Industrial Construction

If industrial construction work is required that the appointment of an Architect is preferable, an exception to this rule is when using a steel framed building for industrial storage or production, in which case the Design and Build may be advantageous. Design and Build describes the method whereby the contractor designs the factory as well as supplying the framework and wall sections. When relatively simple structures are involved such as factories, storage etc. with offices this is a cost effective method of construction.

I have many times seen poorly laid out industrial construction and manufacturing facilities where large amounts of equipment laid out in a confusing way reduce the efficiency and throughput of the facility.

The optimum method of design of manufacturing plants whether manual or automated is to-

1) Create a flow chart of the process, from input delivery to finished product dispatch. Keeping lines straight as possible with routes/lines not crossing over each other. See the section on Business Plan Technical Report.

2) Transferring this schematic to a scale drawing with equipment, walkways etc. shown to scale.

3) Use a basic square model for the outer walls then fit in Offices, social rooms etc.

Of course, the actual process is far more complicated a specialist in the particular discipline should be engaged. The above should give some indication of what to look for, whether it is a small single roomed operation or a large factory with several departments.

Whichever company you select for the design of the building they should be conversant with:-

1) Local Building Methods and Conditions.

2) Local Building Regulations.

3) Regulations in force for the Industry you are entering.

4) Local Employment Laws.

When selecting a main contractor the cheapest usually works out the most expensive by virtue of the lack of control and experience. Find a company with existing happy clients with whom you can discuss the work in hand. I have come across several tragedies, particularly on the Indian sub continent where the contractor submitted a very good price only to hold the client to ransom once the project was well under way and no chance of changing contractors. I was engaged to sort out the problem, which had a successful conclusion.