• Better building performance: Factory production means buildings are manufactured to very tight tolerances.  Full scale tests for air permeability in line with Building Regulations Part L conducted by independent assessors on completed Portakabin buildings have shown that the system consistently performs up to 70 per cent better than site-based building methods. This means exceptional energy efficiency performance, reduced carbon emissions and lower running costs. Factory production means buildings are manufactured to very tight tolerances. 

• Environmental control: We have gained  accreditation for our high-standards of environmental management and commitment to ongoing environmental responsibility. This means that the environmental impact of our products and processes is being reduced through the successful implementation of an environmental management system that is certified to ISO 14001:2004.

• The use of cutting edge software.  Portakabin is the first off-site specialist to introduce new and advanced software to carry out a detailed environmental assessment of every new Portakabin building.  The value management tool allows Portakabin to produce the most sustainable solution for each modular building project, using fast, efficient, comprehensive and fully integrated building simulation analysis.

• Reduced energy consumption.  Up to 67 per cent less energy is required to produce a modular building compared to an equivalent traditionally built project (source: Arup Research and Development).

 

• Enhanced thermal efficiency.  The Portakabin modular system uses a steel-framed design to minimise thermal bridges and make the buildings easier to heat.  A composite panel construction ensures continuity of insulation across the building envelope, ensuring there are no cavities associated with loose-fill insulation. This design feature reduces the risk of condensation, which can significantly reduce the thermal effectiveness of a building, and is unique to Portakabin in the modular industry.

 

• Ozone-friendly materials: The insulation materials used in the walls, roof and floor of Portakabin buildings have an ODP (Ozone Depleting Potential) of zero – minimising their impact on the environment.

• Reduced noise and pollution: There are up to 90 per cent fewer vehicle movements (source: Mtech), which mean less environmental pollution because of reduced vehicle mileage. Noise and dust levels on site are also minimised.

• Less waste: Material useage in the factory is minimised by the careful design and procurement of materials, reducing the amount of waste generated both on and off site. More than 60 per cent of waste is recycled in the production centre, and the cost of waste sent to landfill has been reduced by more than 50 per cent over the last three years.

Economic benefits

• Construction predictability:  Research has shown that only 63 per cent of traditional building projects are completed on time and only 49 per cent to the agreed contract sum.** Costly time and budget overruns are a major concern among construction clients and when it comes to meeting those tight deadlines you need a supplier that can deliver everytime. Factory based modular has guaranteed supply lines, skilled labour and is not weather dependant.

• Speed of construction: Build times can be reduced by up to 50 per cent using modular building methods, leading to proportionate savings in site costs and an earlier return on investment.
  
  
• Quality control: Factory-based manufacturing environment delivers consistently high quality standards through close control of the entire construction process – our quality management system is certified to ISO 9001:2000. All Portakabin production has to successfully pass three quality gates before despatch. Only the company C.E.O. can authorise a concession for the final quality gate.
  
  
  

Social benefits

• Improved health and safety: Factory-based construction offers an intrinsically safer working environment than a traditional construction site. The need to work at height on site is removed.

Our environmental commitment

The Portakabin Group is committed to sustainability through its energy-saving and environmental programme. The company has recorded year-on-year reductions in carbon emissions of 17 per cent, a decrease of 643 tonnes over the last 12 months alone – equivalent to 338 flights from London Heathrow to Sydney. Plus, the Portakabin Group is the first modular building company to commit to meeting the challenges set out in the traditional construction industry Major Contractors' Group Sustainability Charter.†  Intensive training has been carried out to raise awareness amongst employees to further reduce waste and energy consumption across the business.

Benefits for today – and future generations

By choosing to purchase a Portakabinn building over a traditionally constructed one, you can achieve cost and energy savings in both the short term and over the life of the structure, as well as reducing the impact of your activities on the environment for the benefit of future generations.

Do you want to save money on your energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint?  Click here for information on Titan Solar - the first solar-powered relocatable building!

** Research carried out by BCIS for RICS Construction Faculty 2004.

† See http://www.mcg.org.uk/ for details.