Plot Plan development in Plant Engineering

Avi,

There are as many ways to organize the departments with-in all the different companies as there are companies. From your posting it appears that you have been exposed to one or two types of organizations and no one can say they are right or wrong.

I have been exposed to a company where there was a group (or individual) called the Process Architect. This person in this company decided where all the equipment was places and prepared a preliminary "Plot Plan. The Piping Department then took it over and refined it as the equipment detail became known.

However, during most (39 out of 45 years) of my active work life I worked for one company where individuals (senior, experienced people) in the Piping Design group did ALL of the Plot Plan development. The owned the activity and they owned the deliverable called the Plot Plan. I prefer this and strongly promote it due to their (pipings) in-depth knowledge of the equipment and the process as well as the consideration of the most economical routing of critical and costly piping systems.

In summary I feel that the Plot Development activity and the Plot Plan document itself is the duty and responsibility of the best and most experienced Piping Designers in any company.

PennPiper

Thank you very much for your quick response. It reflects your vast experience and precise narration. I almost agree to what you have said (99 % ) This remaining 1 percent is only due to one more reply, that I got from another gentleman. That reply is give below,

" The control of the plot plant varies with various projects.
I have seen some where the client has very specific requirements that must be met and they retain complete control over the plot plan as they have laid it out.
In other cases the client will set a general plot plan and let the designers work out the optimum layout for cost, construction considerations and plant operations. This requires interaction between several groups.
There are other occasions where the project manager or project engineer retains control over the plot plan. This can be for various reasons such as a need to meet specific project goals regarding compliance with regulations, laws or other contractual requirements.
In my experience the plot plan design and modifications are driven by many considerations from various engineering disciplines, construction needs, operations requirements and personal preference. But finally, I have never seen the piping design as the controlling factor or group.

Regards, Avinash

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