{"id":885,"date":"2019-12-30T14:21:00","date_gmt":"2019-12-30T08:51:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.axiumglobal.com\/dev\/?post_type=articles&p=885"},"modified":"2024-09-02T11:20:11","modified_gmt":"2024-09-02T05:50:11","slug":"dfma-why-mep-contractors-should-consider-it","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/axiumglobal.com\/test\/dev\/articles\/dfma-why-mep-contractors-should-consider-it","title":{"rendered":"DfMA \u2013 Why MEP Contractors Should Consider It"},"content":{"rendered":"

When something makes your life easier, why not use it? Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) is a building construction practice that involves integrating factory-built building components or modules on site. It is a practice that results in several advantages, but the most important ones are that DfMA facilitates improved quality, improved time management and a safer site.<\/p>\n

As DfMA includes the assembly of prefabricated elements or modules, MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) contractors can use prefabricated construction modelling, DfMA modelling and drawings and modular construction drawings to help deliver sound and accurate MEP services.<\/p>\n

In addition to design, it is essential that the owners, design consultants and MEP contractors agree on the project\u2019s timeline. Using MEP prefabricated modules in the DfMA process means that MEP designs must be finalised early on. That way, rework and other costly and unproductive delays can be avoided. The timeline comes into play even for procurement and logistics. Design decisions regarding factory manufacture must be finalised early in the planning stage, so that the requisite materials can be procured on time. To do so, the MEP contractors will collaborate with the general contractor and building engineering consultants. The input from the MEP contractors can be used effectively and thus help avoid additional costs and delays.<\/p>\n

Project site supervision teams can monitor and supervise the work in progress at a controlled factory setting during the DfMA process rather than travel to the site. This becomes useful when MEP unit prototypes are being introduced. Instead of finding an area where the prototype can be tested on site before installation, using DfMA means that the prototype unit can be tested in the factory, inspected, tested and then mass produced in a location away from the site. Such a process helps to make sure that the MEP units are produced in compliance with drawings and specifications early on, avoiding costly rework.<\/p>\n

To facilitate convenient methods of quality control, MEP contractors can use Building Information Modelling (BIM) services. The MEP BIM data can be accessed via a mobile to execute quality checks, inspect a site and supervise work progress. Checks that can be performed include the following:<\/p>\n

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  • Visual Checks <\/li>\n
  • Interference Checks <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n
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    • Standards Checks <\/li>\n
    • Element Validation <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

      The MEP contractor\u2019s team members can check on the quality processes and update the BIM model regularly in the DfMA process.<\/p>\n

      Notable Advantages of DfMA for MEP Contractors<\/h5>\n
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      • Thorough Understanding \u2013 The DfMA process begins with completely comprehending the site and its features, the design brief, key constraints and important considerations.<\/li>\n
      • Level of Detail (LOD) \u2013 According to project requirements, detailed data can be accessed, used and checked.<\/li>\n
      • Safety \u2013 Experience and research shows that factory conditions are 80<\/span> percent safer than working on site.<\/li>\n
      • Costs \u2013 Labour on site costs approximately double that required for factory-based labour.<\/li>\n
      • Productivity \u2013 The rate of productivity in a factory can be as high as 80<\/span> percent, while typical site productivity rates hover around 40<\/span> percent.<\/li>\n
      • Waste Reduction \u2013 Efficient factory settings can limit wastage of resources to just 2-3<\/span> percent and also recycle most materials.<\/li>\n
      • Minimal On-site Labour \u2013 Since most of the MEP components are produced in the factory, on-site labour is minimised.<\/li>\n
      • Manufacture of Kits, Modules \u2013 Kits with parts can be manufactured at the factory or workshop and easily assembled on site, and modules fitted out in a factory can be easily installed at the site.<\/li>\n
      • Easy Site Reconstruction \u2013 With DfMA, components, modules and even entire buildings can be reconfigured and transferred to another site, thus re-using parts.<\/li>\n
      • Minimal Site Delays \u2013 Typical on-site delays, such as lack of materials or labour, trade sequencing and rework, are all minimised and even eliminated through DfMA.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

        When looking at \u2018fit-out kits\u2019 delivered to the site, it can be observed that everything that is required for the relevant work can be created and delivered, such as :<\/p>\n

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          \n
        • Tested and terminated \u2018plug and play\u2019 wiring looms<\/li>\n
        • Volumetric or flat pack bathrooms<\/li>\n
        • Prefabricated services units, with boiler and water tanks, under-floor heating manifolds, electrical distribution boards, whole house ventilation units, etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
          Further reasons why MEP contractors should consider DfMA are as follows:<\/h5>\n
          \n
            \n
          • Expense<\/strong>– By using fewer parts, standard parts and hardware, removing unique parts and decreasing the labour count for assembly, and because the factory setting protects manufacture from weather conditions, several considerably high expenses can be saved. <\/li>\n
          • Ease and Speed<\/strong>– Using vertical assembly and self-aligning components, it becomes easier and faster to assemble parts, disassemble them and repair them. There is a reduced need to reorient parts when they can be stacked vertically. Ball bearings, washers and roller bearings are easy to use in an assembly, since they are self-aligning. Fewer tools are needed to install self-contained MEP modules, saving time.<\/li>\n
          • Testing<\/strong>– Modules can be optimised using BIM, and prototypes can be tested extensively, reducing risks.<\/li>\n
          • High Efficiency<\/strong>– Consistent components that can be continuously modified result from DfMA, due to increased levels of quality control. Greater efficiency is achieved from fewer manufactured parts, resulting from reduced breakage and misalignment.<\/li>\n
          • Less Site Visits, More On-site Space<\/strong>– When on-site space is limited and difficult to access, DfMA can lead to less material and labour on site, while helping maintain space on site for other activities.<\/li>\n
          • Manufacturing Simplified<\/strong>– Using prefabricated modules helps simplify testing, inspection, assembly, purchasing, maintenance, redesign, service, etc. With multi-functional parts, several functions can be executed, such as projections, indentations, chamfers, moulded keyways, etc. Most of the steps concerned with cleaning and soldering can be avoided.<\/li>\n
          • Troubleshooting<\/strong>– Prefabrication through DfMA simplifies assembly operations, inventory, maintenance, servicing processes and the identification of problems. With flexible interconnected parts and harnesses, connectors can avoid misalignment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
            \n
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            \n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":2867,"template":"","format":"standard","categories":[9,11],"class_list":["post-885","articles","type-articles","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles","category-engineering"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nDfMA \u2013 Why MEP Contractors Should Consider It - Axium Global<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"In the prefabricted construction BIM process, prefabricated construction modelling can help avoid rework and other costly, unproductive delays.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/axiumglobal.com\/test\/dev\/articles\/dfma-why-mep-contractors-should-consider-it\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"DfMA \u2013 Why MEP Contractors Should Consider It\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"In the prefabricted construction BIM process, prefabricated construction modelling can help avoid rework and other costly, unproductive delays.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/axiumglobal.com\/test\/dev\/articles\/dfma-why-mep-contractors-should-consider-it\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Axium Global\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/axiumglobal\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-09-02T05:50:11+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/axiumglobal.com\/test\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/DfMA-\u2013-Why-MEP-Contractors-Should-Consider-It.webp\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"720\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"375\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/webp\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@axiumglobal\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/axiumglobal.com\\\/test\\\/dev\\\/articles\\\/dfma-why-mep-contractors-should-consider-it\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/axiumglobal.com\\\/test\\\/dev\\\/articles\\\/dfma-why-mep-contractors-should-consider-it\",\"name\":\"DfMA \u2013 Why MEP Contractors Should Consider It - 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