service with clear evidence.
Site Acceptance Test documentation is delivered with readings, control sequences, alarm results, BMS point checks and pass/fail criteria. These SAT packs support warranty activation, ISO audit files, lender milestones, practical completion and facilities handover.
Commissioning also creates the baseline for future CRAC servicing. The SAT pack records the normal readings, alarm settings, sensor calibration and controls configuration that later maintenance teams use to detect drift before it affects the room.
Commissioning runs in stages. A Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) confirms the unit performs on the manufacturer test bench before delivery. A Site Acceptance Test (SAT) then proves each installed unit on site: refrigerant or water-side readings, airflow, capacity, control sequences and alarms. An Integrated System Test (IST), sometimes called integrated systems testing, goes one step further and proves the units behave correctly together and with the wider plant, including unit rotation, failover on a simulated unit loss, and the response to a utility power failure and generator transfer.
Setpoints are tuned to the ASHRAE TC 9.9 thermal envelope agreed for the room. Most enterprise rooms target the recommended range, with a cold-aisle (rack intake) setpoint commonly around 22C to 24C and a wide humidity band, while the exact supply temperature, dead-band and humidity limits depend on the IT manufacturer guidance and the chosen class (for example A1 or A2). We record the agreed setpoints, the sensor calibration and the alarm thresholds in the SAT pack so the design intent is documented, not assumed.
Scope
Our service
includes
- 01Pre-commissioning safety inspection
- 02Refrigerant charge and pressure verification
- 03Cooling capacity test under simulated load
- 04Airflow distribution measurement
- 05Humidifier and reheat function test
- 06Control sequence verification (cool, dehumidify, humidify, reheat)
- 07Alarm and BMS integration test
- 08Manufacturer warranty activation checklist
- 09ARC-licensed refrigerant handling records
- 10Set-point and dead-band tuning
- 11SAT documentation pack and handover
Methodology
How we work
FAT and document review
We review the Factory Acceptance Test data, design brief, control philosophy and BMS point list before mobilising, so the on-site test plan matches the intended performance and sequences.
Pre-commissioning checks
Mechanical and electrical safety inspection, refrigerant or chilled water circuit verification, pipework and condensate checks, and confirmation that interlocks and isolation are correct before energising.
Start-up and capacity test
ARC-licensed start-up of the refrigerant circuit (DX) or chilled water valve and flow set-up (CHW), then a cooling capacity check under simulated load, with supply and return air temperatures and airflow distribution recorded.
Control and alarm verification
We prove each control sequence (cool, dehumidify, humidify, reheat), tune setpoints and dead-bands to the ASHRAE TC 9.9 target, then test every alarm and its escalation to the BMS or DCIM.
Integrated System Test (IST)
For multi-unit rooms we test the units working together: lead and lag rotation, failover on a simulated unit loss, and the cooling response to a power failure and generator transfer, so the room holds temperature through a real event.
SAT pack and handover
All readings, sequences, alarm results, BMS points, photos and pass or fail criteria are compiled into the Site Acceptance Test pack for warranty activation, audit files and facilities handover.
Equipment
Equipment types
we service
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Why is manufacturer commissioning required?
Most CRAC manufacturers require approved commissioning before the full warranty starts. Vertiv Liebert, Schneider Uniflair and Stulz units need start-up checks, control setup, refrigerant readings, airflow readings and alarm tests recorded by trained technicians. Self-commissioning can reduce warranty cover or leave no evidence for later claims.
How long does CRAC commissioning take?
Single-unit DX commissioning is typically 4-6 hours including SAT documentation. Multi-unit CHW commissioning takes a day per cluster, including rotation testing and BMS integration. High-density / liquid cooling commissioning may extend to multiple days for full thermal mapping.
Do you provide BMS / DCIM integration?
Yes - we configure Modbus, BACnet/IP and SNMP integration with major BMS and DCIM platforms (Schneider StruxureWare, Vertiv Trellis, Honeywell EBI, Tridium Niagara). We provide point lists and tag mapping documentation as part of the SAT pack.
What is included in CRAC SAT documentation?
A CRAC SAT pack includes the unit model and serial numbers, refrigerant readings, supply and return air temperatures, airflow checks, control sequence results, alarm tests, BMS points, photos, pass/fail notes and outstanding defects. The pack gives facilities teams a clear baseline for future maintenance and warranty claims.
What is the difference between SAT and IST commissioning?
A Site Acceptance Test (SAT) proves each installed unit on its own: capacity, refrigerant or water-side readings, airflow, control sequences and alarms. An Integrated System Test (IST) proves the units work together and with the wider plant, including lead and lag rotation, failover when a unit is taken offline, and the cooling response during a power failure and generator transfer. SAT confirms the parts; IST confirms the system holds the room through a real event.
What temperature and humidity setpoints do you commission to?
We commission to the ASHRAE TC 9.9 thermal envelope agreed for the room. Many enterprise rooms target the recommended range, with a cold-aisle (rack intake) setpoint commonly around 22C to 24C and a wide allowable humidity band. The exact supply temperature, dead-band and humidity limits depend on the IT manufacturer guidance and the chosen class, so we confirm the target with the client and record the agreed setpoints, sensor calibration and alarm thresholds in the SAT pack.
Brands we service
CRAC brands we install and maintain
Sectors we cool
Industries that rely on precision cooling
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