Ross Houston

For this project I was involved the design and layout of new factory being constructed in West Africa. The plant is a Polystyrene moulding plant producing EPS construction materials. This plant is one of the largest I have been involved with that has actually been constructed. Usually plants are designed on a large scale but by the time construction begins, the amount or size of equipment has been reduced.

At the time I became involved in this project, the site has been selected and the building design had been confirmed. Locations of drains and incoming mains had been agreed but the rest was yet to be decided.

Over a period of 2 months, collecting drawings of components, data of the plant requirements and customer preferences, I constructed the layout for the final plant design. All detail was included in the drawings, including pipe sizes and lengths, flanges and their locations, all necessary stands, internal walls, supports, floor drains, external structures etc. From the main layout, detailed drawings of components were produced for fabrication.

I wasn't given the chance to visit site so it required me giving detailed instructions for taking necessary measurements to confirm the drawings were correct and that the subsequent fabrication drawings would fit what had actually been built. This project involved many companies from around the world, such as Germany and China for the building, Germany for the machinery, United Kingdom for plant design and construction, the client in west Africa and labour from both African countries and Asia. Clarity in communication was essential for this project.

My involvement with this project ceased before the plant was complete, but in that time, I had produced all the necessary drawings to complete the installation of the plant equipment and internal structure (walls, door etc).