Reducing Risk when Specifying Building and Industrial Services Pipework

This free online CPD course from BESA Academy is presented by TATA and provides essential guidance on how to correctly specify pipework for building and industrial services projects. The course reviews application and installation case studies to identify best practice and explores new innovations such as BIM and the use of VR, which are having a positive impact on the industry.

This course is free of charge and CIBSE accredited for CPD. Download your certificate on completion.

What You Will Learn

This 50-minute course covers:

• How to correctly specify pipework for building and industrial services projects
• Key considerations for material selection, sizing, and system design
• Application and installation case studies demonstrating best practice
• Common specification errors and how to avoid them
• New innovations including Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Virtual Reality (VR)
• How digital tools are improving pipework design, coordination, and installation

Who Should Take This Course?

This course is suitable for building services designers and consultants responsible for pipework specification, mechanical engineers and specifiers selecting pipework systems, installers and contractors planning pipework installations, project managers overseeing building services projects, and anyone involved in the design, specification, or installation of pipework in commercial, industrial, or residential buildings.

Why Correct Pipework Specification Matters

Incorrect pipework specification can lead to system failures, leaks, corrosion, pressure problems, and costly remedial work. Choosing the right materials, understanding installation requirements, and designing systems that meet both performance and regulatory standards are essential to reducing risk and ensuring long-term reliability.

As the industry adopts new digital tools such as BIM and VR, understanding how these technologies support better design coordination and reduce on-site errors is becoming increasingly important.

The Benefits of This Course

Completing this course will help you:

• Specify pipework systems with greater confidence and accuracy
• Avoid common specification errors that lead to system failures
• Apply best practice from real-world case studies
• Understand how BIM and VR are improving pipework design and installation
• Reduce project risk and improve quality outcomes
• Earn CIBSE-accredited CPD to support your professional development

Course Format

Duration: 50 minutes
Format: 100% online, self-paced
Assessment: Knowledge check questions at the end of the course
Certification: CPD certificate available to download on completion
Accreditation: CIBSE accredited
Cost: Free of charge

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is correct pipework specification important in building services?
Correct pipework specification ensures that systems operate safely, efficiently, and reliably throughout their lifecycle. Poor specification can lead to leaks, corrosion, pressure problems, and expensive remedial work, which can affect both system performance and project costs.

What factors should be considered when specifying pipework systems?
Key considerations include pipe material selection, system pressure and temperature requirements, pipe sizing, corrosion resistance, installation conditions, and compliance with relevant standards and regulations.

How can incorrect pipework specification increase project risk?
Incorrect specification can lead to system failures, incompatibility with other components, poor hydraulic performance, and installation difficulties. Addressing these problems after installation can result in delays, additional costs, and operational disruptions.

How do BIM and digital tools improve pipework design?
Building Information Modelling (BIM) allows designers and contractors to visualise pipework systems within a coordinated digital model. This helps identify clashes, improve installation planning, and reduce errors before construction begins.

Who should take this course?
This course is suitable for building services designers, mechanical engineers, consultants, installers, contractors, and project managers involved in specifying, designing, or installing pipework systems in building and industrial services projects.

How long does the course take to complete?
The course takes approximately 50 minutes to complete. It is delivered online and can be taken at your own pace, allowing you to fit the training around your work schedule.

Is the course accredited for CPD?
Yes. This course is accredited by CIBSE for continuing professional development (CPD), helping professionals maintain and demonstrate their technical knowledge.

Will I receive a certificate after completing the course?
Yes. After successfully completing the course and the knowledge check questions, you will be able to download a CPD certificate confirming your participation.