THE MAGAZINE FOR THE DRAINAGE, WATER & WASTEWATER INDUSTRIES
EDITORS CHOICE
Polypipe Building Services’ white paper demonstrates clear advantages of prefabrication
Polypipe Building Services has released a white paper examining how prefabricated water management systems can address critical industry challenges, including the shortage of skilled labour and the demand for increased efficiencies.
The white paper presents the results of a rigorous research exercise, carefully designed to evaluate the overall efficiency of prefabricated HDPE drainage systems, compared to more traditional approaches. The findings demonstrate that these systems offer a 56% lower installed cost compared to on- site assembly of the same material and that there is more than a 150% difference between cast iron and prefabricated HDPE. The white paper presents a comprehensive case, helping project managers and construction procurement professionals improve their knowledge on the relative merits of different materials and drainage system installation methods.
Andy Cullum, UK managing director at Polypipe Building Services, says: "Our research demonstrates that prefabrication is not just an alternative approach – it's a strategic solution to
some of construction's most pressing challenges. The white paper reveals how prefabricated systems can reduce on-site installation time, decrease labour requirements, and improve project efficiency while guaranteeing the highest quality standards. We also know that this approach can enhance sustainability. With our Advantage Off-site Prefabrication Service there are minimal on-site fabrication and installation off- cuts, and any actual prefabrication waste is recycled efficiently at our factory.
"What makes the findings particularly valuable for construction professionals is the comprehensive analysis of real-world applications," adds Cullum. "We've examined every aspect of installation, from basic material costs to site logistics and testing, providing decision-makers with concrete data to support their specification choices."
The research exercise was conducted by industry expert John O'Reilly, formerly a senior director at major M&E contractor - Briggs & Forrester. The survey compared different drainage system materials and installation techniques and clearly measured the reductions in on-site installation time achieved with
prefabricated solutions.
The study presents a very full picture of the way that prefabrication leads to multiple benefits on-site. As well as lowering base material costs and shortening installation time, fewer induction and supervisory days were needed. Prefabrication positively impacts logistics time and enables just-in-time delivery, which in turn reduces storage requirements and site congestion. Tooling costs are lower, and an analysis of on-site testing revealed that prefabricated HDPE was less prone to leaks. Prefabrication also enables in- factory testing which provides another level of reassurance.
The white paper also explores how the adoption of prefabrication techniques can create significant benefits on top of on-site time and cost savings – if considered at the design stage of a project as part of a DfMA (Design for Manufacture and Assembly) approach. These benefits can include optimising the number of drainage and supply connections, maximising space utilisation and developing innovative solutions for confined spaces.
By adopting a broad view of the effects of prefabrication on the whole project lifecycle, this white paper offers unique insights into the relative merits of different approaches to water management systems in commercial construction projects. With offsite fabrication bringing huge reductions in onsite labour, helping to alleviate the problem of skills shortages, and dramatically reducing the number of trained installers required, the study clearly shows that prefabricated HDPE provides a highly cost- effective solution.
linkedin.com/company/draintrader May 2025 | 39
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