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MHS Sustainability Report
- 2. MHS Sustainability Report‐2010
This report includes information on our North American operations; and does not cover our
joint venture operations.
We invite you to browse our site and learn more about MHSs sustainability approach, programs
and results. It’s a building system, invented and created for sustainable light residential
construction with less environmental impact.
Thank you for your interest in our company.
Regards
Tim Siahatgar, Assoc AIA, Inventor
© MHS
MHS Building System, Reducing environmental
impacts across the system life cycle
The Modular Housing System (MHS) was developed by Tim Siahatgar, architectural engineer
and founder of Unique Structural Systems. www.modularhousingsystem.com.
This post frame system is composed of MHS aluminum structural members connected by a
patented, quickly‐connect bolt and clamp technology. Typically it is designed to be used with
sandwich panels which fit within the unique channel configurations of the MHS aluminum
framing members.
US SYSTEMS| MHS | PO BOX 51478 | IRVINE |CA 92619| USA | +1‐877‐880‐5979 | FAX: +1‐949‐266‐8925
Email: office@modularhousingsystem.com
Copyright © US SYSTEMS LLC
- 3. MHS Sustainability Report‐2010
The growth of aluminum industry, advanced extrusion machinery, the characteristic and
properties of aluminum as a material have led to evolutionary and innovative changes in
building techniques, architectural and engineering projects.
MHS works to foster effective collaboration between all the members of the MHS design and
construction teams with the goal of using this technology in a cost‐effective way to meet each
client’s particular needs. The MHS aluminum‐based system works ideally with standard SIPs or
with metal‐skinned and hardwood SIPs as alternatives which require further finishing for wall
covering and siding. While the twin grooves in the extruded aluminum framing members were
designed to be fitted with almost any kind of panel, the strength of the SIP is preferred. Thus,
walls can be assembled using a weather‐resistant panel on the exterior surface side of the
framing component, such as sheet metal, foamed aluminum panel or even ferro‐cement panel.
On the interior side the groove can be fitted with a hardwood dovetail board, cork, cloth‐
covered panel or simple drywall. Due to the fact that panels are set within the flanges of the
channels at all four sides, issues or problems with panel connections are eliminated.
In designing a modernist, pavilion home one eliminates this issue altogether by relying on
window walls for most of the exterior, with light partitions and sliding panel screens inside. The
ability of the MHS system to integrate smaller‐scale US Systems framing units’ means there is a
ready method of integrating built‐in furnishings, an advantage in approaching the next stage of
construction.
Due to the unique properties of aluminum (among them its light weight) and the patented bolt‐
and‐clamp connections, the MHS system offers some degree of superiority over stick framing in
resisting almost every hazard or disaster scenario. Among its attributes are green, recyclable
components, true modular design versatility, high earthquake resistance and open architecture
Perhaps the most innovated feature of MHS is its reuse and relocatability –precisely the feature
that stud frame construction is lacking. With MHS one can freely and quickly disassemble, repair
or modify, and then reassemble structures without causing any damage to the components and
materials using little more than a few hand tools. Combined with the virtues of modular space
frame geometry, this affords the system a flexibility, capability and economy impossible with
other methods of construction.
US SYSTEMS| MHS | PO BOX 51478 | IRVINE |CA 92619| USA | +1‐877‐880‐5979 | FAX: +1‐949‐266‐8925
Email: office@modularhousingsystem.com
Copyright © US SYSTEMS LLC
- 4. MHS Sustainability Report‐2010
Why MHS Building Systems Reduces Environmental Impact:
A. Designed for Environment
a. Standard components allows to meet a modular design
b. Dimensionally modular, Speed on architectural design and site assembly
reducing time and energy.
c. Conformance with international environmental expectations and green
criteria increases materials and energy efficiency
d. Reusable resources and Recycled contents are used
e. Designed for easy assembly, disassembly and recycling
f. Sustainable Structure design strategies, accept on‐site renewable power
system as well as green roof products.
B. Choose of Materials
a. Use of renewable resources
b. Reduction in the number of different material types used in construction.
c. Reduction in product size uses fewer resources
d. Recycled materials are used in finishing, interior products
e. Restricted substances are reduced or eliminated
C. Durability
a. Another important feature of aluminum buildings is that they are very
sturdy. MHS aluminum framed buildings are heat‐resistant and are strong
enough to withstand climatic changes.
b. Due to the unique properties of aluminum (among them its light weight) and
the patented bolt‐and‐clamp connections, the MHS system offers some
degree of superiority over stick framing in resisting almost every hazard or
disaster scenario. Among its attributes are green, recyclable components,
true modular design versatility, high earthquake resistance and open
architecture.
D. Manufacturing
a. Prefabrication of elements, accessories in quality controlled environmental
typically saves energy and helps precise product assembly on the site.
b. Efficient fabrication reduces emissions and waste.
c. Building code approval, product certification and certified inspectors helps in
establishing effective environmental construction processes.
US SYSTEMS| MHS | PO BOX 51478 | IRVINE |CA 92619| USA | +1‐877‐880‐5979 | FAX: +1‐949‐266‐8925
Email: office@modularhousingsystem.com
Copyright © US SYSTEMS LLC
- 5. MHS Sustainability Report‐2010
E. Distribution
a. Lighter building products decrease CO2 emissions and transportation impacts
and costs
b. Reduced number of the system components, standard dimensions help in
package design increases the number of products per pallet, reducing
product transport environmental burden. Transportation by sea allows for
more efficient shipments with lower environmental impact.
c. MHS regional fabricator licensee, distributor, JV partnership and using local
manufacturing plants reducing MHS building system environmental impacts.
F. Use of System
a. Efficient architectural modular design decrease energy consumption
b. Multi‐functional building system reduce energy and materials use.
c. Environmental product features reduce total cost of construction.
d. Higher R values and thermal performance reduces system energy use.
e. MHS building envelope and its construction system help fossil fuel reduction
in saving consistent temperature in the building.
G. End‐of‐life
a. MHS manufacturing offers a variety of structure purchase back options,
including, re‐locate, donation, leasing, trade‐in, reuse on new project and
recycling.
b. Material selection and identification increase value at end‐of‐life and
facilitate recycling
c. Design features increase ease of disassembly, recycling and material reuse
US SYSTEMS| MHS | PO BOX 51478 | IRVINE |CA 92619| USA | +1‐877‐880‐5979 | FAX: +1‐949‐266‐8925
Email: office@modularhousingsystem.com
Copyright © US SYSTEMS LLC
- 6. MHS Sustainability Report‐2010
The Questionnaires:
SUSTAINABILITY: RENEWABLE RESOURCES
1. Measures the manufacturer has taken to minimize energy usage in the production.
a. Production of MHS aluminum extrusions used much less energy than steel and
concrete building elements. Aluminum profile’s weight is almost 3 times less than
steel, compare using of energy for producing, packaging, transportation, structure
erection, installation, equipments and labor time for steel or concrete building.
b. MHS aluminum extrusions from Billets to final fabrications take less than 5 kilowatt
hours of electricity.
c. Developing and collecting renewable and reusable natural resources and use for
building structure is a sustainable investment and help energy consumption
performance as well as environmental and economy business practice.
d. MHS building envelope and its construction methods help fossil fuel reduction in
saving consistent temperature in the building.
e. Sustainable Structure design strategies, accept on‐site renewable power system
structure as well as green roof products.
2. Embodied energy study of the product from extraction of raw material through
production and assembly. Include an estimate for the total number of MJ (mega
joules) required per kg of finished products.
a. Aluminum extracted from Bauxite, The reserves of Bauxite is about 25 billion metric
tons and will be good enough to use like steel as a Structural Building Framing for
few century even without recycling the aluminum again. While it’s true that making
aluminum from Bauxite takes large amounts of electricity, For example, processing 1
kg of aluminum from ore requires 15.55 kilowatt hours of electricity ( 56 MJ).
Consequently, aluminum refining is profitable only where energy is inexpensive.
However the industries try to use of reusable energy to produce aluminum cheaper
and there are equally large amounts of aluminum that has already been produced.
Most of the Aluminum extruder, manufacturing purchase directly aluminum billets
from the sources.
b. Creating new aluminum from old metal requires only 3% of the energy needed to
create the aluminum in the first place. Recycled aluminum can be recycled again,
and again save all these vast quantities of resources and energy. Recycling
aluminum saves energy, the environment and resources.
US SYSTEMS| MHS | PO BOX 51478 | IRVINE |CA 92619| USA | +1‐877‐880‐5979 | FAX: +1‐949‐266‐8925
Email: office@modularhousingsystem.com
Copyright © US SYSTEMS LLC
- 7. MHS Sustainability Report‐2010
SUSTAINABILITY: RECYCLING
3. The manufacturer's policy and program to facilitate the recycling or reuse of its
product by accepting product returns at the end of their useful life.
a. MHS Aluminum framing is 100% reusable and recyclable without any loss of its
natural qualities. Recovery of the metal via recycling has become an important facet
of the aluminum industry.
b. MHS standard sandwich insulated prefabricated panel in filled with the framing
can be reusable over and over by modifying and using with other projects.
SUSTAINABILITY: MATERIAL REUSE
4. The possibility of direct reuse of the product disassembly.
a. MHS Aluminum framing is 100% reusable and recyclable without any loss of its
natural qualities. Recovery of the metal via recycling has become an important facet
of the aluminum industry.
b. MHS modular aluminum extrusions and its accessories could be use at any time
during or after 100 years with the similar projects or using by other industries like
Exhibit, store fixture, furniture, pavilion and partition fabricator.
c. MHS standard sandwich insulated prefabricated panel in filled within the
framing can be reuse over and over by modifying or repair for other projects.
PERFORMANCE: INSTALLATION
5. Special procedures and precautions to be used while handling and installing the
product.
a. Installation will be done based on the project assembly instruction manual and
safety procedures step by step, using simple construction tools and equipments.
b. MHS component’s installation advantages not only reduce the noise with quick
assembly almost 1/3 of traditional building, it is a dust free construction system and
save overall installation energy and building costs. MHS building system developed
healthy environment by using safe building framing components at the project
construction site.
c. MHS pre‐engineered components (Framing and panels) based on the project’s
shop drawing fabricated on the MHS prefab local plant and ship to the site for
assembly.
US SYSTEMS| MHS | PO BOX 51478 | IRVINE |CA 92619| USA | +1‐877‐880‐5979 | FAX: +1‐949‐266‐8925
Email: office@modularhousingsystem.com
Copyright © US SYSTEMS LLC
- 8. MHS Sustainability Report‐2010
6. Energy requirements for installation of the product.
a. Light weight building structure use less energy
b. Less labor and equipment for Assembly
c. Speed of Constriction
d. Less transportation of building components, means less use of energy
e. Limited components, less energy used for component’s fabrication, less labor
for installation. Compare it to Steel and concrete construction.
f. No use of heavy equipment, 12 feet MHS extrusion framing member can carry
just with one worker for assembly on the building site. Compare it with re‐
placement of one steel I beam at the job site.
g. MHS Aluminum framing is reusable product by itself that means after lifetime
period still Easy to assemble up to tolerance of 1/8” by unskilled worker, unlike steel
and wood stud construction.
7. Identify accessories, such as fasteners, sealers, and adhesives that are nontoxic (or
less toxic than industry standard), energy efficient,
a. MHS framing accessories are mechanical locking and bolting connections and
using typical fasteners with 100% nontoxic materials.
b. Using small amount of certified organic sealant, EPS foam injection for the joint
used between the panels and extrusions.
c. Approved certified Grace Water resistive barrier and flashing tape will be used
on the exterior facing over OSB/EPS or FSIP panels.
PERFORMANCE: CONSTRUCTION WASTE
8. Product disposal after end of life, stipulate preferred method and restrictions that
might apply.
a. There are no disposable items found in the MHS building framing disassembly
process. All elements are 100% recyclable, renewable or reusable.
b. MHS manufacturing offers a variety of structure purchase back options,
including, re‐locate, donation, leasing, trade‐in, reuse on new project and recycling.
c. Materials selection and identification increase value at end‐of‐life and facilitate
recycling.
d. Design features increase ease of disassembly, recycling and material reuse
9. The environmental impact of the product as a waste material.
US SYSTEMS| MHS | PO BOX 51478 | IRVINE |CA 92619| USA | +1‐877‐880‐5979 | FAX: +1‐949‐266‐8925
Email: office@modularhousingsystem.com
Copyright © US SYSTEMS LLC
- 9. MHS Sustainability Report‐2010
a. No waste: If a traditional building is to be constructed on site, tons of waste is to
be expected.
b. In case of MHS buildings, this is not the case. Prefabricated components building
engineered at the MHS fabrication facility in accordance with pre‐decided
dimensions and completely recyclable material guarantee that there is no residual
waste.
c. Compared to Traditional Residential structures the environmental impacts of a
MHS structure is reduced to zero waste materials even after end of the life cycle of a
product.
d. Reducing environmental impacts across the product life cycle, Design for
Environment, Choose of Materials, Manufacturing, Durability, Distribution, System
Use, End of the life
PERFORMANCE: MAINTENANCE
10. The recommended cleaning & maintenance procedures for the product.
a. Exposed Anodized Aluminum Framing is easy to clean with the water, thinner
and alcohol and it is maintenance free for long time.
b. Sip panel cover with the cladding base on project architectural design and third
party product instructions.
11. Are replacement parts available? If yes, can replacement parts be installed in the
field?
a. All MHS elements, accessories, standard panels available for place of order 24
hour s a day through our MHS distribution worldwide.
b. Structural members, parts replacement, addition and expansion can be installed
in the filed by certified MHS licensee technician or a local licensed contractor.
PERFORMANCE: OPERATION
12. Estimated amount of energy in KWhr required operating the product when new, after
five years and ten years.
a. Purchasing energy for all new MHS local fabrication facility and new MHS
buildings shall be reduced to:
40% in 2010
30% in 2015
20% in 2020
10% in 2025
US SYSTEMS| MHS | PO BOX 51478 | IRVINE |CA 92619| USA | +1‐877‐880‐5979 | FAX: +1‐949‐266‐8925
Email: office@modularhousingsystem.com
Copyright © US SYSTEMS LLC
- 10. MHS Sustainability Report‐2010
b. Estimate of amount of energy are not available at this time, MHS fabrication
facility intent to use renewable energy to fabricate its prefabricated building
structure components.
c. MHS prefab fabrication will be establish for local production using MHS building
system technology and intent to help local economy to produce sustainable
prefabricated building components for the region projects with lower cost and
sustainability.
13. The certifications the manufacturer or the product hold
a. Code Compliance. MHS Aluminum framing is tested and analysis in according of
the international code standards (IBC, UBC, ASCE 7‐05, Aluminum Design Manual).
Its non‐combustibility and high strength allow its use in buildings up to 3‐story high
with shear wall. www.modularhousingsystem.com
b. California and Los Angeles building codes general approval LARR‐25703L‐12‐08
c. Abu Dhabi, Building code approval #1142‐ 2008, #452‐ 2009
d. Approval test reports‐ Certified Smith Emery Laboratory, Los Angeles (reference
MHS QC manual)
e. Structural analysis approval by certified structural engineering group, California.
f. We are continuing with our research and development including more testing,
approval with third parties for better performance of MHS green construction
methodology globally.
g. MHS is eager to introduce the MHS system for quality residential and
commercial projects worldwide.
US SYSTEMS| MHS | PO BOX 51478 | IRVINE |CA 92619| USA | +1‐877‐880‐5979 | FAX: +1‐949‐266‐8925
Email: office@modularhousingsystem.com
Copyright © US SYSTEMS LLC