CPD - Volumetric Construction: Prefabricated Modules & Their Applications

The building sector is complex. It includes several parts, such as the people involved, different project types, complex planning processes, unstable market conditions, and geographical considerations. Strict rules and reliance on skilled workers are also on the list. All of these have one clear goal, which is to create concrete structures like buildings. However, before making one, you need to understand several types of it, including volumetric construction.

You can complete these building projects faster using volumetric construction. This method became popular within the sector. Its global market industry proves it. It reaches a growth of $105.9 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow to $144.8 billion in 2030. These figures show that this building approach brings many benefits that can help developers and contractors with their projects.

What is volumetric construction?

Volumetric construction is a method by which factories produce building parts. In standard ways, you need to transport the building substances to the site as they are in the factories. It is constructed into part of the project. This method needs the workers to build only the foundation. Meanwhile, all other sections are premade and moved to the site.

People usually call volumetric construction a premade building because factories make the building parts in different places, and they build it with three dimensions. Sometimes, it includes interior furniture. This makes precise quality control and consistent production before you transport them to the construction site for assembly. For example, an infrastructure project like a bridge or dam has an extended steel framework preconstructed. You can move this material to the site for construction.

With this in mind, volumetric construction can help you meet the UK’s net zero targets. This is because the approach can create sustainable buildings. Also, the accuracy of the manufacturing process allows for better insulation and airtightness. It reduces the building’s energy consumption and contributes to long-term sustainability. The government has included this method in their report. The report discusses volumetric modular construction and was published in 2024. 

The differences between modular and volumetric construction

While these two share the same goals, they still have differences in size and module complexity. The volumetric construction module refers to the entire construction process. The processes start from the planning and design to the fabrication steps. Also, its modules are much larger and more complex. It often consists of a complete room with walls, floors, and ceilings. 

Meanwhile, modular construction focuses on the creation of modular units or modules for repeated sections. Unlike the module components of volumetric construction, modular components can be smaller individual walls, floors, or roof sections. Moreover, more on-site assembly is needed to create a complete structure. These repeated designs are cheaper than traditional building components. This way, it offers a more affordable cost and flexibility.

Course Brief

Constructing a building requires a lot of money. However, alternative construction methods, such as volumetric construction, can be much cheaper. It is more affordable because you can produce the construction substances in a different location from the construction site. However, using this approach requires a deep understanding to start the building. Therefore, this course is the perfect answer to learn about it.

In response, this course provides valuable lessons. These lessons explore several aspects of construction options. It includes the prefabrication process, building materials, and environmental impact. Knowing these aspects leads to faster project completion, increased sustainability, and cost efficiency. Moreover, this programme equips you with several construction skills using an off-site construction approach.

Syllabus

Learning from this CPD - Volumetric Construction: Prefabricated Modules & Their Applications course gives you insights into the construction industry. It includes a deep understanding of the factory-built approach and self-contained building modules. Furthermore, it shows you how to differentiate all construction options based on their materials. As you go through the course, you will learn the following materials, such as:

• Basics of volumetric construction
• Design and engineering principles
• Off-site manufacturing techniques
• Types and their differences
• Benefits and challenges of the prefabricated approach

Enrolment Criteria

This course provides a comprehensive understanding of off-site construction approaches for construction professionals. However, it requires no formal or advanced experience to join, so everyone from all backgrounds can learn from it. It provides simple steps for registration. This makes it much easier to enrol in this course. This way, the course can help your learning process become enjoyable.

Advantages of volumetric construction

Volumetric construction brings several benefits to the construction industry. These include faster construction time, greater quality control, affordable operation costs, and improved sustainability. These allow you to build better structures and contribute to the environment positively. Therefore, many companies are using this method to help them complete their building process efficiently. 

If you don’t use this premade method, your project may become inefficient and cost more money for the building parts. This is because you create them in an outside environment, which makes the quality of the components more vulnerable to damage. The volumetric method brings the solution to this problem. To help you understand more, below are the advantages of this approach:

Shorter lead times

Volumetric construction is a faster process than traditional construction methods. This is because the builders have already built all the construction when they arrive at the construction site. The contractor or developers just need to put them all together into a strong structure. As a result, the construction project can have shorter lead times when completing the whole process.

Increased quality and consistency

Preassembled constructions require module materials where the builders can produce them at the factories. Therefore, they protect the materials from weather that can damage the components because they produce them in indoor environments. This improves the quality assurance of the materials. Also, it is much easier to check the individual items in factory settings. You need to complete them before the modules are transported to the construction site.

Reduces cost

Volumetric construction can also save more money by doing much of the initial building. This can be done by off-site assembly and finishing work under controlled factory conditions. It can save a lot of construction costs and efficiently manage the spending. Moreover, it can increase the cost savings with production scale. This is because the factory can assemble based on the construction template design and can be reused and mass-produced quickly and easily. Hence, it is easier to minimise expenses.

Improved eco-friendly impact

Buildings using volumetric construction can improve sustainability. The construction materials are built at the factory, which is often located at a different location from the site. Therefore, it reduces the damage to the surrounding environment at the construction site. Also, it can reduce noise pollution by making the material in indoor environments. 

Ways to implement the volumetric construction 

The construction industry is complicated. This is because it involves multiple stakeholders, strict construction laws, and skilled labourers. Hence, it takes a while to complete a construction project. However, using a volumetric construction approach can speed up the building process. This method uses modules that are prefabricated in a factory and moved to the site for assembly. Doing so brings several benefits for all professionals involved. 

To help you get the benefits, the College of Contract Management has created several learning courses. One of them is about this prefabricated construction. This college is committed to providing high-quality learning programmes. With this, CCM can help students who want to learn about professional development in their respective industries. 

Building a construction through a prefabrication approach is complex. Therefore, the College of Contract Management provides this learning programme to help you understand the method. The schedule of this course will be announced accordingly. It will be shared once the materials and the speakers are ready. But you can contact our team to get help with your needs.