Siam Yamato Steel Co., Ltd. or SYS, a manufacturer of H-beams and wide flange beams for over 25 years, hosted an online discussion titled "Modular System: A New Alternative for Steel Structures in the New Normal" to address the current construction needs for convenience, speed, and budget control.

This discussion was held via Facebook Live and featured esteemed guests including Mr. Nirun Prawanram (Managing Director of Lifesbox), Mr. Pitak Nimanong (Assistant Vice President of MQDC), and Mr. Kriangkrai Chuaidamrongskul (from the popular YouTube channel "Talk with Uncle Craftsman"), who served as the moderator. The objective was to educate stakeholders in the construction industry, related parties, and the general public, providing them with information to operate their businesses effectively in an era of rapid change towards the New Normal.

Mr. Nirun Prawanram (Lifesbox), a producer and installer of Modular Building Systems, explained that the Modular System is a construction method that simplifies building structures by making them more prefabricated than traditional steel structures, making it suitable for buildings designed in repetitive patterns. It allows for the completion of all construction work, from structural to electrical and plumbing systems, as well as furniture, in the factory, enabling a more industrialized approach to project construction.

The Modular System builds upon the Prefabrication construction method, which emphasizes producing nearly 100% complete building components in the factory. When applied to hot-rolled structural steel, it prepares steel components in any size according to the shop drawings within a factory equipped with high-quality tools and machinery for marking, cutting, drilling, welding, bending, and coating, ensuring that the fabricated steel components meet precise quality, dimensions, and specifications before being transported for installation on-site.

 

He highlighted the direct advantages of the Modular System for contractors, including a construction speed that is over 50% faster than traditional methods, better quality control (QC), and improved budget management. Indirect benefits include reduced environmental impact on surrounding areas, less labor usage, decreased congestion, and contributions to Green Building and Carbon Credit initiatives by lowering carbon dioxide emissions.

The Modular System allows for the installation of plugs, wiring, and furniture directly on-site, requiring only the connection of water and electrical systems, roof installation, and final touches. Prototypes can be created for QC checks at the factory, making this an important aspect of future construction, enhancing labor skills, and saving both costs and time, which is often at risk of overruns in traditional construction.

“Currently, we choose to use H-beams from SYS because it is a trusted brand with quality products, and SYS provides certification documents and production standards that build strong customer trust,” Mr. Nirun concluded.

From the perspective of project owners, Mr. Pitak Nimanong (Assistant Vice President of MQDC) added that the COVID-19 situation has caused construction projects to be stalled due to lost labor or suspended work. However, with the Modular System, over 90% of construction work can be done in the factory. Thus, the future of construction will increasingly rely on Modular Systems, significantly reducing on-site costs and allowing more time for business expansion.