The last thing you want when it comes to your facility’s startup is failure after failure. While setbacks can be expected and accounted for, serious problems and barriers can set back handover of a facility and full operation. However, proper planning with technical writing can help you overcome these issues, whether small or large. Keep reading to learn more about five common barriers to a successful facility startup and how technical writing can make a difference.
#1. Issues with Detail Design
The devil is in the details – and that’s true when it comes to the detail design of a facility. The entirety of the design rarely has issues as they have been tried, tested, and examined, usually for years, but problems in the detail work, installation, and construction can certainly cause some setbacks. Vents may be too close to inlet nozzles, for example, or pumps could have insufficient suction. These problems, when unchecked and uncorrected, can then lead to bigger issues.
How Can Technical Writers Help?
Technical writing can help with detail design and errors right from the very beginning. Manuals and design work that’s done during planning can help eliminate these problems before they even exist as they may be caught early on.
And in the event these issues sneak through the cracks, operating and emergency procedures can help you tell your team exactly what needs to be done, when, what data needs to be collected, and who needs to be alerted. Documentation helps avoid panic and gives a clear line of instructions on how to rectify the problem before it escalates.
#2. Problems with Controls
Issues with automatic control and complex programming controls can also lead to issues with facility performance. If automatic control fails or there are system lags between detection and action, the problems can compound and the operator may not know what to do in the situation. In some cases, they can result in major leaks. Complex controls and detection can also lead to problems as they are not as commonly used or tested.
How Can Technical Writers Help?
In the event of problems with controls, operating manuals and procedures can help direct your employees on what to do. As with detail design problems, these documents help your team members by providing step-by-step instructions if your controls should fail.
#3. Ill-equipped or Incorrectly Installed Materials
Problems with materials, especially ones that are ill-equipped for the situation, can result in serious problems during testing and commissioning. This could be due to the wrong materials for the job, errors in manufacturing, problems with welding (such as galvanized steel to carbon steel), or poor fabrication. Tank and vessel linings can also have defects and result in serious issues.
How Can Technical Writers Help?
Technical writing can help in the early stages of material selection, as well as during construction. When materials are selected, they can be reviewed by the contractors to ensure they’re the right ones for the job and be alerted before they’re installed if they’re not. During construction, documentation can provide instructions, proper procedures, and training to construction workers to ensure mistakes are avoided.
#4. Equipment Malfunctions
Equipment malfunctions can be due to an issue during design, a defect with the equipment itself, or the handling of the machine by the contractor or employee. Other issues can arise if different parts of the equipment or machines are made by different vendors and suppliers. In addition, if equipment is placed in the wrong part of the facility or it’s discovered during testing that it is not an ideal location, it can cause delays as the equipment will need to be relocated.
How Can Technical Writers Help?
There are several ways technical writing can help with equipment malfunctions. First, Operation and Maintenance (O&M) manuals help provide direction to avoid human error when using the equipment. They’ll detail the proper way to use a machine, what to do in the event something goes wrong, and how to correct it.
Second, documentation can clearly outline which vendor supplied what equipment. So if it’s discovered that one piece doesn’t work with the rest of the puzzle, the contractor can reach out to the vendor to determine a solution.
And third, design materials in the early stage of planning can help the engineers and contractors to discover potential issues with equipment location and the impact it can have on the facility and building structure.
#5. Lack of Proper Documentation
Of course, a lack of proper documentation can also lead to serious issues with facility startup. If your contractors or employees don’t know what to do in the event of an emergency, how to properly record data, or who to contact for machine problems, it will delay handover of the facility – sometimes significantly, depending on the issue at hand. This is especially the case if documents are needed for government or industry regulations.
How Can Technical Writers Help?
Technical writers are experienced and know what your facility is up against when it comes to startup of a facility. They understand what’s needed for standard operations, emergencies, and regulations – local, state, federal, and industry. Working with an experienced team can absolutely help you avoid delays and rising costs, including from fines.
Shea Writing and Training Solutions has worked with facilities and organizations like yours on startup and operation procedures, manuals, training and other documentation. If you’re curious how we can help you going forward to ensure you start up on schedule, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
