The purpose of this guide is to establish, in a general way, suitable procedures for commissioning hydraulic turbines and associated equipment, and to indicate how such turbines and equipment should be operated and maintained. It is understood that a publication of this type will be binding only if, and to the extent that, both contracting parties have agreed upon it. The guide excludes matters of purely commercial interest, except those inextricably bound up with the conduct of commissioning, operation and maintenance. The guide applies to impulse and reaction turbines of all types, and especially to large turbines directly coupled to electric generators. It applies also to pump-turbines when operating as turbines. The guide is not concerned with water conduits, gates, valves, drainage pumps, cooling-water equipment, generators, etc., except where they cannot be separated from the turbine and its equipment. Wherever the guide specifies that documents, drawings or information shall be supplied by a m anufacturer (or by manufacturers), each individual manufacturer shall be required to furnish the appropriate information for his own supply only.