Design & Maintainability

• In designing for maintainability , many designers are often trpped in a dilemma : whether " form should follow function ' or " function should follow form ".
• Designersare often criticized for giving too much emphasis to aesthetics at the expense of maintainability .
• The structural form & maintenance considerations during the design & planning stages for & building services are intimately related to architectural considerations .
• There must be continuous interaction between the architect & the engineers in the initial planning as well as in the final design of the building .
• The architect must accord a healthy respect to the structural , mechanical & electrical needs of the building .
• Likewise the engineers must have an equal respect for the architect's concern for aesthetics , form & flow of movement .
• Example of poor Planning & Design

1. Inadequate provision of space around plant & equipment for proper maintenance to be carried out .
2. Inadequate provision of space in ceiling resulting in inefficient air-conditioning ductwork .
3. Inadequate provision of ceiling accessibility for maintenance .
4. Locating wet pipes in electrical rooms .

• Examples of Good Planning & Design :

1. Adequate provision of space around plant & equipment for proper maintenance to be carried out .
2. Adequate provision of space in ceiling for M&E services .
3. Good planning of access routes so that bulky equipment can be easily replaced .
4. Provision of buildig automation systems .