2: Design Electrical Systems

Type	Sub-Process (collapsed)
Name	Design Electrical System
Documentation	The objective of the design activity for a project is the progressive development and refinement of the requirements expressed in the program (brief) and then to propose design solutions to those requirements including construction/installation methods, materials, technical solutions. Design solutions proposed should be validated against the provision of building codes and regulations for the specific location of the project and should be in accordance with sustainability criteria including environmental impact and service life. The cost of the design solutions proposed should be estimated and managed through the progressive development of a cost plan. In this case, the design activity is concerned with electrical systems.

Process Overview

In the following subsections each process element will be described in more detail.

Type	Sub-Process (collapsed)
Name	Design Electrical Systems (Programming)
Documentation	The term "programming" is the process of developing a program. Programming includes the assessment of needs/requirements and delimitations/constraints. These are described as a program (e.g. in Norway usually according to Norwegian Standard NS3451). Delimitations can be physical (e.g. area type and size, space program), technical (e.g. number and type of outlets, or type of materials), time based (e.g. project progress) and financial (e.g. investment budget or LCC). The programming stage accounts for the client's assessment of the requirements to be met by the completed construction and forms the basis for determining the budget. For electrical engineering, the process includes determining: - space program requirements for electrical power systems to meet technical requirements - type of power system to be used (voltage, phasing etc.) - requirement for technical spaces - requirement for vertical distribution spaces - types of system that are relevant Specific requirements for Norwegian practice - Space program requirements use NS3451, down to level of whole system (e.g.lighting system)

Type	Sub-Process (collapsed)
Name	Design Electrical Systems (Sketch)
Documentation	The term "sketch design" is the process of developing an interdisciplinary design where the propositions from the design team describe relevant alternative main principles and main system solutions (in Norway usually according to Norwegian Standard NS3451). The alternatives are presented with pros and cons. The design team's recommended design solutions for further study at the full concept stage are stated, along with proposed reports to be carried out at the full concept stage. For electrical design, this process includes determining: - estimate of load to determine incoming size - main vertical routes using indicated spaces - location, sizing and identification of technical spaces - specification of types of system and principles of operation. The result of sketch design is a model that defines technical spaces, vertical distribution routes, key horizontal routes using cable carriers to describe principal routing Costing for sketch design presentation is by high level aggregation element such as lighting overall. Specifics for Norwegian Practice - NS3451, Building element level of systems (down to level of whole system such as all lighting) - Costing uses NS3453 likely to be based on sq.m prices against known previous example buildings. NS3457 is standard table for building categories.

Type	Sub-Process (collapsed)
Name	Design Electrical Systems (Full Concept)
Documentation	The term "full concept design" is the process of developing an interdisciplinary design where the propositions from the design team describe a recommended solution (in Norway usually according to Norwegian Standard NS3451). At this stage all relevant principles and system solutions for all disciplines are stated, qualitatively and quantitatively. Estimated Life Cycle Cost (LCC) for the design shall be provided. All succeeding stages are in principle regarded as "production stages" (i.e. production drawings / models, the physical building, documentation). The full concept design level of detailing should be sufficient to avert later principle / system decisions with quality, progress or economic implications, unless a change is done in programming requirements. Further detailing and smaller changes of design solutions at later stages are considered to be normal and acceptable.

Type	Sub-Process (collapsed)
Name	Design Electrical Systems (Coordinated)
Documentation	The term "coordinated design" is the process of developing a detailed interdisciplinary coordinated design where design team deliverables include a building information model that contains characteristic product specification attributes (in Norway usually according to Norwegian Standard NS3420) suitable for a tender process, including supplementary demands for test procedures, component labeling, documentation etc. A number of additional reports may also be required (e.g. environmental issues reports, LCC according to Norwegian Standard NS3454, waste handling procedures, universal (handicapped friendly) design documentation etc).