Modular and offsite – construction methods of the future here today

Modular and offsite construction, which fall under the general heading of ‘modern methods of construction’ (MMC), have been around for some time. This was accelerated in July 2018 that the government placed MMC at the heart of its Construction Sector Deal.

The aim then was to use techniques such as offsite manufacturing and prefabrication to boost construction productivity. As the sector’s biggest customer, the government is keen to achieve better-performing, sustainable buildings at lower costs and sees MMC as a critical way to accomplish this.

Offsite techniques have certainly been gaining more ground in recent years. They’re widely applied across many building types, from city-centre office developments to homes, hospitals and schools.

In the HVAC sector, we see more use of technologies such as factory-built bathroom pods and ventilation systems brought to the site ready for connection to water and electricity outlets. In addition, prefabricated plant rooms that include a boiler, pumps and other equipment are also increasingly common.

For building services contractors, working on projects using MMC means being part of a process that’s focused on quick and efficient project completion. It’s vital to work with suppliers and a services support team who can also operate quickly and effectively as part of your team.

Here at Brymec, we focus on ensuring that our customers know they can rely on us to support their work in this type of project. As a result, we can get the products our customers need to site exactly when they’re needed. We also offer support to answer any technical questions about our products so that installers can get on with their job safe in the knowledge that they have got the correct materials.

Brymec has responded to changes in our sector by manufacturing its own range of products to ensure we can offer the best and most cost-effective solutions for the building services market. For example, we now provide Brymec Cast Iron Drainage and Press-Fit systems that include WRAS-approved copper and stainless steel.

We designed these ranges with rapid and efficient on-site installation as a key benefit, including special features that greatly increase the speed of installation whilst enhancing the security of the finished system.

The system includes an integral press indicator as well as leak path indication so that it is very easy to spot an uncompleted joint – giving another layer of certainty that the system is safe and ready to use.

With no hot works permit required for a press-fit system, installers can make more effective use of their time on-site avoiding the need for fire watch periods, and they also do not need to bring the heavy equipment required for brazing. We have also ensured that the Brymec copper gas press-fit system has the same M profile as the Brymec WRAS Press-Fit system so that contractors can use the same compatible jaws with both products.

Brymec’s online ordering system allows purchasing managers to give their contractors buying permissions through a company account. As a result, it’s easy for those at the sharp end of a project to go online, find and order the products they need 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and track progress – and without all the paperwork. With our own fleet of delivery vans, Brymec even offers next-day delivery as standard on all orders made before 5pm, with a two-hour delivery time slot and full tracking.