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Heating System Commissioning Checklist

Commissioning checklist for a new or upgraded central heating system covering system flush, inhibitor dose, controls, balancing, and handover. Free PDF download.

What is it?

A heating system commissioning checklist is a working document used at the end of a central heating installation or upgrade. It records the cleanliness of the system, the inhibitor and any other chemicals dosed, the system pressure, the operation of controls and thermostats, the balancing of radiators, the boiler commissioning settings, and the handover to the customer. It complements the manufacturer's commissioning instructions and the Benchmark Commissioning Checklist supplied with the boiler, providing an auditable record that the system was correctly set up before it was put into service.

About this template

Commissioning is the final stage of any central heating installation: the structured process of filling, flushing, balancing, and proving a system before it is handed to the customer. Getting it right protects the boiler warranty, prevents early sludge and corrosion problems, and ensures the system actually delivers the comfort and efficiency it was designed for. The industry Benchmark scheme exists precisely so that this process is documented; completing the Benchmark Commissioning Checklist is a condition of many boiler warranties. This checklist mirrors that discipline, giving heating engineers a repeatable record of a properly commissioned installation.

When to use

  • After installing a brand-new central heating system, when commissioning is the final step before handover
  • After a boiler swap or upgrade, where the existing system must be flushed and re-commissioned
  • When extending an existing system with new radiators or pipework that changes the hydraulic balance
  • When the manufacturer's warranty requires a completed Benchmark Commissioning Checklist as a condition
  • Following a power flush, where the system is refilled, re-dosed, and re-balanced
  • When taking over an unfinished installation and you need to commission and document it properly

Tips

  1. 1Always clean and flush the system to BS 7593 before adding inhibitor: dosing a dirty system simply suspends debris that will later settle and damage the boiler
  2. 2Complete the Benchmark Commissioning Checklist in the boiler's installation manual on the day. Many manufacturers will void the warranty if it is missing or undated
  3. 3Use a water test kit to confirm the inhibitor is at the correct concentration rather than assuming the dose is right; record the actual reading
  4. 4Balance the radiators properly so flow and return temperatures are consistent: an unbalanced system leaves rooms cold and forces the boiler to work harder
  5. 5Spend real time on the customer handover: demonstrate the controls, leave the manufacturer's literature, and explain the annual service requirement so the warranty stays valid

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Frequently asked questions

What is the Benchmark Commissioning Checklist?

Benchmark is an industry scheme, supported by boiler manufacturers and trade bodies, that sets a standard for installing and commissioning domestic heating appliances. The Benchmark Commissioning Checklist is the section in the boiler's installation manual where the engineer records the commissioning details and the customer signs to confirm handover. Completing it properly is a condition of many manufacturers' warranties. An incomplete or missing checklist can invalidate a future warranty claim, so it must be filled in on the day the system is commissioned.

Why does a new heating system need to be flushed before commissioning?

New pipework and radiators carry installation debris (flux, swarf, jointing compound, and oils) and existing systems accumulate sludge and corrosion products. If the system is not cleaned and flushed before commissioning, that debris circulates through the boiler and pump, causing blockages, noise, cold spots, and premature failure. BS 7593 sets out the standard for cleaning and treating central heating water, and cleaning to that standard before dosing inhibitor is both good practice and usually a warranty requirement.

What is BS 7593 and how does it relate to commissioning?

BS 7593 is the British Standard covering the preparation, commissioning, and maintenance of domestic central heating water: it specifies cleaning the system, dosing it with a corrosion inhibitor, and checking the water periodically thereafter. During commissioning, BS 7593 governs the flush and the inhibitor dose. Recording compliance with BS 7593 on the commissioning checklist demonstrates that the system water has been correctly treated, which protects the boiler and supports the manufacturer's warranty.

Who can commission a central heating system?

Commissioning a gas boiler must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer holding the relevant appliance categories; an oil-fired system should be commissioned by an OFTEC registered technician. The wider system work (balancing radiators, setting controls) should be done by a competent heating engineer. For a new boiler, the installer is also responsible for completing the Benchmark checklist and notifying the installation to Building Control or through a competent person scheme.

What does balancing a heating system involve?

Balancing adjusts the flow of water through each radiator so that heat is distributed evenly across the property. Without balancing, radiators nearest the boiler run hot while distant ones stay cool, and the temperature drop across each radiator is inconsistent. The engineer uses the lockshield valves to set the flow, checking the difference between flow and return temperatures at each radiator. A balanced system heats every room as designed and lets the boiler run more efficiently.

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