Interest builds in modular methods, says MPBA

Factors behind the growing interest in and adoption of modular methods of construction (MMC) for non-residential projects were discussed last week at a conference organised by the Modular & Portable Building Association (MPBA) the industry’s trade body. 

Opening the event, which was held at the Holywell Park Conference Centre in Loughborough, David Harris, MD of the manufacturer Premier Modular, said that demand has risen steadily since the Covid pandemic owing to a shortage of people with traditional construction skills, growing interest in sustainability and an ongoing focus on better returns on investment. 

He estimated that the market was currently worth £1.3 billion a year and that because of ongoing innovation in materials and techniques, MMC could contribute strongly to the circular economy. 

Obviously, as discussed previously on the blog, MMC offers fewer overall opportunities for hiring tools for conventional building practices, since many structural components are factory-produced. However, equipment like excavators, dumpers, telescopic handlers, access platforms and cranes are frequently required for ground works and installation. Temporary site accommodation and welfare facilities might also be required. 

Peter Millar, who is involved with NHS England’s Hospital 2.0 New Hospital Programme (NHP), said that the project aimed to build 48 new hospitals by 2030. The would mean completing larger works in seven years instead of more typically 12 years, and so using standardised MMC approaches could speed the process. 

“The scale of the NHP will require the expansion of current market capacity and the adoption of new and emerging technology,” he said. 

During a conference session on safety issues, Matt Greenly, an Inspector with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), gave an overview of new Operational Guidance on construction site welfare provision. This was last published in 2013. 

Changes include a recommendation of ensuring that toilets are available on a site every 150m to those on foot, or at two to three minutes’ driving time in a vehicle. Increased focus is also now placed on providing sanitary product disposal facilities in male and female toilets. 

Matt Greenly said that welfare provision is a key area of focus during a site inspection as it can reflect how well the rest of the project is managed. Providing good welfare facilities also promotes mental health. 

The final conference session focused on the role that MMC and portable buildings can play in achieving Net Zero.

Richard Hipkiss, founder and CEO of the Elemental carbon consultancy, spoke about confusion that could arise in some quarters regarding energy ratings adopting a similar A-G valuation as with domestic appliances. 

An Energy Performance Certificate for a building assesses areas like its insulation and heating system efficiency, not its ongoing energy consumption. While Building Regulations might require a Display Energy Certificate showing energy usage rates, it does not have to adopt an A-G styled approach. 

Richard said that a modular or portable building’s consumption would obviously vary according to a project’s location and site orientation, so any general energy claims made should be illustrative. 

Indeed, quoting one best-case scenario as being generally representative could be seen as 'greenwashing', discussed previously on the blog. This has been defined as a PR tactic to make a company or product appear environmentally friendly, without meaningfully reducing its environmental impact, according to Greenpeace. 

Richard said that the Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI) suggested that terms like green, low-carbon, eco and eco-friendly, and the prefixes bio and non, should be avoided unless backed up by credible data. 

Finally, the conference heard that the MPBA's recently formed Sustainability Committee is developing an Embodied and Whole Life Carbon 2023-2050 Implementation Plan for the non-domestic and portable building industry. 

Lex Massey from the Wernick Group, who sits on the committee, explained that the document will address the manufacture, refurbishment and hire of such facilities that are typically used in retail, health care, education, construction, accommodation, events, offices and other markets. It will include a clear definition of Net Zero, a methodology and strategy for carbon calculation and details of the positive impact that MMC and hire can have regarding the circular economy. 

This worthwhile and successful conference was the first that the MPBA has organised, and CEO Jackie Maginnis expects it to become an annual event. 

Article written by Alan Guthrie On Hire for his online blog

Photos: a modular building for Birmingham University supplied by Wernick Group