Industrial Construction: Advancing Facility Performance across Canada

Construction skills are not the only things needed for industrial facilities. Manufacturing plants, processing facilities, energy infrastructure, and other industrial facilities need to operate under demanding conditions and be easily accessible for inspection, repair and possible future upgrades. Project development decisions can affect the maintenance requirements long after the project has been commissioned.

An industrial construction and maintenance solutions company transforms construction planning and facility care into a connected service, to keep industrial operators in safe, working and value-creating environments. The method should also take into consideration the strict environmental conditions, legal regulations, and complexity of operation of industrial assets in Canada.

Evolving Priorities in Industrial Construction and Maintenance

In Canada, industrial building is becoming more focused on buildings that manage change in production without significant disruption. Industrial operators are increasingly investing in layouts that provide equipment replacement, expansion of utilities, and maintenance access.

Equipment that is only built for initial production may end up being limiting if equipment is changed or production needs are expanded. Construction planning is beginning to be more closely related to the lifecycle of assets, including design of access routes, service clearances and equipment placement, at the early design phase.

Constructability is also more emphasized in modern industrial projects. Structural systems, process equipment, electrical wiring and mechanical services are some of the components that are required in complex facilities and need to be installed in confined areas. Coordination will minimize clashes and provide more practical installation sequences.

Digital modeling helps with that by enabling project teams to inspect spatial relationships prior to construction. This yields a more informed way of sequencing work, especially when a number of trades are working simultaneously in the same space.

Maintenance requirements are also affecting the construction of the specifications. Materials and components that come into contact with moisture, chemicals, temperature changes, or significant mechanical usage must be protected and accessible.

Insulation, heating systems, exterior assemblies and equipment protection are additional requirements for industrial facilities in areas where winter weather is harsh. A construction team that knows the operating environment will be in a better position to make appropriate decisions on durability and serviceability, not just based on installation.

Addressing Industrial Project Challenges through Integrated Solutions

It can be difficult to coordinate construction projects around an active industrial facility, as often the production has to be carried on during the upgrade or repair work. Unauthorized access barriers can disrupt the operations and pose safety hazards. The key to this is to provide detailed phasing, which will isolate construction activities from critical production spaces and provide controlled work windows. Project work can continue using temporary barriers, access shut-downs and clearly defined access routes to ensure continuity of operation.

Another challenge is to modernize aging industrial assets without replacement. Older facilities may have infrastructure that is not up to date with the equipment and production needs. The first step to a practical approach is to assess conditions and properly document existing systems. The engineering teams can then determine what parts need to be repaired, reinforced or replaced. Upgrades can be phased to help manage construction and keep existing infrastructure functional without any additional capital expenditures.

In the realm of environments with challenging structures and equipment, material selection is a parallel challenge. When the materials and protective systems are not appropriate, corrosion, moisture and temperature changes can decrease the life of components. The answer lies in the assessment of real exposure situations and choosing construction materials, coatings and protection in line with the exposure. Selection should also include maintenance requirements, as they can result in increased service needs during the component's useful life if maintenance is difficult to access.

Advancing Industrial Services and Stakeholder Value

Industrial construction and maintenance companies are finding that digital tools provide new opportunities. Building information models can aid in the documentation of facilities not just during construction, but throughout the entire life cycle, providing maintenance crews with a better understanding of the location of equipment and building systems. If model information is linked with the asset's information, inspection data and maintenance history, facility operators gain greater confidence in the decisions they are making about repairs and upgrades.

The use of remote monitoring is also improving in industrial applications. It is possible to monitor conditions of the equipment, energy use, temperature and other operating parameters, all of which require constant physical examination and are monitored by sensors.

Maintenance teams can use collected data to look for unusual patterns and look into potential issues before equipment performance is compromised. Maintenance planning for facilities with assets located away from the main plant or site can be more efficient, with fewer unnecessary site visits, through the use of remote visibility.

The job description of an industrial construction and maintenance solution provider is therefore expanding to include a more comprehensive view of facility performance. Accessibility, maintainability, energy performance and adaptability are also key to long-term value in addition to construction quality.

Asset management providers can assist industrial operators in safeguarding infrastructure and preparing facilities for tomorrow's operations by linking project implementation to asset management. Delivering the integrated construction and maintenance capabilities can help owners, facility managers, contractors and industrial stakeholders in Canada to optimize the performance of their assets, utilize resources more efficiently, and ensure continuity throughout the industrial environment.