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Design & product specification

Design management is an area that is often overlooked in manufacturing - this can lead to waste and missed opportunities. Design mangement and product specification standards can help your manufacturing organization to reduce the environmental impact of its product, or help to make a valuable near-new product from an old one.

Identifying improvements in product design

Explore how standards address the issues surrounding technical design management

Setting the standard for technical drawings
Article

Setting the standard for technical drawings

The BS EN ISO 128 series is a set of fundamental technical drawings standards that are used globally. In 2020 the series – which had become rambling and unnecessarily complicated – was revised and consolidated into four new parts: Parts 1, 2, 3, and 100. These amalgamate all of the previous individual parts of the series into a clear and consistent suite of documents. Part 1 introduces the general principles of representation and covers fundamental requirements. Part 3 deals with views, sections, and cuts. Part 100 is the index. Part 2 in the series was the last to be published (in August 2020) as BS EN ISO 128-2:2020 Technical product documentation (TPD) — General principles of representation — Part 2: Basic conventions for lines. The Presentation of Lines BS EN ISO 128-2:2020 establishes the types of lines used in technical drawings (e.g. diagrams, plans, or maps), their designations and their configurations, as well as general rules for the drafting of lines. In addition, it specifies general rules for the representation of leader and reference lines and their components, as well as for the arrangement of instructions on or at leader lines in technical documents. The standard also includes annexes providing specific information on mechanical, construction, and shipbuilding technical drawings. Incidentally, for the purposes of these documents, the term “technical drawing” is interpreted in the broadest possible sense encompassing the total package of documentation specifying the product (workpiece, subassembly, and assembly). Revision and Amalgamation of Technical Drawing Standards BS EN ISO 128-2:2020 is also a revision and amalgamation of six former parts of the BS ISO 128 series, all of which are superseded and withdrawn. They are; BS ISO 128-23:1999, BS ISO 128-22:1999, BS ISO 128-25:1999, BS EN ISO 128-21:2001, BS EN ISO 128-20:2001, and BS ISO 128-24:2014. The main change in the 2020 version, aside from the amalgamation of these six former parts, is that the newly revised standard introduces a hierarchy for overlapping lines. Another change worth mentioning is that the rules of application, specific to various technical fields (i.e. construction technical drawings, mechanical engineering technical drawings, and shipbuilding technical drawings) are now provided in individual annexes. Information on the preparation of lines by CAD systems is also provided in an annex. The Importance of this Standard for Manufacturing Companies The standard is written for manufacturing companies, mechanical engineering organizations, and heavy industry that uses engineering drawings, and design offices and consultancies that need the basic requirements for the design and specification of their products on technical drawings (and/or on 3D models). The sectors in which the standard is typically used include aerospace, defense, automotive, nuclear, rail, and shipbuilding. It can be used for traditional 2D manual drawings or for 3D modeling on CAD systems. The standard is valuable because it simplifies and clarifies the creation of technical drawings, thus greatly reducing the likelihood of misinterpretation. Ultimately, therefore, its use can facilitate trade, increase people’s trust in your technical drawings and better manage your risk. Plus, this new consolidated standard is much more efficient to work with. Therefore, anyone whose work involves preparing technical drawings should now be using BS EN ISO 128-2:2020. In your compliance-critical industry, ensure you are meeting the industry design standards. A BSI Knowledge subscription gives you instant access to the resources you need to effectively complete technical drawing documentation and build trust throughout your supply chain. Build your own custom collection of standards, or opt for access to one of our pre-built modules and keep up-to-date with any relevant changes to your standards strategy. Request to learn more. Add standard BS EN ISO 128-2:2020 to your collection today.Read more
Revolutionizing streetlight infrastructure: Introducing PAS 190 and PAS 191
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Revolutionizing streetlight infrastructure: Introducing PAS 190 and PAS 191

Lighting columns play an important role in the infrastructure of smart cities. They offer a practical and cost-effective solution for hosting a range of Internet of Things (IoT) and smart devices. To support the development of our future cities, two new documents have been published to provide a common framework for the design, installation, and maintenance of multifunctional columns in smart city infrastructure. By repurposing existing lighting columns, local authorities can save costs on installing new infrastructure and minimize disruption to the urban environment. Additionally, multifunctional columns can provide valuable data that can be used to optimize and enhance city services, such as traffic management, public safety, and environmental monitoring. To do this effectively, owners of street infrastructure assets - including Local Authorities (LAs) and landlords - are increasingly asking for a common framework and terminology to help them decide the suitability of existing assets for current and future demands. As well as to support investment decisions for upgrades and replacements. As a result, the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT), has sponsored the development of two Publicly Available Specifications (PASs): PAS 190 and PAS 191. PAS 190 is a code of practice that provides a set of recommendations to assess and categorize current lighting and CCTV column inventories for multi-functional use, while PAS 191 is a specification that provides requirements for the design, installation and maintenance of multifunctional columns. Discover more about how standards are supporting innovation in the public sector by visiting our Public Sector Topic Page. PAS 190: Assess current lighting and CCTV columns for multi-functional use PAS 190 Existing lighting and CCTV columns – Assessment for multi-functional use – Code of practice provides a set of recommendations to assess and categorize current lighting and CCTV column inventories for multi-functional use in smart city infrastructure. The PAS covers the technical factors relevant for assessing the suitability of modifying current column inventories for multi-functional use, including small cell radio access points (base stations including 4G and 5G networks), non-illuminated signage, advertising banners, hanging baskets, festive decorations, CCTV and other safety devices, sensors and other IoT devices, electric vehicle charging points, public address systems, and powered digital signage. The purpose of PAS 190 is to support local authorities, PFI providers, highways authorities, mobile network operators, neutral host operators, manufacturers and suppliers of smart city infrastructure, and installers and maintenance providers make strategic assessments of lighting and CCTV columns for multi-functional use. PAS 191: Design, installation and maintenance requirements for multifunctional columns PAS 191 Multifunctional columns – Design – Specification specifies design, installation, and maintenance requirements for multifunctional columns or structures based on one or more core functions, such as lighting, CCTV, sign poles, traffic signals, and mast-type structures. It covers various design and performance attributes, including smart equipment hosting, attachments, aesthetic function, physical security, durability, installation, and maintenance. The PAS is intended for use by specifiers, designers, manufacturers, suppliers, and contractors of multifunctional columns, as well as installers of attachments and equipment on such columns. Infrastructure owners, managers, and mobile network and neutral host operators can also benefit from this PAS when considering procuring assets for new locations or where existing assets are unsuitable for additional multifunctional use. Overall, the use of PAS 190 and PAS 191 can help promote the development of smart cities that are safe, secure, sustainable, and effective at meeting the needs of their citizens. Download both the documents today from BSI Knowledge.
How appliance standards ensure the safety and sustainability of refrigerating systems
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How appliance standards ensure the safety and sustainability of refrigerating systems

Refrigeration is such a familiar aspect of everyday life that it’s easy to lose sight of its hazards – but there are several, especially when refrigeration is undertaken on a commercial scale. Specific hazards come from excessive temperatures at compressor discharge, liquid slugging (the phenomenon of liquid entering the cylinder of a reciprocating compressor), operation errors, and reductions in mechanical strength that can be caused by corrosion, erosion, thermal stress, liquid hammer, or vibration. Corrosion needs special attention because alternate frosting and defrosting, and covering equipment with insulation, can often lead to it. Another hazard is that the most used refrigerants (other than R-717) are heavier than air and so it’s necessary to avoid stagnant pockets of heavy refrigerant vapors from building up. As well, refrigerants combined with oil, water, or other substances can also affect refrigerating systems chemically and physically. They have the potential to harm people, property, and the environment. Refrigerants must be selected with regard to the potential harm they can do to the environment, both locally and globally. And besides the impact of refrigerant leaks, there are other ways in which refrigerating systems can have negative environmental impacts, including because of their location, or from poor energy efficiency, service frequency, or control methods.  To read about sustainability in the manufacturing sector, click here. All these considerations have been fed into a four-part series of European standards, the first of which has just been amended, which is as follows: BS EN 378-1:2016+A1:2020 Refrigerating systems and heat pumps - Safety and environmental requirements - Part 1: Basic requirements, definitions, classification and selection criteria. BS EN 378: Refrigeration Operation, Maintenance, and Repair BS EN 378-1:2016+A1:2020 gives requirements for the safety of people and property, provides guidance for the protection of the environment, and establishes procedures for the operation, maintenance, and repair of refrigerating systems (including heat pumps) and the recovery of refrigerants. It also specifies the classification and selection criteria applicable to refrigerating systems, which are then used in parts 2, 3, and 4 of the series. The standard covers refrigerating systems that are stationary or mobile, of any size, except vehicle air conditioning systems covered by a specific product standard e.g. BS ISO 13043. BS EN 378 also covers secondary cooling or heating systems and applies to the location of refrigerating systems, to replace parts, and to components added after the standard is adopted. Annex C (on refrigerant charge limit requirements) specifies how to determine the amount of refrigerant permitted in a given space, which when exceeded, requires additional protective measures to reduce the risk. Annex E (on safety classification and information about refrigerants) specifies criteria for safety and environmental considerations of different refrigerants used in refrigeration and air conditioning. This standard covers new refrigerating systems, extensions or modifications to already existing systems; and for existing stationary systems, being transferred to and operated on another site. It also applies where a system has been converted to another refrigerant type. The Importance of the Amendments to Standard BS EN 378 BS EN 378-1 is widely used because it provides a simple route to conforming with complex legal requirements, especially those related to the EU’s pressure equipment and machinery safety directives. Users will therefore need to be on top of the 2020 amendments to the standard. These consist of an update to the definition of split systems; the introduction of modified conditions for the application of alternative provisions to Annex C (on risk management of refrigerating systems in occupied spaces); and the replacement of three extensive tables in Annex E covering safety classifications and information about refrigerants.  These updates keep the standard current and ensure it continues to fulfill its purpose, which is to minimize the possible hazards to people, property, and the environment from refrigerating systems and refrigerants. Want to access and manage the standards you need to support your refrigerating systems - all in one place? With a BSI Knowledge subscription, you will have the flexibility and visibility to manage the essential standards you need to ensure the safety of your appliances with confidence. Build your own custom collection of standards, or opt for access to our pre-built module and keep up-to-date with any relevant changes to your standards strategy. Request to learn more. Ensure your organization provides safe and environmentally sound refrigerating systems by adding standard BS EN 378-1:2016+A1:2020 to your collection today.

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