Site Plans and Maps

One of the most important aspects of our work is to ensure that all of the relevant information is presented on a detailed Site Plan.

We usually collate this information in AutoCad® in a series of overlying layers added to a purchased O.S. or other appropriate base map. These layers can be switched on and off to show specific features and spatial relationships between particular items of interest.

We use this to create pdfs of site plans for our reports.  We also provide our clients with the final .dwg file which contains all the available information and can be used and updated as the site changes.

  • Main buildings
  • Sheds, huts and temporary structures
  • External storage tanks, bunds and vessels, pumps and pipework
  • Working drain systems and associated manholes.

The information on a typical site plan for a chemical factory usually includes:

If any of this information is missing, or incomplete, we do our best to acquire it. For example, we have spent many happy hours on site working with site staff to trace the routes of drains and other pipework including discharging and following firewater or fluorescent dyed water through a drainage system.

Depending on the project, extra information may also need to be added to the main site plan, including:

  • Buried and overhead services and equipment, such as electricity, gas, telecoms, fibre optic cables, security cameras and alarm cabling
  • Buried and overhead pipework such as townswater, fuel oil, chemical pipework
  • Gullies, sumps and grates leading to surface water or effluent drains
  • Sumps and catch-pits not connected to drainage systems (e.g. at tanker offloading areas)
  • Storage tanks, vessels, pumps and pipework inside buildings
  • Buried storage tanks
  • Ancillary equipment such as air compressors, welding equipment, etc.
  • Areas of open land and their types, e.g. vegetation, gravel, coarse gravel, etc.
  • Areas of sealed land and their types, e.g. concrete, tarmac
  • Spot heights and contours
  • Land slope direction markers
  • Soil and geology information, e.g. faulting, surface geology or soil type
  • Soil, groundwater and surface water sampling locations
  • Direction of groundwater flow
  • Information on surrounding environment e.g. location of neighbouring streams including direction of flow, any vulnerable open land which the site could affect.

Site plans and smaller scale maps covering a larger area are also a very useful way to display the results of modelling, such as:

  • Overpressure radii from theoretical explosions (Vapour Cloud Explosions, Tank Headspace Explosions)
  • Radiant heat limits from theoretical pool fires or BLEVE
  • Extent, location and dimensions of predicted overflows to land or to nearby waters, or offsite via roadways
  • Location of potential releases to open land, and potential groundwater plumes.

If you need help with Environmental Site Plans, contact Janet on 01422 24 22 22 or email Janet.