Benefits of taking prefab route

Benefits of taking prefab route

We agree with Mr Paul Chan Poh Hoi that prefabrication will bring about many benefits ("Prefab is not bad"; Forum Online, last Friday).

Prefabrication enables architects to create unique building features that could otherwise be too challenging to build using conventional on-site construction methods.

One such example is the distinctive facade of the Parkroyal on Pickering.

Similarly, bathrooms of hotels and residential developments can be fully prefabricated and pre-finished with high-quality finishes to meet customers' expectations.

Prefabrication also moves much of the construction work off-site. In a densely built-up city like Singapore, this helps to minimise noise and dust, and reduce any inconvenience to residents living close to construction sites.

To encourage and support wider adoption of prefabrication, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) is working with various agencies to develop Integrated Construction and Precast Hubs. These are highly automated multi-storey factories that will improve the productivity of precast manufacturing and optimise our land use.

Compared with an open precast manufacturing plant occupying the same land area, an Integrated Construction and Precast Hub can deliver twice the amount of precast components with fewer workers.

Workers can also enjoy a more comfortable working environment as the manufacturing of precast and prefab components is done indoors.

Currently, builders and construction-related firms can tap the BCA's Construction Productivity and Capability Fund to improve their productivity through technology adoption and workforce development.

The BCA is also working on some incentives to encourage private developers to adopt advanced prefabricated technologies.

Ang Lian Aik, Group Director, Construction Productivity Centre, Building and Construction Authority


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