Division 20 · PAT · Final Performance Gate

Performance Acceptance Testing

Division 20 verifies that the complete installed AGL system achieves the required operational, electrical, photometric, control, reliability and availability performance under actual site conditions and in accordance with the approved project specifications and acceptance criteria. It is the performance gate that sits after commissioning, functional testing, photometry and system integration — it does not repeat those procedures, it takes their evidence and renders the final engineering judgement.

Philosophy: the fundamental question Division 20 answers is — does the completed AGL system not only operate, but actually deliver the required performance consistently and reliably? Every applicable parameter is carried through the same chain: Specified Performance → Measured Performance → Acceptance Decision.

15
Topics in Division
06
Verification Groups (A–F)
14
Compliance Matrix Areas
05
Acceptance Decision Categories

Performance Philosophy

Every performance area — from overall system operation down to a single sign — is carried through the same evaluation chain before it contributes to the final acceptance decision.

Specified Performance
Measured Performance
Deviation Assessed
Acceptance Decision
Performance Acceptance Report
Lighting system performance Electrical & circuit performance Control-system performance Photometric performance Availability & emergency performance
PASS PASS WITH MINOR OBSERVATIONS CONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE RETEST REQUIRED FAIL

Where Division 20 Sits

Division 20 takes the evidence generated by Divisions 02–19, adds the required performance measurements, and makes the final engineering judgement — it should not simply repeat previous test procedures.

DivisionMain Purpose
16 — Photometric TestingMeasure the optical characteristics of the installed lighting
17 — FATVerify equipment before site installation/dispatch
18 — SATVerify the installed system meets site acceptance requirements
19 — System Integration TestingVerify that different systems communicate and work together correctly
20 — Performance Acceptance TestingVerify that the completed system actually achieves the required overall performance

Before Testing Begins

Two conditions should be established before performance acceptance testing of any AGL system begins.

Acceptance Criteria Are Project-Specific

  • Required performance values come from the contract specification, approved technical specification and approved drawings — never an assumed universal figure
  • Availability requirements must come from the approved project requirement/specification where one is defined
  • Photometric acceptance criteria are the applicable criteria referenced by the project, not a generic benchmark
  • CCR, circuit and electrical performance values are taken from the CCR specification and applicable project documentation

Division Boundary

  • Division 16 establishes the photometric testing methodology and measurement results; Division 20 evaluates whether those results demonstrate acceptable system performance
  • Divisions 02–19 generate the underlying commissioning, functional, photometric and integration evidence that Division 20 builds on
  • Division 20 is treated as the performance gate after commissioning, functional testing, photometry and system integration
  • No performance area is accepted until measured evidence is compared against the applicable specified requirement

The 15 Topics

Grouped by performance focus, working outward from overall system performance through each lighting subsystem, electrical/control performance, photometry, availability and emergency operation, to the final specification compliance and report — click any topic to expand its verification checks and acceptance criteria.

A

Overall System Performance

1 topic
TC-PAT-001Overall System Performance Verification
Verification Checks
  • Verify overall system operation and operational continuity
  • Verify lighting availability and system stability
  • Verify circuit performance and equipment response
  • Verify CCR performance and control-system response
  • Verify ALCMS/monitoring performance
  • Verify photometric performance and emergency operation
  • Compile the master performance record across all applicable parameters
Evaluate
  • Specified Performance → Measured Performance → Acceptance Decision
  • Record parameter, required performance, measured performance, deviation, and result
Acceptance / Record

Acceptance Criteria: the complete AGL system, evaluated as an integrated operational system, achieves the required performance across every applicable parameter with no critical deficiency.

B

Lighting Subsystem Performance

5 topics
TC-PAT-002Runway Lighting Performance
Verification Checks
  • Verify runway edge, threshold, runway end, centreline and touchdown-zone lighting, and runway guard lights where applicable
  • Verify correct operation, required intensity, and intensity-step operation
  • Verify circuit loading and circuit stability
  • Verify switching response and control response
  • Verify photometric performance, light availability, and fault response
Acceptance / Record

Acceptance Criteria: the installed runway lighting system's measured performance matches the runway design requirement across every applicable subsystem.

TC-PAT-003Taxiway Lighting Performance
Verification Checks
  • Verify taxiway edge lighting and centreline lighting
  • Verify clearance bars, exit lighting, and rapid-exit taxiway lighting where applicable
  • Verify switching, intensity control, and circuit performance
  • Verify control response and photometric performance
Acceptance / Record

Acceptance Criteria: operational availability, lighting response, uniformity where applicable, and correct circuit and control operation are confirmed across the installed taxiway lighting system.

TC-PAT-004Approach-Lighting Performance
Verification Checks
  • Verify light operation, light-bar operation, and crossbar operation
  • Verify alignment, intensity, and colour
  • Verify circuit performance, control, and photometric performance
  • Verify system availability
Hold Point

Hold Point: the assessment considers the complete installed approach-light system, not only individual fixtures.

TC-PAT-005PAPI Performance
Verification Checks
  • Verify unit operation and correct unit sequence
  • Verify alignment, elevation setting, and beam performance
  • Verify colour indication and intensity
  • Verify photometric performance and electrical performance
  • Verify control, monitoring, and system availability
Acceptance / Record

Acceptance Criteria: the required PAPI/APAPI performance matches the measured site performance across alignment, beam, colour, and availability.

TC-PAT-006Sign Performance
Verification Checks
  • Verify correct message, illumination, brightness, and colour
  • Verify visibility and uniformity where applicable
  • Verify electrical performance and switching
  • Verify control, monitoring, and fault indication
Acceptance / Record

Acceptance Criteria: the sign remains operational, the correct message is displayed, illumination meets the specified requirement, and control/monitoring operate correctly.

C

Electrical & Control Performance

4 topics
TC-PAT-007CCR Performance
Verification Checks
  • Verify input supply, output current, and current regulation
  • Verify output stability, intensity steps, and step transition
  • Verify load response, protection, and alarm response
  • Verify control response, local/remote operation, and communication
  • Verify fault response
  • Record output current, regulation, stability, load response, and step response against required values
Hold Point

Hold Point: the exact CCR performance acceptance values must be taken from the CCR specification and applicable project documentation, not assumed.

TC-PAT-008Circuit Performance
Verification Checks
  • Verify circuit continuity and insulation condition
  • Verify circuit resistance, operating current, and circuit loading
  • Verify transformer performance and connector condition
  • Verify fixture operation, circuit stability, and fault response
Evaluate
  • CCR → Primary Circuit → Transformer → Secondary → Fixture
Acceptance / Record

Acceptance Criteria: the entire circuit performs as an integrated electrical path, end to end, under the applicable operating condition.

TC-PAT-009Control-System Performance
Verification Checks
  • Verify command response, switching response, and intensity commands
  • Verify local control and remote control
  • Verify ALCMS response, HMI response, PLC response, and SCADA response where applicable
  • Verify status feedback, alarm response, event logging, and interlocks
Performance Chain
  • Operator Command → Control System → Field Equipment → Feedback
Acceptance / Record

Acceptance Criteria: the complete command-to-feedback chain performs correctly and within the required response time for every applicable control path.

TC-PAT-011Electrical Performance
Verification Checks
  • Verify supply voltage, operating current, circuit current, and circuit loading
  • Verify insulation performance, continuity, earth resistance, and earth continuity
  • Verify transformer performance, CCR output, auxiliary supply, and control supply
  • Evaluate stability, correct operating range, and abnormal conditions
  • Evaluate protection operation, electrical losses where applicable, and system response under expected operating conditions
  • Record system, parameter, required, measured, and status
Acceptance / Record

Acceptance Criteria: every applicable electrical parameter operates within its correct range and responds correctly under expected and abnormal operating conditions.

D

Photometric Performance

1 topic
TC-PAT-010Photometric Performance
Verification Checks
  • Verify applicable systems: runway, taxiway, approach, PAPI/APAPI, and airfield signs
  • Evaluate light intensity, beam alignment, and colour
  • Evaluate uniformity, distribution, and aiming
  • Evaluate visibility and applicable intensity settings
  • Compare measured photometry against applicable acceptance criteria
Note

Note: Division 16 establishes the photometric testing methodology and measurement results; Division 20 evaluates whether those results demonstrate acceptable system performance — photometric performance is treated as a performance acceptance parameter, not merely a measurement exercise.

E

Availability & Emergency Performance

2 topics
TC-PAT-012System Availability Verification
Verification Checks
  • Verify equipment availability, circuit availability, and lighting availability
  • Verify CCR availability, control-system availability, and monitoring availability
  • Verify communication availability and backup/standby availability where provided
  • Consider equipment unavailable, circuit unavailable, and communication failure
  • Consider control-system failure, corrective maintenance condition, and standby-system operation
  • Record total installed, available, unavailable, availability, requirement, and result per system
Hold Point

Hold Point: the acceptance criterion for availability must come from the approved project requirement/specification where one is defined.

TC-PAT-013Emergency-Operation Performance
Verification Checks
  • Verify emergency command and emergency lighting response
  • Verify CCR response and control-system response
  • Verify ALCMS indication and alarm response
  • Verify standby supply where applicable
  • Verify recovery and return to normal operation
Test Sequence
  • Emergency Condition → Emergency Control → AGL System Response → Field Lighting Response → Monitoring/Alarm → Recovery
Acceptance / Record

Acceptance Criteria: the AGL system correctly performs the complete emergency sequence and recovers to normal operation as specified.

F

Compliance & Closeout

2 topics
TC-PAT-014Performance Against Project Specification
Verification Checks
  • Compare every applicable performance parameter against the contract specification
  • Compare against the approved technical specification and approved drawings
  • Compare against approved equipment requirements and approved testing procedure
  • Compare against applicable project acceptance criteria
  • Complete the performance compliance matrix across all 12–14 performance areas: requirement, specification, measured result, compliance, remarks
  • Assign the final acceptance category: PASS, PASS WITH MINOR OBSERVATIONS, CONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE, RETEST REQUIRED, or FAIL
Hold Point

Hold Point: the final acceptance decision is based on objective measured evidence — this is the final technical comparison before certification.

TC-PAT-015Performance Acceptance Report
Verification Checks
  • Record cover page: airport, project, AGL system, PAT reference, test date, contractor, consultant, client
  • Record purpose/scope, reference documents, and test equipment with calibration status
  • Compile performance test results, photometric performance, and electrical performance
  • Compile CCR performance, control-system performance, and availability assessment
  • Compile emergency-operation performance and the specification compliance matrix
  • Document punch list/NCR items and corrective action and retesting closure
  • State the final performance assessment and obtain approval sign-off: contractor, testing engineer, consultant, client/authorized representative
Acceptance / Record

Acceptance Criteria: a single consolidated performance record with a formal certification statement is produced — this is the principal technical evidence supporting final AGL system performance acceptance.

Performance Acceptance Flow

Division 20 runs as a single continuous sequence, carrying every performance area through to the final acceptance decision and consolidated report.

1
Overall System Performance

Verify the complete AGL system as an integrated operational system.

2
Lighting Subsystem Performance

Verify runway, taxiway, approach, PAPI and sign performance.

3
CCR & Circuit Performance

Verify CCR output/regulation and end-to-end circuit performance.

4
Control-System Performance

Verify the command-to-feedback chain across local, remote and ALCMS control.

5
Photometric Performance

Evaluate photometric results as a performance acceptance parameter.

6
Electrical Performance

Verify electrical parameters, stability and protection operation.

7
System Availability

Assess availability against the approved project requirement.

8
Emergency Operation

Test emergency response and recovery to normal operation.

9
Performance vs Specification

Compare every parameter against the contract and technical specification.

10
Acceptance Decision

Assign PASS, conditional, retest, or fail based on objective evidence.

11
Performance Acceptance Report

Issue the consolidated report and certification statement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers about Division 20 — Performance Acceptance Testing in the AGL Testing & Commissioning Manual.

Q1What is Division 20 — Performance Acceptance Testing in the AGL Testing & Commissioning Manual?

Division 20 of the AGL Testing & Commissioning Manual covers Performance Acceptance Testing. Division 20 verifies that the complete installed AGL system achieves the required operational, electrical, photometric, control, reliability and availability performance under actual site conditions and in accordance with the approved project specifications and acceptance criteria. It is the performance gate that sits after commissioning, functional testing, photometry and system integration — it does not repeat those procedures, it takes their evidence and renders the final engineering judgement. It contains 15 topics (TC-PAT-001 to TC-PAT-015) organised into 6 groups (A–F), each topic with its own verification checks.

Q2What is the philosophy behind Division 20 — Performance Acceptance Testing?

The fundamental question Division 20 answers is — does the completed AGL system not only operate, but actually deliver the required performance consistently and reliably? Every applicable parameter is carried through the same chain: Specified Performance → Measured Performance → Acceptance Decision.

Q3What is the step-by-step sequence in Division 20?

Every performance area — from overall system operation down to a single sign — is carried through the same evaluation chain before it contributes to the final acceptance decision. Steps: Specified Performance → Measured Performance → Deviation Assessed → Acceptance Decision → Performance Acceptance Report. Focus areas: Lighting system performance; Electrical & circuit performance; Control-system performance; Photometric performance; Availability & emergency performance.

Q4Which topics does Division 20 cover?

Division 20 has 15 topics in 6 groups. A — Overall System Performance: Overall System Performance Verification. B — Lighting Subsystem Performance: Runway Lighting Performance, Taxiway Lighting Performance, Approach-Lighting Performance, PAPI Performance, Sign Performance. C — Electrical & Control Performance: CCR Performance, Circuit Performance, Control-System Performance, Electrical Performance. D — Photometric Performance: Photometric Performance. E — Availability & Emergency Performance: System Availability Verification, Emergency-Operation Performance. F — Compliance & Closeout: Performance Against Project Specification, Performance Acceptance Report.

Q5Where does Division 20 sit relative to the other divisions?

Division 20 takes the evidence generated by Divisions 02–19, adds the required performance measurements, and makes the final engineering judgement — it should not simply repeat previous test procedures. 16 — Photometric Testing: Measure the optical characteristics of the installed lighting; 17 — FAT: Verify equipment before site installation/dispatch; 18 — SAT: Verify the installed system meets site acceptance requirements; 19 — System Integration Testing: Verify that different systems communicate and work together correctly; 20 — Performance Acceptance Testing: Verify that the completed system actually achieves the required overall performance.

Q6What must be in place before testing begins in Division 20?

Two conditions should be established before performance acceptance testing of any AGL system begins. Acceptance Criteria Are Project-Specific: Required performance values come from the contract specification, approved technical specification and approved drawings — never an assumed universal figure; Availability requirements must come from the approved project requirement/specification where one is defined; Photometric acceptance criteria are the applicable criteria referenced by the project, not a generic benchmark; CCR, circuit and electrical performance values are taken from the CCR specification and applicable project documentation.

Q7How does Division 20 relate to the neighbouring divisions?

Division boundary: Division 16 establishes the photometric testing methodology and measurement results; Division 20 evaluates whether those results demonstrate acceptable system performance; Divisions 02–19 generate the underlying commissioning, functional, photometric and integration evidence that Division 20 builds on; Division 20 is treated as the performance gate after commissioning, functional testing, photometry and system integration; No performance area is accepted until measured evidence is compared against the applicable specified requirement.

Q8What is the Performance Acceptance Flow in Division 20?

Division 20 runs as a single continuous sequence, carrying every performance area through to the final acceptance decision and consolidated report. (1) Overall System Performance — Verify the complete AGL system as an integrated operational system; (2) Lighting Subsystem Performance — Verify runway, taxiway, approach, PAPI and sign performance; (3) CCR & Circuit Performance — Verify CCR output/regulation and end-to-end circuit performance; (4) Control-System Performance — Verify the command-to-feedback chain across local, remote and ALCMS control; (5) Photometric Performance — Evaluate photometric results as a performance acceptance parameter; (6) Electrical Performance — Verify electrical parameters, stability and protection operation; (7) System Availability — Assess availability against the approved project requirement; (8) Emergency Operation — Test emergency response and recovery to normal operation; (9) Performance vs Specification — Compare every parameter against the contract and technical specification; (10) Acceptance Decision — Assign PASS, conditional, retest, or fail based on objective evidence; (11) Performance Acceptance Report — Issue the consolidated report and certification statement.

Go Further

Don't Just Accept the Performance. Understand What the Standard Requires.

Performance acceptance testing confirms the system meets its design and regulatory performance criteria, not just that it switches on.

Build the technical knowledge to understand performance benchmarks, acceptance criteria, and how to distinguish a system that functions from one that actually meets specification.

Test with precision. Accept with confidence. Commission with certainty.

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