It's not unusual for facility planners, architects, and engineers to think in
terms of "temporary space" when they think of modular buildings. For just this
reason, there is often a presupposed idea as to how and where modular
facilities fit into the overall scheme of things. Thus, below is an overview of
key advantages you can expect when planning facilities using modular
construction, one of the most efficient building methods available today.
Advantage 1: The Design Team
Modular building companies involved with this facet of the market have in-house
engineering capabilities, and/or they partner with consultants who are well
versed and experienced in all elements of traditional and modular construction
methods. Architectural, structural, mechanical, and electrical disciplines are
in place to ensure your project meets all the necessary design criteria.
This formation of a design team means that you, as the buyer, have access to a
fully developed design, through a single source-the modular builder. This can
be extremely important during the initial stages, where precise communication
and coordination are crucial.
Advantage 2: Methods & Materials
Whether you choose a simple wood framed building design, or a multi-story steel
and concrete non-combustible building or addition, you can expect to receive
the permanence, performance and life expectancy of a building constructed using
traditional means.
Each building is designed and constructed to meet the rigors of handling, from
loading and transporting down the road, to offloading and setting with a crane
at the site. This means that these building modules have inherent strength not
necessarily found in conventionally built structures.
Architectural finishes, electrical, heating, ventilating and plumbing systems
that may be specified in a site built application, may all be incorporated into
your modular building.
Advantage 3: Time
There simply is no other type of construction that gives you so many
opportunities to start and finish a project so 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.
Because modular construction takes place at the builder's site and not yours,
school sessions, for example, can often remain completely undisturbed by
construction. This offers not only the benefit of the compressed scheduling,
but also less worry about security and the safety around a construction site.
Advantage 4: Flexibility
With permanent modular construction, you are able to get what you want-from
layout to finishes, features and systems. Expansion can be simple, by adding
more modules, and although intended to be permanent, modules of steel and
concrete can still be moved if the need arises. This feature is built in, and
though it may not be the motivator for the purchase, is certainly helpful.
Advantage 5: Quality Assurance
Modular builders have quality assurance programs in place to guarantee that
production standards, methods, and materials have continuity. In-house
inspections ensure that each building is constructed in complete accordance
with the design drawings.
Most states require that the building manufacturer have an approved quality
assurance program, and that it is monitored by an accredited third-party
agency. These third-party agencies make inspections on both the modular
builder's plant and the building under construction. Where a third-party agency
is not a local requirement, building department officials and/or certifying
engineers typically assume the same inspection role.
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