Now that you have decided that you want to modularize elements of your new facility, how should you go about it? What changes do you make to your engineering, procurement, construction, and compliance processes to maximize the benefits of modularization?
Whether you use modular process skids, mechanical skids, modular wall systems, or complete modularized shipping containers, the benefits of modular construction—better cost control, reduced schedule, improved quality, and transfer of risk away from our jobsite—are too great to ignore.
It is important to maximize the benefits by starting in the design phase, even as early as conceptual design, to study the options for modularization. Work with the design team to integrate the modular approach into your facility design. Work with your builder early in the design phase to ensure that cost benefits, site logistics, and schedule are reviewed to verify the benefit of modular solutions over traditional stick built options. Sometimes there are site constraints that may have to be considered in the modular approach. Meet and discuss options with your modular vendors to understand all of the benefits that their product may offer, and speak with your compliance team to see where skidded equipment may reduce commissioning time and costs in the field.
Work with your team early in the project life-cycle to identify the opportunities to maximize the benefits of modularization and evaluate whether a fully-modularized approach or a partially modularized approach provides your project with the most benefits (cost, schedule, quality, and reduced risk).
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