Traditional Construction Inefficiencies and Wastefulness - Causes and Factors
- Change Order - Significant rework, materials, time and labor waste can occur when a change order is accepted after the requisite work has been completed. Change order is a frequent occurrence especially on larger projects where there are several independent contractors working together under the management of a general contractor, and the architect. Both work for the client. Frequent change orders due to "unexpected findings" can severely increase the cost of a construction project.
- Inclement Weather - Can often cause project delays and temporary work stoppage.
- Material shortage - Can sometimes occur and cause delays and temporary work stoppage due to construction management inefficiencies.
Modular construction method offers many alternatives to traditional construction; modular construction process takes place in a factory controlled environment where building modules are manufactured using lean construction methods. The module is constructed in a sequential manner with strict quality controls where each team is responsible for its own part of the job. When a team tasked with a certain element of building a module, it carefully inspects all the work that has been previously completed. If an error, or a problem is detected, a building module gets sent back to the previous station, which has to correct the error or a problem it is responsible for.
There is no rain or snow, or inclement weather conditions on a factory floor, this helps ensure continuous work flow without delays. While building modules are being constructed, the off-site preparation work can take place, which helps safe time.
Advantages of Modular Buildings vs. Traditional Construction
Imagine working on a construction project in a tight space in a high traffic downtown area. With the traditional construction method, such a project can take a very long time to complete, and cause significant disruptions including traffic jams, and disrupted commerce in the area. With modular construction method, building modules can be prefabricated in a factory setting, and delivered to a work site just in time for the installation. This helps save times, and avoid unnecessary disruptions in the community near the work site.
While it may be difficult to measure direct losses to the community from traffic jams, and commerce disruptions, it is easy to see the benefit of having a way to minimize these. For instance, Triumph Modular, a commercial general construction company based not far from Boston Massachusetts, delivers quality constructed commercial modular buildings on time and on a budget, with minimum disruptions, high construction efficiency, and free of materials and labor wastefulness.
Building Green in a Highly Efficient Manner
Modular Buildings can be build with green features including high efficiency plumbing and HVAC systems, Eco-friendly materials can be used for health and well being of the occupants, clean air, healthy and energy efficient lighting systems, and energy and water saving systems. All of these can be implemented into the design and construction of modular buildings. In addition, to traditional green building elements, renewable energy systems such as geothermal heating and cooling and photovoltaic solar panels can be incorporated in the overall building design.
LEED Credits and Benefits to Building Occupants
Permanent modular buildings can be designed and constructed to meet the U.S Green Building Council, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) credits awarded for practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions.
In Closure:
Consider the benefits for kids learning in buildings providing healthy learning environments with plentiful natural lighting, and indoor air quality solutions. Triumph Modular Building Corporation provides custom green modular classrooms for public, private and charter schools. In short, modular construction is a sustainable way to build, which benefits our kids, office building occupants, environment, and the economy.
