The focus of modern design and specification software needs to be on adding value to  the engineers' role and freeing up time for focusing on achieving the optimum design, suggest AMTECH's Philip Grace (Design Engineer) and Ian Elmer (Specification Expert)

Over the last few years a combination of changing legislation and evolving technical standards has served to increase demands on building services engineers. For example, there is often a need for greater collaboration between designers, contractors and end users in considering a range of design options. All of which leads to a requirement for higher specification outputs from everyday design software.

In parallel, therefore, it's important that the software used by building services engineers evolves to support these changing roles. To that end, delivering the basic functionality is a given; it's the added value functionality that makes a real difference on a day-to-day basis and enables users to add value to their own engineering services.

Given the requirement for ever more sophisticated designs it's worth looking at electrical design software as a case in point. And later on in this article we'll discuss how the same principles apply to specification software.

Starting with electrical design, it's clear that a ‘more than fit for purpose' program needs to offer supporting functions above and beyond the basic design calculation role. For instance, in the development of a distribution schematic there are certain functions that should be expected as ‘basic'  such as an intuitive interface, an extensive symbols library and tools to facilitate fast viewing.

Additional features, such as the ability to enter cable data quickly using a familiar spreadsheet format, avoiding the need for multiple screens, will go even further in facilitating fast and accurate production of the schematic.

Of course, if the software incorporates and maintains most, if not all, of the standardised symbols that are likely to be needed, it has the potential to save considerable time, money and CAD resources. In addition, some software contains extensive, up to date databases of specific manufacturers' cables, protective devices and busbars, rather than just generic items.

Similarly, direct links from the software to free online industry information services make access to specific product information much easier and quicker.

Another time-saving benefit is the ability to save a circuit diagram as a template, so it can be used again as the basis for similar circuits in the future, without having to start from scratch each time. Although this sounds obvious this is either not possible with all design software or users may not be aware of this functionality.

As each schematic starts to come together it's handy to be able to quickly double check details - for instance by simply ‘hovering' the mouse over each item to get an instant display of key information. This information can include details such as correction factors, voltage drops (for both total and individual circuits) and earth fault loop impedances.

Another major benefit is when the software checks the correct cable sizes are being used, in line with the latest version of BS 7671 (ie. the 17th Edition Wiring Regulations). This is a great help in avoiding both under-specification and over-specification - particularly when the software is ‘pro-active'. For example, with circuit protection it may evaluate the type of connection and select the appropriate disconnection time to help with RCD selection.
A similar ease-of-use approach can be applied to the selected cable installation methods, as determined by BS 7671. Here, the software can add value by illustrating the installation type for each cable, where the diagrams are similar to those shown in the Wiring Regulations. So, at a glance, you can see the correct installation method has been chosen, in line with the regulations.

At this stage, it's also useful to be able produce ‘what if' scenarios, try out different design ideas and model alternative sources of supply with just a few clicks. The important thing here is the results are available within seconds, so the impact of different designs can quickly assessed and acted upon. These ideas can also be presented to clients to illustrate the options available and the implications of each.

Clients will also be interested the ‘green features' available that affect the environmental impact of the design, so the software should facilitate fast calculation of conductor energy losses and assessment of related CO2 emissions.

Sharing information
Sharing information between different software functions is clearly a major time saver. For instance, the ability to input the design details straight into co-ordination software for checking overload discrimination and device settings will quickly highlight potential problems. Then it's very easy to switch back to the design package where all the changes made in the co-ordination software are automatically incorporated. The importance of this level of integration between packages cannot be exaggerated providing the engineer with absolute control, improved accuracy and instant results. Whatever type of software is being considered it is important to ask how it integrates with other types of software to allow for an easy upgrade path if future requirements change.

Once everything else has been done, it will be necessary to produce the appropriate test and inspection documentation. On a large project this can entail several days of entering information from the design into the relevant certification software. So clearly the ability to share information between the design software and the certification software can add yet another dimension to the time-saving features that add real value.

Specification
The same concepts that have been described above - essentially harnessing the ‘number-crunching' capabilities of software - apply equally to the production of specifications. This can be a very time-consuming process when done manually by copying and pasting from various information sources and specification software can eliminate much of the donkey work. At the same time it will also ensure maximum accuracy, so there are even greater benefits.
A major element of such software is that it contains a full library of standard specification clauses, as well as facilitating the creation of specialised specifications for particular sectors. Obvious examples of the latter would be to incorporate the specialist clauses that are unique to the health sector, or to residential projects.

Clearly, up to date information is vital in this respect - basing a specification on three-year-old information from an out of date technical library is a recipe for disaster that could prove very costly.

So a specification software tool that has a central, regularly updated database - incorporating the latest information from key bodies such as CIBSE and BSI - is a vital tool when working smarter and maximising productivity. It also makes it easy to keep up to speed with the latest developments, including the area of renewable energy, which is developing rapidly.

In parallel, just as with design software, links from within the software directly to key information providers and industry websites - along with the ability to customise additional hyperlinks, provide even greater ease of use.

In this respect, if the software is structured using a recognised classification system such as the Common Arrangement of Work Sections (CAWS) this will ensure  specification meets current industry standards and nothing is overlooked.

As with design software, tools that speed up the routine tasks allow users to focus more of their time on the strategic issues and many engineers work with master templates that can then be modified for each project. Needless to say, it's vital that any such master templates and specifications can be easily updated when new information is available in the database.

Another time-saver is the use of audit logs to integrate quality assurance into the process of creating the specification, rather than QA being a retrospective process. Also, when editing work sections a pre-edit question facility will make the whole process simpler and easier to use. And if the project does not have a requirement for external lighting or extra low voltage, for example, these clauses can be removed prior to editing the document.
In all cases, once the required clauses and options for the project have been selected, the software should automatically compile the specification, building on the template that has already been created.

As we noted at the beginning of this article, there is a growing demand to share information between members of a project team, and very often they will not be using the same software. So the ability to export specification information in common formats, such as PDF, goes a long way to easing communication.

For all of these reasons, it makes sound business sense to evaluate any software products you're thinking of investing in very carefully. Those that add value to the engineering function will not only help you improve your service to customers, they will also deliver a much faster return on investment.