How do we drive better performance?
In the case of a pharmaceutical plant it is the different value-adding steps of the overall process and the interface with people who operate that process and the utilities required for that process..The most important thing during these initial workshops is to keep an open mind.
Rather than tabling a design solution too early and possibly forcing the conversation to a preconceived solution, we encourage stakeholders to speak freely about what matters to them.Through structured questioning and diagramming on flipcharts and whiteboards (or their digital equivalents), we turn those concerns and desires into clear objectives.The aim is to ensure that all stakeholders understand each other’s drivers and that we develop an agreed set of objectives that everyone feels is comprehensive and fair.. We turn that knowledge into an initial, digital model.
The model captures all the systems and their interfaces, and represents all aspects of the overall solution that affect the objectives of the various stakeholders.This initial representation allows us to agree what kind of expertise we require to develop a solution.
For a prison design, that might mean that we need to understand how guards and social workers do their jobs.
For a pharmaceutical plant, it might mean we need a specialist in oral solid dose manufacturing, a quality representative and a health and safety specialist.. Based on this initial representation, we can start gathering the knowledge and data that is essential for developing a solution.External CFD is also a great tool for site-agnostic design.
The same design can be tested across a range of weather conditions and orientations, with the risks and benefits of each highlighted.This insight at the early design stage is extremely valuable, for example the impact on plant and building layouts can be optimised when considering the prevailing wind direction..
It is important to highlight that we don’t only simulate building operation, but also interpret analysis results comprehensively, focusing on the average uplift across all the heat rejection plant, generators and building ventilation intakes rather than solely on the worst-affected equipment.This approach allows us to engage in dialogue with manufacturers to understand how any uplift will affect the performance of the equipment.. With this information, the amount of energy used for cooling can be minimised, reducing both embodied and operational carbon.. Short Break Scenarios.
(Editor: Portable Dehumidifiers)