PREFABRICATED PREFINISHED VOLUMETRIC CONSTRUCTION (PPVC) IN SINGAPORE Introduction With the aim of transforming Singapore’s built environment to be more advanced and integrated through adoption of new game-changing technologies, the Singapore Government launched the Construction Industry Transformation Map (ITM) in 2017, the Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA) is one of the key approaches of the Construction ITM. The concept of DfMA is a design approach that focuses on ease of manufacturing and efficient assembly, in the minimum time and lower cost. Some of the examples of DfMA concepts are Prefabricated Bathroom Units (PBUs), Mass Engineered Timber (MET) and Prefabricated Mechanical Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) Systems. In Singapore, Prefabricated Prefinished Volumetric Construction (PPVC) is one of the key products of DfMA. What is PPVC and why PPVC ? Prefabricated Prefinished Volumetric Construction (PPVC) is a modular construction that adopts the concept of ‘factory assembly followed by on-site installation’. It comprises integrated free-standing volumetric modules complete with internal finishes, fixtures and fittings that are manufactured in the factory, and then to be delivered to site for installation in a ‘legolike’ manner. There are 3 types of PPVC systems available in the market, namely concrete, steel and hybrid of concrete and steel in which concrete PPVC modules are more commonly used in Singapore due to the climate and better maintenance. With majority of the on-site construction works shifted to off-site controlled factory environment, adoption of the PPVC is envisaged with the following benefits: ● Improve productivity by up to 40% in terms of manpower and time savings, depending on the complexity of the projects; ● Better construction environment due to lesser construction works and manpower on-site, such as reduction of dust and noise pollution, lesser construction waste and better site safety; and ● Improve quality control as off-site fabrication can generate higher quality end products. PPVC in Singapore Government Regulation for PPVC Stipulated as the mandated land sales conditions for new development sold under Government Land Sales (GLS) Programme from 1 November 2014, the Developer is required to adopt the PPVC for selected non-landed residential and hotel land parcels. Singapore’s Building Construction Authority (BCA) also stipulates the minimum requirements for PPVC which both the Developer and the Main Contractor shall comply with. Extracted from the Code of Practice on Buildability 2017 (COP 2017), the minimum level of use of PPVC shall be 65% of the total super-structural floor area of the building or the component of the building that is to be used for residential or private dwelling purposes. The COP 2017 also clearly indicates the minimum level of finishing and fittings to be completed off-site for the volumetric modules (see Table 1). Table 1 Minimum level of finishing and fittings to be completed off-site (Source: BCA, 2017). A comprehensive acceptance framework was also being established in ensuring that all PPVC systems designed by different Consultants and Contractors are reliable, robust and meet minimum standards. The acceptance framework consists of two parts – acceptance by the Building Innovation Panel (BIP), followed by accreditation under and the PPVC Manufacturer Accreditation Scheme (PPVC MAS). The Government also encourages the adoption of PPVC through formulating a master plan of the development of Integrated Construction and Prefabrication Hubs (ICPH) with a 30-year lease term. Current Outlook of PPVC in Singapore With the strong push by the Singapore’s Government for the DfMA and PPVC, the DfMA adoption rate (in term of Gross Floor Area (GFA)) has increased from 19.2% in 2017, the year of the launch of Construction ITM, to 44% in 2021. It has surpassed the ITM target of achieving 40% in 2020. To date, 34 nos of Concrete PPVC Systems and 17 nos of Steel PPVC Systems have been accepted and 5 nos of ICPHs are constructed and in full operation. 00:0 5
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