CONSTRUCTION
Unlocking value in Modern Methods of Construction
Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) are increasingly discussed in the construction and healthcare engineering press, as well as referenced in government policymaking. Across the NHS estate, decision- makers must now consider incorporating MMC into all future projects. MMC can appear complex, with different approaches to choose from, and many considerations for design programmes. Here, Jaimie Johnston, director and head of Global Systems at Bryden Wood, a company of creative technologists, designers, architects, engineers, and analysts, discusses ‘why MMC is so relevant for healthcare, the range of options available, and what you need to know about incorporating MMC into new projects’.
Modern Methods of Construction (or ‘MMC’ for short) is an approach that seeks to improve the productivity, health and safety, sustainability, and quality, of construction projects, while reducing time and cost. MMC achieves these benefits by combining: n A manufacturing-like approach to the design and assembly of the physical components and assemblies that make up an asset (the focus of this article), with:
n A range of digital tools and workflows that improve outcomes across the whole project lifecycle, facilitating better stakeholder engagement, design, procurement, delivery, commissioning, and operation.
Driven by new government policy For several years, the UK government has been working on how to transform the construction sector and overcome chronically low productivity while reducing the sector’s huge contribution to carbon emissions. Most recently, the Construction Playbook (published by the Cabinet Office on 8 December last year), set out a series of policies to enable ‘better, greener, and faster’ delivery of infrastructure, supporting recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and building a resilient economy for the future. MMC is a central component, and is described in the publication as: ‘covering a range of offsite manufacturing and onsite techniques’. It goes on to say: ‘MMC provides alternatives to traditional methods, and has the potential to deliver significant improvements in productivity, efficiency, and quality for both the construction industry and public sector.’
Crucial to delivering to the HIP Specifically, MMC will be a crucial element in the design and delivery of the Health Infrastructure Plan due to the benefits outlined by Martin Rooney, National
38 Health Estate Journal March 2021 Medical + clinical spaces 44.6%
Figure 1: Data visualisation across the healthcare estate.
Other 55.4%
Estates Delivery lead for NHS England and NHS Improvement, in his letter to all NHS Trust directors of Estates in August 2020. In it, he said: “In addition to enabling a reduced on-site component assembly time, due to offsite factory production to a pre-agreed quality standard, MMC also reduces the size of onsite construction teams, disruption to site, health and safety risk, and post-completion defects. MMC can also help in overcoming a skills shortage in the construction industry, and should see a reduction in project time and cost, while improving safety and quality throughout the whole of an asset’s life.”
What this means for healthcare Healthcare facilities have some key features that will guide the appropriate application of MMC, and make it easier for Trusts to navigate the field and the range of options available, including: n Technically specific areas, e.g. theatres and imaging suites that have a greater
density of mechanical and electrical services (MEP) and equipment than is typically found in other parts of the public sector estate.
n A large variation in the density of MEP between the most intensely serviced areas, such as theatres, the less intensely served clinical areas, such as inpatient bedrooms, and non-clinical spaces, such as waiting rooms and circulation spaces.
n Continuous evolution of medical technology and clinical best practice, requiring future adaptability and flexibility.
n Use of standard room types (many of which have been pre-designed, e.g.P22 repeatable rooms), often with a high degree of repetition, such as in wards.
n Stringent requirements for response factor and vibration characteristics of structural slabs.
n Specific requirements for finishes as regards cleaning and infection control.
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