Controlled procedures for taking an installed AGL system from pre-commissioning readiness through equipment/cable/transformer/fixture/sign/CCR/earthing verification, controlled circuit energization, individual and integrated system testing, functional/photometric/ALCMS/PAPI/signage acceptance, punch-point management, final acceptance, as-built verification, final documentation, client handover and O&M handover.
Important — Commissioning shall be performed only against the approved IFC/as-built design, approved equipment submittals, project specifications, approved test procedures, manufacturer's instructions and applicable aerodrome/regulatory requirements. Commissioning is not simply "switching the system ON"; it is the controlled demonstration that the installed AGL system is safe, correctly installed, electrically sound, functionally operational, photometrically compliant and fully documented.
To verify that the installed AGL system is physically complete and ready for formal commissioning.
Hold Point — No energization shall proceed until safety-critical pre-commissioning deficiencies are closed or formally accepted for controlled testing.
To ensure the technical documentation required for commissioning is available and controlled.
To verify that installed equipment matches the approved design and procurement documentation.
To verify that installed AGL cables correspond to the approved cable schedule and circuit design.
To verify installed isolation transformers against the approved design and test requirements.
To verify that installed AGL fixtures meet the approved design.
To verify that installed airfield signs comply with the approved sign schedule and layout.
Critical Check — The physical sign message shall be verified against the approved aerodrome layout/documentation — not merely against the installation drawing.
To verify that installed CCRs are correctly configured and ready for energization.
To verify that AGL equipment earthing and bonding systems are complete and acceptable before energization.
To safely energize an AGL circuit for commissioning.
Confirm:
To prevent uncontrolled energization of newly installed or modified AGL circuits.
Stop energization immediately if there is:
To verify each AGL circuit independently before integrated system operation.
Important — Avoid commissioning multiple unidentified circuits simultaneously.
To verify the complete AGL installation as an integrated system.
Verify:
To demonstrate that installed equipment performs its specified operational functions.
Each test shall have:
To formally verify photometric performance before acceptance.
Where applicable:
To verify the complete ALCMS/control and monitoring interface.
Every relevant stage shall be verified.
To verify PAPI installation and performance before operational acceptance.
Formal PAPI acceptance shall use the approved airport/project procedure and applicable regulatory criteria.
To verify that all airfield signs meet installation, message, electrical and illumination requirements.
To identify incomplete works, defects or deviations before final acceptance.
Category A — Critical
Potential safety/operational impact.
Category B — Major
Significant technical or functional deficiency.
Category C — Minor
Cosmetic/documentary/minor technical deficiency that does not prevent operation, subject to approved acceptance.
To ensure every punch point is properly corrected and verified.
May include:
Critical Rule — A punch point shall not be marked Closed solely because corrective work has been claimed complete.
To establish formal acceptance of the completed AGL system.
Verify:
To ensure final drawings accurately represent the installed AGL system.
To compile the controlled commissioning and acceptance documentation package.
Include, as applicable:
Engineering
Testing
Quality
O&M
To formally transfer the completed AGL system to the client/operator.
Confirm:
The handover certificate shall identify:
To transfer sufficient technical knowledge and documentation to enable safe long-term operation and maintenance.
System Documentation
Maintenance
Equipment
Records
Master commissioning workflow, hold points, the commissioning acceptance matrix, the final commissioning checklist and the Division 19 golden rule that apply across all 25 procedures.
The following sequence should be applied whenever applicable:
Work shall not proceed past a hold point until the associated verification has been completed and released by the responsible party.
| Hold Point | Verification | Release By |
|---|---|---|
| HP-01 | Documentation readiness | Engineering/QA |
| HP-02 | Installation completion | Site/QA |
| HP-03 | Electrical test acceptance | Electrical/QA |
| HP-04 | Earthing acceptance | Electrical/QA |
| HP-05 | CCR readiness | AGL/Controls |
| HP-06 | Controlled energization authorization | Authorized Engineer/Operations |
| HP-07 | Individual circuit acceptance | Commissioning Engineer |
| HP-08 | Integrated system testing | Commissioning Team |
| HP-09 | Photometric acceptance | Photometry/Engineering |
| HP-10 | ALCMS acceptance | Controls/Client |
| HP-11 | PAPI/sign acceptance | Engineering/Operations |
| HP-12 | Punch-point closure | QA/Client |
| HP-13 | As-built acceptance | Engineering/Client |
| HP-14 | Final acceptance | Client/Authorized Authority |
| HP-15 | O&M handover | Client/Operator |
Applicable acceptance categories by system — mark against installation, electrical, functional, photometric, control and documentation acceptance:
| System | Installation | Electrical | Functional | Photometric | Control | Documentation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CCR | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Primary Circuit | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | ✓ |
| Transformer | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | ✓ |
| Runway Lights | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Taxiway Lights | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓* | ✓ | ✓ |
| Approach Lights | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAPI | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Signs | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | As applicable | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stop Bars | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | As applicable | ✓ | ✓ |
| RGL | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | As applicable | ✓ | ✓ |
| ALCMS | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Earthing | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | — | ✓ |
* As required by the applicable specification/test program.
The following items should be confirmed before an AGL system is released to service:
Documentation
Installation
Electrical
Energization
Functional
Photometry
Finalization
"Commissioning is the controlled demonstration that the installed AGL system is exactly what was designed, safely energized, electrically sound, correctly controlled, operationally functional, photometrically compliant, properly documented and ready for long-term maintenance. No system should be considered fully commissioned merely because it can be switched ON."
Commissioning shall be performed only against the approved IFC/as-built design, approved equipment submittals, project specifications, approved test procedures, manufacturer's instructions and applicable aerodrome/regulatory requirements.
Commissioning is not simply "switching the system ON" — it is the controlled demonstration that the installed AGL system is safe, correctly installed, electrically sound, functionally operational, photometrically compliant and fully documented.
Technical references behind the procedures in this division:
References are given at document or chapter level for technical orientation. Confirm the current edition, amendments and national adoption (for example DGCA CAR Section 4, FAA Advisory Circulars or EASA material) for each project. Approved project specifications, manufacturer instructions and the airport's own procedures take precedence, as stated in the precedence note above.
Quick answers about Commissioning & Acceptance SOPs in the AGL SOP Library.
Division 19 is a set of 25 procedures (SOP-393 to SOP-417, Rev 0) for taking an installed AGL system from pre-commissioning readiness through verification of equipment, cables, transformers, fixtures, signs, CCRs and earthing. It continues through controlled energization, individual and integrated system testing, functional, photometric, ALCMS, PAPI and signage acceptance, punch-point management, final acceptance, as-built verification and client and O&M handover.
No. Commissioning is the controlled demonstration that the installed AGL system is safe, correctly installed, electrically sound, functionally operational, photometrically compliant and fully documented. It is performed only against the approved IFC/as-built design, approved submittals, project specifications, approved test procedures, manufacturer's instructions and aerodrome or regulatory requirements.
Circuit identification, accepted test results, personnel clear, tools removed, covers installed, connections and earthing complete, correct CCR assignment, ATC/Operations coordination and energization authorization (SOP-402). The series loop must be verified complete with no open circuit and insulation-resistance results accepted before LOTO is removed through the approved procedure.
Stop immediately for abnormal current, unexpected voltage, an earth fault, smoke or odor, equipment overheating, unexpected fixture behavior, an abnormal CCR alarm, or a communication or control failure that creates an unsafe condition (SOP-403).
Category A (Critical) means potential safety or operational impact. Category B (Major) is a significant technical or functional deficiency. Category C (Minor) is a cosmetic, documentary or minor technical deficiency that does not prevent operation, subject to approved acceptance. The punch list records item number, location, equipment, description, category, responsible party, target closure date, evidence required and status (SOP-411).
Installation and testing complete; photometry, ALCMS, PAPI and signs accepted; punch points closed or approved; as-built and O&M documents complete; training completed where required; flight inspection completed where required (for example PAPI and approach lighting); and regulatory or aerodrome approval for operational use, such as DGCA/NOTAM, obtained where required (SOP-413).
Knowing the commissioning checklist is essential. Understanding what each acceptance test verifies, and how it relates to the AGL system's actual performance, takes deeper technical knowledge.
Learn through structured training covering:
Develop the technical foundation to work with AGL systems systematically, safely and confidently.
Please read before relying on any content on this page or on any SOP downloaded from it.