Posted by Prefabricated structures or buildings mean constructing a whole building or an assembly of its parts in an offsite area. It is then assembled to create a structure. Prefabrication has been around for many decades in forms like structural insulated panels, drywall systems, prefabricated reinforcement cages, and roof trusses.
This type of construction solves a variety of problems pertaining to crowded and dense urban environment construction areas. Usually, transportation of equipment and material in the site area and premises results in greater costs and prolonged timelines. The construction of prefab structures offers better provisions for planning, organizing, and producing building components in different places.
What Is the Construction of Prefabricated Structures and Buildings
Prefabricated buildings are structures, the parts of which are manufactured in a manufacturing plant or factory. This process imparts prefab construction projects more cost-efficiency. It lets the buildings get completed quickly. Prefabs can be produced from modules, but they need to adhere to the building codes as followed by permanent structures.
Before the installation of a prefab structure, the construction site is thoroughly examined. Care is taken to ensure that the site is up to the international state and local building codes. Upon the completion of the examination, modular companies get building occupancy and utility permits.
The construction of prefabricated structures in India is done by using cutting-edge modeling tools and processes. One of them is Building Information Modeling, which represents the features of the building digitally. It, in turn, leads to better management of assembly on the construction site and lowers prefab construction risks.
Prefabricated construction happens in two major steps. The prefabricated materials are produced in offsite facilities or units in the first step. In the second step, the structure is erected on the site using prefabricated materials.
What Are the Advantages of Prefab Buildings
The process of prefabrication removes the need for conventionally sourced construction materials. This is mainly because offsite assembled components cause less waste. Here are some key advantages of prefabricated structures.
1. Cost-effective
The construction domain encounters increased construction costs every year. It decreases profit margins with the passage of time. But prefabrication minimizes labour cost. In turn, it offsets the increased cost of materials. The building takes less time to assemble.
Also, there is less work to do when using prefabricated materials. A small team can complete a building project than a large team creating every piece by hand. Thus, it helps save money.
2. Faster turnaround time
Prefabrication is quicker than traditional construction. It’s because prefabricated units are produced in mass modules. Through these modules, components are quickly assembled on the site. The prefab components are also delivered in a few short weeks after the verification of the structure’s drawings.
Even if the site excavations are midway, the entire building can be made at another facility. You don’t need to wait for weeks for possible site delays. When the site is fully prepared, prefab structures are ready to set.
3. Incredibly rigid and sturdy
Prefabricated structures manufacturers construct prefab metal buildings from structural tresses with steel frames. The steel frames are incredibly sturdy, which imparts the durability and strength of the structure. These buildings can withstand even the most demanding application sectors. They are capable of enduring enormous weights.
The outstanding longevity of these buildings leads to stronger, safer, and eco-friendly construction.
4. Strict quality control
Prefab structures are constructed in a factory environment. This leads to better quality control than when structures are built on a construction site. Since the different components are manufactured offsite, it decreases the need for redoing or correcting work. The elimination of costly rework dramatically enhances construction schedules to up to several months.
Manufacturers of prefabricated structures in India can boost the construction process by leveraging integral sheathing. It offers better quality control and speed. Integral sheathing makes way for even thickness and size, thereby making quality control easier. It’s because now there are no issues regarding wrinkles, tears, or fish mouths.
5. Better safety
Construction is one of the most hazardous domains where people work. It’s why companies employ safety protocols and processes. Prefabrication brings with it minimal risk of moisture, dirt, and environmental hazards. This is because workers sub-assemblies in environments that are factory controlled.
A factory-controlled climate results in more safety than a project job site. There are also stringent factory processes that safeguard workers from getting injuries while working.
6. Sustainable construction
Prefabricated structures are eco-friendly compared to conventional structures. They don’t require more material which causes more wastage. Moreover, prefabrication leads to the reusing and recycling of materials compared to the waste produced by traditionally constructed buildings of their components.
Types of Prefabricated Structures in India
Prefabricated buildings are rapidly rising in popularity in India. Here are the most common types of prefab structures you can see.
1. Temporary prefabricated structure
Prefab structures are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. Prefabricated structures manufacturers produce such buildings in a panel fashion with materials such as glass, fiberglass, and polyvinyl chloride. These structures are extremely durable and low-maintenance. They have various applications, such as soundproofing for pumps, rescue gear and audio gear covering.
2. Quonset huts
The dome-shaped Quonset huts made of steel alloys are hugely popular. With their time-tested design, these structures are low-maintenance, affordable, and can endure natural calamities. Prefabricated structures manufacturers use advanced engineering and construction methodologies to build these huts. It’s even possible to modify the design of these structures.
3. Structural insulated panels or SIP
SIPs are sandwich panels. They are employed as a structural member like floors, walls, or roofs of a building. They have two skinned thicker layers of hard material that surround a flexible core.
4. Waffle Crete building system
These are buildings that are made with huge structural ribbed panels linked to reinforced precast concrete. The building system is welded together. The joints present between the modules are caulked to build walls, floors, and flat roofs. Precast concrete grade joists anchor the concrete floor panels that are prefabrication reinforced on the well-compacted ground. They are employed to make floors of single-storied buildings.
5. Steel framing and timber framing
Steel is the most reliable building material for different types of construction. Through steel framing, prefab panels are created, which are then used to construct buildings. Timber framing panels are popular in those areas where timber homes are a usual occurrence. Timber framings are constructed in factories, after which they are employed to erect timber homes.
6. Modular systems
Modular systems utilize prefab styles and create a building structure from factory-constructed units. The buildings then move to the final construction units. Here they are linked to a well-prepared foundation.
How Prefabrication Began in India
Prefabricated structures in India can be traced back to the year 1950. They emerged after the establishment of the Hindustan Housing Factory. The company started using pre-stressed concrete railway sleepers. They also introduced precast concrete in the market. They did this to offer speedy housing solutions in more volumes. At the same time, these buildings were also affordable.
Since then, prefabricated buildings have never left the Indian construction industry. This construction methodology, although it shares much in common with traditional buildings, offers more added benefits. Ultimately, they provide better quality construction and are also safe for the environment.
Concluding Words
Now you have a better idea of prefabricated structures and their multiple uses. HRS Infrastructure is a leading prefab building manufacturer in India specializing in the construction of innovative structures for diverse industries.
The engineers are committed to providing customer satisfaction by designing technologically-driven, high-quality, and cost-effective prefabricated buildings. Contact them to begin your building project.