Plant documentation is the technical documentation of complex technical plants. Plant documentation is intended to centrally record all relevant documents and thus enable fast and efficient access to all important information.

Plant documentation is sometimes also called "as-built documentation". However, the latter refers to documentation of the actual as-built condition and not, for example, construction plans or dismantling documentation, as included in the plant documentation.

Plant documentation is therefore the prerequisite for the smooth and safe operation of the plants. Complete and transparent plant documentation is important for legal issues and protects companies as well as employees.

In order to ensure safe operation, plant documentation contains, among other documents, the following components:

• Plans and technical documentation of all individual machines and supplier components
• Information on construction and commissioning
• All involved approvals, test reports and certification documentation
• Wiring and loop diagrams
• Operating instructions of the plant and manuals

If the plant is a facility for handling substances hazardous to water, the correct system documentation is obligatory according to German regulations (§ 43 AwSV). According to this standard, plant documentation must contain the following information:

• Structure and delimitation of the plant
• Substances used
• Design and materials of the plant components
• Safety equipment and protective measures
• Firefighting water retention
• Structural stability
• In the case of plants subject to mandatory testing, also all the necessary documents, such as the suitability certificate, proof of usability by the building authorities and the last test report.

Plant documentation is as important as it is time-consuming, not only in its creation, but especially in the maintenance and updating of the many documents - which is why a professional IT solution including individual assistance is recommended for professional and complete technical documentation. Our Rösberg software for plant documentation LiveDOK offers companies from various industries a comprehensive solution including implementation and personal support.

In order to be well positioned in Industry 4.0, digitized plant documentation makes a lot of sense. Digitizing documents such as technical drawings or expert reports should be done whenever possible.

LiveDOK helps here by allowing documents that have already been scanned to be transferred into the software. Here the file format is irrelevant. The digitized documents can then be managed in LiveDOK's "ControlCenter". In the "LiveDOK Manager", the project managers have then control over modifications done to the documentation, as well as incoming and outgoing documents.

Digitized Plant Documentation with LiveDOK is not only managed by different project members, it is also implemented in different branches of industry. There are multiple areas of application for technical plant documentation, such as: 

1. Plant documentation in the chemical industry
2. Plant documentation in logistics
3. Plant documentation in manufacturing
4. Plant documentation in power plants
5. Plant documentation in the pharmaceutical industry

As-built documentation is also relevant in other areas of the process industry, including the oil and gas industry and facility construction.