In the context of an increasingly developed manufacturing and industrial economy, a factory is no longer simply a place to put machinery or store goods, but is the beating heart of an entire enterprise. Therefore, factory design cannot be carried out arbitrarily or without expertise. Before any brick is laid, the design drawing is the foundation that determines the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of the entire project.
A standard factory drawing not only fully depicts the floor plan, elevations, and sections, but also integrates technical systems such as electricity, water, ventilation, fire protection, wastewater treatment, etc. This ensures smooth production operations while fully complying with legal regulations. However, many businesses – especially small and medium-sized enterprises – make mistakes by overlooking important factors during the design phase, leading to cost overruns, construction delays, or legal troubles later on.
So, what does a factory design drawing consist of? What factors should be considered to ensure that the project optimizes functionality while saving costs? What is a professional design process that helps you own a standard factory, ready for efficient operation?
In the article below, BIC will provide you with all the knowledge you need to know about design drawings, along with practical notes and reference samples to help you confidently implement your project in a methodical, efficient, and cost-effective manner.
A professional design drawing is not just a roadmap for construction, but also a tool for managing and controlling the quality of the project. Depending on the nature of operations and technical requirements of each business, factory drawings can include many different items. Below are the most common types of factory design drawings today:
This is the type of drawing that shows the overall shape, spatial structure, and functional layout of the factory. The content includes:
- Overall layout of the factory and land area
- Functional layout (production area, warehouse, office, WC, emergency exits, etc.)
- Elevations and sections of the building
- Architectural details such as doors, stairs, walls, floors, etc.
Factory architectural drawings are an important basis for ensuring that the project is functionally reasonable and convenient to operate, while also supporting the application for construction permits.
This section shows the load-bearing system of the factory, ensuring the project is solid and safe during use.
- Foundation structure (strip, isolated, mat, etc.)
- Frame structure (pre-engineered steel or reinforced concrete)
- Floor, roof, and enclosure wall structures
- Connection details between components
Choosing the right type of structure will help optimize factory design costs and ensure long-term technical safety.
Drawings MEP systems are an integral part of any industrial building. MEP drawings include:
- Water supply and drainage system drawings
- Drawings of electrical systems for lighting, outlets, electrical panels, generators, etc.
- Ventilation and air conditioning drawings (if required)
Accurate MEP system design from the outset helps save on installation costs, facilitates easy maintenance, and ensures technical standards for the factory.
Drawings According to legal regulations, many types of factories are required to have FPF drawings in order to obtain construction and operation permits.
- Location of fire extinguishers and sprinkler heads
- Automatic fire alarm systems
- Emergency lights and escape routes
Connection to fire water sources This is a particularly important drawing to ensure safety and meet legal requirements.
For large industrial parks or factories with integrated offices and warehouses, infrastructure and landscaping drawings will include:
- Internal roads, sidewalks, parking lots
- Outdoor water supply and drainage systems
Green spaces for planting trees, providing shade, and reducing heat In addition to aesthetics, this drawing also contributes to improving the microclimate and reducing the temperature in the production area.
A standard industrial plant design drawing not only facilitates a smooth construction process but also contributes to improved operational efficiency, cost savings, and full compliance with legal regulations. So, what are the indispensable elements of a professional design drawing?
The core of a plant design drawing is the functional layout. The main areas need to be arranged logically, including:
- Main production area
- Warehouse, raw material storage
- Administrative - office area
- Restrooms, break areas, canteen (if any)
- Internal walkways, entrances, emergency exits
Clear separation helps ensure efficient production flow, minimizing collisions and risks during operation.
Depending on the intended use, the plant structure can be prefabricated steel frame or reinforced concrete. Regardless of the choice, the design drawing should show:
- Foundation system suitable for the ground and load
- Columns, trusses, roof trusses
- Floor beams, retaining walls, partitions
- Wind load resistance and lightning protection solutions
A rational structural system not only ensures safety but also optimizes construction costs and erection time.
Workshops are places where machinery and manpower are concentrated, so ventilation and lighting play an important role:
- Natural air intake doors, ventilation windows on the roof
- Industrial fans, dust extraction - air filtration systems
- Skylights, natural lighting
Energy-saving LED lighting system A reasonable design will help improve the working environment, increase labor productivity and reduce energy consumption.
The electrical, water, drainage, wastewater treatment, and fire protection systems need to be fully represented in the design drawings:
- Main electrical cabinet, wiring, industrial sockets
- Concealed or exposed water supply and drainage pipes
- Wastewater treatment tank (for the food and chemical industries, etc.)
Fire sprinkler heads, fire alarm lights, escape equipment Synchronization between technical systems will reduce construction risks and facilitate future upgrades.
A standard workshop design drawing must ensure compliance with:
- Vietnamese Construction Standards (QCVN)
- Fire protection technical standards
Requirements of the Department of Construction and local authorities This is a key factor in helping investors obtain construction permits smoothly and avoid legal troubles later.
Whether you are preparing to build a small factory of a few hundred square meters or a large-scale production area of thousands of square meters, the design drawing is still the first step that cannot be taken lightly. Understanding the considerations when designing a factory will help you save costs, avoid technical errors, and ensure long-term operational efficiency. Below are the important factors you can't afford to ignore:
Not all factories have the same function. A factory specializing in food production will have completely different design requirements than a mechanical workshop or a logistics warehouse.
Consider the following:
- Will the factory be used for production, processing, packaging, or simply as a place to store goods?
- Is space needed for offices, rest areas for workers, or separate technical areas?
- What is the number of workers operating at the same time, and what type of machinery will be used?
From there, the architect can propose a suitable functional layout, ensuring smooth and efficient operations.
The area and terrain of the site are key factors that directly affect design and construction:
- Weak soil requires special foundation treatment, leading to increased costs.
- Land with a large slope or limited width will require more optimized structural drawings.
- Areas that are frequently flooded or have harsh climates require special drainage, ventilation, and waterproofing solutions.
The factory design drawing needs to clearly show the topographic map, truck access routes, and the ability to connect with the surrounding infrastructure.
Many businesses have found themselves in a "quandary" because design drawings do not meet standards, leading to permit denial or requiring adjustments after construction.
Key considerations:
- Vietnamese Construction Standards (QCVN) regarding height, construction density, and distance between structures.
- Fire Prevention and Fighting (FP&F) standards: width of escape routes, location of fire extinguishers, fire alarm systems, etc.
- Compliance with regulations from the Department of Construction, the Department of Industry and Trade, and local authorities.
Note: Design drawings must be prepared and legally stamped by a qualified professional entity to facilitate the building permit application process and related procedures.
Factory construction costs often account for a significant portion of the project budget. A well-designed factory blueprint from the outset will help you:
- Choose appropriate structural solutions: pre-engineered steel structures offer faster and cheaper construction than reinforced concrete in many cases.
- Avoid wasting usable space: clever functional layout helps save space while still meeting all needs.
- Minimize future repair and maintenance costs through integrated technical systems, and a scientific electrical, water, and ventilation network.
In addition, you should also request the design firm to prepare a preliminary cost estimate to control the budget more closely before entering the construction phase.
Because production needs often change over time, expanding or upgrading the factory after a few years is a common occurrence. Therefore, the initial design should have foresight:
- Reserve space for future expansion: arrange secondary entrances, parking areas, and technical corridors ready for connection.
- Ensure flexible electrical, water, and technical infrastructure: install spare pipes, spare wiring, etc.
- Implement a load-bearing structure capable of supporting additional floors or the installation of heavy equipment if needed.
Designing flexibly from the beginning helps businesses avoid demolishing the old structure when expanding their scale.
A factory design or warehouse isn't just about drawing lines on paper. It's a comprehensive process of research, analysis, and developing the most optimal solution for the entire project. To ensure the project achieves quality, stays on schedule, and optimizes costs, the factory/warehouse design process needs to be executed thoroughly and follow clear steps. Here's a standard and professional factory/warehouse design process you should know:
Before starting the design process, the design firm needs to conduct a site survey. This includes:
- Determining the topography, climate, and soil conditions of the construction area
- Assessing external factors such as transportation, electricity, water, and drainage infrastructure
- Discussing requirements, intended use, and specific technical factors with the client
- Planning the area, intended functions, and other necessary elements.
The survey is a crucial step that helps architects develop optimal design solutions from the outset.
In this phase, the design firm will present a preliminary design proposal for the client to review. The main items in the preliminary design include:
- Overall layout: production areas, storage areas, offices, corridors, walkways, and other auxiliary areas
- Intended functions: rooms, production areas, warehouses, restrooms, break rooms, yards, etc.
- Basic structural details: schematic diagrams of foundations, columns, beams, and roof.
This preliminary design will give the client an overview of the space and layout of the factory/warehouse, allowing them to make a final decision.
Once the preliminary design is approved, the next step is to move on to detailed technical design. This is the most crucial stage in the factory design process, which includes:
- Structural Drawings: Detailed information about load-bearing structures such as foundations, steel frames, beams, floors, roofs, and walls.
- Electrical, Plumbing, and Ventilation Drawings: A comprehensive representation of the water supply and drainage systems, electrical system, ventilation and lighting system, fire protection equipment, gas supply and exhaust, wastewater treatment, etc.
- Other Technical Requirements: Installation of fire protection systems, occupational safety protection systems, environmental requirements, etc. Every detail in the technical design must be carefully calculated to ensure the safety and sustainable operation of the project.
Upon completion of the detailed design, the design units will prepare a complete dossier for the investor to submit to the relevant authorities to apply for a construction permit. This dossier includes:
- Complete technical design drawings
- Necessary legal documents: Design certification, structural appraisal, fire safety appraisal, related permits from the Department of Construction, Department of Industry and Trade, etc.
- Construction permit application form. The permitting process can be time-consuming, but preparing a complete dossier will help expedite the procedures and avoid legal complications.
- Construction Implementation: According to the drawings, the contractor will proceed with the construction of each item of the factory, ensuring compliance with every detail in the design.
- Construction Supervision: Throughout the construction process, the design unit or technical experts will supervise to ensure that the construction project complies with the drawings and technical standards. The construction phase needs to be carried out meticulously to ensure the quality of the project and save construction costs.
Upon completion of construction, the project will undergo an acceptance testing process:
- Inspecting project components against design standards
- Ensuring all technical systems are operating normally
- Guaranteeing project completion according to the committed schedule and quality.
Once this phase is complete, the factory will be handed over to the investor for operation. At this point, the factory design drawings become an indispensable part of long-term maintenance and operation.
A factory design drawing is not merely a technical document, but the foundation for a sustainable, safe, and efficient production process. If you are looking for a reputable and professional factory design firm that understands each type of production, BIC is always ready to partner with you. With practical experience and a team of highly skilled engineers and architects, we are committed to providing sustainable, cost-effective, and operationally optimized design solutions for all factory models.
