12th April 2021
Modern methods of construction, or MMC, are set to transform the construction industry and enable us to tackle our national housing crisis in the UK.
But what exactly is MMC? And more importantly, why should builders, developers, housing associations and local authorities be prioritising a modular, offsite approach to construction?
In this blog our Managing Director Steve Chivers highlights the ten key benefits of modern methods of construction…
1 It uses less energy
Modular construction reduces energy use by up to two-thirds compared to traditional construction methods, which are highly energy intensive. The finished product is more energy-efficient too, as precision-engineered buildings are more airtight and can reduce energy costs over time.
2 It creates less waste
Because buildings are manufactured to precise requirements, MMC can reduce waste on site by up to 90% compared to traditional construction, and much of this waste can then be recycled rather than sent to landfill. At Rollalong at least 95% of our waste is recycled.
3 It has a lower impact on the site environment
Using MMC, buildings are manufactured in highly controlled conditions in a factory. Offsite methods generate less noise and less dust on site.
4 It creates less traffic
A construction site using offsite modular techniques reduces vehicle movements to and from the site by up to 90%. That means heavy traffic created by large, dirty trucks can be avoided, and disruption to local residents is kept to a minimum.
5 It’s faster than traditional methods of construction
It’s considerably faster to build a modular building than it is to build from the ground up using bricks and mortar – up to 50% faster. As everything is built offsite there are no delays caused by inclement weather or the unavailability of materials. Less labour is required on site, which means follow-on trades can often access the building more quickly.
6 It guarantees quality
MMC buildings are precision engineered in tightly controlled factory conditions and adhere to a ‘right first time’ philosophy, which means MMC providers can offer a quality product time after time.
7 It reduces costs
Because it reduces delays and waste, and because work schedules are shorter and more manageable, MMC projects are often more cost-effective than traditional builds.
8 It reduces accidents and health concerns
Factory environments are generally safer than construction sites and the health and safety risks of MMC are lower. In 2019 the average number of days lost per worker at Rollalong was zero, and the number of accidents per 100,000 workers reported under RIDDOR regulations was zero. In the same year the average number of days lost per UK construction worker was 0.17 and 366 accidents were reported under RIDDOR per 100,000 construction workers nationally.
9 It increases productivity
Offsite manufacture of buildings in a factory environment allows for greater quality control and more efficient use of labour and materials. As a result, MMC creates measurable improvements in productivity.
10 It will modernise the construction sector
A chronic housing shortage, together with inefficiencies in cost and quality across the construction sector, are driving the shift towards MMC. The government too now includes MMC as part of their overall housing strategy to support its ambitious goal to add a million homes. Advantages of MMC include the potential to speed up delivery, increase productivity and modernise the construction sector so it has to be the obvious choice!