Obstacles Preventing the Off-Site Prefabrication of Timber and MEP Services: Qualitative Analyses from Builders and Suppliers in Australia

Abstract

Limited empirical and qualitative studies focus on the detailed processes and obstacles for coordinating off-site prefabrication between builders and suppliers. This research aims to identify and address the obstacles that currently prevent the further expansion of off-site prefabrication, with a research scope on timber and mechanical/electrical/plumbing (MEP) services in construction projects. The focal point of this research is to highlight their obstacles. A total of forty interviews were conducted and analyzed from four builders’ organizations and four suppliers’ organizations to ascertain their obstacles in coordinating the practice of off-site prefabrication. The results found the builder’s obstacles were sustainability, quality assurance (QA), mass production, CAD/BIM, technological support, commercial arrangements, system building, buffering in supply, schedule monitoring, productivity, flexibility, engagement, risks, and multiple supply arrangements. The supplier’s obstacles were design, financing and subcontracting, coordination, recognized practices, risks, multiple supply arrangements, and constraints. Moreover, the builders and suppliers had identified some ways to harmonize off-site prefabrication of timber. Some examples of timber prefabrication technology include joinery, doors and/or windows, structural floor/wall/roof frames, partitions, trusses, stairs, balustrades, and others. MEP services with in situ construction comprise the use of power sources and working coordination. The most important outcome of this investigation is that these obstacles can be addressed through collaboration and coordination. This is because there is a traditionally a lack of collaboration amongst builders and their suppliers. Furthermore, there is a lack of coordination between them in general. The research contributes to the improved timber and MEP services collaboration and coordination in off-site prefabrication, which can be referred to by other approaches of modular construction.

Design Analysis of Mass Timber and Volumetric Modular Strategies as Counterproposals for an Existing Reinforced Concrete Hotel

“…While the "2015 Solid Timber Construction Report" summarizes 18 case studies regarding cost and schedule savings [26], few studies focus on the detailed processes and obstacles that impede collaboration between builders and suppliers in terms of the coordination of off-site prefabrication [27]. This is attributed to the fact that collaboration, in general, is lacking [28].…”

Integration of Building Services in Modular Construction: A PRISMA Approach

“…Previous research has interpreted and defined prefabrication (also called modularization) differently based on its subtle regional, geographical, or proximal aspects [43]. Modular construction entails designing, manufacturing, transporting, and assembling building components for rapid site assembly with faster completion than on-site construction [44].…”

“…According to Lopez et al [43], Australian builders and suppliers face challenges and opportunities for off-site prefabrication of timber components and MEP services. The study compared and analyzed interview data from four builders and four suppliers.…”

Overall Barriers to The Prefabricated Construction Industry: A Fuzzy-SEM

“…Low tolerance between manufacturing parts and on-site assembly (Lopez et al, 2022;Rahman and Asce, 2014;Wuni and Shen, 2020a)…”