Industrial Facility Design: Features and Requirements

Overview: What Makes Industrial Design Specific

Designing industrial facilities differs from residential or commercial projects due to stricter requirements for process planning, engineering networks, occupational safety and environmental impact. You must consider production processes, equipment layout, maintenance access and evacuation routes.

Main Project Stages

1. Specification gathering and pre-design analysis — process maps, production volumes, regulatory requirements, existing infrastructure.
2. Concept and zoning — location of production areas, material flows, storage and service zones.
3. Working documentation — architectural and structural drawings, power supply, ventilation, water and sewer systems, fire suppression systems.
4. Coordination with process engineers — equipment integration, exhaust connections, compressed air, refrigeration, etc.
5. Permits and expert reviews — sanitary, fire, environmental approvals and state clearances.
6. Author’s supervision and commissioning — construction supervision, verification of installation and equipment integration.

Regulations and Requirements to Consider

• Building codes — occupancy types, structural loads, material requirements.
• Fire safety — early detection systems, evacuation exits, fire compartments and non-combustible materials.
• Sanitary regulations — ventilation, wastewater treatment, staff facilities and changing rooms.
• Electrical safety and power supply — backup sources, grounding, overload protection.
• Environmental constraints — emissions, noise, waste management and pollution control.
• Transport logistics — access roads, turning areas, delivery and dispatch zones.

Production Area Planning — Practical Tips

Smart zoning reduces operating costs and increases safety. Consider:

• material flow (incoming → production → quality control → warehouse → dispatch);
• separate maintenance and technical areas;
• unobstructed routes for equipment and emergency services;
• placement of ventilation and local exhaust above process equipment;
• backup exits and segregation of high-risk areas.

Engineering Systems: Key Focus Areas

Industrial sites often require customized engineering solutions:

• Ventilation and HVAC — air exchange, local exhaust, contamination filtration.
• Power supply — dedicated lines for high-power equipment, UPS, control automation.
• Fire suppression — sprinklers, gaseous systems (where applicable), alarms and backup power.
• Water supply and wastewater — handling industrial effluents and treatment systems.
• Compressed air, steam and other process utilities — separate routing and maintenance access.

Personnel Safety and Occupational Health

The design must address workplace ergonomics, lighting, marking of hazardous zones and personal protective equipment. Training and evacuation plans are essential.

Budgeting and Cost Optimization

Design phase offers opportunities to reduce costs through layout optimization, energy-efficient solutions, improved logistics and correct equipment specification. Include stage-by-stage estimates and contingency reserves.

Client Checklist Before Starting a Project

• prepared technical specification (TS) describing the technology;
• site and infrastructure data;
• priorities: rapid start, minimal CAPEX or long-term efficiency;
• budget limits and timeline;
• contacts for process engineers and equipment suppliers.

Conclusion & Call to Action

Industrial facility design is a highly specialized process requiring collaboration between architects, engineers and process technologists. Proper planning ensures safe, efficient and environmentally compliant operations.

Need help with your production facility design? Contact us via the contact page or send your technical specification — we will prepare an initial estimate and project plan.