| Author |
Message |
Don Harris CSI, CCS, CCCA, AIA
Senior Member
Username: don_harris
Post Number: 181
Registered: 03-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 09, 2008 - 02:28 pm: |    |
A client wants to do some 4 story wood framed construction using prefabricated modules. They would include framing, windows, sheathing, building wrap and some interior finishes, and maybe some roofing. My gut feeling is to write a regular spec for the materials and construction, and take the position that the modular construction is contractor's means and methods, therefore not addressing the modular construction in the specs. Any experience with this sort of project? Am I going in the right direction? What am I missing? Thanks in advance. |
Ralph Liebing, RA, CSI
Senior Member
Username: rliebing
Post Number: 827
Registered: 02-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 09, 2008 - 03:01 pm: | |
May be [?????] Don, just go directly to the modular concept [much as you might do with a pre-engineered metal building] and spec the whole unit to be designed [to your paramters], engineered, fabricated, and erected by the modular outfit?
That way you place a single responsibility and don't mix the conventional with the modular. Most of the modular outfits [most prevalent in northern Indiana around Elkhart] are high quality, and their products are code compliant [in Ohio we have a state certification and in-plant inspection program that inspects the units as they are beng built].
Also, you can require an approval/compliance medallion afixed to the unit to verify compliance.
You will need to work out and spec the site work, foundation, and possibly the mechanicals [at least to the point where they connect to the modular units]. |
Ron Beard CCS
Senior Member
Username: rm_beard_ccs
Post Number: 270
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 09, 2008 - 03:37 pm: | |
Don:
Would structural insulated panels (SIP) work in your application? They have superior strength (good in earthquake areas), acoustical, and thermal values and are quickly installed.
Maybe bid as an alternate to conventional stick built. |
Richard Howard, AIA CSI CCS LEED-AP
Senior Member
Username: rick_howard
Post Number: 167
Registered: 07-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 09, 2008 - 03:54 pm: | |
Manufactured unit buildings can be of high quality.
30 years ago, I lived in an apartment complex in Toledo built of steel-framed industrialized units made by a subsidiary of Inland Ryerson. I think the company that made the units folded a long time ago. They were just too far ahead of their time.
The buildings themselves are now about 40 years old and are still nice as ever. My only complaint about the units was the transfer of sound from one apartment to the next through the steel floor joists. |
Randy Cox
Senior Member
Username: randy_cox
Post Number: 51
Registered: 04-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 09, 2008 - 03:55 pm: | |
I worked on two jobs that were built as modular and worked on a few more that at least started the design process with the possibility of being modular. The modular companies that I worked with were very real factories. Although they would customize their products to the degree necessary to get the job, they seemed more amenable to changing the layout and the exterior look than to changing the product lines. They each had one or two window companies they would work with, and one or two door companies.
Most had a “spec sheet” that outlined their basic products and performance criteria. In both cases that went to contract as modular, our clients had selected a modular company, and we worked with them. We didn’t go much farther than schematic design and an outline spec. Because the modular units were pre-selected, and we were working with developer/builders, we didn’t specify the construction or fit-up of the modular units.
The projects that I mentioned had multiple two, three and four unit buildings. The developers were able to order buildings one or two at a time as they sold the earlier units. The developers also liked the modular approach it shifted the bulk of their costs to a point much closer to (or possibly after) the time when they closed on unit sales. |
Jeffrey Wilson CSI CCS
Senior Member
Username: wilsonconsulting
Post Number: 17
Registered: 03-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 09, 2008 - 06:28 pm: | |
When I spec modular construction, I prepare a single section that specifies certain provisions related to the unit modules. (MF04 lends well to this w/ the 13 4200 "Bldg Modules" section.) Along w/ this section are a contingent of standard individual sections for specific components & materials that go into construction of the modules.
The "Unit Modules" section describes off-site fabricated, modular units integrating multiple components for site assembly, and addresses issues that are unique to this construction approach, including:
1. Definitions ("Fabricator" + "Erector" + "Factory").
2. Structural performance of modules, including resistance to dynamic loads generated by hoisting equipment.
3. Provisions for unitized assemblies w/ integral lifting connections.
4. Protective shrink-wrap membrane to keep units clean during transport & storage.
5. Engineering responsibility; including shop dwgs detailing fabrication & assembly of modular units, as well as procedures & diagrams for transport, erection & site assembly.
6. Commissioning issues, such as factory testing of plbg & elec systems.
7. Division of work between factory & site.
8. Approved fabricators.
9. Site preparation issues (including coordinating construction to receive modular units).
The "Unit Modules" section also includes a detailed list of the components & products, indicating the section where each is spec'd. |
Don Harris CSI, CCS, CCCA, AIA
Senior Member
Username: don_harris
Post Number: 182
Registered: 03-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, April 10, 2008 - 08:09 am: | |
Thanks for the great input. I've been convinced that there should be a "Modular" section. The modular concept seems too important to just leave to means and methods. Appreciate the feedback. |
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