Building sites in the UK have changed over the last decade, and the methods used in construction have changed. The use of digital tools has proliferated. More components are made offsite and shipped to the site. Bricklaying has decreased. With each of these changes, new techniques have introducedconsiderable improvements to the construction process by increasing safety and speed of construction. Understanding these processes and their effects on construction is very important for anyone involved in the field.
What processes fall under this umbrella?
These processes vary from using completely offsite manufactured components to smaller processes like using a prefabricated staircase in a traditional construction process. Other processes may incorporate pre-cut and factory-made components into a traditionally constructed building.
Common processes include the use of light gauge steel, volumetric modules, panelised systems and SIPs (Structural Insulated Panels). The use of these processes moves the part of construction that takes place onsite to an indoor, controlled environment. Making the construction process more weather dependent is the main goal of these processes.
Why the industry is moving this way
There are numerous reasons why the UK construction industry is moving towards offsite construction. The construction industry in the UK has a well documented skills shortage. Offsite construction allows a smaller team to deliver a larger output. The UK government has set targets for construction, and many believe that using offsite construction, the targets could be achieved quicker. Traditionally, components of a building would be manufactured after the groundworks were complete. Offsite construction allows components to be manufactured while the groundworks are ongoing and therefore reduces the time it takes to build a home.
Offsite construction also allows greater consistency and higher quality. Construction equipment allows for greater precision and tolerances than most building trades. Using offsite construction, defects are far less than traditional construction. Fewer defects lead to greater client satisfaction and a better reputation for the firms involved.
Using offsite construction reduces the impact on the environment. Because all of the cutting of materials occurs at the factory, waste can be better controlled and recycled. Transportation to the site causes less congestion and pollution. Tight urban sites lend themselves well to offsite construction.
Using modern technology and design
New methods of construction call for new and better data. New design and collaboration tools enabled by building information modelling (BIM) help find hidden conflicts on site.
Survey drones help monitor project progress and evaluate finished work, and laser scanning can help compare finished work with design. Sensors help monitor and manage projects in ways that paper drawings never could.
Health and Safety Benefits
The use of an off-site factory helps reduce many health and safety risks such as working at heights and lifting heavy materials, especially if the work is being done in adverse conditions. Workers can be b busy lifting and moving workpieces as opposed to doing repetitive work at height.
On-Site Changes
Factory-based construction gives many advantages such as being able to work in better conditions and being able to complete work in less time. A prefabricated piece can be lifted to its place by a crane in a few minutes as opposed to taking many people a few days to complete the work.
Still unsolved Challenges
None of this comes easy. There is a risk of becoming too reliant on production lines, and producing work for an order book with gaps can be a challenge. Transportation can be a challenge as large modules need a specific route to be able to reach their destination. Some design work needs to be finalised earlier as changes can be disruptive once work has started.
There are skill considerations, too. Offsite production creates new roles in factory management, digital design and precision assembly, and the industry needs to train for these. The traditional trades remain important, and many projects will continue to combine factory-made components with more traditional construction for a number of years.
What this means for the sector
For contractors, the challenge is to maintain an open mind rather than be too reactive. Introducing new methods can be staged. One element at a time can be introduced, for example, the use of prefabricated roof cassettes or pre-made wall panels. In the early stages of projects, the most beneficial conversations happen between designers, manufacturers and site staff. It is at this point that the most important decisions are made which impact the build.
For clients and the general public, the opportunity is to have built environments that are delivered faster, and offer better quality and less disruption to surrounding areas. There are a range of projects that clearly demonstrate the use of innovative technologies and new ways of working, and this should offer confidence to all stakeholders involved in the construction process.
Looking ahead
It is likely that the use of technologies and methods of construction that integrate new ways of building with processes akin to modern manufacturing will become the new normal.
