MODULAR BUILD
buildings. Thin walls which allow noise to travel, poorly insulated walls which create cold, uncomfortable conditions, and bouncy floors, are all synonymous with what were once viewed as temporary structures, and perhaps that’s where the issue lies. Poor quality facilities built in the past still cast an unwelcome shadow over the progressive leaps made by quality offsite providers, but the reality is that the market has moved on. High-quality modular buildings are sophisticated, state-of-the-art products, designed to increasingly impressive specifications, individually tailored to meet specific needs, and proven to improve the patient experience. I’m hopeful that in 2021, NHS Trusts will have the opportunity to visit some of the exceptional modular facilities out in the healthcare sector, and to understand the true benefits of utilising the offsite construction option. I am confident that this would eliminate any concerns or preconceptions associated with poorer quality modular products.
Sustainability and future use The construction industry is considered among the least sustainable sectors in the world, with reports showing that ‘around half’ of all non-renewable resources consumed by mankind come from construction work. Modular facilities are an environmentally-friendly alternative,
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COVID-19 may have temporarily taken the focus away from sustainability and environmental considerations, but the issue isn’t going away
which should be a core consideration for NHS Trusts moving forward. We have already seen a surge in the number of requests from NHS Trusts looking for sustainable options as part of new-build facilities; a trend that will likely continue in 2021 and beyond, as the need to demonstrate social responsibility becomes a critical requirement for all sectors.
Historically, the improved sustainability options for buildings (for example photovoltaic panels, and alternate heat sources) are the first feature of a project to be removed when ‘value engineering’ is needed to meet budget requirements. Largely, this decision is made because ensuring the sustainability of a building can be quite expensive, and it doesn’t directly impact the patient experience. However, with UK and NHS sustainability targets now set in stone, this attitude needs to change.
COVID-19 may have temporarily taken the focus away from sustainability and environmental considerations, but the issue isn’t going away. As the UK moves closer to its carbon-neutral targets, NHS
Trusts will be driven to put considerable emphasis on the environmental impact of their agreed projects, and to collaborate with partners whose values align with this goal. Progressive modular building providers will help clients put sustainability at the forefront of their agenda, creating facilities that are reusable and relocatable. The offsite method also means that there is little work to be done to relocate modules, allowing hospitals to move and change buildings to suit the changing nature of patient needs, and, in turn, limiting the impact that such changes have on the environment.
Quality modules are produced to be recyclable and relocatable, and when moving units to a new site, only about 10 per cent of new materials would need to be re-provided, making them a viable and environmentally-friendly option. What’s more, it’s far simpler for modular providers to adopt sustainable methods than it is for traditional construction companies. Bespoke designs and controlled factory settings mean that the construction process can take place with fewer setbacks caused by external influences.
MAINTAINING A HEALTHY POWER SUPPLY
The UK health sector is a core market for us and we have developed a strong track record delivering HTM compliant projects for hospital trusts throughout the UK.
Working directly with the NHS and its framework providers, we design, supply, install and maintain diesel and natural gas standby generators to ensure reliable back-up power for both new and refurbishment projects.
To discuss your standby power solutions:
sales@dtgen.co.uk www.DTGen.co.uk Rugby & Glasgow
April 2021 Health Estate Journal 59
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