Using and interpreting engineering data and documentation

Jordan Leah

1. We have up to date wiring regulations and quarry regulations, which includes the
standard of work our work needs to be, in our area that we check frequently. We also
keep folders of all the different plants wiring diagrams for machinery and the plc
systems. These can also be found on specific laptops ad computers around the plant.
There is also a company library in the main offices which holds folders of data.

2. To obtain documents I find the labelled folder and then find the correct page I need.
To check if it’s valid I check the date and check if there are any notes or modifications
on it that would compromise its originality.

3. The Data Protection Act 1998 is in place to protect the rights of individuals about
whom data (information) is obtained, stored, processed and disclosed. This act
contains eight principles that must be followed and these include:

Principle 1: processed fairly and lawfully

Principle 2: obtained only for the purpose stated
Principle 3: adequate, relevant and not excessive
Principle 4: accurate and, where necessary, kept up-to-date
Principle 5: not be kept for longer than is necessary for that purpose
Principle 6: processed in accordance with the rights of data subjects under the Act
Principle 7: appropriate technical and organisational measures shall be taken
against unauthorised or unlawful processing     personal data and against accidental
loss or destruction of, or damage to, personal data
Principle 8: not transferred to countries without adequate protection

4. The different ways/formats that data and documentation can be presented are either
in written forms or as a digital form on the pc, wiring diagrams can be found on both
paper in a folder or on the pc. CAD drawings are made and stored on the computer
and sometimes printed off for reference. Job instructions are usually written down in
note form for the worker or emailed if required.

5. When planning and working on a job we must follow the industry standards of work
and these are taught at college and also available for reference online or in the
workshop. It is a legal requirement to follow most of them as they are in place for
health and safety purposes and to maintain an efficient workforce.
6. Fact and opinion are very different and mustn’t be confused together. It is important
you must prove all your work and testing to comply with safe working regulations.
Also don’t take someone’s word for something as you must still check it so you know
personally what your doing is correct and safe. If you think a panel is dead you must
still test it to make sure and turn the opinion into fact.

7. It is imperative we analyse all available data when planning a job so we can find the
best way to do the job. By doing this we can find multiple ways to complete the task
and we can then choose the most efficient way and have the best understanding of
the drawings.

8. The most common way of storing and organising data here is printing all papers off
and putting them in a folder, the folders will then go on a bookcase labelled and in a
specific order. When updating a drawing we will sign and date the new drawing and
replace the old one in the folder. We can also keep engineering cad drawings on a
memory stick.

9. The procedure for reporting discrepancies in the data or documentation and for
reporting lost or damaged documents are report to the works engineer so they can
find out where a copy/original is stored and it can be fixed or replaced. You must find
the page number of the documents as there are backups on several computers and
servers onsite and must also make a note for other electricians as they will need to
know the date is incomplete if they need to do some modifying.

10. It is important to keep data up to date as if someone else works on it and changes
something it will confuse the next person if they can see it’s changed but the date
reads different. When replacing documents we will date and sign it so the next
worker is certain of the date it was last worked on. If this procedure is not followed
then it can cause someone to make a fault or be put in danger if there is a new circuit
that has not been recorded.

11. All data documents are carefully stored in folders within bookshelves or filing
cabinets and on files on the pc as well. Any damage or graffiti on the documents will
make the date invalid and it must be reported straight away. Once you are done using
the document folder it is returned to its place on the shelve or saved into a new file.
12. It is important Documents are returned back to where they belong upon completion
of the work activities so it’s easy for the next person working on them to find. It also
prevents any documents getting lost and will keep work areas clean and tidy. It is very
important they are returned for future reference and for keeping organised.

13. One of the basic drawing conventions we use are circuit and wiring diagrams, we
use these to understand any circuits we are working on and also work to them when
fitting a circuit. We can also use these wiring diagrams to find specific components
that need work on/replacing. We also use schematic diagrams to understand a
process of a plant, we can follow the paths so we know where the product is going to
next and where a problem may occur.

14. The types of documentation we use are production drawings for the design and
building of mechanical parts and components. We us assembly drawings for putting
together motors and other large moving machinery. We will use wiring and circuit
diagrams for putting the electrical supplies into a plant. We will need all of this
documentation for the building and maintaining of a process plant.

15. Here at lhoist we use the metric measurement system and work in mm. we use a
tolerance to the mm and get it perfect. If its out by a few mm then it may not fit and
will be useless.

Imperial system :- Thousandth of an inch, fractions of an inch, inches, feet, yard,

miles.
Metric system :- mm, cm, m, Km
Tolerance is the maximum and minimum material conditions when given a specific
size and tolerance.
A fixed reference point is a point on the drawing where you always take your
measurements from to avoid discrepancies when measuring and marking out.

16. All symbols and abbreviations on documents that are used are different, this prevents
confusion when reading. This is important because the information on the documents
are important and the engineers must be able to understand them. An example
would be linear and geometric tolerances are used because it is not possible to work
out something that is actual size and dimensions are given limit sizes. Surface finish
symbols are used to show how rough the finish is on the final product, they show
surface texture, waviness and the lay of the surface. Weld symbols are used to show
height, width and depth of a weld.

17. The extent of my own responsibility is until I am no longer confident and unsure on
the next task. I am able to act on my own initiative to find any documentation and to
clarify and evaluate the information. If I have a problem that I am unable to resolve I
will report to the works engineer the problem and what I have done so far.