Here are the answers to the most common questions from school leaders regarding modular structures.

Q. What are modular buildings?
A. Modular buildings are constructed in a controlled factory environment and shipped to the prepared building site for installation. Modular buildings are installed on site for temporary/relocatable or permanent applications. They are fully code compliant and meet the strictest structural standards, as they do need to be transported.

Modular construction is an alternative method of building schools and almost any other type of building you can imagine. Modular construction employs factory techniques to improve quality, shorten manufacturing time, and reduce cost. While it is not quite an assembly-line approach to manufacturing buildings, the economies of scale, increased worker efficiencies, and reduction of delays from weather or vandalism add up to greater speed at less cost.

Q. What are some advantages of modular construction?
A. The most significant advantage of modular construction is time savings. Site-built buildings are subject to weather conditions, subcontractor delays, waits for permits and labor shortages. Modular buildings are built on a controlled timetable, in a factory environment. Typically, a standard commercial modular building can be constructed in as little as 45 days. Time savings also occur because site preparation can be completed while the building is being constructed at the factory.

Modular construction also provides a cost saving due to standardization of the engineering process, bulk purchase of building materials and the controlled factory construction environment. As a result, a standard modular building can cost up to 20 percent less than a traditionally constructed building.

An additional advantage is gained in the quality of construction. A standardized construction method with skilled and knowledgeable labor means an MBS modular building is not dependent on the vagaries and availability of the local labor market.

Q. Are there other significant differences?  
A. There is one other difference worth noting - flexibility. A modular building can be designed to be quickly assembled and easily disassembled. For instance, you can reconfigure a modular school to meet changing student numbers, something that is not possible to do with a standard brick-and-mortar facility. In fact, with modular, you can disassemble and move the entire building to another location and be back in business within a relatively short period of time.

Q. What is the quality of materials used to build modular structures?
A. Modular structures are built to the same specifications, with the same name brand material as conventional construction: wood grades, plumbing and electrical materials, fire walls, etc. Modular buildings must meet all the same local and state building codes as conventionally constructed buildings. As for interior design, the customer may select the wall and floor coverings, window treatments and all other custom features.

Q. How long has modular construction been in use?
A. The industry has its beginnings in the post World War II era, when the huge demand for housing for returning GIs overwhelmed the construction industry's ability to deliver. Pre-fabricated modular housing was developed as a solution to this demand. Other countries with severe commercial building needs following the war also developed simplistic modular construction techniques. In the following decades, technological advances have increased the quality of those initial efforts, as well as opened the door to new applications of modular construction.

Q. What do modular buildings look like?
A. You drive by modular buildings every day. They can look just like any other building around. Exteriors can vary in appearance and be made to look similar to any other style of construction. Interiors can have brand name cabinets, plush carpets and all of the other hardware associated with any other building. Because of the efficiencies of modular construction, you may be able to upgrade the exterior look and interior decor.

Q. What is the modular building construction process like?
A. The process consists of a floor plan design as well as material selections and detailed drawings for submittals to government agencies for construction approval. A company can guide you through the entire construction process from conception to occupation.

Q. How long does construction take?
A. It can take anywhere from one to three months depending on the scope and scale of the project - certainly much less time than site-built construction. Where conventional construction is a linear process, your modules can be manufactured and prepared for installation at the same time site work is being started.

Q. Do modular buildings meet code?
A. Yes. In many cases they exceed today's codes by offering greater energy efficiencies and weather resistance. They are designed to meet ADA requirements and fire safety rules, as well.

Q. Can we move or rearrange our building?
A. Yes. Each module is a unit. There are points where electrical, plumbing, ventilation and other systems meet. They can be quickly disconnected, mate lines cut and the building lifted from its foundation. Then a truck hauls it to the next site where the process can be reversed, quickly. Adding another section to an existing building can also be finished faster than by conventional builders.

Source: Modular Building Systems