Modular Buildings

1. Modular Buildings

2. • 1. INTRODUCTION
• Modular buildings are buildings which are made from prefabricated three dimensional components made in a factory. A simple modular building may be made from a single section,
while more complex structures are made by attaching several sections together. Modular buildings can be used for a wide variety of purposes, from temporary housing after a natural
disaster to establishing a permanent facility such as a gymnasium on a school site.
• When a modular building is ordered, it can be a custom building, or ordered from a company's existing line of products. In either case, constructions occur indoor in a factory
environment, with the factory creating one or more modules, depending on the size of the building. Each module is totally self contained, including everything from the roofing to
the electrical wiring, and the modules are totally finished inside. The size of the modules is generally limited by ease of transport, with companies not making modules which are too
large or too dangerous to move easily.
• Once modules are finished, they can be shipped to the location where the modular building will be installed. Off-frame modular dwellings differ from mobile homes largely in their
absence of axles or a frame; however, some modular dwellings are built on a steel frame (on-frame modular) that can be used for transportation to the site. The site can be prepared
with a temporary or permanent foundation, depending on how the building will be used and the building can be locked onto the foundation and to other modules to make it ready for
use. A modular building may be temporary, semi-permanent, or permanent in nature.
• One of the big advantages to modular construction is that it is very rapid, and it tends to be less expensive than a site-built structure. Modular buildings are also known as
manufactured or prefab structures. In some regions of the world, this building technique has faced considerable consumer opposition, with consumers viewing such structures as
cheap or tacky. In fact, modular buildings run the gamut from very low- cost structures which are of poor quality, to very solid, elegant buildings which feature the latest in modern
design innovations. Some companies actually opt to specialize in high-end modular construction, offering features like increased environmental friendliness during the construction
process, and finished structures which are specifically designed to be more energy efficient. 2
• prefabricated. These units require no foundation or assembly and can be run on solar power. The empty shell units can be utilized for clinics, staging operations and other necessary
applications.

3. • 2. MODULAR HOMES
• Because of similarities in the manufacturing process, some companies (for example, Palm Harbor Homes, among many others) build both types in their factories. Modular homes are transported on flatbed trucks rather
than being towed and lack axles and an automotive-type frame. However, some of these homes are towed behind a semi-truck or totter on a frame similar to that of a trailer. The home is usually in two pieces and is hauled
by two separate trucks. Each frame has five or more axles, depending on the size of the home. Once the home has reached its location, the axles and the tongue of the frame are then removed, and the home is set on a
concrete foundation by a large crane.
• Most zoning restrictions on the homes have been found to be inapplicable or only applicable to modular homes. This occurs often after considerable litigation on the topic by affected jurisdictions and by plaintiffs failing
to ascertain the difference. Most modern modulars, once fully assembled are indistinguishable from site-built homes. Their roofs are usually transported as separate units. Newer modulars also come with roofs than can be
raised during the setting process with cranes. There are also modular’s with 2 or 3 stories. As the legal differentiation between the two becomes more codified, the market for modular homes is likely to grow.
• Fig.1 Modular homes 3
• USES
• Modular buildings have a variety of uses. They may be used for long-term, temporary or permanent facilities such as construction camps, schools and classrooms, civilian and military housing, and industrial facilities.
Modular buildings are used in remote and rural areas where conventional construction may not be reasonable or possible.
• For example, the Halley VI accommodation pods used for a BAS Antarctic expedition. Other uses have included churches, health care facilities, sales and retail offices, fast food restaurants and cruise ship construction.
• Modular buildings are used for purposes ranging from singular guard shacks to family homes to whole hospital complexes.
• 1. Small Uses for small modular buildings include portable buildings such as guard houses, on-site construction offices, temporary storage facilities and portable classrooms. Other small-building uses are residential
garages and carports, backyard storage and garden sheds playhouses, home studios or guest houses, gazebos and small cabins in remote hunting areas.
• 2. Medium residential or small farm uses for medium- size buildings can be used for living quarters and homes, barns, workshops and large garages for multiple vehicles and RV storage. Commercial uses range from
business or office buildings, real estate sales offices, banks, machine enclosures, clean rooms, stadium press boxes, smoking shelters and outdoor seating for employees, cafeterias, and many other uses that are usually
associated with brick-and- mortar buildings.
• 3. Large modular building uses include one- and two-story office complexes, retail shopping centers, agricultural buildings, churches, government facilities, fire stations, barracks and entire educational campuses with
libraries and science labs. Other uses are aircraft hangars, riding and show arenas, body shop repair bays, correctional facilities, and medical and health care complexes.
• 4. Disaster Relief Earthquakes, hurricanes and other world calamities require emergency shelters and housing for displaced persons and operations. Modular buildings for this purpose come in single-family units, multi-
person bunk-style units and empty shells. Portable restrooms, showers and mess halls are also
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