How to manage construction plant - Revision history

Designing Buildings at 05:55, 7 October 2020

2020-10-07T05:55:47Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:55, 7 October 2020
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	* Wheel washing system.		* Wheel washing system.

−	[[Category:~~Construction_management~~]] [[Category:~~Cost_/_business_planning~~]] [[Category:~~Products_~~/~~_components~~]] [[Category:~~DCN_Product_Knowledge~~]]	+	[[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:DCN_Product_Knowledge]] [[Category:Construction_management]] [[Category:Cost_/_business_planning]] [[Category:Products_/_components]]

Editor at 13:08, 9 May 2018

2018-05-09T13:08:49Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:08, 9 May 2018
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	* Internet of things.		* Internet of things.
	* Logistics management.		* Logistics management.
		+	* Material handling.
	* Planned preventive maintenance.		* Planned preventive maintenance.
	* Plant acquisition.		* Plant acquisition.
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	* Wheel washing system.		* Wheel washing system.

−	[[Category:Construction_management]] [[Category:Cost_/_business_planning]] [[Category:Products_/_components]]	+	[[Category:Construction_management]] [[Category:Cost_/_business_planning]] [[Category:Products_/_components]] [[Category:DCN_Product_Knowledge]]

Editor at 12:52, 20 March 2018

2018-03-20T12:52:00Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:52, 20 March 2018
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	* Activity schedule.		* Activity schedule.
		+	* Construction inventory management.
	* Construction plant.		* Construction plant.
	* Construction tools.		* Construction tools.

Editor at 16:56, 2 March 2018

2018-03-02T16:56:51Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:56, 2 March 2018
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	* Scheduling construction activities.		* Scheduling construction activities.
	* Time management of construction projects.		* Time management of construction projects.
		+	* Wheel washing system.

	[[Category:Construction_management]] [[Category:Cost_/_business_planning]] [[Category:Products_/_components]]		[[Category:Construction_management]] [[Category:Cost_/_business_planning]] [[Category:Products_/_components]]

Designing Buildings at 14:13, 10 January 2018

2018-01-10T14:13:10Z

Editor at 14:01, 28 December 2017

2017-12-28T14:01:10Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:01, 28 December 2017
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−	[[File:Bulldozer.jpg]]	+	[[File:Bulldozer.jpg\|link=File:Bulldozer.jpg]]

	The term ‘plant’ refers to machinery, equipment or apparatus used for an industrial activity. Typically, in construction, ‘plant’ refers to heavy machinery and equipment used during construction works.		The term ‘plant’ refers to machinery, equipment or apparatus used for an industrial activity. Typically, in construction, ‘plant’ refers to heavy machinery and equipment used during construction works.
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	* Internet of things.		* Internet of things.
	* Logistics management.		* Logistics management.
		+	* Planned preventive maintenance.
	* Plant acquisition.		* Plant acquisition.
	* Programme for building design and construction.		* Programme for building design and construction.

Editor: Created page with "File:Bulldozer.jpg The term ‘plant’ refers to machinery, equipment or apparatus used for an industrial activity. Typically, in construction, ‘plant’ refers to heavy ..."

2017-08-03T14:52:27Z

Created page with "File:Bulldozer.jpg The term ‘plant’ refers to machinery, equipment or apparatus used for an industrial activity. Typically, in construction, ‘plant’ refers to heavy ..."

New page

[[File:Bulldozer.jpg]]

The term ‘plant’ refers to machinery, equipment or apparatus used for an industrial activity. Typically, in construction, ‘plant’ refers to heavy machinery and equipment used during construction works.

Many construction companies fail to manage plant efficiently, despite it representing one of the biggest costs. Companies may have vehicles which are quite old and are therefore less reliable and more costly to maintain. There may also only be a certain number of vehicles available for a company to use across multiple projects, and when facing tight deadlines, the availability of the necessary vehicles at the right time can supersede the cost of accessing them.

Construction plant is generally re-useable, and so, as well as being purchased new, it may be purchased second hand or hired. Rented vehicles tend to be newer, and so better maintained, more reliable, and equipped with more up-to-date security features. By renting plant, companies are able to scale up or down their fleet size relatively flexibly and without additional cost.

For more information, see Plant acquisition.

Accounting software for construction management often features plant management modules. This can enable plant to be assigned efficiently, by listing plant and their relevant details, including availability. Relevant staff are then able to determine the availability of plant at any given time. This is particularly useful for larger companies who may have several projects in progress simultaneously and need to be able to maximise their fleet’s utility.

By using such software to manage plant, it is also possible to monitor variable and fixed costs associated with insurance, storage and operation, as well as depreciation. Visibility of the actual costs of each contract can be increased and easier to understand if plant costs are automatically associated with the relevant contract in the accounts system. Rising costs are also easier to detect and monitor, and can help a company make informed decisions about managing the fleet, i.e. replacing an older vehicle that has had large repair bills.

It is a legal requirement that all plant be effectively and safely maintained, as well as being beneficial in terms of reducing costs. Management of plant involves identifying hazards for each item and having a plan for how they can be avoided through maintenance and regular inspections.

Accounting software can assist with highlighting the most appropriate time, i.e. during downtime, that an item of plant could undergo maintenance. This is useful in terms of forward planning of projects that may need to use the item on-site, and scheduling specialist contractors that may be required for maintenance purposes.

Increasingly, construction companies have been exploring the opportunities of the Internet of Things (IoT) for plant management. For example, Caterpillar have begun manufacturing plant items with sensors and other connected devices, with the aim being completely digitised and data-driven fleets.

Some of the plant management benefits of using IoT include:

* Accurate measurement of engine load, fluid temperature and pressure, idle time, fuel consumption, etc.
* Can identify operators who may be using plant incorrectly and requires retraining, e.g. using excessive fuel.
* Generated data relating to machine performance and efficiency, allowing managers to reduce energy consumption and increase productivity.
* More accurate picture of when and how plant is used around a work site.
* Greater predictability of when the plant is likely to require maintenance.
* Plant performance can be tracked in real time, highlighting areas not running to full capabilities.
* Plant can be tracked, helping to prevent theft and misuse.
* Alerts relating to location of certain plant can be sent to workers on-site, increasing safety.
* Plant may automatically order replacement parts as and when required.
* Accurate monitoring of site noise and vibration compliance.

= Find out more =

=== Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki ===

* Activity schedule.
* Construction plant.
* Construction tools.
* Contractor’s master programme.
* Internet of things.
* Logistics management.
* Plant acquisition.
* Programme for building design and construction.
* Project manager.
* Resource management.
* Scheduling construction activities.
* Time management of construction projects.

[[Category:Construction_management]] [[Category:Cost_/_business_planning]] [[Category:Products_/_components]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:13, 10 January 2018
Line 1:		Line 1:
	[[File:Bulldozer.jpg\|link=File:Bulldozer.jpg]]		[[File:Bulldozer.jpg\|link=File:Bulldozer.jpg]]

−	The term ‘plant’ refers to machinery, equipment or apparatus used for an industrial activity. Typically, in construction, ‘plant’ refers to heavy machinery and equipment used during construction works.	+	The term ‘plant’ refers to machinery, equipment or apparatus used for an industrial activity. Typically, in construction, ‘plant’ refers to heavy machinery and equipment used during construction works. Many construction companies fail to manage plant efficiently, despite the fact that it represents one of their biggest costs.

−	Many construction companies fail to manage plant efficiently, despite it representing one of the biggest costs. Companies may have vehicles which are quite old and are therefore less reliable and more costly to maintain. There may also only be a certain number of vehicles available for a company to use across multiple projects, and when facing tight deadlines, the availability of the necessary vehicles at the right time can supersede the cost of accessing them.	+	Construction plant is generally re-useable, and so, as well as being purchased new, it may be purchased second hand or hired. Rented vehicles tend to be newer, and so better maintained, more reliable, and equipped with more up-to-date features. By renting plant, companies are also able to scale their fleet size up or down relatively flexibly.
−		+
−	Construction plant is generally re-useable, and so, as well as being purchased new, it may be purchased second hand or hired. Rented vehicles tend to be newer, and so better maintained, more reliable, and equipped with more up-to-date ~~security~~ features. By renting plant, companies are able to scale up or down ~~their fleet size~~ relatively flexibly ~~and without additional cost~~.	+

	For more information, see Plant acquisition.		For more information, see Plant acquisition.
Line 11:		Line 9:
	Accounting software for construction management often features plant management modules. This can enable plant to be assigned efficiently, by listing plant and their relevant details, including availability. Relevant staff are then able to determine the availability of plant at any given time. This is particularly useful for larger companies who may have several projects in progress simultaneously and need to be able to maximise their fleet’s utility.		Accounting software for construction management often features plant management modules. This can enable plant to be assigned efficiently, by listing plant and their relevant details, including availability. Relevant staff are then able to determine the availability of plant at any given time. This is particularly useful for larger companies who may have several projects in progress simultaneously and need to be able to maximise their fleet’s utility.

−	By using such software to manage plant, it is also possible to monitor variable and fixed costs associated with insurance, storage and ~~operation, as well as~~ depreciation. ~~Visibility of the~~ actual costs of each contract can be ~~increased and~~ easier to understand if plant costs are automatically associated with the relevant ~~contract~~ in the accounts system. Rising costs are also easier to detect and monitor, and can help a company make informed decisions about managing the fleet, i.e. replacing an older vehicle that has had large repair bills.	+	By using such software to manage plant, it is also possible to monitor variable and fixed costs associated with insurance, storage, operation and depreciation.The actual costs of each contract can be easier to understand if plant costs are automatically associated with the relevant works in the accounts system. Rising costs are also easier to detect and monitor, and can help a company make informed decisions about managing the fleet, i.e. replacing an older vehicle that has had large repair bills.

−	~~It is a legal requirement that all~~ plant be effectively and safely ~~maintained~~, ~~as well as being~~ beneficial in terms of reducing costs. Management of plant involves identifying hazards for each item and having a plan for how they can be avoided through maintenance and regular inspections.	+	Maintaining plant effectively and safely is a legal requirement, but it is also beneficial in terms of reducing costs. Management of plant involves identifying hazards for each item and having a plan for how they can be avoided through maintenance and regular inspections.

−	Accounting software can assist with highlighting the most appropriate time, i.e. during downtime, that an item of plant could undergo maintenance. This is useful in terms of forward planning of projects that may need to use the item on-site, and scheduling specialist contractors that may be required for maintenance purposes.	+	Accounting software can assist with highlighting the most appropriate time, i.e. during downtime, that an item of plant could undergo maintenance. This is useful in terms of forward planning projects that may need to use the item on-site, and scheduling specialist contractors that may be required for maintenance purposes.

−	Increasingly, construction companies have been exploring the opportunities of the Internet of Things (IoT) for plant management. For example, Caterpillar have begun manufacturing plant items with sensors and other connected devices, with the aim ~~being~~ completely digitised and data-driven fleets.	+	Increasingly, construction companies have been exploring the opportunities of the Internet of Things (IoT) for plant management. For example, Caterpillar have begun manufacturing plant items with sensors and other connected devices, with the aim of establishing completely digitised and data-driven fleets.

	Some of the plant management benefits of using IoT include:		Some of the plant management benefits of using IoT include:

	* Accurate measurement of engine load, fluid temperature and pressure, idle time, fuel consumption, etc.		* Accurate measurement of engine load, fluid temperature and pressure, idle time, fuel consumption, etc.
−	* ~~Can identify~~ operators who may be using plant incorrectly and ~~requires~~ retraining, e.g. using excessive fuel.	+	* Identifying operators who may be using plant incorrectly and require retraining, e.g. using excessive fuel.
−	* ~~Generated~~ data relating to machine performance and efficiency, allowing managers to reduce energy consumption and increase productivity.	+	* Generating data relating to machine performance and efficiency, allowing managers to reduce energy consumption and increase productivity.
−	* ~~More~~ accurate picture of when and how plant is used ~~around a work site~~.	+	* Giving a more accurate picture of when and how plant is used..
−	* ~~Greater~~ predictability of when the plant is likely to require maintenance.	+	* Better predictability of when the plant is likely to require maintenance.
−	* Plant performance can be tracked in real time, highlighting areas not running to full ~~capabilities~~.	+	* Plant performance can be tracked in real time, highlighting areas not running to their full capacity.
	* Plant can be tracked, helping to prevent theft and misuse.		* Plant can be tracked, helping to prevent theft and misuse.
−	* Alerts relating to location of ~~certain~~ plant can be sent to workers on-site, ~~increasing~~ safety.	+	* Alerts relating to the location of plant can be sent to workers on-site, improving their awareness and so safety.
−	* ~~Plant may automatically order~~ replacement parts as and when required.	+	* Automatic ordering of replacement parts as and when required.
	* Accurate monitoring of site noise and vibration compliance.		* Accurate monitoring of site noise and vibration compliance.