Common Problems in the Building Design Phase

While it's true that no two new building projects are exactly the same, those who work in the field for any length of time notice a few recurring problems with both the design and the building itself. These problems should be avoided at all costs by careful commissioning; in many situations, the money paid by facility managers for commissioning is quickly recouped through savings on fixing problems found early on.

Facility managers can get a head start on fixing common commissioning problems by studying the most common complaints voiced during the design and construction phases of completed commissioning projects. The good news is that it is usually simple to resolve many of these problems. Many professional home builders, however, are aware that when commissioning is not included in the construction process, new buildings are handed over with these problems unresolved.

In the planning stages of construction, you may run across some of the following issues:

1. Safety Parts Not Included In The Design
   
   
   During the design review process for life-safety systems, it is common for reviewers to note that some components, such as fire panels, strobes, annunciators, and pull stations, are absent. As a result of these concerns, modification orders have to be submitted during the building phase, and there is a possibility that the facility's life safety and fire marshal inspections will be delayed.
   
   
2. Plumbing Systems Not Shown In Design Documents
   
   
   Most of the time, the plumbing design documents do not illustrate all of the piping, valves, drains, or fixtures that are necessary for a complete system. This, along with a great number of other problems that arise during the design phase, makes it more likely that the building phase will be marred by change orders and delays in the timetable.
   
   
3. Electrical Panels And Equipment Are Missing From Blueprints
   
   
   In many instances, electrical panels and equipment are not included in the projects. In the event that room for panels, circuits, and many other pieces of electrical equipment needs to be established at a later date, this could lead to complications. During the construction of the building, avoiding expensive delays and change orders can be accomplished by locating missing equipment as soon as possible.
   
   
4. Building Exterior Moisture Infiltration
   
   
   Moisture can get inside a structure if the air/moisture barriers aren't there, if they aren't effectively located inside wall details, or if they aren't continuous from one wall part to the next. When installing cladding or bracing for exterior shading, sealants may not be specified properly at intersections of components, or sealant requirements for penetrations by fasteners may be overlooked entirely. Parts of walls may encourage thermal bridging or the unimpeded transfer of heat through the wall. As a result, a great deal of energy is wasted, which could result in significant costs.
   
   
5. Sequences Of Operation For Mechanical Equipment
   
   
   A lot of the time, the sequences of operation in the mechanical design papers will cause a conflict between the different systems or they might not be clear to the installers and control contractors. At times, the design documents do not even contain a single mention of them at all.
   
   
6. Electrical Circuits That Are Not Sized Properly For Loads
   
   
   When the design includes loads that are larger than the components of the circuit can accommodate or when the components of the circuit are substantially oversized and there is the potential to realise financial savings by reducing the size of the components to something more appropriate, it is essential for the commissioning agent to carefully examine the circuit capacity and provide feedback when either of these situations occurs.
   
   
7. Designs With Wrong Or Missing Light Fixtures
   
   
   Lighting designs frequently lack lights or have not been given illumination for full sections within the facility. This is commonly the case. And, this may result in an insufficient amount of lighting, particularly along the exit routes.
   
   
8. A Lack Of Mechanical Components In The Design
   
   
   It is usual for the design documentation for the mechanical system to be missing important components of the equipment, such as mini-split systems supplying IT closets, exhaust fans, dampers, access panels, and valves.
   
   
9. Design Of Electrical Distribution
   
   
   This includes circuits that have been removed, circuits that are servicing the wrong devices, and design elements that could be confusing to the contractors who are installing the new equipment.
   
   
10. Size Or Setup Of Electrical Equipment Is Wrong Or Unclear
    
    
    On inspection of panel boards, it is common to find a lack of circuit breakers, and in many cases, equipment like transformers or conduit does not have its dimensions or specifications properly described.

As has been demonstrated, it is crucial to take into account the aforementioned errors to ensure that fewer mistakes are made throughout construction projects. Ensuring projects are completed successfully, on schedule, and under budget, will be of great assistance.

Now, the question is, "How can we prevent these issues from occurring in our construction project?"

To begin, you may want to think about hiring an architect to draw up the plans. By doing this, you will prevent eighty percent of the complications that could arise when building your house.

Customized contracts not only make the building process easier, but they also provide the parties involved with peace of mind and legal protections.