MS-Access Project Database for HVAC Equipment

[nans]

Hi

I work as a HVAC engineer. This question is not directly related to HVAC but to an engineering process.

Let me ask if any of you have used a MS-ACCESS application which helps different disciplines (Electrical, Instrumentation, Structural …..) to enter and share equipment data.

I feel this helps a lot in project co-ordination

Please let me know …..nkumar6969@hotmail.com

 

[jherbert]

hi,

1) Would be a great for simple model numbers,
but way too complex for all the necessary
engineering data in the simplest of projects.

The data sheet for one pump, that included
every detail that every team member would
need, would be vast. if every manufacturer
used pdf files it would be simpler to include
links to the necessary spec sheet.

2) One would need an army of folks typing
data, that may never be used and you need
to be checked.

3) Would need 'transactions' to prevent
data errors and designers changes.

4) have used DB for E&M BQ, not during
fliud design stage, where change is a way
of life.

my 2 cents.

cheers,

 

[FrancisL]

I don't agree with jherbert at all. It is entirely possible with Access. And I know several people who use Access for storing data about their plants in various ways.

 

[MintJulep]

Nans,

Your original post is very broad in scope.

There is obviously great potential advantage in having a common database that contains the collective knowledge of a project.

However, designing and maintaining such a database is a big job in and of itself.

It depends on the project.

If you are in charge of pumps, and I am in charge of pipes, I have no need to know what manufacturer pump you are using, whose motor is turning it, what the impeller material is.... All I care about is the flow rate and the size of the connections.

 

[nans]

Hi guys,

I understand that this is tough to maintain. Having worked with lots of engineers in various companies, there is always a “PUSH” sort of information transfer……
With this database system, I thought we could have a “PULL” information system, so every discipline can retrieve info as needed (Access can setup different views as necessary).

Trying to get a system going …..wanted a ‘Jump Start’ if someone had a similar one !!

 

[jherbert]

If you just want a database of existing plant,
that is simple, as francisL implies. It has
already been done, and several plant management
systems already exist.

The original question implied
using a db during the "design stage",
as I said, not likely.

FrancisL:
while anything is possible, it is not going
to work during design stage. It is the design
process, not db that will trip it up.

Unless, of course, someone will fund all the
necessary data entry clerk(s) for the engineers.
And even then, it would be just historial
recording. In real life, this is not going to
happen, too expensive.

cheers,

 

[FrancisL]

I disagree again, sorry jherbert. The systems that I know of are life cycle products, used during the design and then during commissioning and then during the life of the plant.
Of course they do not cover every little thing but they do cover a great deal. The big ones, like Cadcentre's Vantage are Oracle based, smaller ones are Access based.