Once a buzzword and only a possibility, prefabrication [or prefab] is now common practice on most construction projects. At GLY, we believe prefab, a Lean practice, to be an inherently sustainable, efficient, and responsible way to approach our work. However, prefab is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Establishing a prefab plan on each project starts long before design and requires input from the entire team: owner, architect, general contractor, and key subcontractors and their designers.
From mass timber panels and MEP pipe rack modules to full exam rooms and automated parking garages, prefabrication opportunities are endless. To identify the most effective application on a project, the general contractor, architect, and client must evaluate options and prioritize the drivers for prefab together during design and permitting. Questions addressed during this time include:
In answering these questions, the team takes into account the impacts on cost, schedule, and quality and develops a final plan—one that maximizes the appropriate prefab opportunities instead of selecting options that inadvertently hinder the project’s progress and bottom line.
Many projects these days use prefabbed components by assembling repetitive building elements offsite and incorporating them into the structure at the right time. But what about an entire building? When does it make sense to prefabricate full building modules with the majority of on site work limited to site and foundation prep?
To answer these questions, let’s look at a recent example. GLY recently collaborated with ZGF Architects, Modular Resources, and many others on a one-story, 2,300 square foot prefabricated building to house a Seattle-based healthcare provider’s MRI services as their larger facility expansion is built. While the new tower expansion will feature four new MRI rooms to better serve patients, the client communicated the need for at least one additional MRI sooner than the tower’s completion date.
As Modular Resources assembled four separate building modules in Tennessee, GLY prepped the site and foundation in Seattle, Washington. In June 2021, the modules arrived at the healthcare campus. Crews carefully set them into place in the early morning hours and mechanically fastened and welded the pieces together within 5-10 minutes. Modules were prebuilt with nurse stations, changing rooms, a waiting area, medical supply room, and most importantly, Radio frequency [RF] shielding for the MRI equipment. A built-in roof hatch simplified the MRI equipment drop-in. All that remained for on-site work was typical exterior and interior finishes.
The process sounds simple enough—and provides obvious benefits.
However, as with any major decision, there are several considerations to
talk through before choosing to pursue a full modular building.
Site preparation for the modular MRI building.
Modular building placement in Seattle, Washington.
In some cases, the need for a specialized service or environment—often a component of a much larger project—is so great that waiting several years for completion of a ground-up building simply isn’t an option. If you have limited existing space to renovate and have access to adjacent land, a complete modular building might be the best solution.
The structural composition and installation of stand-alone prefab structures allows for easy removal when no longer needed. Owners can either deconstruct the modular facility and restore the site to its original configuration, donate or repurpose the building, or even move it to a different location. If choosing this route, be sure to consider costs associated with deconstruction.
99.9% of the time, the answer is YES. Prefab’s two key benefits, speed and efficiency [and associated cost savings], are precisely what makes it so ideal. In a nutshell, prefab will save you time and money because:
Once the decision is made to proceed with a modular building, start the planning process immediately as the requirements differ from a traditional construction approach.*
Permitting a prefabricated modular building, in theory, is more straightforward than the permitting required of traditional on site construction. However, a modular building is technically a piece of equipment, which puts it under the jurisdiction of Labor & Industries [L&I]. Instead of spending a significant amount of time acquiring multiple permits [building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, fire alarm, etc.], a modular building requires a single permit. It is important to incorporate and plan for the associated gray areas into your schedule.
In the case of the modular building for the Seattle-based healthcare provider, GLY took care of the foundation and site utility permits while L&I covered permitting for the building [remember, a module is considered equipment]. These two key components become one when the modules are lifted into place, which requires special inspections.
We recommend hiring a reliable third-party inspector to observe the module placement and provide reports to help satisfy both L&I and Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections’ requirements regarding special inspections permit. This satisfies both the general contractor’s permits and the module building manufacturer’s permits. A well-coordinated inspection process prevents approval delays and keeps the project schedule on track.
Understandably, L&I will want to inspect the modules before shipment to the site to ensure the building will meet State and local codes. These ship-to-site inspections require several visits and must occur where the modules are constructed. If your modules are prefabricated out of state, build L&I travel time and costs into your schedule. For perspective, the MRI modular building, a four-piece, 2,300 square foot building built in Tennessee, required five of these inspections.
Once the modules are placed on site, L&I will perform another inspection before anyone commences work inside the building. This is another critical activity to incorporate into the schedule well in advance. This inspection takes place 12–48 hours after modules are set. If you experience a waiting period, ask L&I for permission to weather in the exterior to prevent water damage while you wait for inspection.
Modular Resources prefabricates one of four building modules in Tennessee.
One of several ship-to-site inspections.
Is your project site in a congested, urban location? If so, your City’s Code will likely mandate an off-hours module placement. In Seattle, due to the size of the MRI building modules, the team needed to place all four pieces between midnight and 4:30 am. Each module took about one hour to stage, rig, pick, set, and weld. This entire process—crane on site, modules lined-up, crane pick, welding, and clearing the streets by 4:30 am—requires significant coordination with the local department of transportation, L&I, and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement [CVE]. Most importantly, it requires strong relationships with City officials to achieve a safe, smooth, and successful module installation.
*Specific requirements may vary by state and jurisdiction.
Completed modular MRI building [interior].
Completed modular MRI building [exterior].
Interested in learning more about this project or prefabrication in general? We’re ready to help! Reach out to Project Manager Josh Lewis or Principal Jim Elliott on LinkedIn.
