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BUILDING CONNECTION
SUMMER 2016 33
Interpod bathrooms are wrapped in heat shrink wrap for
protection when transporting and when exposed to the
elements onsite. Transporting is generally carried out on
semi-trailers or B-doubles, with deliveries to site being at
pre-determined times to fit in with site programming.
Pods can then be lifted by crane or unloaded using a
forklift to a materials hoist. When craning, pods are landed
on a cantilever deck, and wheeled across the floor to where
they are to be installed. Installation is typically carried out
by the site plasterers, who install the bathrooms as part of
their initial wall set-out. According to Stuart, specialised
handling equipment is provided by Interpod to ensure that
site time is minimised.
“On a recent project in Brisbane with over 600 bathrooms,
crane cycle time was around three minutes per bathroom.
Interpod’s unique lift system ensures crane time is kept to
a minimum, and can reduce crane time by up to 10 minutes
per bathroom when compared with other systems.”
Stuart breaks down the benefits of using pods as follows:
a. For the builder, Interpod de-risks the project, with
opportunity to provide substantial savings (depending
upon the site specifics) in the following areas:
∫
Time:
if bathrooms are on the critical path, this amount
of time can be taken off the overall project programme.
On a recent project with nearly 1,000 bathrooms, 100
bathrooms were supplied and installed per week.
∫
Reduction in waste costs:
no waste is generated from
within the bathroom when pods are incorporated into the
project. Traditional construction of bathrooms will cost up
to $300 per bathroom in waste costs, plus the many hours
of labour required for removal and placement of the waste.
∫
Reduced site management costs:
with fewer trades on
site, management is simplified, and the requirement for
‘finishes foremen’ is greatly reduced.
∫
Minimised warranty maintenance:
manufactured to
exacting standards, Interpod bathrooms provide a level of
finish that is second to none. Call backs for: blocked floor
wastes; waterproofing failures; defective workmanship,
etc. are minimised or eliminated due to the structural
integrity of our systems.
b. For the trades, at practical completion of the project, defect
rectification required by bathroom trades is greatly reduced.
This allows the trades to move on to other projects, and the
overall project to be more profitable for each trade.
c. For the developer, the use of prefab bathrooms often
assists with getting the project to market quickly,
providing a better return on investment (ROI).
d. For the owner, ongoing maintenance is significantly
reduced. Because the manufacture of the bathrooms
takes place in a controlled factory environment, quality
is inherent. QA checks are carried out at set points in
production, ensuring that the risk of potential failure or
defect down the track is minimised.
The aim of the WaterMark Certification Scheme is to
ensure products meet AS/NZS specific specifications
and standards, and to assist Australian consumers to
identify quality products. In order to achieve WaterMark
certification, Interpod underwent extensive onsite testing
and auditing. This included working prototypes being tested
in-situ to insure all installation, operation and functional
standards are met.
“The use of Interpod’s WaterMark certified bathrooms
provides assurance of a product that meets or exceeds
every relevant Australian Standard. All pipe work, fittings
and fixtures within the bathroom are installed and certified
by our licensed plumbers, and covered under QA and
WaterMark test procedures. The site plumber can rely on
this certification ensuring that they don’t take on the risk of
works inside the bathroom pod,” says Stuart.
Interpod bathrooms can be used where repetitious design
makes offsite manufacturing more efficient.