Prefabricated building or prefabs are becoming more common now than ever. This method of construction is preferred due to its speed, cost efficiency, and reusability.
So, what is prefabricated building systems? Prefabricated building is a method of construction that uses components, such as walls, roof, and floor, that are produced in a factory or warehouse off-site. These prefabricated building materials can be fully or partially assembled in a factory, then transferred to the construction site.
Prefabricated buildings are commonly used as worker accommodation, temporary construction facilities, evacuation centers, office spaces, medical camps, schools, apartment blocks, and single-detached houses.
There are several reasons why prefabricated becoming increasingly popular all over the world. Check out 4 of them.
Read: 8 Modern Methods of Construction
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Why Prefabricated Building Popular
1. Efficient
The prefabrication method is more efficient than conventional on-site construction. This is because manufacturing through a production line is more controlled.
In this system, most buildings have repeating sections of walls, roofs, and floors, a manufacturing process can be developed by putting together a sequence of operations. These operations can be studied and improved making the manufacturing process more efficient.
2. Faster Construction
One of the best reasons why prefab construction is popular is speed. Prefabricated construction is faster since some of the activities can be done simultaneously.
This is an easy example. Site clearing and foundation construction need to be done before the actual construction of walls, roof, floors, and even finishing starts. With the prefabrication method, some of the building components can be manufactured off-site while on-site operations are ongoing.
3. Cost Efficiency
Using prefabrication gives a faster on-site construction, reduced risks, and consistent quality which ultimately results in savings. But aside from these, prefabricated buildings are cheaper because of the efficient utilization of raw materials and bulk production.
Prefabricated building components can be produced in a batch process or a production line. Both of these processes have a predetermined amount of raw material needed to produce a particular number of building components.
This minimizes raw material wastage. Bulk production, on the other hand, contributes to cost reduction since it is cheaper to produce in larger volumes. Lower supplier prices and reduced manpower and transportation costs by bulk ordering and production all turn into savings.
4. Ease Uncontrolled Factors
These uncontrolled factors are weather, pollution, and other site restrictions. Weather is one of the major causes of construction delays since it affects worker productivity and safety. Harsh weather also accelerates the wear and tear of equipment which causes their untimely failure.
Restricted work activities and equipment breakdown can halt the entire construction. Also, ambient site conditions, along with pollution, can decrease the quality of work. Concrete curing, painting, and welding are some of the processes that can be affected.
With prefabrication, these external factors can be minimized. Structural components can be fabricated under more controlled conditions without being affected by the external environment. Shop welding and precast concrete manufacturing are some of the methods that are minimally affected by uncontrolled factors.
Prefabricated Different From Modular?
Modular construction is often mixed up with prefab. Even though both of them has similarity and modular construction is under the category of prefabricated construction, they are not exactly the same.
Do take a note of this. All modular construction is prefab but not all prefab projects are modular, for modular usually known as prefab house and prefab building home. In modular construction, the entire sections of a project are built completely before being shipped to a site. This includes plumbing, electricity, and everything else needed for a functional unit.
This modular construction method requires the least amount of on-site work. It’s difficult to change course with any kind of prefab, but it’s especially important that a modular project is carefully planned out beforehand. So, there is not much wiggle room once a project is underway.
Prefabricated Definition
Prefab meaning is really simple. Prefabs are short for prefabricated which means made beforehand. As we explained before, a prefabricated is a method of construction that uses components, such as walls, roof, and floor, that are produced in a factory or warehouse off-site. These components can be easily shipped and put together to form a finished product.
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