EFCOG Best Practice #10
Engineering Standards Program Best Practices
Facility: LANL/Consensus of EFCOG Engineering Standards Group
Point of contact:
Brief description of the Best Practice
DOE sites anticipating significant new construction or modifications will benefit from an Engineering Standards (ES) Program. Such a program captures lessons learned related to improving safety and lowering life cycle cost in site-specific,
standardized design criteria, standards, and specifications. "Reinventing the wheel" is avoided.
When properly sized and staffed, the program will pay for itself many times over. This is because DOE usually owns and occupies facilities for many decades (versus commercial real estate practice). This long-term ownership means standardization and
better initial/ongoing build quality will pay back in lower maintenance/life cycle costs (standardization can simplify maintenance, training, spare parts, etc).
Why the best practice was used:
See Above
What are the benefits of the best practice
See Above
What problems/issues were associated with the Best Practice
None
How the success of the Best Practice was measured
Success here is largely qualitative; however, it was concurred with by the members of the EFCOG Engineering Standards Working Group on May 20, 2003. Several site standards programs have implemented many or all of these concepts.
Description of process experience using the Best Practice:
See Above
Best Practices for an Engineering Standards Program
- Actively participate in the EFCOG Engineering Standards Group to ensure efficiency and currency with latest thinking
- Follow (mandate) national codes and standards whenever possible, plus DOE standards where appropriate
- Augment above with site-specific requirements and guidance at a level justified by cost-benefit
- Include design criteria, drafting standards, master/guide specs, procurement specs, and standard details/drawings in the program
-
Use a consensus process of site representatives to review/maintain site standards
-
Publish site standards (and useful links/documents) on an external website to facilitate requiring of A/Es and sharing with other DOE sites
-
Maintain standards current though periodic review process
-
Follow CSI Manual of Practice policy of only saying something once in best place (as appropriate)
-
For design criteria-type standards, organize by UniFormat II (CSI/ASTM endorsed), or at least cross-reference it; also, justify and document bases for requirements
-
For specifications, follow CSI Manual of Practice for numbering, content, and format
-
For drafting standards and standard drawings, follow National CAD Standard as appropriate
-
Ensure widespread management support and user awareness through promotion
-
Sponsor training in use of national and site-specific codes, standards, and specs
-
Ensure compliance through assessments
-
When site has nuclear facilities, ensure standards are produced and maintained in compliance with 10 CFR 830 quality requirements
