John Flower of Durisol, UK manufacturer of the innovative Durisol wall forming system, believes wider use of modern methods of construction (MMC) could keep the public sector building programme on track.

As the public purse feels the pressure of trying to juggle funds to ease the impact of the economic downturn, the need to provide high quality, sustainable buildings at lower cost will become even more important - whether it’s new homes, schools or prisons. Adopting modern building products and methods, that reduce costs through faster and more efficient construction, can play a key role in achieving this objective.

Although the Government has pledged to support jobs in the building industry through investment in the public estate, budgets are likely to be tight for some time to come. Housing Minister, Margaret Beckett, is quoted as saying that she doesn’t have an open cheque book, but still insists that the Government will continue to invest in public works, such as social housing and the ‘Building Schools for the Future’ programme. Given the current economic climate, it seems clear that the Government’s building plans will only be achieved if the public sector embraces new techniques that can save construction time and money without compromising stringent quality and sustainability standards.

The time saving benefits of MMC have been recognised by Government for several years. A National Audit Office report dating back to November 2005 found that the use of MMC, rather than traditional techniques, should make it possible to build up to four times as many homes with the same amount of on-site labour. The report’s findings have since been reflected in various Government initiatives to promote greater efficiencies in construction such as the Code for Sustainable Homes, and the Design for Manufacture Competition. The latter showcased several MMC solutions in the building of high quality eco-homes for a capital cost of just £60,000.

But what do we actually mean when we talk about MMC? The techniques are probably most associated with prefabrication and off-site assembly of building units and components. However, MMC embraces a wide range of technologies and supply chain specifications. This can include a mix of traditional and new materials, as well as innovative site-based methods, like the Durisol wall form system. This system’s unique ‘dry stack’ approach to forming internal and external walls using modular units encompasses many of the core benefits of MMC in terms of speedier construction, improved efficiency on site - and sustainability. The hollow, dry-stacked units are simply filled with concrete (including re-bars if required) to create a permanent, high performance wall with minimum time (or skill) on site. Durisol wall form units are manufactured from at least 80% recycled waste softwood, bonded with a proprietary cement/PFA (Pulverised Fuel Ash) mix. The Durisol system is already being used with significant success for local housing developments and school building projects around the UK, and has been praised by architects and contractors alike for its contribution to fast track construction, ease of use and green credentials.

Speedier construction is one of the key advantages associated with MMC and it also helps to reduce costs. The tongue and grooved locating profile of the Durisol wall unit assists alignment for quick and easy wall forming on site - saving both build time and costs. Because units are dry stacked with no need for mortar, expensive bricklaying skills are not required. Blocks can be easily cut, nailed and screwed with ordinary carpentry tools, and the completed structure provides a substrate for wet and dry finishes both inside and out, with no need for mesh, scratch coats or strapping.

Once in place and concrete-filled, Durisol provides exceptional levels of acoustic insulation and thermal performance. Durisol wall form units are also available with the exterior part of the cavity factory-filled with Rockwool mineral fibre insulation that allows U-values as low as 0.19, without additional insulation. This saves yet more time on site, and creates thermal performance up to twice that of a conventional wall. Durisol units can be used above and below ground, and their light weight means that individual wall form units can be quite large and still be easily handled by one person. This means that fewer units are used per wall than with traditional masonry components, which reduces construction time still further.

These tough economic times present an ideal opportunity for specifiers and contractors to show their ability to enhance efficiency, achieve greater speed of delivery, cost certainty and sustainability through the use of MMC and associated building innovations. Given the many proven benefits, I believe this has to be the way forward if public sector building requirements - now and in the future - are to be met.