Static Equipment

Industrial Equipment Platforms and Ladders Design & Engineering

A case study showcasing 3D modeling and engineering documentation for industrial access platforms, ladders, handrails, and structural assemblies.

Design and Development Support

📍 USA ◷ 4 Weeks ♙ 1 Design Engineer ▣ Static Equipment

Project Overview

Milestone PLM was engaged to deliver comprehensive 3D modeling and engineering documentation for static equipment access platforms and ladders in an industrial plant. The project involved developing detailed platform and ladder models, structural layouts, handrails, support members, and associated connections, along with general arrangement and fabrication drawings. Working within project schedules and evolving design requirements, the engineering scope focused on ensuring accurate equipment integration, safe access for operation and maintenance, and fabrication-ready documentation to support efficient construction and installation.

The Challenge

What Made This Project Complex

Developing access platforms and ladders for static equipment in an industrial plant presented several engineering challenges, as the structures needed to integrate accurately with vessel geometry, nozzles, and surrounding equipment while providing safe access for operation and maintenance. The project required careful planning of structural layouts, support arrangements, handrails, and connections, along with continuous coordination of 3D models and engineering drawings to accommodate design changes and meet project requirements.

01 Understanding the project scope, client requirements, and applicable engineering standards for platforms and ladders.

02 Developing platform and ladder layouts around static equipment while maintaining adequate access and clearances.

03 Identifying suitable structural sections, support members, brackets, and connection details.

04 Resolving clashes between structural components, equipment nozzles, piping, and other obstructions.

05 Designing handrails, ladder arrangements, platform supports, and access openings to suit equipment geometry.

06 Incorporating design revisions and coordinating updates across 3D models, general arrangement drawings, and fabrication drawings.

07 Ensuring dimensional accuracy, structural detailing, and compliance with applicable project standards.

Our Approach

How Milestone PLM delivered

Milestone acted as an extended engineering team, providing comprehensive 3D modeling, structural detailing, and engineering documentation support for the development of static equipment platforms and ladders. A dedicated team consisting of Design Engineer was assigned to the project to deliver:

Key Deliverables

Delivered coordinated 3D access design for a tall process column, improving visibility of equipment interfaces and access arrangements before fabrication.
Developed integrated access structures to support equipment inspection, operation, and maintenance across multiple elevations.
Incorporated revised project requirements into the 3D models and engineering drawings, maintaining consistency across design deliverables.
Identified and addressed interferences between access structures, equipment nozzles, piping, and surrounding components during 3D model development.
Prepared coordinated GA and fabrication drawings to provide clear structural details, dimensions, and connection information for manufacturing.
Considered applicable OSHA requirements, PIP engineering practices, and client specifications to support safe access and standards-based engineering.

Delivery Process

How we structured the work

Project Assessment and Design Planning

Reviewed the client-provided equipment drawings, project specifications, and existing 3D models to understand the project scope and design requirements. Evaluated equipment geometry, access requirements, and potential interferences with nozzles, piping, and surrounding structures. Identified applicable OSHA requirements, PIP engineering practices, and client standards before establishing platform and ladder layouts based on equipment accessibility and project needs.

3D Modeling and Design Development

Developed detailed 3D CAD models of platforms, ladders, handrails, structural members, and support arrangements. Integrated the platform and ladder assemblies with static equipment and surrounding structures to ensure proper fit and accessibility. Conducted 3D model reviews and clash detection to identify and resolve design interferences. Incorporated client feedback and engineering revisions to refine the structural layouts and access arrangements.

Engineering Documentation and Detailing

Prepared general arrangement (GA) drawings, platform plans, and elevation views to communicate the overall structural layout. Developed detailed structural drawings covering support members, brackets, clips, and connection arrangements. Generated fabrication drawings with the required dimensions and detailing to support manufacturing. Updated the 3D models and engineering drawings to maintain consistency with approved design revisions and client requirements.

Glimpse of Work