Prefabricated buildings are a common feature in South Africa. These buildings are constructed for different purposes in both rural and urban settings across the country.
What constitutes a prefabricated building?
The components of prefabricated buildings (walls, roof, and floor) are built in a factory or manufacturing facility and then sent to the construction site. These parts can be assembled in a factory and then shipped to the construction site for use.
Because of the low cost, quick turn-around time, and reusability of this building construction approach, prefabricated buildings are becoming increasingly popular.
Temporary construction facilities, office spaces, remote camps, hospitals and schools, are some of the most common uses of prefabricated buildings.
Prefabrication is more efficient than typical on-site building because it allows for more precise control over the manufacturing process through the use of a production line in a controlled environment
Most prefab buildings feature repeating sections of walls, roof, and floors, which allows for the development of a manufacturing process by assembling a series of processes in a logical sequence.
These procedures can be investigated and enhanced in order to increase the efficiency of the production process.
How prefabricated buildings are made
Even in nomadic times, when people were constantly moving to new places, prefab buildings were being built all over the world.
As construction and manufacturing technologies become more standardized, prefabricated structures are constantly being developed to meet the growing need for housing and office spaces.
BIM (Building Information Modeling) has emerged as a method for architects, engineers, and contractors to digitally describe the structure’s properties. Assembling prefab buildings on-site is easier with BIM, which decreases the chance of costly errors in scope and quality.
Components comprise building parts like windows, doors, and trusses which are not full panels.
They require the least off-site assembly of the prefabricated components, but their use is more adaptable because they can be positioned and erected in accordance with the real requirements of the site.
Certain larger Buildings are constructed on-site from prefabricated panels, which are two-dimensional components. In comparison to prefabricated modular buildings, they require more on-site labour.
Sub-assemblies of these components, such as windows, doors, and insulation, are routinely available in this form.
A typical prefabricated module consists of structurally insulated panels, which are joined together to form the walls and roof of a building.
The most common sort of prefabricated structure is referred to as a parkhome. A parkhome has all of the advantages of a prefabricated structure. When a single module serves as the entirety of a building, minimal site preparation is necessary.
Final Thoughts
The components of prefabricated buildings (walls, roof, and floor) are built in a factory or manufacturing facility and then either assembled in an off-site facility or sent to the construction site for assembly there. These parts might be partially or entirely assembled in a factory before being shipped to the jobsite.
Prefabricated buildings have a number of advantages, including reduced on-site construction time, less impact of uncontrollable elements, improved quality and consistency, lower costs, reusability, and less waste of raw materials.
The above in a nutshell highlights what prefabricated buildings are all about. Only time can tell how dominant they will become in South Africa.
Also Read: Energy-saving strategies: How to go green with your new home
