Prefabricated service pod

Abstract

The present invention relates to a prefabricated service pod comprising: a central framework adapted to accommodate at least one utility means, said utility means being selected from: an electricity supply, a telecommunications/data supply, a water supply, a waste fluid drainage conduit, and a ventilation supply; and at least two sections attached to said framework selected from: a kitchen section, a bathroom section, and a staircase section. The present invention also describes a method of constructing a building using a prefabricated service pod.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to prefabricated service pods and specifically but not exclusively, prefabricated service pods that can be used in the construction of buildings and the like.BACKGROUND[0002]Prefabricated building units are well known and allow an entire room including the exterior walls, ceiling and floor together with the room's interior fittings to be constructed in a factory located remotely from a building site in a controlled factory environment. These building units can then be delivered to the site, typically by road, where they can be secured in position. Once secured into position the utilities can be installed, such utilities including a supply of electricity, water, telecommunications etc. Therefore, in a relatively short period of time from the completion of a building's foundations, a building can be erected and ready for occupation.[0003]These prefabricated building units have several clear advantages over traditional buildings...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0042]As the service pods offer a degree of internal standardisation to the construction, architects will benefit from the freedom to design the building envelope knowing that the varying designs will improve the consumer desirability without necessarily increasing the building contractors' or property developers' costs.

[0043]Property developers will benefit from a unique building envelope identity and a cost efficient manufacturing process that will deliver housing faster and more efficiently, allowing a more controlled management of their financial investment.

[0044]The service pod may also be environmentally friendly and can be largely or wholly manufactured with sustainable and recyclable materials and components that provide increased construction efficiency and continued product efficiency development. The size of the pods can render them suitable for inexpensive transportation, which in turn caused less harm to the environment. The off-site construction process means less material waste on site while the building envelope is constructed.

[0045]The pods may be provided with integral electricity and / or water meters to allow users to monitor their rate of consumption thereof. Main water pipework, soil pipework, electricity cabling, telecommunication cabling and associated isolation valves can be provided adjacent to or on the same side of the pod to permit an ease of access thereto. Preferably a suitable access means will be provided adjacent said meters / pipework / cabling / valves to facilitate said ease of access.

[0046]It is expected that the service pod of the present invention should benefit the end user due to reduced housing costs, improved reliability of the build quality of the finished building whilst providing a traditionally constructed building envelope.

[0047]Also, the transport means that can be present on the service pod may provide the potential to upgrade and resell the service pod, thus the pod will provide an adaptable and flexible life-long solution for the building and the user.

Problems solved by technology

Indeed, one drawback with these units is that it is difficult to alter the external appearance of the finished building, and this can compromise their suitability for a particular purpose.

A further drawback is that it is inefficient to transport whole building units from the factory to the building site as a large proportion of the transported unit is the interior of a room and, in effect, empty space.

This drawback can be particularly problematic where national law restricts the size of the units that may be transported on public roads.

Also, the size and weight of the building unit needs to be carefully considered as large and heavy units require specialised on-site lifting apparatus which is expensive to operate and, thus, reduces the economic efficacy of such units.

A further drawback is that known prefabricated building units are often deemed not to be sufficiently robust to be used for anything other than mere functional buildings, such as single storey temporary offices, schools and the like.

Universities can often fail to offer all students, particularly first year students, accommodation.

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