The role of Standards in offsite construction A review of existing practice and future need The role of Standards in offsite construction Contents Executive Summary 3 Background to the report 5 Research project 6 Findings 6 Desk research 6 Standards review 7 Issues raised by industry 9 Long term industry goals 10 Conclusions and recommendations 11 Appendix 1 Standards 14 Appendix 2 Literature References 16 Appendix 3 Glossary of terms 17 Appendix 4 Standards Review 18 This report has been prepared by: Special thanks also go to: Clare Price, Market Development Manager – BSI Standards for the Tim Hall at Buildoffsite for sharing the questionnaire with members Built Environment Dr Anna Fricker, Programme manager - BSI Standards for the Built Environment The research was conducted by: Anthony Burd, Head of Sector – BSI Standards for the Built Dr Chris Goodier, Loughborough University Environment Dr Farid Fouchal, Loughborough University All those who participated in the workshops, questionnaires, and Nigel Fraser, West One Management Consulting Ltd other engagement activities 2 eurocodes.bsigroup.com Executive summary Introduction The rise in interest in offsite construction (OC) techniques is well documented. A significant degree of attention has been given to identifying the potential benefits of OC, how these might be achieved, and the barriers to increased take up and delivery capacity. The role of Standards in this regard has also been discussed. In order to contribute to the ongoing discussions on OC BSI has undertaken a number of initiatives, including the standards research project outlined in this report. It aims to understand the current and potential role of standards in this field, what benefits standards can bring, and what action is needed to realise those benefits. As the National Standards Body, BSI works with industry to identify areas where standards are needed and develop them. It maintains the very sizeable portfolio of existing standards to ensure continued relevance, and it promotes UK standards practice at a European and International level through its membership of supranational Standards organisations. The report provides a clear outline of where BSI can support industry and what actions are needed to ensure the existing standards portfolio can accommodate OC techniques, and new standards can be identified in accordance with industry need. General Findings All of this is challenging. Nevertheless participants in the research were positive about the benefits of OC. They see it as having the Offsite Construction is changing the traditional relationships along potential to make their industry better equipped and informed, the supply chain and creating different requirements. Designers are more collaborative and open, faster, safer and more innovative in increasingly working directly with manufacturers, and therefore they the long term. and contractors, need to develop different skills to accommodate manufacturing requirements and complex product assemblies. There Standards findings are also design considerations that are unique to OC. The review of the current use of standards for OC presented a The role of the manufacturer is becoming more significant in OC as number of key findings. they bring more of the on-site deliverables, such as the wet trades and hot trades, in to the factory or eliminate them altogether. There are very few standards applicable to this sub sector. And Manufacturers are also increasingly addressing design performance those few are considerably out of date. This means practitioners in order to deliver the more complex building solutions that they are generally design and manufacture bespoke systems and must manufacturing and offering as complete, turnkey solutions. navigate a path through the very many cross cutting standards in the BSI construction portfolio to identify those that may be relevant Furthermore there is increasing focus on digital manufacturing (e.g. thermal, acoustic, fire performance etc.) and apply them. This techniques from other industries to take learnings and apply them layer of complexity can inhibit innovation and wider integration. to OC. The new platform approach, pioneered by Bryden Wood and now openly accessible, is expected to facilitate a significant On the design side there are unique requirements for OC where a increase in OC capacity through the use of a defined set of standardised process for discussing and specifying OC would standardised building elements from which complex design benefit both design teams and clients. Aspects such as asset solutions can be delivered. management, maintenance and retrofit; logistics and transport; and end of life throw up different considerations for OC. Design It has been noted that these disruptions to traditional building management standards in general, do not currently make specific practice mean that current contractual relationships are not always reference to OC and, while this does not act as a barrier to take up it effective for OC. Industry is going some way towards addressing could act as discouragement to adoption. this through the development of new framework agreements. Clearly, the management and communication of technical The new supply chain relationships, arising in this area, are also information along the supply chain and the roles of testing and presenting standards related issues. It is widely agreed that early compliance are also impacted. collaboration and early commitment to a particular OC system is desirable. But that is also believed to potentially increase risk to a The construction industry is a highly regulated and standardised project. Some of the BIM Standards for library objects demand sector. Building Regulations and the Construction Products more information than many OC manufacturers are prepared to Regulation, together, reference 1,264 standards. Most of these were supply because of IP concerns. And there are calls for factory developed for traditional building practices. This introduces a layer acceptance testing to be permitted to reduce or even replace of complexity around compliance when developing new products on-site installation and commissioning compliance testing. and processes. The industry is also currently undergoing digitalisation through the introduction of Building Information Modelling (BIM) Level 2. 3 The role of Standards in offsite construction Regarding materials standards the picture is less complex but also 2. New work problematic. As may be expected the precast concrete sector has a. The design community must adapt to the different considerations more applicable standards than other material sectors. Steel frames OC imposes on them. The development of agreed processes for fall within the scope of EN 1090 Execution of structures and are design teams, including guidance and recommendations for the early subject to CE marking. But light steel frames manufacturers need to design stages that also addresses supply chain relationships would fill rely on industry guidance produced by SCI. The timber industry in a clear gap in standards need. The current work BSI is undertaking Europe started to develop a structural standard for floor, wall and with HTA Design LLP will go some way to addressing this. The roof elements which is considered by some to have potential, but it proposed Standard could give rise to future parts covering was abandoned due to a lack of consensus. The industry uses ETAGs different materials/assembly types. (European Technical Approval Guidance) which are called up for b. BSI is also keen to work with other agencies to address quality individual products where no European Standards exist and allow management, technical requirements around design performance, for CE marking. They also use industry guidance on SIPs and CLT testing and maintenance issues. published by the Structural Timber Association. c. New requirements on accuracy and tolerances that are specific to OC There are no standards for major OC elements e.g. for modular/ need to be agreed whilst remaining cognizant of industry concerns volumetric units, panelised systems, or pods. Elements are generally over competitiveness with the traditional building sector. BSI has bespoke, and are individually certified as complying with Building a clear role in addressing issues around accuracy and tolerances Regulations, including compliance with standards originally written and the formal review of relevant standards (Action 1a above) will for traditional build and with cross cutting standards mentioned include those covering accuracy and tolerances. Work on a above. revision of BS 5606 has already started. Technical issues that were highlighted as of major interest to the industry were 3. Further research • accuracy and tolerances and a. Work needs to be undertaken to address the lack of common standards for integration and connections across OC. This is a key • integration and connections between systems issue and a major block on expansion in the sector. BSI can work There were many reports of clashes and fitting problems along the with the client and design communities to understand their needs supply chain. One reason is that existing standards for accuracy and in detail and with the supply side to look at material sectors and tolerances are out of date. As a result practitioners often simply assembly suppliers to start to explore where standards may be ignore them, or assume they should be used, or establish their own acceptable. It will be useful to understand, where feasible,