What is Modular Building?
Modular building makes use of prefabricated components, including plumbing and electricity, that are assembled offsite into modules and then transported to the construction site. Here the modules are placed and connected to complete the building.
Combining high quality factory production efficiency with technologically proven building materials ensures a superior finished product that integrates seamlessly into the built environment.
This process results in an energy efficient and vastly more recyclable building.
Each module is designed and constructed to meet the rigors of handling, from loading and transporting, to offloading and rigging in position with a crane on the site. This means that these building modules have inherent strength not necessarily found in conventionally built structures.
There is simply no other type of construction that provides so many opportunities to start and finish a project as quickly. These compressed schedules are available because the building construction and the site work are done simultaneously, or in many cases, the building construction will actually precede the site development.
The Benefits of MODULAR BUILDING
Modular building offers multiple benefits.
Structurally, modular buildings are generally stronger than site-built construction because each module is engineered to independently withstand the rigors of transportation and craning onto foundations. Once together and sealed, the modules become one integrated wall, floor, and roof assembly. Building off-site in a controlled factory environment ensures better construction quality management. Manufacturing plants have stringent QA/QC programs with independent inspection and testing protocols that promote superior quality of construction every step of the way.
Beyond quality management and improved completion time, modular construction offers numerous other benefits to owners. Removing approximately 80% of the building construction activity from the site location significantly reduces site disruption, vehicular traffic, and improves overall safety and security. Highly active businesses such as those in the education and healthcare markets have need for reduced on-site activity and off-site construction eliminates a large part of ongoing construction hazards, ensuring a tremendous advantage when building new projects.
Lower Cost
The total construction cost, including the project timeline, labour productivity, building foundation, soundproofing of floors & walls, effective insulation, plumbing and electrical works, can be 20% lower than the cost of using traditional materials and building methods.
Flexibility
Modules can be easily adapted to your requirements and is completely scalable.
Increased Speed
Because modules are built off-site, external factors that slow down on-site construction do not play a role, vastly reducing construction time when compared with traditional construction.
Quality & Efficiency
Because modules are largely standardised for each project, failure costs are low, and few errors are made during any phase in the project. High quality and characteristics of the materials (galvanised steel) mean lower maintenance costs.
Improved Logistics
Logistical efficiency leads to less traffic movements and transport costs.
Environmentally friendly
Modular systems are created largely using steel frames. Steel is 100% recyclable and less concrete is used ensuring a light foundation. Better logistics reduces C02 emissions from transportation.
Easy Assembly
Modules are designed to fit together using numbered parts. All steel profiles are cold formed to exact specifications, and holes for pipes cables and wires are pre-drilled, ensuring parts fit only one way during assembly. This means there is less need for skilled or experienced employees.
The labour is less physically intensive than in traditional construction making it more attractive to the labour force which leads to numerous benefits.
Infinite Design possibilities
Almost any building shape or form is possible using the modular building system, and the finishes in terms of façades and interiors are virtually infinite. Design and application of materials are also easily adjustable making the concept future-proof.