07-08-2014, 03:28 PM
PREFABRICATED BUILDING
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INTRODUCTION
Prefabrication is the practice of assembling components of a structure in a factory or other manufacturing site, and transporting complete assemblies or sub-assemblies to the construction site where the structure is to be located
PREFABRICATED HOUSING
Prefabricated building is a type of building that consists of several factory-built components or units that are assembled on-site to complete the unit. “Prefabricated” are built in:
Components (panels)
Modules (modular homes)
Transportable sections (manufactured homes)
Mobile homes (houses on wheels)
DIFFERENCES IN THE CONSTRUCTION TYPES
Mobile and manufactured houses are constructed in accordance with the HUD building codes in the U.S. while modular houses are constructed in accordance with the IBC (International Building Code).
Modular homes are created in sections, and then transported to the home site for construction and installation.
Manufactured homes are built onto steel beams, and are transported in complete sections to the home site, where they are assembled.
Mobile homes built on wheels, which can be moved
MANUFACTURED HOMES
Constructing manufactured homes typically involves connecting plumbing and electrical lines across the sections, and sealing the sections together.
They can be built onto a permanent foundation, and if designed correctly, can be difficult to distinguish from a stick-built home.
Manufactured homes are typically purchased from a retail sales company, initially assembled by a local contracting company, and follow-up repairs performed by the manufactured home company under warranty.
CONSTRUCTION SITES
Mobile homes and manufactured homes can be placed in mobile home parks, and manufactured homes can also be placed on private land, providing the land is zoned for manufactured homes.
McDonalds use prefabricated structures for their buildings, and set a record of constructing a building and opening for business within 13 hours
THE HISTORY OF THE PREFABRICATED BUILDINGS
Possibly the first advertised prefab house was the Manning Portable Cottage. A London carpenter, H. Manning, constructed a house that was built in components, then shipped and assembled by British emigrants.
The peak year for the importation of portable buildings to Australia was 1853, when several hundred arrived.These have been identified as coming from Liverpool, Boston and Singapore (with Chinese instructions for re-assembly).
In Barbados the Chattel house was a form of prefabricated building which was developed by emancipated slaves who had limited rights to build upon land they did not own. As the buildings were moveable they were legally regarded as chattels.
Another interesting building was the prefabricated hospital that the British Army deployed in 1855 during the Crimean War designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel with innovations in sanitation, ventilation and a flushing toilet.
CONCLUSION
Because of the design simplifications modern architecture provides many in the manufactured housing sector generally feel that modern architecture designs are better suited for prefab home construction.