Client Witness Testing

When you order specialist equipment for a particular application, you assume that equipment has been properly tested to ensure it meets your specific needs and requirements. But how can you really be sure unless you’ve seen it yourself? With Client Witness testing you can view the testing process in person to be certain that it complies with both your own requirements and standards as well as the official Australian standards.

What is a Client Witness test?

You might have heard of Factory Acceptance Tests or FATs, which are a series of test conducted on site with the manufacturer to ensure that your systems and equipment are up to standard. We routinely conduct a number of standard tests, but the inspection points can vary depending on the requests of the customer and your unique requirements and equipment specifications. In Client Witness testing, you, the client, are invited to witness these tests being undertaken, so that you can be certain the equipment and systems you are ordering will satisfy your requirements.

Why are these tests important?

Witness testing is an important process to ensure the equipment designed for a specific application can adequately perform that specific application, by meeting the required minimum performance and build standards. The last thing you want is to receive equipment that cannot perform the function you require or is non-compliant, or worse, unsafe. During the witness testing process, the equipment is typically inspected by the manufacturer and their client, which, if all goes to plan, results in the mutual approval of the construction and operating performance.

Who can be present?

Typically, the people present are the manufacturer, the client, a hydraulic consultant and the engineering team, but this is not set in stone. There can be more or fewer parties present, depending on the specific needs of the client.

What happens during the testing?

• We review manufacture against client-approved General Arrangement (GA) drawings and manufacturing stands, which the client supplies.
• Electrical pre-checks are conducted to ensure all wiring is up to client specified standards as well as Australian Standards.
• Ensure electrical installation is safe by testing in line with AS3000.2007, AS3008.1.1:2009
• Mechanical pre-checks, pre-testing checks to ensure safe mechanical operation.
• Performance testing – bench testing pumps in line with AS2417-2001 ensuring the equipment meets the specified design duty.
• Operational checks – ensuring the equipment operates to the design control and mechanical philosophy.

Pump Tests

Pump flow and pressure tests are conducted to make sure that the pump is meeting the required standards and requirements, this is typically measured at multiple points in designated litres per second at generated pressure values in meters head. While these tests are being conducted, a number of other conditions are recorded, including electrical kW draw, suction pressures, speed and temperature. The tests are all completed in line with AS2417-2001, as well as any other standard the particular system might be subject to.

Fire Tests

All fire protection systems are tested under two standards — AS2417-2001 and AS2941-2013. The head measurement fire code requirement (AS2941 -2013 Clause 10.3.2.2), states that the ‘fire pumps duty test shall demonstrate the ability to operate at 130% of the design flow and 80% duty head.’ At Allied Pumps we ensure that all our fire pump packages are tested and completed to these standards.

What is included?

Tests conducted during a FAT will dependent on the system being tested but may include a combination of the following: 

• Pump test curves.
• FAT testing documents.
• Point to point testing.
• Insulation resistance tests.
• RCD trip time test.
• Earth continuity test.
• Fault loop (if required)
• Safety certificates.

Get in touch with us to learn more our approach to testing and maintaining the highest standards for ourselves and for our clients.