Summary

This review describes different types of mobile and modular buildings used at mine sites. Several suppliers of such buildings are listed, including two suppliers of buildings used for environmental cleanup. Yurts are also described as an alternative form of mobile structures.

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INTRODUCTION

We have all spent time in temporary, mobile, or modular buildings at a mine site. No introduction is needed here for this class of structure, except to note that there is a difference between a mobile and a modular building. Mobile means you can easily pick it up and move it somewhere else—a tent is the ultimate mobile structure. Modular means the parts are made somewhere else and brought to site to be assembled, but not to be moved again. I deal with both here.

ASSOCIATIONS

The defender of modular buildings, as opposed to mobile buildings, is the Modular Building Systems Association.

The Modular Buildings.org website is a great source of information including lists of suppliers, terms, articles and discussions. Here is their definition of a modular structure:

Modular buildings are structures that have components, which are fabricated prior to the onsite assembly. A controlled factory environment is the place where modular buildings or the components for prefabricated buildings are manufactured. The building or components are then delivered to prepared building sites for installation. A prefabricated or modular building comes complete with all the necessary components, including walls, floor trusses, windows, heating and cooling, plumbing, electrical wiring and interior finishes. In the broadest sense, a modular building refers to any building or structure that is factory built.

We need heed their warning:

Careful planning before construction is important. National and local electrical and construction standards must be explored before installing a modular or pre-fabricated structure. Foundation is another concern when establishing a structure on site. Foundation systems that are used by modular structures should comply with locally prescribed model construction codes to support the structure.

To get the codes, estimating guides, and construction safety tips go to Onlymodularbuildings.com.

NRB modular building specialists list this advantage of modular construction: reduced construction schedule---conventional construction is progressive from start to finish, where modular construction overlaps building construction with site development. The result? The dovetailing of these two phases of a project can give an owner weeks or months of time-savings on his or her construction schedule.