Relocatable Space Can Be a Fast, Flexible Solution to Crowding Problems
By: Jack Wyatt
Today, long-term school facility plans can be thwarted by a number of different situations, including unpredictable growth, special needs and the need for lower teacher/student ratios. When you know it’s time to do something about overcrowding at your school, you will probably find yourself considering relocatable space. Mobile space helps schools keep up with changes.
The following circumstances can contribute to a school’s need for mobile space:
• Demographics. New communities are popping up and shifting overnight, and, with them, school enrollment can rapidly increase.
• Population bubbles. This is a situation in which there is a specific grade in your school that is more populous than others, often called a “bubble.” The needs of this group travel with it through the school system.
• Construction. Aging schools must continue to provide space for their students even while they are renovating or are making additions.
• Lack of funding. Although a long-term growth plan may be in place, there may be no immediate financing feasible. Students and teachers must be housed affordably until funding for the permanent plan becomes available. The best and quickest answer to problems like these is relocatable space.
In most cases, relocatable classrooms can be on the job in a matter of days or weeks — not months or years. They have the flexibility to be modified, added to, reduced or even moved to different locations to follow the changing needs of your enrollment.
Once you determine that relocatable classrooms are the answer to your needs, you’ll have to determine how many you will need. Your teacher/student ratio requirements will influence this. In private schools, a lower ratio is usually the norm, but a guideline for everyone is to allow 640 square feet per 20 students, which is a size easily accommodated through configuring individual, double or triple-wide relocatable units. In addition to classrooms, space also may be needed for restrooms, office space and other ancillaries. So don’t limit the potential uses of your relocatable space with one-track thinking.
Location
Often, there is only one solution to this dilemma because of the availability of land and accessibility issues. But if the situation permits, put your relocatable space right up front with a pleasant walkway connecting it with the permanent structure. This integrates the space well, and the perception is that the relocatable space isn’t just temporary or inferior in any way. A number of other considerations must be addressed when determining where to put your relocatable space:
• Mobility. Relocatable classrooms should be able to be delivered and removed without disturbing existing structures or ruining land.
• Utilities. The relocatable space’s location should take into account power, water and water disposal access.
• Codes. Often there are adjacency codes that must be met with regard to fire safety, alarms or number of doors.
• Topography. This is important to facilitate handicap ramping and minimize step requirements. Work with your space provider to iron out siting details.
Image
Relocatable space is flexible, so take advantage of its chameleon-like capabilities and make it meet your school’s own needs. Because private schools need to maintain an image, some require that the exterior of their custom-built “annex” closely match the exterior of their existing building. Just because a portion of your school may be relocatable doesn’t mean it has to lack architectural details that can unify it with the permanent structure.
Especially effective are the use of:
• Colors. Relocatable space may be painted or trimmed to match the color of the permanent buildings.
• Finishes. The use of exterior compounds such as cement plaster can improve both the appearance and the durability of relocatable space.
• Exterior lighting. Decorative lanterns or other lighting can help to give relocatable space a less institutional feel.
• Covered walkways. This element can provide a very strong visual, physical and emotional link if it is extended to the relocatable building.
• Landscaping. A few well-placed trees or shrubs can make a world of difference.
Other Considerations
Consider electric and plumbing hookups and installation and inspection fees. In many cases, the facilities department can handle some of what has to be done, or you can contract out. Be aware that there are costs for these services that can sometimes be a surprise to many administrators. Of course, most mobile space providers also will be able to handle the installation for you. This is a cost you will incur only once, unless you later choose to move your space to another site. Some providers offer turnkey service. In other words, those providers can arrange everything to do with the installation, from obtaining permits to building an entrance ramp. All you do is place an order and on the appointed day, start holding classes.
Providers, Financing
Of course, price and availability are prime concerns when choosing a relocatable space provider. But other considerations are experience in constructing classrooms in your state and in-plant inspection by the state architect’s office.
Another often-overlooked concern is whether the supplier is bondable and approvable. Also, you want a provider who understands what you need and will work with you to make sure you get it. A major part of the appeal of relocatable space stems from the fact that financing is so flexible. Leases for a specific period of time let you make affordable monthly payments, and, when you no longer need the space, your obligation is finished.
Purchasing is also an option. Some companies offer a buy-back service to people who purchase space from them. This provides the ability to recoup some of the money spent initially.
Another convenient alternative is leasing to own. With this option, you have the ability to make monthly payments with the goal of ownership. Look for a relocatable space provider who tries to develop a payment plan to suit any school and budget.
With a little bit of planning and a reliable provider, your school as well can have the extra space it needs — in a hurry, with no interruptions — at a cost that is workable for you.
Jack Wyatt is retired from Williams Scotsman. He can be reached by e-mailing jackwyatt@msn.com.
Sidebar 1
Modular Building or Temporary Trailer?
By Jeff and Lisa Austin
Grandma always told me that the proof was in the pudding, and the same is true with modular buildings. Can you take a nice commercial modular building and install it in a way that makes it look like a temporary trailer? Yes. And yes, you can install a trailer in a professional manner and it will take on the appearance of a commercial building.
Integration of the modular building into the school property is essential in determining if the structure will look like a modular building or a temporary trailer. The Installation Criteria allows you the opportunity to seamlessly blend the modular building into your site. Without this planning step, you are almost guaranteed to have a temporary trailer regardless of your building specifications. The Installation Criteria will determine whether or not your modular building will look like a planned addition or resemble a temporary trailer.
What works for you might not work for me. What are you trying to achieve by using the modular building? Are you looking for temporary relief to overcrowding? Are you trying to maximize your cost-per-square-foot? Do you need quick occupancy or will you need to relocate your facility five years down the road? You must ask yourself these questions to determine your Project Objectives. These Project Objectives should influence every decision made about the building and budget.
Oh no, I said the b-u-d-g-e-t word. You are not alone. Some people have a hard time compiling a project budget. Budgets are a planning tool, but they also make you face the unknown, and that is what people really have a problem with. Facing the unknown aspects of a construction project is an overwhelming task for the faint of heart. Modular buildings are an answer to your prayers, if you take the time to do some financial planning. How much money should you dedicate to site development? How much should you spend on the modular building? The answer to those questions hinge around your Project Objectives.
What is the cost difference between a professionally designed modular building compared to a temporary trailer or skid structure? Literally, the cost is just pennies per square foot. What is the resale potential for a modular building? State-approved modular buildings can have a strong secondary-use market if they are designed properly. Again, what are your Project Objectives? Supply and demand dictate the price of any item sold in the open market. Since modular buildings can be moved, they need to be designed to increase their demand and functional use. This will open the market up to more potential customers and thus increase the resale market price for the modular building. The key is professional design.
This information was co-written by Jeff Austin and Lisa Austin of Modular Building Associates located in Coppell, Texas. For more information, please call 866-266-4622 (4MBA) or visit their Web site at www.modularbuildingassociates.com.
Sidebar 2
Advantages of Using Modular Construction
By Duane Harris
Today’s schools are seeking value more than ever before, due to the 25 to 30 percent construction cost increases seen in 2004. Modular classrooms and schools have become a very important solution for schools with shrinking funds. Schools report that they are impressed with the quality of their modular classrooms, the cost savings they received, and the stress-free buying process. They also note that permitting takes about half the time, and that the actual construction and installation time is equally fast. For those schools that seek more value for their budget, modular construction is an increasingly good alternative to site-built construction. Modular classrooms vs. site-built buildings: What’s better? The answer depends on who you talk to, but it is clear that recent gains in market share show that modular construction is here to stay. An increasing number of churches and schools have turned to modulars because they are more affordable and well-built.
Duane Harris is regional sales manager at Pacific Mobile Structures.
Sidebar 3
Product Roundup
Alan Pre-Fab Building Corporation
Alan school buildings and classrooms provide solutions to the space problems schools face. Alan’s pre-fabricated buildings are functional, attractive and easy to move and relocate. Each unit has aluminum windows, ducted heating and air-conditioning and steel-clad doors with glass view ports. Interior elements include a pre-finished wood grained panel interior, tile or carpeted floors and fluorescent lighting. Options include chalk and tack boards, restrooms, partitions, permanent foundations, ramps, landings, stoops, roof overhangs, exterior lighting, counters, oversized windows and emergency lighting.
www.alanprefab.com
Anchor Modular Buildings
Anchor Modular Buildings sells and leases new and used modular classrooms in the Mid-Atlantic region. The company offers building solutions from 150 square feet up to 20,000 square feet and more. Choices for building materials range from budget-conscious to high-end exteriors with masonry finishes, even multi-story buildings. Anchor offers a wide range of services from design through installation, including custom-built decking and ramps. Anchor’s customer list includes names like the University of Rutgers and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
www.anchormodular.com
Pacific Mobile Structures
Pacific Mobile Structures is a full-service general contractor that specializes in the design and construction of commercial mobile and modular buildings. They routinely produce single and two-story medical clinics, schools and classrooms, plus a wide variety of specialty buildings. They have six branch offices with a coverage area of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Alaska and California. Pacific Mobile has services that include award-winning architectural design, feasibility studies/budget assistance, acquisition of permits and complete project management, plus their own on-staff installation crews, equipment, trucks and service department.
www.pacificmobile.com
Vanguard Modular Building Systems
Vanguard Modular Building Systems provides modular buildings for commercial, healthcare/medical and educational users along the eastern seaboard. Their high-quality, cost-effective pre-engineered buildings can be utilized in a wide range of applications, including permanent or portable office space, medical and laboratory facilities, permanent or portable classrooms, training facilities, daycares and church fellowship halls. Vanguard Modular is headquartered in Malvern, Penn., and has sales and technical offices throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast and South Central United States. Their project teams are experienced and knowledgeable in all local, state and regional construction codes and requirements. Vanguard has a wide variety of standard floor plans (mobile classrooms, portable offices, medical offices/labs or church/worship facilities) as well as custom options for all of their modular buildings.
www.vanguardmodular.com
Ramtech Building Systems
Ramtech Building Systems is an industry leader in the design, manufacture and installation of temporary and permanent modular classroom buildings. Located in Mansfield, Texas, Ramtech has provided traditional portable classrooms to schools in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and Kansas since 1982. In 2001, Ramtech introduced its Floorless Modular product line, allowing for permanent modular classroom solutions. This construction method combines the speed and efficiency of modular construction with the quality and aesthetic appearance of permanent site construction. Utilizing simultaneous construction tracks, a concrete slab/floor is poured while the structure is undergoing off-site assembly. This method minimizes costly weather delays and accelerates the entire delivery process. Ramtech offers standard floorplans of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 classroom designs, as well as offering custom floorplan solutions.
www.ramtechgroup.com
