ABSTRACT
This chapter describes some accidents which were the result of construction errors; in particular, they resulted from the failure of construction teams to follow the design in detail or to do well, in accordance with good engineering practice, what had been left to their discretion. The examples of construction errors which led to pipe failures (or near-failures) are taken from a larger review of the subject. Many of the failures occurred months or years after the construction errors. Some contractors, welding near the air inlet to a ventilation system, accidentally set fire to some insulation. Fumes were sucked into the building. The chapter suggests that errors by construction teams are best detected by detailed inspection during and after construction. The inspection of the plant during and after construction should therefore be carried out by the start-up team assisted by one or more members of the design team.
