Poor design specifications

Before selecting or sizing a specific control device, a careful evaluation of all aspects of the process and contaminants must be made. Improper terminology can lead to poor design and/or operation of any type of device. A list of contaminant definitions in accordance with the USA Standards Institute includes the following. 

Poor condenser performance is ultimately reflected in the need for higher boiler firing rates, and thus higher fuel costs. Where condenser performance falls below the design specification, there are several checks that can be made, including ... 

Software can be poorly designed data format specifications are perhaps incompatible, intermediate results are inaccessible, all data are lost if an input error is committed, or results and data are not transferable to other programs. The division into tasks (modules, menu positions) might reflect not human but computer logic, and the sequence of entries the user is forced to follow might include unnecessary or redundant steps. 

Today, clinical trials must adhere to nationally and internationally agreed codes of good clinical practice, which define ethical and scientific standards. Good clinical trial design and conduct should apply scientific methods. Skilful analysis can never correct for poor design. The purpose of the trial should be defined and specific hypotheses stated in the written study protocol, which will also include details of how the trial will be conducted. Errors in the data have two components, purely random errors and systemic errors or bias, which are not a consequence of chance alone. Randomisation of subjects is important both to avoid observer bias and to prevent or minimise the influence of unknown factors that might influence the results. 

In the same way that it was recognised that a poorly designed induction hopper would not reduce the risks of operator and environmental contamination (see p. 49) and that a standard relating to system specification and performance was needed (Garnett, 1993) a standard relating to closed-transfer systems for liquid plant protection products has also been produced (Anon., 1996b). This follows the same format as the standard relating to induction hoppers and indicates that in order to comply with the standard, a closed-transfer system must... 

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