5 Reasons Why Temporary Construction Walls Are Essential For Building Safety

1 Introduction
2 Containment of dust and debris
3 Adherence to rigid safety standards and enhancing security
4 Reduction of noise
5 Cost efficiency & avoidance of shutdowns
6 Management of traffic
7 Related articles on Designing Buildings
8 External links

[edit] Introduction

Temporary construction walls are used at worksites in healthcare, institutional, commercial, or industrial settings to manage the construction dust and debris. The key advantages of these prefabricated modular wall systems, apart from containment of dust and debris, include quick and easy set-up requiring less labour and improve the profitability of the project, as these systems are designed to be highly reusable and durable. Moreover, they can be used to isolate dust, hide areas, and section off the areas of a building thus making them useful for hospitals, stores, offices, construction sites, and more. Construction and renovation projects in commercial, industrial, and healthcare settings have particular challenges that can be overcome by temporary construction walls. Temporary construction walls help contain dust, debris, and noise, thereby ensuring that operations can continue seamlessly in the rest of the facility. Given here are the five major reasons why they are essential for building safety.

[edit] Containment of dust and debris

Construction sites are often dirty and dust fills the air in these places making them potentially harmful for construction workers. Moreover, a large amount of dust and debris are created during construction projects which can spread beyond the construction site into clean areas of the building during renovations or expansions of existing facilities. Temporary construction walls create a safer and more secure job site by confining this dust and debris and preventing contamination, thus protecting workers in the rest of the facility. A temporary construction wall reduces the damage due to dust exposure to equipment, and also prevent product contamination in production facilities. They can be used to section off areas of the construction site protecting workers from areas where there is a lot of debris and dust exposure. They isolate the dirtiest areas of the construction site so that the rest of the site remains cleaner. They also make the work more organised, as it gets divided into sections. Studies show that people working in or around construction sites are often exposed to silica dust, a dangerous substance with harmful side effects. Temporary construction walls are like barriers, shielding people from harmful dust and debris.

[edit] Adherence to rigid safety standards and enhancing security

While maintaining appearances during renovation work keeping clean and cleanable walls temporary construction walls protect the building occupants from potentially dangerous dust and debris as in healthcare facilities that operate round the clock. Even work performed during off hours can pose a risk to patients, caregivers, staff and visitors, so temporary construction walls are designed and engineered with critical safety standards in mind. During renovation work, inventory and access control are crucial in a hospital. Because, construction done in accessible areas such as pharmacies or medical equipment storage may require strict security measures. In the airports, construction sites are mostly past security checkpoints, and access to the construction materials there could allow potential hijackers to use them as weapons. Sensitive information, equipment, and tools may also be exposed to theft, in other construction areas. To protect the worksite, secure equipment and anyone in the vicinity of the construction site, preventing unauthorised access is essential. Temporary construction walls provide a barrier to entry keeping unauthorised personnel out. Higher-quality temporary construction wall systems offer several options including key code locks, mechanical locks, or locks with single-key options to fulfil various security requirements.

[edit] Reduction of noise

Construction and renovation projects are very noisy involving the use of tools and equipment apart from the decibels from construction workers thus creating a difficult working environment for employees near the construction zone. Temporary construction wall systems can reduce the noise pollution in the rest of the facility creating a conducive, quieter, and more comfortable environment. Unlike drywall construction, installing prefabricated modular wall panels is quiet, allowing work to continue during business hours rather than paying workers extra for overtime. Higher-quality reusable temporary construction wall systems can reduce renovation noise by approximately fifty percent.

[edit] Cost efficiency & avoidance of shutdowns

Temporary walls are a cost-efficient option as they help you avoid additional labor costs, and eliminate the need for additional materials like drywall. They can also be rented thus enabling you to greatly cut down costs. Some facilities such as healthcare have critical areas that cannot shut down. Or, manufacturing plants may have essential production lines that must be kept running. Restaurants and retail businesses may face shortfalls if they have to stop operations. Temporary wall systems isolate the construction zone while the rest of the facility may continue working, thus avoiding a total shutdown.

[edit] Management of traffic

It can be challenging to manage the flow of people around a construction zone. Temporary wall panels can direct people through the facility and block off construction areas to non-workers. This improves safety and provides a better experience, helping construction workers to know where they need to go and what areas are in progress, thus exposing them to lesser dust and debris during the ongoing work.

It can thus be concluded that temporary construction walls are essential to building safety and are the proverbial stitch in time that could well save you nine!

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

[edit] External links

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Comments

Containment of Hazards: Construction sites are often filled with various hazards, including dust, debris, noise, and potential safety risks to workers and pedestrians. Temporary construction walls create a physical barrier that helps contain these hazards within the construction zone, preventing them from affecting neighboring areas. This containment enhances overall safety for workers, bystanders, and adjacent properties.
Protection from Falling Objects: During construction, there is a risk of tools, equipment, materials, or debris falling from elevated work areas. Temporary construction walls act as protective barriers, reducing the risk of objects falling onto pedestrians or vehicles passing by. This safety measure helps prevent accidents and injuries.
Privacy and Security: Temporary construction walls provide privacy and security for the construction site. They keep unauthorized personnel out of the area, reducing the risk of theft, vandalism, or tampering with construction equipment and materials. Additionally, they shield sensitive project details and equipment from prying eyes, enhancing security.
Noise and Dust Control: Construction sites are often noisy and generate a significant amount of dust. Temporary construction walls can incorporate noise-reducing materials and help contain dust within the construction zone. This minimizes the disruption to nearby residents, businesses, and the environment, improving the overall safety and well-being of the community.