PLANT ENGINEERING FUNCTION

DEFINITION

Plant engineering is that branch of engineering which embraces the installation, operation,
maintenance, modification, modernization, and protection of physical facilities and equipment
used to produce a product or provide a service.

PLANT ENGINEERS
The primary mission of the plant engineer is to provide optimum plant and equipment
facilities to meet the established objective of the business. This can be broken down into these
four fundamental activities:
ensure the reliability of plant and equipment operation;
optimize maintenance and operating costs;
(3) satisfy all safety, environmental, and other regulations; and
(4) provide a strong element of both short-term and long-range facilities and equipment
planning.

3.1

3.2

RESPONSIBILITIES OF PLANT ENGINEERS

Through activities
Plant engineers are involved in or in charge of the following activities:
3.1.1 Design of facilities and systems
3.1.2 Construction of facilities and systems
3.1.2 Installation of facilities, systems, and equipment
3.1.3 Operation of utilities and services
3.1.4 Maintenance of facilities, systems, and equipment
3.1.5 Improvement, retrofit, and redesign of facilities, systems, and equipment
3.1.6 Planning to meet business needs
3.1.7 Contracting for equipment, materials, and services
3.1.8 Project management, including planning, estimating, and execution
3.1.9 Administration of the plant engineering organization and personnel as well as
related financial considerations (budgeting, forecasting, cost control), training,
and record keeping
3.1.10 Regulatory compliance with a wide variety of governmental laws and standards
3.1.11 Coordination of plant engineering activities and responsibilities with all other
functions and departments in the organization
3.1.12 Purchasing of requisite tools, equipment, parts, and materials.

Through knowledge areas

Plant engineers must be knowledgeable in the design, installation, operation, and
maintenance
of the following:

3.2.1
3.2.2
3.2.3
3.2.4
3.2.5
3.2.6
3.2.7
3.2.8
3.2.9
3.2.10
3.2.11
3.2.12
3.2.13
3.2.14
3.2.15
3.2.16
3.2.17
3.2.18
3.2.19
3.2.20
3.2.21

Electrical power systems

Electrical machinery
Lighting
Fluid power transmission
Mechanical power transmission
Instrumentation and controls
Heating and ventilating
Air conditioning and refrigeration
Pumps, piping, and valving
Material handling and storage
Paints, coatings, and corrosion prevention
Fire protection
Engines
Lubricants and lubrication systems
Environmental control systems and compliance
Compressed air systems
Buildings and construction
Tools
Welding and joining
Safety and health equipment and practices
Security

ORGANIZATION

4.1

Typical Plant Engineering Sub-function

4.1.1 The engineering sub-function is responsible for such matters as design,
construction, modification, and modernization of the facility, its utilities, and operating
equipment.
4.1.2 The maintenance sub-function provides all maintenance services and carries out
many of the changes specified by engineering.
4.1.3 The operation sub-function is responsible for running the utility systems, such as
electrical control and distribution; steam; heating, ventilating, and air conditioning;
compressed air; water treatment; etc.

4.2

Organization Charts

4.2.1 Typical organization of a small plant illustrates that plant engineering is one of the
essential functions in any plant. Maintenance is normally a sub-function of plant engineering.

4.2.2 In larger plants, the plant engineering function is often divided into departments to serve
particular needs.

4.2.3 Multisite enterprises are often organized with a central engineering department providing
plant engineering services to all plants and separate maintenance departments within each site.

4.2.4 Large, complex industrial plants and other facilities require an extensive plant
engineering organization to meet constantly changing demands.

End