Skids

Offsite residential construction, Glossary of terms, published by Buildoffsite in 2018, defines skids as: ‘Transportable frames for carrying standardised pre-assembled products, mainly building services, for example pump skids, boiler skids etc. This term is sometimes used for skid-mounted boiler etc.’

Skids are typically rigid steel or timber base frames designed to support and transport equipment, machinery, or prefabricated units. They provide a stable platform that allows items to be easily moved, lifted, or installed on-site with minimal assembly.

Skids are widely used for modular and temporary structures, such as portable plant rooms, generator housings, or prefabricated service modules. The entire unit is built off-site on a skid base, then delivered and craned into position, reducing on-site labour and disruption.

For plant and equipment, skids simplify installation by integrating all components such as pumps, valves, pipework, and electrical systems onto one structural base. This enables efficient testing before delivery (factory acceptance testing) and quicker commissioning once on-site.

Skid-mounted systems are particularly valued in projects where space, time, or access are limited, such as urban developments, infrastructure upgrades, and industrial facilities. Their modularity also allows for easy relocation, modification, or replacement, aligning well with the growing emphasis on off-site construction and sustainable, flexible design in the UK.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• Advanced manufacturing.
• Buildoffsite.
• Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA).
• Modern methods of construction.
• Modular buildings.
• Offsite construction.
• Plant.
• Precast.
• Skips.