Q. Benefits of a good layout and design?

The benefits of a good layout and design cannot be overemphasized. They provide an irreplaceable safety factor throughout the life of the plant, often at very little increase in initial cost. Good plant layout should achieve an economic balance of the requirements of safety, environmental, construction, operations, maintenance, vehicle movements within and to main public highway, future expansion and process relations that meet the owners' and regulatory code requirements. Where new facilities are planned within an existing live plant, minimum disruption to the existing plant must be a priority. The spatial arrangement of plant items is a critical feature in the design of any facility and has a significant impact on safety and both the installation and running costs.

These following elements will start to define the site:

• Location of main gate and personnel buildings, with regard to access to existing roads.

• Location of flare and process areas to be crosswind of one another and downwind of personnel areas.

• Location of pipelines for import and export facilities.

• The situation of power lines entering the site will suggest the location for the substation.

• Interfaces with associated process and utility plants.