Save costs and the environment ? over the life of your building

What is sustainability?

Sustainability is all about meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations. It can be measured in terms of economic, environmental and social value.

Cut the financial and environmental costs of your building

Portakabin produces some of the most advanced modular and relocatable building systems available. They are designed and manufactured under controlled conditions using the latest technology in state-of-the-art production facilities. The steel-framed buildings are fully fitted out in the factory before being delivered to site by road, where they are craned onto pre-prepared foundations in a matter of hours.

Studies have shown that our modular method of construction offers considerable whole-life value benefits, including:

Economic benefits

• Construction predictability: Costly time and budget overruns are a major concern among construction clients. Because it is factory based, modular building manufacture is not disrupted by weather conditions, site characteristics or trade shortages. Research has shown that 99.6% of Portakabin projects are delivered on time and on budget* – compared with a construction-industry average of 63% on time and 49% on budget.**
• Speed of construction: Build times can be reduced by up to 50% using modular building methods, leading to proportionate savings in site costs and an earlier return on investment.
• Quality control: Factory-based manufacturing environment delivers consistently high quality standards through close control of the entire construction process – our quality management system is certified to ISO 9001:2000.

Environmental benefits

• Better building performance: Factory production means buildings are manufactured to very tight tolerances. Use of cutting edge software ensures that every building designed by Portakabin has carbon emission rates which will either meet or exceed the requirements of Building Regulations Part L2. Tests conducted by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) on the Portakabin Ultima building system have shown that it exceeds the Building Regulations Part L air permeability requirements by 70% – resulting in exceptional energy efficiency performance for reduced energy consumption.
• Environmental control: We have gained  accreditation for our high-standards of environmental management and commitment to ongoing environmental responsibility. This means that the environmental impact of our products and processes is being reduced through the successful implementation of an environmental management system that is certified to ISO 14001:2004.
• Ozone-friendly materials: The insulation materials used in the walls, roof and floor of Portakabin buildings have an ODP (Ozone Depleting Potential) of zero – minimising their impact on the environment.
• Reduced noise and pollution: Fewer vehicle movements mean less environmental pollution because of reduced vehicle mileage. Noise levels on site are also minimised.
• Recycling of materials: Portakabin buildings are manufactured with ease of disassembly and recycling in mind. Bolted components can easily be dismantled and re-used, and steel is endlessly recyclable.
• Less waste: The amount of waste generated at both the factory and the site location is minimised. The Portakabin manufacturing facility in York recycles more than 60% of its waste, and the cost of waste sent to landfill has been reduced by 50% over the last three years.

Social benefits

• Improved health and safety: Factory-based construction offers an intrinsically safer working environment than a traditional construction site. The need to work at height on site is removed.

Our environmental commitment

Portakabin itself is committed to sustainability through its energy-saving and environmental programme. The company has recorded year-on-year reductions in carbon emissions of 17 per cent, a decrease of 643 tonnes over the last 12 months alone – equivalent to 338 flights from London Heathrow to Sydney. 

A recent report from our French office shows that the Sarl business has reduced their electricity consumption by 22% in 2007, following an 8% reduction in 2006. This is even more of an improvement, when you consider that over this period we have added two hire centres to the network.

Plus, Portakabin is the first modular building company to commit to meeting the challenges set out in the traditional construction industry Major Contractors’ Group Sustainability Charter.†

Benefits for today – and future generations

By choosing to purchase a Portakabin building over a traditionally constructed one, you can achieve cost savings in both the short term and over the life of the structure, as well as reducing the impact of your activities on the environment for the benefit of future generations. 

Do you want to save money on your energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint?  Click here for information on Titan Solar - the first solar-powered relocatable building!

 * Based on Portakabin order analysis for January 2004 - June 2008.

** Research carried out by BCIS for RICS Construction Faculty 2004

† See www.mcg.org.uk for details.