by Patti Dees
Off-site plumbing prefabrication services help construction managers save money and stay on schedule. Prefabricated plumbing components are of higher quality and easier to install, improving safety and allowing work to progress more smoothly.
Why Plumbing Prefabrication Services?
Construction managers juggle factors such as scheduling, costs, safety, and quality. On-site construction often requires trade-offs where one factor impacts another. Crowded construction sites, materials purchasing and transportation setbacks, weather changes – the unpredictability contributes to safety and quality issues and increases costs. Plumbing prefabrication services streamline construction to save money and time while also producing safer work sites and higher-quality components.
For plumbing prefabrication services to pay off, designs need advanced planning and modeling. Components are not cobbled together with whatever is at hand. Making design choices early in the construction process, and then running the design through modeling software, reduces waste and allows for the fabrication team to plan efficiently.
Using off-site services also requires good communication between personnel at the construction site and the fabrication team. Even though everything is designed in advance, sometimes needs change because of actual site conditions. Those changes should be relayed as quickly as possible to ensure the changes to materials or plumbing components are incorporated before fabrication is completed.
An Easier (and Safer) Construction Process
One of the best benefits of plumbing prefabrication services is the use of off-site facilities. Fewer skilled laborers on site reduces crowding and improves productivity. With a portion of the work taking place elsewhere, there are fewer distractions and safety hazards for those working at the construction site.
- While the prefabricated plumbing components are larger, on-site installation requires less work as several elements are already joined together. This also improves safety as it reduces the time laborers may need to commit to elevated work.
- Off-site plumbing prefabrication promotes faster construction since fabrication can move forward even as other work is underway at the construction site. Additionally, because a fabrication facility maintains the necessary tools, equipment, and materials on hand, production is more efficient.
- Using prefabrication services also lowers environmental disturbances such as noise, pollutants, and dust. Overall, the site becomes safer for those working on-site and for local wildlife or residents.
Extended Savings
Cost is a major concern for construction projects. Some of the benefits that make the building process easier also save money and keep projects closer to their target budget.
- Pairing down the people at the construction site has financial benefits as well. As fewer laborers are needed at a given time, man-hours are reduced.
- The impact of plumbing prefabrication services on scheduling also reduces necessary man-hours.
- Transporting materials piecemeal is replaced by transporting the fabricated plumbing component, effectively consolidating transport costs.
- On-site machinery and equipment needs are also fewer as the off-site facility houses fabrication equipment permanently. This alleviates the need for transporting and securing materials and equipment.
- Since plumbing design is pre-planned, materials purchasing and recycling are easier, and costs associated with material waste are reduced.
Controlling Quality
Plumbing prefabrication services combine flexibility for customization with standardization to efficiently produce high-quality components. Factors such as planning, testing, and even the controlled work environment, contribute to the quality of the plumbing sections created.
- During planning, customer-specific designs are tested through building information modeling (BIM). This testing identifies potential mistakes or mis-sized items before materials are even purchased.
- Fabrication facilities have better control over the work environment. By taking the process off-site, conditions are consistent, and personnel face less pressure to hurry or “just make do”. The focus shifts to precision and detail.
- Sections of plumbing can be tested before installation. Any issues can be corrected, guaranteeing the segment meets the expectations of the customer.
To find out how plumbing prefabrication can impact upcoming construction projects, contact the professionals at Therma. Therma has a 22,000-square-foot plumbing fabrication facility equipped to work with a variety of materials. Team members share centuries of personal experience and continue training to stay on top of modern equipment and processes.
Patti draws on her background as a chemical engineer to share information with readers on technology, manufacturing, and construction.
Sources
Autodesk Digital Builder – Everything You Need to Know About Prefabrication – Digital Builder
FRAMECAD – Offsite Construction: The Differences Between Prefabrication & Modular
Trimble Field Technology – How to Make MEP Prefabrication Work for You
