Control Room Design Services
Control room design for new construction and retrofit projects. Our complete solution includes designing for SCADA and DCS requirements, on-site consulting, and training.
Creating rooms that limit disruptions and distractions to keep operators alert is our goal. Control room consoles improve productivity (efficiency) and minimize risk (efficiency PLUS accuracy). Control room designs create a working environment that provides high quality of life for operators, which in turn keeps everyone safe while producing high performance and low turnover for their companies. The proven design process decreases project timelines by defining the true scope of the facility and eliminating costly and timely construction change orders and setbacks.
Control Room Requirements
SCADA & DCS Specialty Applications
Designing a control room is far more than room layout. Command Watch designs over 100 critical elements that directly impact distractions and performance.
On Site Consulting
Field Experts For Every Industry
At Command Watch, we spend a significant amount of time on site with our clients. It is important for us to have a full understanding of what works well and what actually needs to be improved.
Training & Resources
Study Based Results
We realize that not everyone is ready for or in need of a complete Control Room Design overhaul. With that in mind we have created a proprietary training tool called the CR Toolbox.
Control Room Services
Observation & Analysis
Past, Present And Future Intentions For The Control Room
Further quantify observations through operator interviews as well as studies regarding that past, present, and future intentions for the control room in question. This information is combined with our own custom-developed listing of 100 critical elements that must function properly in control room environments. Completion of this analysis creates a very comprehensive picture of the needs of a specific control room.
Control Room Design
Industry Standards And Best Practices
Findings are submitted in a report containing an organized breakdown of all observations, as well as a comparison to Industry Standards and Best Practices. Design recommendations are included in the report, as well as data and projections to support the assumptions of the design. Final designs take into account current needs as well as possible growth or changes in the foreseeable future.
How Does Your Control Room Measure Up?
Fatigue Mitigation
Most problems in a control room are either caused by or at least impacted by fatigue. Identifying the root causes is the first step in mitigating fatigue in your control room. Command Watch has a proven track record of helping control rooms reduce fatigue problems.
Range Of Services
The design process can be leveraged at many stages of renovation, and our individual services can also be utilized as needed for specific applications. We can offer many services including:
- Conceptual Design
- Detailed Design
- Audit/Gap Analysis
- Fatigue Mitigation
- Site Evaluation Study
- Project Coordination
- Client Representation
How Do These Standards And Practices Help Minimize Potential Accidents And Disasters?
- Best Practices definition: professional procedures that are accepted
or prescribed as being correct or most effective. - Industry Standards definition: is the generally accepted requirements
followed by the members of an industry.
Control Room Objectives
Improved Results
Properly designed and functioning control rooms provide increased efficiency and operator accuracy, resulting in lower operating costs and a safe working environment both inside and outside of the control room. These results show themselves both in terms of cost savings and in improved morale and reduced turnover and training.
Increased Safety
Safety is everyone’s number one objective in the control room, but safety concerns aren’t always clear. Spotting early issues before they become dangerous situations protects personnel, equipment, and productivity. By communicating clearly and staying focused, any control room can ensure the safety of operators, visitors, contractors and the general public.
Smarter Building
A well-designed control room is not by definition expensive to build. In fact, a room designed for a specific use rather than to a general standard will avoid unnecessary expense. Additionally, a flexible design which allows for future changes and expansion will typically result in reduced build costs over the long term.
Protecting Investment
Large SCADA and DCS investments can be placed in jeopardy if the human element is not performing adequately. While most installations function without incident over 99% of the time, unplanned events do arise, and this is when people, equipment, and facilities are in the most jeopardy. By preventing damage, injury, and downtime, investments in a proper control room see a return in just a few moments.
Better HR Outcomes
The best environments will help to attract and retain top performing operators, reducing costs associated with administration, hiring, and training. Employee longevity also enhances company culture and morale, creating an environment where top talent in all areas of operation will desire to work.
Control Room Experience
Control room design requires a very special understanding of the unique environment of the control room and the elements that can impact operators/controllers.
Designing For The Work Environment
Requirements for control room design requires a very special understanding of the unique environment of the control room and the elements that can impact operators/controllers. Knowledge of how space, lighting, acoustics, technology, fatigue mitigation, operator interactions, efficient workflow, architecture etc… all work within a specific set of tasks is critical. Our experience with over 400 control rooms positions Inracks as a leader in this highly specialized design process.
Crisis Preparation
Most control rooms function fairly well under normal circumstances, and the need for specialized design is not always apparent. But in crisis mode, operators must be highly aware in their observations, accurate in their responses and control rooms must operate at the most efficient level possible. These times are when indecision, poor decisions, miscommunication or missed information can have catastrophic results. To achieve this accuracy and efficiency, we begin with the ISO 11064 control room design standard as a starting point. Through observation, application of best practices and industry standards, and our own design methodology, we develop a unique solution for every control room. We take into account the current operation of your control room, including past and future needs, as well as technological changes on the horizon.
Observation Method
Often revealing poor structures, observation methods and habits that do not seem harmful on an everyday basis, but can lead to serious consequences if a problem arises. In order to best understand your needs, our team will spend days and nights observing your current operation, individually interviewing all operators, supervisors and anyone else that directly impacts the control room. We conduct time and motion studies to measure fatigue-causing events, and capture current room conditions, including lighting, noise, traffic, and interruptions.
Data Collection
Command Watch methodology combines our comprehensive data collection process and vast experience with input from your team to ensure that all needs are represented. Everyone that works within or supports the control room is given an opportunity for input and buy-in to the decisions being made. The result is the best design possible for your control room, and a working environment over which people feel a sense of pride, ownership and commitment.
The Worlds Largest Companies Trust Command Watch
AGL Resources
Air Liquide
Alabama Power
Alagasco
Appalachian EMC
BASF
Bowen Plant (Georgia Power)
C-Spire
Cameron LNG
Carroll EMC
CellSouth
Chevron – Belle Chasse
Chevron City of Hamilton
Cobb EMC
Colonial Pipeline
Columbia Gas
Consumers Energy
Cowlitz PUD
Cristal
Cumberland Electric
Dakota Electric
Duke Energy
Duke Power
Emerson Control Systems
Enbridge Energy Transfer
Entergy
Entergy Generation Plant
(Montz, Louisiana)
Enterprise Products
EQT
Evonik
ExxonMobile-Angola
Freeport LNG
GE Energy
Gorgas Plant (Alabama Power)
Hexcel
Honeywell Control Systems
Husky
Integrys
Invista Jackson EMC
Jasper Wireless
Lee County Electric
MassPort Metro Water
Microsoft
Mirant Canal Generation Plant
Momentive Specialty Chemicals
Nicor
Nisource
Norbord
OneOK
Petrobras
Port of Vancouver
SCANA Energy
Scherer Plant (Georgia Power)
Solvay
Southwest Airlines
TECO
Texas Health Resources
TransCanada-Calgary
TransCanada-Houston
TRONOX
Truckee Meadows Water Treatment
United Water
URC
US Marshall Service
Vectren Electric
Vectren Pipeline
Westar Energy Generation Plant
White Sands Missile Range
Williams Companies
Xcel
