Businesses undertake many projects involving building facilities, upgrading infrastructure, and constructing processing plants.
Doing any of the above means dealing with risks that must be mitigated. Scheduling tie-ups, equipment installation issues, increased costs, and equipment breakdowns are among the potential problems organizations may face while working on their industrial projects.
Businesses rely on various methods to improve a project’s result, and one of them is using skid fabricators. Packaged skid systems integrate pumps, piping, instrumentation, controls, valves, and other essential components into a single prefabricated unit that is assembled and tested before arriving on-site. This approach simplifies project execution while helping organizations reduce many of the risks associated with traditional construction methods.
Here are five primary ways that skid fabricators help businesses to reduce project risks.
1. Better Quality Through Controlled Fabrication
Inconsistent quality of equipment manufacturing and installation is one of the key sources of risk during industrial projects.
Traditional construction in the field is affected by many unpredictable factors that may affect the final quality, such as bad weather and limited space. Being at the mercy of these factors can put businesses at a disadvantage. One such problem is possibly delaying portions of the project until better conditions materialize.
Skid fabrication helps organizations reduce the impact of these factors because the majority of manufacturing occurs in the factory, not in the field.
Manufacturing systems in the factory help maintain high-quality standards throughout the production process. This increases the probability of receiving equipment of good quality, free of defects that could cause problems for the project.
For organizations that invest significant sums in their infrastructure projects, this means lower risk profiles.
2. Reduction of Project Slippage
Missed deadlines are very costly and may lead to higher labor costs, production delays, revenue losses, and disruptions to contractual commitments.
Packaged skids can reduce the risk of consequences from missed deadlines. While site preparations and foundation work are done in the field, skid systems can be fabricated and tested in the factory.
Since most of the work is done before the equipment arrives at the project site, installation usually takes less time than with traditionally constructed systems.
3. Reduction of Field Construction Risk Factors
Construction sites introduce significant variability into projects. Safety issues, weather conditions, manpower shortages, and other factors may negatively affect project performance. The more work that is performed in the field, the greater the project’s risks.
Skid systems reduce risks by bringing preassembled equipment that is mostly ready for installation to the project site. This reduces the following:
- Fabrication activities in the field
- Welding activities
- Assembly of equipment
- Modifications of equipment
- Coordination of the contractor’s activities
By reducing the number of field construction activities, organizations can decrease risks. Besides, a shorter installation period increases site safety by reducing the time people work in potentially dangerous environments.
4. System Integration Simplification
One of the most challenging aspects of industrial projects is system integration. If equipment is supplied by multiple suppliers, there may be various compatibility issues. Differences in controls, instrumentation, piping configuration, communication protocol, and more require additional engineering efforts.
By using skid systems, organizations can reduce this risk, as everything is installed and ready for use in a single package.
Addressing system integration needs in advance can help organizations avoid additional trouble and reduce the risk of operational system problems.
5. Early Identification of Problems
One of the main advantages of working with skid fabricators is the ability to identify and resolve problems before the equipment arrives at the project site.
Factory acceptance testing is a widely used practice for inspecting, testing, and evaluating systems before their delivery to the project site. During this procedure, manufacturers can check the following:
- Mechanical performance of the system
- Functionality of the control system
- Accuracy of instrumentation
- Correct operation of the safety system
- General readiness of the system
Early detection of manufacturing problems is much cheaper than detection in the field.
Skid packages are becoming increasingly popular because they reduce risk and improve project outcomes.
For organizations that need to fast-track project completion, reduce costs, and increase operational reliability, partnering with skilled packaged skid fabricators can deliver additional strategic and operational benefits.
By reducing uncertainties in the project life cycle, organizations can focus on their development, innovation, and success.
