gibb.pdf (209.6 kB)
Maintenance cost implications of utilizing bathroom modules manufactured offsite
journal contribution
posted on 2010-05-12, 11:24 authored by Wei Pan, Alistair Gibb, Andrew B. SellarsThough the benefits from using offsite technologies have been rehearsed, their
uptake within the UK construction industry is slow. A critical barrier is the lack of
cost data of using such technology. Another is the unsubstantiated perception that
maintenance of offsite solutions is difficult and expensive. But, yet again, there
appears to be no data publicly available on this topic. This knowledge gap is
addressed by presenting the cost data of maintaining offsite and insitu bathrooms for
student accommodation. The records of 732 maintenance jobs were investigated.
These jobs span three years for 398 bathrooms, including precast concrete modules,
Glass Reinforced Polyester (GRP) modules and insitu bathrooms. The results suggest
that GRP modules required the lowest maintenance costs whilst insitu bathrooms
were significantly more expensive to maintain. For offsite modules, drainage, toilets,
vents and sink were identified as the main problematic areas for maintenance. The
maintenance of insitu bathrooms was more complex and involved a wider range of
problematic areas. The design imposed significant effects on the long-term cost of
offsite bathrooms. Aspirations of clients need to be fully understood and integrated
into design. The findings should facilitate the design decision-making of using offsite
bathrooms for residential buildings.
History
School
- Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering
Citation
PAN, W., GIBB, A.G.F. and SELLARS, A.B., 2008. Maintenance cost implications of utilizing bathroom modules manufactured offsite. Construction Management and Economics, 26(10), pp. 1067-1077Publisher
© Taylor & FrancisVersion
- AM (Accepted Manuscript)
Publication date
2008Notes
This article was published in the journal, Construction Management and Economics [© Routledge (Taylor & Francis)] and the definitive version is available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01446190802422161ISSN
0144-6193;1466-433XLanguage
- en