B&ES Publications has launched a new, first of its kind, guide to off-site construction, supported by the trade association Buildoffsite.
Former head of B&ES Technical and Safety for B&ES Publications, Bob Towse, said: “Our new guide provides practical support for the effective use of off-site construction methods. The content is of use not only to contractors but to all those involved in the built environment including architects, engineers, installers and most importantly our clients.”
He continued: “By using our guide, construction professionals can reduce the risks associated with building performance, productivity, health and safety, wastage and quality on a huge variety of projects from commercial and industrial buildings to healthcare and educational establishments.”
Off-site fabrication and construction is a growing sector with rapidly changing technology and now accounts for at least three to four per cent of the £100 billion construction sector’s annual turnover, and up to 80 per cent of the construction cost for some projects.
Lead author and director for West One Management Consulting, Nigel Fraser, said: 'This has been a great opportunity to transfer learning from a range of projects to create this guide. Whilst it focuses upon building services aspects it also provides a general guide to exploiting off-site construction effectively.
“It has brought together experts from building and engineering services, architecture, construction and manufacturing sectors. This has been facilitated through the collaboration of two organisations, the Building and Engineering Services Association and Buildoffsite, who are working to improve skills in this area”.
In addition, chairman of Buildoffsite, Richard Ogden, added: Building and engineering services are essential components of most modern buildings. What clients want are services that perform as specified and work correctly first time. From my own experience as a client I understand the importance of certainty of manufacturing excellence and the simplest possible installation and maintenance.
“The future of building services will for the most part involve factory made and tested solutions installed on site to the requirements set out in an information model.
“To support this direction, I’m delighted that B&ES Publications has produced this excellent off-site construction guide for the construction sector. It is the route map that will provide the information to assist the building services industry to become the vanguard in the delivery of ‘right first time’ solutions for their customers.”
To order the new guide call 01768 860405, email info@b-espublications.co.uk or visit www.b-espublications.co.uk.