Munitions factories give more opportunities for the construction sector – but is it ready?
Following the UK Government’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) which announced a £1.5 billion investment to build at least six munitions and energetics factories, there is rapidly growing demand for temporary ancillary support facilities as construction projects gain pace. While a huge opportunity for the sector, the right resources need to be in place to properly support the projects, those delivering it and the long-term success of the defence sector.
Munitions and energetics factory projects are typically large and complex and have a unique set of challenges that need to be considered throughout the project duration, including how ancillary facilities are approached. With several competing factors to balance, not least the highly regulated, high security nature of sites, the considerations of cost versus quality, and durability needed for long term projects, finding a viable, cost-effective solution can be challenging.
Offsite manufacturing addresses a number of these challenges through the manufacturing process itself. For many defence projects, clearance and training protocols for onsite personnel is lengthy, and keeping the number of people who can access the site to a minimum is desirable. With much of the build process happening offsite, using precision manufacturing in a factory setting, the teams required to install the modules onsite are often small, and the process is efficient without compromising on safety, compliance or quality.
Strict security measures also limit the amount of traffic and people, entering and exiting sites, meaning that the installation process is not inhibited by delays due to robust vetting processes or significant administration burdens. Having modules delivered prefabricated, drastically reduces the number of vehicles and labour needed to bring materials and equipment onto sites, allowing the temporary ancillary facilities to be installed quickly ahead of the project commencing.
As well as streamlining operational admin, a quicker installation also reduces the chance of delays and can expediate project timelines. With modular facilities able to be installed in a matter of weeks, site workers can hit the ground running with the high-quality welfare and office facilities they require.
Of course, the benefits of modular extend to both temporary and permanent facilities. Whether it is ancillary buildings supporting a larger construction programme, or permanent facilities requiring intense fitout, such as labs or office spaces, the security and speed benefits of offsite are there to be harnessed.
Despite the speed of installation, construction companies can be confident that offsite manufacturing – both temporary and permanent – doesn’t compromise on quality or functionality. Building munitions and energetics factories can take years to complete, and having top of the range facilities will further support employees and enable them to perform for the programme duration. Although the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) lays out the basic requirements for staff facilities – including access to safe drinking water, lockers for personal items and designated rest or eating areas – supporting staff will be key to realising the potential of government’s investment in the sector.
Ensuring staff needs are met, and exceeded, will be pivotal to keeping projects on track and encouraging people into this field of work. Modular office spaces onsite are often used by building, engineering and design teams, and can be constructed to promote a host of wellbeing and productivity benefits. Natural lighting through windows to improve occupants’ wellbeing, wide corridors to maximise flow of movement and high ceilings to give a sense of space, as well as temperature-controlled environments with satisfactory ventilation and acoustic properties, will all support the internal environment and its impact on productivity and staff performance.
The effects of the physical environment on an individual’s mental health are well documented, with light, spaciousness and access to nature commonly cited as enablers of good wellbeing. Ensuring workspaces stand up to employee comfort and wellbeing expectations will help to improve an organisation’s culture and employee mindsets, as well as helping retain top talent, which is increasingly vital due to the skills shortage plaguing the construction and engineering sectors.
As well as quality, offsite manufacturing can support sustainability goals too. Rental modules have a 40+ year lifespan, and their durability and flexibility mean they can be adapted and recycled until the end of their life. Lean manufacturing processes also prioritise operational efficiency by producing less waste from the start, as components are made to exact specifications, resulting in fewer offcuts or waste parts.
Whether short or long term, rental or permanent, modular solutions can be modified for different purposes, for example, they can be repurposed to be anything, from a classroom to a laboratory, with minimal effort. This can be either within the same project as needs change, such as transforming an office to welfare accommodation, or returning the unit to the manufacturer to be re-used on a different build. This means that the embodied carbon within modular buildings never gets released, which helps promote a circular economy by minimising waste and lowering emissions. At project conclusion, it also provides a seamless disposal option by returning modules back to the factory for a new life.
The buildings themselves can also integrate sustainable technologies into design. For example, rainwater harvesting systems can be deployed, allowing water to be collected for non-potable purposes. Not only does this reduce water consumption but it also helps lower water bills and increase operational efficiency. Features such as smart plugs – which are programmed to identify and eliminate energy waste – and solar panels, can be installed to help the building’s energy efficiency, making the project more sustainable and cost-effective. Being able to prove sustainability credentials is increasingly becoming an essential part of winning business for construction companies serving this sector. As qualifications are scrutinised, companies must demonstrate meaningful and measurable sustainability impacts, as well as wider social value contributions to be successfully awarded contracts. By incorporating features that reduce environmental impact during the tender process, organisations can increase their chances of winning the contract or partnership.
Munitions and energetics factories are such large and complex projects, that having the right facilities is critical to a project’s success. The design of ancillary support facilities may not seem as consequential as the project design itself, however it cannot be overlooked. The space that employees work in either helps or hinders them, and the speed of installation can progress or delay the project. Modular solutions offer many benefits that can alleviate pressure from construction companies working on defence projects, and considering six factories being commissioned, companies should act fast to seize the opportunity these projects present.
www.premiermodular.co.uk
Mark Rooney is divisional director at offsite manufacturer, Premier Modular. Established in 1956, Premier Modular Limited is one of the UK’s leading offsite manufacturing and modular building specialists. Based in the UK and Europe, the company provides permanent and temporary solutions to organisations in multiple sectors including healthcare, education, commercial and industrial, and infrastructure. Fast, flexible, and sustainable, its modular solutions are designed to support people and services when it matters most. With minimal disruption and maximum impact, the team is focused on what really counts, the people it’s accommodating. Premier Modular operates one of the UK’s largest and most advanced rental fleets; ready to deploy at a moment’s notice. From safe, high-quality site accommodation to temporary classrooms and fully equipped hospital wards, its spaces are fully compliant, thoughtfully designed, and built to keep communities moving forward.