Fabrication
|
In construction, a ‘fabrication’ is an item that is manufactured by a fabricator for installation on a building site as part of an ongoing construction project, for example, a window, door, steel member, staircase and so on that is typically made off-site to the specification required for the project.
A building’s windows are normally fabricated off-site to special dimensions that the fabricator has either taken off the drawings or specification, or else has visited the site and measured for the item to be supplied. The fabricator can then proceed to manufacture. It should be noted that a fabrication can be termed ‘prefabricated’ if it is made off site. Delivered to site ready to install means that these items can help reduce waste and time and cut emissions.
For more information see: Prefabrication.
In theory, it is possible for fabrications to be made on site (or in a flying factory) as opposed to off site, assuming the process is simple enough (e.g timber windows) and there is enough space on site to allow the fabrication process to take place. In most circumstances however, fabricating building elements can require complex machinery that requires the controlled conditions, accuracy and space offered by a manufacturing plant.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Concrete frame.
- Construction problems avoided by using a modular approach.
- Crosswall construction.
- Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA).
- Modular buildings.
- Offsite manufacturing.
- Off-site construction.
- Off site, on track.
- Prefabrication.
- Stainless steel.
- Steel frame.
- Structure relocation.
- The overlooked secret of off-site fabrication.
Featured articles
Check out some of the best features and news from Designing Buildings as well as key stories from around the web.
Sir Edwin Lutyens: Britain's greatest architect? Book review.
CIOB publishes free template to help assess and manage risks.
ECA's reflections on Party Conference season
Burnham wants to be confident of winning before asking for a fresh mandate.
New Chief Construction and Scientific Adviser
Sergio Cavalaro, Professor of Infrastructure Systems at Loughborough University.
Building safety levy for England
CIAT publish estimator tool for members.
Water sector faces a growing crisis that could slow the delivery of vital infrastructure.
Undervaluing our industrial past
Heritage value changes as taste for building styles changes.
Changing expectations around competence and compliance
New information sheet from CIAT.
Grenfell investigation files passed to CPS
Angela Rayner apologises on behalf of the British state.
Electrical contractors need to understand the practical implications.
The real barrier to getting more value from digital technology.
Your guide to The Construction Reset at UKCW Birmingham.