Factory design is an important step that helps businesses create an optimal production space, ensuring functionality, safety, and cost savings. A perfectly designed factory not only enhances work efficiency but also meets technical and legal standards. In this article, BIC explores the 5-step process in factory design, helping you easily visualize and implement a construction project effectively.
The first step in designing a factory is to clearly define the goals and technical requirements of the project. The architect needs to determine the purpose of the factory in which field, whether the factory serves production, storage, or both, in order to propose a design that meets legal standards.
Additionally, the architect must calculate the appropriate area and scale, ensuring that the space meets current operational needs and can be expanded in the future. The type of production or goods being manufactured, as well as storage requirements, also influence the design, particularly regarding criteria such as floor load capacity, ceiling height, and machinery layout.
The factory needs to be equipped with appropriate technical systems, including electricity, water, ventilation, lighting, and fire protection systems to ensure an effective and safe working environment. Finally, establishing a preliminary budget plan from the outset will help optimize design and construction costs, avoiding unnecessary expenses during the building process.
In the process of designing a factory, gathering information and conducting a site survey play a crucial role in ensuring that the construction is suitable for local conditions and complies with legal regulations. First, architects need to collect data about the construction site, including geological characteristics, soil load-bearing capacity, weather conditions, climate, and environmental factors that may affect the structure of the factory.
Additionally, it is necessary to survey the current state of the surrounding area, assess the transportation system, sources of electricity and water supply, drainage systems, and future expansion possibilities. Furthermore, understanding local construction regulations is mandatory, including land use planning, occupational safety standards, fire prevention and fighting (FPF), and any necessary permits. A thorough survey from the outset will help investors avoid legal risks, optimize construction design, and ensure timely execution.
After gathering sufficient information about the construction site and technical requirements, the next step in designing the factory is to outline preliminary design options.
The factory layout needs to be scientifically arranged to optimize production flow, internal traffic, and future expansion capabilities. Architects and engineers will rely on survey data to propose the spatial arrangement and functional use, ensuring a logical relationship between production areas, storage, offices, parking lots, internal pathways, etc.
The choice of structure depends on usage needs, costs, and construction time:
- Pre-engineered steel buildings:
+ Advantages: Quick construction, low cost, flexible expansion.
+ Disadvantages: Inferior fire resistance and sound insulation compared to reinforced concrete.
+ Suitable for: Large factories requiring wide spaces with few columns.
- Reinforced concrete buildings:
+ Advantages: Sturdy structure, good load-bearing capacity, durable over time.
+ Disadvantages: Longer construction time, higher costs.
+ Suitable for: Multi-story factories requiring good sound insulation and fire resistance.
The preliminary design plan includes determining the height of the factory and the width of entry doors to facilitate the operation of trucks and machinery. Additionally, technical systems such as ventilation, lighting, water supply and drainage, and fire prevention (PCCC) also need to be outlined to ensure a safe and efficient working environment.
Developing a preliminary design plan helps provide clear direction before entering the detailed design phase, ensuring optimal functionality and construction costs.
After selecting a suitable preliminary design option, the next step in the factory design process is to implement the detailed design, ensuring that all technical, safety, and cost optimization requirements are met.
Based on the approved option, the team of engineers and architects will proceed to:
- Develop detailed drawings for architecture, structure, and technical systems.
- Ensure compliance with technical and safety standards as required.
- Coordinate between design and construction departments to ensure consistency and operational efficiency.
- Architectural drawings: Floor plans, elevations, sections, and detailed functional layouts.
- Structural drawings: Design of foundations, columns, beams, floors, and steel/reinforced concrete frames.
- Technical systems (MEP):
+ Electrical system: Power supply for production, lighting, and lightning protection.
+ Water system: Water supply and drainage, wastewater treatment.
+ Ventilation and air conditioning: Ensuring a cool working environment.
+ Lighting: Combining natural and artificial lighting.
+ Fire prevention and fighting (PCCC): Fire alarm systems, automatic fire fighting, and emergency exits.
+ Material estimation: Cement, sand, steel, paint, finishing materials, etc.
+ Labor estimation: Labor costs for each construction phase.
+ Machinery and equipment estimation: Specialized machinery and equipment for construction.
+ Contingency cost estimation: Budgeting for unforeseen circumstances.
The detailed design phase not only helps optimize functionality and costs but also ensures that the construction process proceeds on schedule, minimizing risks and unexpected issues.
Alongside finalizing the detailed construction drawings, the investor needs to apply for construction and fire prevention and fighting (FPF) permits before commencing construction. This is an important legal requirement to ensure that the project is built legally and complies with safety and environmental regulations.
- Construction Permit: The investor must submit a construction permit application to the competent authority, including the factory design drawings, an environmental impact report, and documents related to land use rights. Once the application is approved, the investor will receive the construction permit, allowing them to begin construction.
- FPF Permit: The project must have certification confirming that all fire prevention and fighting requirements have been met, such as fire alarm systems, automatic fire suppression systems, emergency exits, and fire prevention equipment installed according to standards. This documentation needs to be submitted to the relevant authorities for inspection and permitting.
After completing the detailed design, the next step in the factory design process is to prepare a cost estimate and construction plan, helping businesses control their budget and ensure the construction schedule is on track.
Calculating materials helps determine costs and avoid waste during construction. The estimate includes:
- Construction materials: Cement, sand, gravel, steel, bricks, concrete, etc.
- Finishing materials: Paint, roofing sheets, windows, doors, insulation materials, etc.
- Technical system supplies: Water pipes, electrical wires, lighting fixtures, fire protection equipment, air conditioning, ventilation fans, etc.
- Labor costs: Calculated for each item such as foundation construction, assembly of the factory frame, electrical and plumbing installation, interior finishing, etc.
- Construction equipment costs: Including excavators, bulldozers, concrete mixers, steel frame assembly cranes, scaffolding, etc.
Contingency Costs: A portion of the budget needs to be reserved to handle unforeseen situations.
The cost estimate table helps investors control expenses, ensure construction quality, and make payments for completed stages.
Factory design is a complex process that requires meticulousness and careful calculations from site surveys to final design. If you are looking for a professional and cost-effective factory design solution, do not hesitate to contact BIC!
BIC's consulting team is ready to assist you from the preliminary design stage to project handover, helping you save time and construction costs. Contact us now for professional factory design consultation!
