Mechanical Completion Defined
To be mechanically complete, the construction activities on a
specific portion of the project, such as the topsides, have been
completed and accepted by the appropriate parties. In most
instances, it is an integral part of the transition from construction
into the pre-commissioning phase, but Mechanical Completion has
specific attributes that lend themselves to being separately planned
and conducted. Mechanical Completion, as the final phase of
construction is, mostly undertaken by area or by discipline and is
performed by construction-type personnel with participation from
specialized equipment suppliers, the engineering firm, and other
contractors as needed. It involves fabrication, assembly and nonfunctional
testing to confirm the integrity of the construction and
installation. To verify that a facility is mechanically completed,
inspection or an oversight team must ensure that the final construction
is in accordance with the project drawings, specifications,
industry standards as well as all regulatory requirements from the
authorities having jurisdiction. By mechanically completing the
scope of work and verifying with proper inspection prior to moving
the facility/equipment to the next phase of the work (e.g. the deck
fabricator, integration facility or offshore), considerable schedule
delays and excessive labor costs can be averted.