Do industrial projects need As-built drawings?

What do you mean by As-Built Drawings?

Industrial infrastructure projects are a multi-disciplinary, complex, and challenging set of activities. During the project implementation, there may be changes due to site requirements. These deviations are incorporated in the good for construction drawings. These drawings are called "As-Built Drawings".

As-built drawings form a part of the record of the completed project. Hence, it is essential for future expansion and regulatory compliance. Therefore, it is necessary to store these drawings safely for future projects.

What is the difference between As-Built drawings and Good for Construction drawings?

1. Architects issue Good for Construction (GFC) drawings for the sole purpose of construction. In contrast, the As-Built Drawings are a record of completion. 
2. The contractor constructs the manufacturing facility based on the GFC drawings. Any deviation or changes from the GFC are recorded as a site deviation. The client and PMC informed the industrial architects of the deviations. The industrial architects then incorporate the deviations into the GFC. The drawings with the site's final information are called final or As-Built drawings of the project.  

Are As-Built drawings essential?

• These drawings are a milestone indicating the completion and closure of the project. 
• The As-Built drawing provides all the necessary information about the existing building for expansions. 
• The As-Built Drawings provide an insight into the area allocation of the project.  
• It provides information on the underground utilities. This ensures no surprises in excavation in expansion projects. 
• In the expansion of the existing building, the As-Built drawings form the starting point.

To conclude, As-Built drawings are critical in brownfield projects and give lots of information.