offsite construction
Repair v Replace
Gary Danson, operations director at specialist repairs firm, Plastic Surgeon, discusses the rise of modular construction and how repair can help the healthcare industry
A
modular approach to construction is becoming increasingly common across
the healthcare industry. There are many reasons for this. But one of the primary drivers is sustainability. Contractors are increasingly obliged to take this into account when delivering projects, something that’s driven by Government expectation and amplified public scrutiny.
And for those operating in the public sector – such as with government- funded healthcare projects – a sustainable approach is all the more important as they’re expected to lead the way in promoting environmentally- friendly ways of working.
Energy savings
The construction industry is one of the largest consumers of raw materials, and a huge contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, so it’s no surprise that its sustainability is under increasing evaluation.
The modular approach, where building components are created and turned into modules within a factory setting before being transported to site, provides a greener way of working. This is because prefabricated materials tend to use a lot less energy in their creation as well as allowing for fewer mistakes, thanks to the controlled environment in which they’re constructed. Another element for the popularity of prefabrication relates to material longevity.
Regulations relating to the lifespan of buildings are starting to be enforced, with those surpassing the limit – 50 years according to the EU, for example – needing to be removed. Pre-fabricated materials are easier to
retrieve and re-use in this instance, so, in that regard, the industry is planning for a more-sustainable future. The speed of construction is also
greatly enhanced, while disruption to nearby business, residents and, with healthcare in mind, patients, is minimised.
Speeding up
So, with the modular approach well established, how does repair fit into this? Given that the modular approach often sees construction occur in factories that are potentially hundreds of miles away from the eventual site; it’s no simple process to simply rip out an item and replace it. A much-more-sustainable and cost-
effective approach would see a repair specialist called in to fix any damage. And, despite contractors taking care
to protect modules en route to their destination; damage can often occur in transit regardless, meaning a repair specialist is the most-effective alternative to replacement.
A flexible option
Thanks to the flexibility of repair, it also helps to ensure projects stick to the anticipated timeframe and meet the requisite deadlines.
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