The government has set out a vision for the education sector to be world leading in sustainability by 2030. As Richard Hipkiss, development director of the Modular & Portable Building Association (MPBA), makes clear – central to shaping that will be the increased use of volumetric modular design
All new school buildings delivered by the Department for Education (DfE) that are not already contracted will be net zero in operation. Recognising and finding ways to meet the requirements of changing regulations and policy demands is crucial in reshaping our approach to sustainability. The ecological clock is ticking, and we must take urgent action to mitigate the impact of global warming.
We have a proud legacy of innovation in the modular and portable building sector, and many of our members are gearing up to face the biggest challenge of our generation – the climate crisis. To prevent the global temperature rising and avoid the worst impacts of climate change, the world needs to reach our 2030 Nationally Determined Contribution and net zero by 2050.
So, what is net zero?
Put simply, net zero is a target of negating the amount of greenhouse gases we produce by reducing emissions and implementing methods of absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. In November 2021, the DfE published a delivery framework so that all new schools and colleges can meet the same low-carbon, climate-resilient standards as centrally delivered projects. From now on, bids into the government’s Further Education Capital Transformation Programme will also be assessed to determine if the new works will be net zero in operation.
With great challenges come opportunities and the construction sector is setting out roadmaps to deliver buildings that will be net zero in operation, but this is only part of the carbon equation.
According to the World Green Building Council, construction and buildings in use are responsible for 39% of all carbon emissions in the world. This is broken down into two elements, with 11% being linked to the manufacture of materials and construction processes, known as embodied carbon emissions, and 28% associated with operational emissions caused by heating, cooling and lighting systems when a building is in use.
The challenge is therefore two-fold. While there has been a drive to reduce operational emissions through the implementation of government legislation to improve the building fabric and the wider use of innovative technologies – little has been done to address the carbon inefficiencies in the construction process.
Volumetric modular design is a game-changer for construction
As an industry association, it is one of our objectives to demonstrate how the route to 2050 could follow many different paths. It is now established that volumetric modular design approaches are a game-changer for the construction industry – reducing build times by an impressive 50%-60% while increasing quality, productivity and safety.
But what is not so widely understood is that compared with traditionally built projects, it is easier to control energy use in factory settings than in an open construction site. On average, 67% less energy is required to produce a volumetric manufactured building and up to 50% less time is spent onsite, resulting in up to 90% fewer vehicle movements, which is less disruptive and reduces carbon emissions.
Not only is the actual construction of the building greener but volumetric manufactured buildings are more energy efficient – reducing primary energy requirements and in-use operational emissions during the lifetime of the building.
Unlike factory-manufactured buildings, there is significant evidence that traditional construction methods do not produce structures that perform as well as design expectations and there is a void between anticipated and actual in-use performance.
Findings from studies such as PROBE (Post-Occupancy Review of Buildings and their Engineering) reveal that actual energy consumption in buildings is often as much as twice of that predicted in the design. Providing a predictable pathway to net zero, the benefits of volumetric manufactured buildings begin in the factory, continue to the construction site and last through the lifetime of the building.
MPBA Accreditation & Training CentreÂ
The specialist MPBA Accreditation & Training Centre was created to deliver specific qualifications relevant to the sector it represents. Located in Coventry, West Midlands, it offers an environment for industry experts to share valuable knowledge away from the pressures of the workplace.
The centre provides National Vocational Qualifications, training and apprenticeships in partnership with local and national providers. The MPBA has developed a specific qualification for operatives, in addition to specialist training on electrical systems, and is now developing an apprenticeship for the sector through the Trailblazer Programme.
Through the MPBA’s Learning Hub, the association also provides specialist online courses.
The MPBA works with key partners in specialist areas such as legal, insurance, employment, health and safety to offer industry-specific business support together with technical and training services to help businesses reach their full potential. The MPBA has represented this highly innovative sector for over 80 years. Unlike regional training providers, course content is developed with members, for members.
Richard Hipkiss
Development director
Modular & Portable Building Association
Tel: +44 (0)2475 90 1938
