SYSTEM DESIGN

1. PURPOSE

1.1 To define the procedures used within the Company for control of the design of communications systems.

2. SCOPE

2.1 All design activities specifically required by the contract. This procedure does not include design activities undertaken for tender/ quotation purposes, however the process adopted for these activities is similar.

3. RESPONSIBILITY

3.1 The control and final efficacy of design is the responsibility of the Sales Director and Sales Department personnel, covered by the term "Designer" within this procedure. These personnel are trained and experienced in the design of communications systems.

4. POLICY

4.1 Design activities are undertaken by either the Sales Director or one of the Sales Managers.

4.2 The resultant design is then reviewed by one of the other Designers to ensure that the design output information complies with the contract requirements, and all design input.

4.3 Design output is also subject to review and approval by the Customer.

5. DESIGN CRITERIA

5.1 Where the design criteria are not provided as part of the Customer's contract documentation, the design is executed in accordance with the relevant external specifications e.g.

• BS6701
• Proprietary System Manufacturers Design Specifications.

5.2 Where items require interpretation (e.g. positioning, practicality, maintainability, etc.) they will be subject to review prior to design finalisation.

5.3 The design criteria are documented on the Design Plan for reference throughout the design process. The level of detail on the Design Plan will vary depending upon the type/ size of system, however it should include adequate detail to control the design process in accordance with the customer's requirements.

5.4 Any clarification of the criteria is also recorded with the design data to ensure a full file of all relevant information is available.

6. DESIGN INPUT

6.1 The Design Input items are documented on the Design Plan, and where ambiguity exists, will be clarified with the Customer and documented.

6.2 Design input may consist of:

• National/ International Codes of Practice,
• Customer supplied documents, drawings, specifications, samples,
• Statutory Regulations,
• previous similar designs,

6.3 This accumulation of design input information is reviewed by the Designer prior to commencing design process.

7. DESIGN PROGRAMME

7.1 The Designer, in conjunction with the Sales Director, decides on a design programme which defines the completion date.

7.2 Any amendments to the timescale are documented and agreed internally, and with the Customer if appropriate.

8. DESIGN PROCESS CONTROL

8.1 The process of translating design input into design output is primarily controlled by design review to ensure:-

• Alternative design concepts and items are considered.
• Each calculation has been correctly performed.
• Adherence to the contractual and statutory requirements.
• Identification of any potential problem aspects of the design.
• Suitability for the environmental and operating conditions of the designed item/ system.
• Compatibility with existing (or proposed) items or systems.
• Maintainability and accessibility of the designed item or system.

8.2 Working documents, such as calculations, notes, sketches, etc., are held with the design output.

8.3 Items considered during the design are documented.

9. DESIGN OUTPUT

9.1 Design output documentation is produced as agreed with the customer and is reviewed to ensure that it meets the design input, or appropriate criteria, and identifies all of the characteristics which are critical to the effective operation of the designed system.

9.2 The design output may include drawings, schematics, schedules, system specifications, system descriptions, etc.

9.3 Design output is reviewed and approved by one of the other Designers, and may also be approved by the Customer prior to use.

10. VERIFICATION

10.1 The majority of design activities are verified by the design review. All items considered during the reviews are recorded.

10.2 Where calculations can be reviewed or performed with a controlled computerised method this system of verification is used. The computer programmes utilised for design are propriety systems, updated with amendments to the design criteria under a maintenance contract with the producer.

10.3 A final verification of the design is always available during the inspection and test of the item or system designed, and the Designer should specify any inspections or tests which may verify the design by practical means at the earliest stage of system installation.

11. DESIGN CHANGES

11.1 All changes to the design criteria, input or output are subject to strict documentation control and are subject to review and verification by the Designer, and/ or the Customer, prior to incorporation within the design. These changes are documented.

11.2 Changes to the design are allocated with a date to ensure that the latest versions can always be identified.

12. DESIGN VALIDATION

12.1 As the design work is performed strictly in accordance with the customers instructions (normally another communications company), the Company can only validate that the design meets the customer's requirements.

12.2 Installed systems are inspected and tested to ensure compliance and customer satisfaction, the design is finally validated at this stage. Acceptability of the designed system is confirmed by the customer's acceptance.

12.3 Provided that the design is deemed to be acceptable by the customer, all future modifications and changes are processed in accordance with section 11 above.