What is Prefabrication?
Prefabrication, as the name implies, is the process of making buildings wherein the structural components are made at a location other than the job site. The components are transported to the location where they are assembled and installed. Then the project is handed over to the owners. This mode of construction produces much less waste compared to traditional construction since manufacturing happens offsite with only the assembling process left on the construction site. This also results in a significant reduction in labour cost and cost of materials.
What are its benefits?
Prefabrication has been gaining wide popularity over the last few years especially in commercial and industrial sectors. It is getting more and more relevant in different construction sectors with the passage of time due to its wide benefits. Let’s look at a few benefits below.
1. Use of technology in manufacturing
With the progress of technology, the construction industry has seamlessly integrated it in prefabrication and modularization. For instance, computer generated 3-D model of the buildings are created and the entire plan is drawn out before manufacturing begins. This helps in making the construction economical and eco-friendly. This addition of technology helps identify areas of the cost and material differences, which can reduce the total overall project cost.
2. Provides better safety and security for workers Security
One of the associated factors with the construction industry is potential injuries occurring to workers during the process of a building being erected. Also, there is additional arising from construction environment and harsh weather conditions. With prefabrication, this risk is minimised since the building materials are manufactured in a factory’s controlled environment. While there is a lot of precaution being taken these days, prefabrication surely gives an edge when it comes to safety and security of workers.
3. It is Cost-effective
The construction industry witnesses price increase of materials and other overhead costs on an annual basis, which makes profit margins lesser every year. While factors like changing weather conditions and daylight time causes delay in project completion, these factors add up to the cost. Prefabrication on the other hand is undeterred by changing weather construction. And being offsite, labour costs do not multiply as much. Therefore, prefabrication is cost-effective
4. Ensures accuracy and quality control
Machinery and other factory tools used in offsite construction needs minimal human intervention and therefore increases accuracy. Sub-assemblies in prefabrication are made in a controlled environment of the manufacturing unit. The process follows certain guidelines and the products go through a system of quality check. In onsite construction, workers at the site have skills of varying levels.
5. Can be disassembled and rebuilt
The greatest advantage of any prefabricated building it that it can be disassembled and re-built. So if there are multiple projects going on, workers accommodation can be disassembled and carried to another project location where it can be rebuilt. Besides, these are modular structures which can be easily expanded by adding more columns, roof and wall cladding.
6. It is time-saving
Prefabricated structures can be constructed upto 60 percent faster than traditional. This is because the entire process is pre engineered and made off site. All that remains for onsite work is assembly and installation. Prefab construction is not delayed by factors like changing weather conditions, labour shortage etc.
Prefabrication is a new age construction mechanism that is soaring in popularity. It increases productivity and ensures cost savings.
We at EPACK Prefab have been in this industry for 24 years, having worked for the most blue chip companies in India and abroad.
Also Read : Pre Engineered Buildings – A Revolution in Construction Technology!
