Design standards are needed to carry out engineering on capital projects
A Client’s commercial manager once mentioned that he thought that a new process plant can be delivered by just placing a contract and then receiving the keys at the end (like buying a car?)
He did not seem to have an appreciation of the end-user input and effort needed to build capital assets.
Design contractors are unlikely to have sufficient engineering knowledge specific to the technology of the new asset.
Gone are the times when design contractors had their own design specifications (except possibly for civil and structural). many contractors tend to prioritise commercial factors such as man-hours and programmes over the quality of design. Hence leaving it up to the skills of the individuals hired.
Some of these standards can only be provided by Clients.
If the design requirements are not stipulated by statutory or national standards (eg British Standards) then it is up to end-users (with the help of the project team) to fill in any gaps and provide information to ensure a quality design and build.
Also, if end-users have engineering standards, they are more geared towards the maintenance and inspection than initial build quality. They are important to take into account but not all encompassing.
There are two types of Client design standards required for capital plant:
Mandatory standards: Usually covering specialised items core to the Business and safety related. this could be fluid properties and associated piping specifications.
Preferred standards: Usually items needed in addition to national standards which the end-user has learned over the years. For example electrical, instrumentation and fire protection preferences. These need discussing with designers and appropriate decisions made.
Even non-production assets like offices and warehouses will have Client design preferences which need identifying at the beginning of projects.