“Engineers’ Handbook for Implementation of Industrial Projects”

Constructive suggestions and comments from fellow engineers will welcome

Harsimran Singh*

The author* had the opportunity of setting up large infrastructural facilities starting from the stage of inception. The works had to be taken up and commission on very fast track and involved very large number of stakeholders. On one hand, several approvals and clearances were required and several critical technical decisions were to be taken, and on the other hand, contracts had to be floated for design and execution of works.

Management of such fast track projects in least time with best quality was itself a big job. There was no comprehensive literature available at one place which could guide step by step on how to proceed and deliver required output in time.

Every time, we had to run around and search for one thing or the other. This inspired us to start compiling the entire information and experiences in place. That is how this book “Engineers’ Handbook for Implementation of Industrial Projects” was conceived. It is more of a manual or handbook which will give the head of the organization and his team most of the engineering and management knowledge, if not entire, about establishing a large industrial unit/ factory.

The book deals with selection of site, layout of sheds, basis of design, quality control and assurance, project management, water supply system, fire fighting arrangement, electricity supply, fire resistance and green building measures, finishing items in building construction, etc.

The book does not deal with detailed design which is a complete subject itself, but designer can benefit by going through the requirements for design described in the book. The fast track work develops on fool-proof quality control and assurance. Poor quality eats up a lot of time as the progress suffers due to rectification of poor work. Therefore majour stress has been given to quality control aspects and detailed method statements have been given for the various construction activities.

One of the important aspects of the book is that it gives examples from the similar works executed by the author. Numerous photographs of these works have been given which make the various activities and works come alive before the reader.

Another important aspect is that for various activities, minute details have been given which will help the engineer of the contractor to execute the work properly and of the employer to supervise it well. The project management can be done in a better way with help of these various details which will help in making more realistic work breakdown structures.

Though every care has been taken compiling this book and presenting the correct information and data, any errors or omissions may be there which should be brought to the knowledge of author.

Constructive suggestions and comments from fellow engineers will welcome.

With kind support of my family, friends and superiors, and blessings of God, I have authored the book titled “Engineers’ Handbook for Implementation of Industrial Projects”. The Chairman and Managing Director, Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd. and High Speed Railway Corporation Ltd., Shri Satish Agnihotri has kindly provided a ‘Foreword’.

This book is particularly useful for all practicing engineers and professionals undertaking projects for establishing industrial complexes/factories/workshops, though all those dealing with infrastructure projects would be benefitted at large.

The book deals with nearly all aspects of design, construction and project management necessary for the engineering and management teams of Client and Contractor, though it does not go into the detailed design calculations. It starts from the scratch, i.e., selection of site and surveying and then delves into details of design requirements, selection of structural elements – columns, beams, trusses, foundation, etc. The quality control and assurance during construction have been covered in detail and the detailed formats in tabular form for the same have been provided as annexures.

It also covers the works related to electrical engineering, fire fighting, installation of machinery (EOT Cranes & Surface traversers), water supply system, pre-engineered building (PEB) installation, green building concept and fire resistance requirements.

The installation of Railway track in the shed, at pits and in yard have been described as also construction of flexible & concrete pavement roads for heavy traffic. The finishing works for buildings have been described from point of views of aesthetics and durability, and project management has been elaborated from point of view of project manager of a large infrastructure project.

Examples have been drawn from works actually executed by the author and photographs have been provided in large numbers mostly from the works actually executed by the author.

The book, with MRP of Rs. 695, is available from the publisher –

Mr Abhijit Mazumder,
Frontpage, Level B,
76 B B Ganguly Street,
Kolkata-12.
Mob-+91 98310 93660.
Ph- +91 33 6519 0171.
E-Mail – am@frontpagepublications.com, abhijit.frontpage@gmail.com

*The Author is an IRSE officer, and posted as DGM(G), South Eastern Railway. He may be contacted on Mo.No.09002080004.