How Portable Buildings Are Revolutionising UK Construction Sites
As the construction industry faces multiple challenges from climate change to labour shortages and supply chain issues, modern methods of construction have never been so relevant and important to the future of the sector. Here’s a look at how modular and portable buildings are changing the face of construction.
What are portable and modular buildings?
Portable buildings are self contained and movable buildings that arrive on-site fully assembled. This is in contrast to modular buildings which arrive in separate units and are assembled on-site. Modular buildings can be extended and interconnected with multiple storeys or side-by side additions, and easily refurbished to suit different purposes.
In most cases, both types of building will arrive fully fitted with electrics, heating, plumbing and finishes such as flooring. They can also be relocated to another site with minimal cost and disruption, and can act as either a temporary or a permanent facility.
Reduced carbon footprint
Up to 90% of the construction process takes place off-site, resulting in fewer deliveries of materials and plant machinery and thus a far lower carbon footprint than conventional on-site construction. Modular construction also results in fewer wasted resources and less pollution from dust, noise, and extra congestion around the site.
Reduced health and safety risk
Traditional construction sites are highly dangerous places, no matter how many risk assessments take place. Off-site construction methods remove the most dangerous hazards of construction, such as working from height in bad weather.
Faster turnaround times
A modular or portable building can be ready for use in a matter of weeks, compared to months or even years for a conventional bricks and mortar building project. For sectors where time is of the essence, such as healthcare or education, this is a major advantage.
Energy efficiency
Modular and portable buildings once had a reputation for being draughty and poorly insulated, but this is no longer the case with modern methods of construction. They are constructed to the latest standards of quality and durability and can be fitted with extra energy conservation measures, such as solar panels.
Value for money
Prefabricated buildings cost far less to construct than bricks and mortar buildings. This makes them an ideal solution for sectors where budgets are usually under pressure, such as healthcare and education.
There is a far more accurate and predictable budget when it comes to installing a modular or portable building, because they are not subject to the same delays in deliveries, labour shortages or other disruptions such as bad weather.
A flexible solution to use of space
In some sectors a building may be required for a fixed amount of time before it is either relocated or sold on. For example, housebuilders may require a temporary building for use as a portable marketing suite while a bricks and mortar development is underway. When the project is finished, the portable building can then be relocated to another site.
In other sectors such as events, portable buildings can have multiple uses as security hubs, medical treatment points, storage facilities, or green rooms for press and artists.
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