Light Steel Framing in Modular Construction
Light steel framing can be used in a wide range of building types and construction applications including portable modular buildings.
TF Jackson manufactures its portable building range using C or Z shaped steel sections produced by cold rolling from strip steel. Steel offers strength, durability, and precision as well as a quick assembly and structural integrity, making them ideal for challenging environments. Steel’s fire resistance enhances safety, while its lightweight nature reduces transportation costs. As a sustainable, recyclable material, steel supports environmental responsibility. Additionally, steel frames meet modern building standards, providing reliable, secure, and efficient solutions for various modular building applications, from temporary offices to accommodation units.
SCI (the Steel Construction Institute) has been a trusted, independent source of information and engineering expertise globally for over 30 years, providing technical expertise and best practice advice to the steel construction sector. Their website has valuable information for the steel manufacturing sector including a Light Steel Framing Forum dedicated to cold-formed steel sections used in the construction industry. Although the Forum focuses on complex modular building projects, from residential homes to large-scale projects like hospitals, schools, and supermarkets, many of the advantages identified of light are equally relevant in the manufacture of portable, modular units.
Build Quality
Light steel framing and modular construction offer strong, wind-resistant structures that meet safety regulations and maintain stability.
- Light steel framing and modular construction provide robust structures that satisfy the Building Regulation requirement for the avoidance of disproportionate collapse.
- Light steel structures are capable of resisting high wind loads.
- Can easily be extended and modified internally in the future.
- Steel is a ductile material which is able to sustain significant deformation without detrimental loss of strength.
- Excellent performance characteristics e.g. fire resistance, acoustic insulation, and thermal insulation.
- High level of quality control through off-site manufacture.
Installation
Light steel framing construction offers streamlined assembly, minimal on-site work, and flexible adaptation to various site conditions
- Speed of construction (up to 50% faster than traditional methods).
- Minimum disturbance to the locality during construction, with fewer deliveries; this is particularly advantageous where site constraints may limit the storage space available.
- Suitable where site constraints may limit deliveries needed for other more traditional methods of building.
Safety
Light steel framed buildings enhance safety by reducing on-site construction time, minimising worker exposure to hazards, and ensuring consistent quality through controlled off-site fabrication.
- Steel is non-combustible; it does not add to the fire load of the building.
- Fire resistance periods of up to 60 minutes are achievable.
- The amount of combustible material in a light steel framed building is much lower than in some other forms of construction.
- The fire risk during construction is much lower for light steel framing than for some forms of construction.
- Site safety is improved by a factor of 5 according to HSE statistics due to the off-site construction process.
Sustainability
Light steel framed modular buildings promote sustainability through reduced waste, energy-efficient construction processes, and lower environmental impact, making them an eco-friendly alternative to traditional building methods.
- High levels of thermal insulation and air-tightness are achieved in light steel framing, and modular construction.
- The light weight of these construction systems means that foundation loads and sizes are reduced by over 70% relative to concrete and block-work construction.
- Productivity and speed of construction is increased by over 30% which reduces site impacts.
- Transport is greatly reduced.
- Site waste is virtually eliminated by the use of pre-fabricated light steel and modular components compared to the industry average wastage of 10% in construction materials.
- Use of components rolled to length results in no production waste.
- Embodied carbon in the building fabric is reduced by up to 20% when using light steel framing and modular construction.
- Renewable energy technologies can be attached to and built-in the light steel and modular components.
Light steel framing offers a sustainable and efficient solution for modular buildings, including temporary or semi-permanent units used for offices, classrooms, welfare facilities and site accommodation on construction sites. TF Jackson’s prefabricated portable buildings and cabins are designed to be easily transported, quickly assembled, and adaptable to various uses, offering a flexible and cost-effective alternative to traditional building methods. Fill out our online enquiry form or call us at 01298 79753, and a member of our friendly team will be happy to help.
