Cost Effective Designs To Get A Higher Ceiling

One question we frequently hear is how do I get a higher ceiling in my modular building? Some uses like worship facilities, or multipurpose rooms, or physical activity spaces need a higher ceiling to effectively service the space goals.
The Challenge:
When a modular building gets over 15' or 16' high in most states, the transport gets extremely cost prohibitive. This reduces the cost savings that are realized by choosing modular construction. Our clients have come to us with this challenge and Modular Solutions, Ltd has come up with some cost-effective design solutions that help keep the transport fees affordable, and help keep the overall budget of the project in line with original cost projections.

1. Telescoping Roof: A telescoping roof system is one that is raised when it arrives on site allowing the building sections to transport down the road for the lower delivery costs, and still gain the additional ceiling height once the building is installed on site.

2. Hinged Roof: A hinged roof system is similar to a telescoping roof. This is common for smaller structures that are only two or three sections to obtain a nice high pitch in snow country.

3. Site Installed Stacks: Installing sections on top of each other with proper foundation and crane rigging on site saves time and money by allowing high roof sections to be set on each other with proper design & engineering details.

4. Clearspan Beams: Open up the ceiling and use a decorative steel duct system so it can be exposed allowing the roof beams and duct work to be open, like in a warehouse or restaurant setting. This picks up 1-2 additional feet in the ceiling height.

These are just a few of the creative and innovative solutions Modular Solutions, Ltd has developed for clients that have the need for additional ceiling height in a modular building structure.

For more information regarding how to design innovative space solutions contact our team:

Modular Solutions, Ltd
Phone: 800-441-8577 x 1 (sales)
Email: Information@mod-sol.com
Website: www.modularsolutionsltd.com

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Fire Safety, What is NFPA 285?

Modular Buildings and Site Built Structures, should be built in accordance with safety in mind!

Understanding What is NFPA 285

In 1998, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) established the NFPA 285 “Standard Fire Test Method for Evaluation of Fire Propagation Characteristics of Exterior Non-Load-Bearing Wall Assemblies Containing Combustible Components.” NFPA 285 provides a determination of vertical fire performance for exterior wall assemblies, which is verified by actual testing. It is intended to help builders reduce the potential for upward spread of fire through wall.

The requirement for a weather-resistive barrier is as follows:

WRB (Weather-Resistive Barrier) Code Requirement: 1403.5 Vertical and Lateral Flame Propagation – Exterior walls on buildings of Type I, II, III, or IV construction that are greater than 40 feet (12.192m) in height above grade plane, and contain a combustible water-resistive barrier, shall be tested in accordance with, and comply with the acceptance criteria of NFPA 285.

For this reason, Modular Solutions, Ltd partners with companies such as DuPont™ Tyvek® air and water barriers designed for commercial construction because they have been tested and shown to meet NFPA 285, the National Fire Protection Association fire performance standard for vertical wall assemblies.

For more information on fire safety in multistory modular construction consult our team:
Modular Solutions, Ltd
Phone: 800-441-8577 x 1 (sales)
Email: information@mod-sol.com
website: www.modularsolutionsltd.com
facebook: www.facebook.com/modularsolutionsltd


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What Will Your Modular Building Be For Halloween?

Sometimes it is fun to forget the formalities and just have fun with your decorating. Modular buildings can easily transform into seasonal decorations with a few quick easy tricks (or treats)

TIPS FOR DECORATING YOUR MODULAR BUILDING:
1) A little goes a long way, if you are a business you don't want to scare the neighbors and children too badly
2) Use materials that can be easily removed. Traces of spider webs and hay bails are reminders of Halloween past
3) Pick a theme and keep it simple (pumpkins or ghosts or candy corns) using items you don't remind replacing if someone likes your decorating idea too much

4) Lighting can create an ambiance. There are a variety of rope lights and solar lights available to help create a fun atmosphere
5) Keep it SAFE. Halloween is meant to be fun and an accident or mishap can hurt your image and pocketbook.

Have a safe & great Halloween from Modular Solutions, Ltd

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What Services Can A Modular Company Provide?

Modular companies show lots of great looking finished modular building projects on their websites with pretty landscape, and extravagant porches, and mixed traditional and modular construction. One great question we hear is "how much of that project did you complete"? Here is a summary of the different types of companies in the modular industry. Of course all of this information is "TYPICAL" however it is good resource for anyone interested in purchasing a modular building, and will help you do your homework & see how the seller is licensed and what services they can legally provide.
Another great reason to get a physical copy of a license is to research the license history and validity.

* DEALER: A dealer buys and sells modular buildings from other people. Mostly "stock" units with industry standard finishes, some are licensed to install the buildings many only can sell modular buildings. Dealers are generally not licensed to do any site work.
* GENERAL CONTRACTOR: A general contractor hires a modular building company to build or fabricate the modular building and then provides the site work & finishes to complete the building. A general contractor does not usually do any design work or fabricate modular buildings. A general contractor does not usually have architectural services.
* CONSTRUCTION MANAGER: A construction manager is a logistics partner. They usually have some background in management of projects but are not usually licensed to handle any of the specific construction work. They typically get a percentage of the contract amount to oversee a general contractor, manufacturer, architect and dealer offering management advise along the way.
*ARCHITECT: An architect has to be licensed in the state they are drawing for. An architect can design the modular building, but sometimes is they are not aware of the special criteria it takes to design a modular building in sections and how to keep it affordable.
*MANUFACTURER: A modular building manufacturer usually sells to a dealer, or a general contractor. The manufacturers' responsibility stops at the factory door, and within the confines of the box. Sometimes when a wholesale manufacturer sells a building to a dealer there are gray areas that get overlooked or missed.

DESIGN-BUILD FACTORY DIRECT ARCHITECTURAL/GENERAL CONTRACTOR/MANUFACTURER: Modular Solutions, Ltd is a design-build general contractor that specializes in modular buildings. By working with clients from inception we are able to provide architectural design, site work and general contracting responsibilities, and control the entire process in our manufacturing facility. When you work with Modular Solutions, Ltd you are getting the experts in every field under one roof.

The best way to determine if a modular building company can provide you with everything you need to get a temporary or permanent modular building installed is to ask for their licenses. See how far they can legally take your project and how much will they complete for you.

For more information on modular building construction contact our team:

Modular Solutions, Ltd
Phone: 800-441-8577 x 1 (Sales)
Email: information@mod-sol.com
Website: www.modularsolutionsltd.com

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Employee Housing, How To Keep It Affordable Five Easy Tips

You have a school district or clinic 50 miles from the next closest town, and all the surrounding land is federal or tribal so the question arises- Where will our employees live?

How can we keep our employees local and give them good living facilities - the answer is easy!
Build modular housing.

The oil and gas & railroad industries have been building remote housing and recreational facilities for their employees for years. The difference between those industries and education or medical housing is that a large majority of educational and medical staff are married with children. The old "bunkhouse" mentality does not work for this type of employee housing. A general study has proven that absenteeism and job hopping has been lowered by having affordable and attractive housing available on site for the employees.

FIVE EASY TIPS:
1. Keep the housing near the clinic or school. By using existing infrastructure you can keep the costs lower and employees will be minutes from work.
2. Design multiple plans. By accommodating 1,2,&3 br footprints you are able to save space when a smaller family is hired and have ample room for larger families. Some of our clients even choose single family homes so if a really large family moves in they can have sufficient space.
3. Don't be afraid to "GO-UP". Multistory facilities can save land use if you are in an area where available space is tight.
4. Keep it simple. When you choose prefabricated, try to find "existing" plans to work with. Sometimes creating custom or special order plans are fun, but can cost more money than choosing designs that have worked for other employee housing locations.
5. Build housing that is sustainable, green and that has extended life cycle. An employee looks at the total cost to stay, and high utility bills are a contributing factor. By designing smart and helping the environment you will build a community that will last and be attractive for many generations to come.

For more information on employee housing contact our team:

Modular Solutions, Ltd
Phone: 800-441-8577 x 1
email: information@mod-sol.com
website: www.modularsolutionsltd.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/modularsolutionsltd

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