Ross Bates, Assistant Product Manager – drainage at Geberit, explores why prefabricated drainage systems provide the perfect solution for modular bathrooms.
Building effective drainage systems in modular bathroom pods can be tricky. Assembling systems using loose piping products requires trained labour and specific tooling, whilst making connections in tight spaces - particularly if contractors are still using traditional jointing methods - is not always an easy task. On top of this, the pressure is inevitably on to deliver pods on time and on budget to suit overall project timescales.
Thankfully there is a more effective solution, which is Geberit's prefabricated drainage service. It delivers a lower project cost, whilst improving the speed and reliability of installations too.
The process is simple; Geberit has a specialist team which provides a quote based on specific project requirements, before preparing detailed stack drawings for approval. Once signed off, the prefabrication team will manage the process of ordering parts and assembly of bespoke stacks to the agreed dimensions and fitting orientations. Completed stacks are delivered to the pod assembly site as required, ready to install so that pods can be completed in line with the overall build schedule. All the team needs to do is fit the assembled stacks with appropriate connections.
It is true that using a prefabricated drainage assembly can cost more up front than purchasing loose products to assemble a stack in an offsite facility. However, this does not take into account savings throughout the project. Prefabricated stacks will save on labour, handling and tool costs, as well as storage depending on the size and scale of project. If parts are being supplied for many bathroom pods across a large residential or hotel project, they will of course need secure storage in line with the build schedule. In almost every case, using prefabricated drainage stacks will be cheaper when comparing total project costs.
In addition to the project cost savings, prefabricated drainage stacks offer a host of other benefits. For example, with project teams increasingly looking for sustainability benefits, our prefabricated service supports carbon footprint reductions by lowering the number of deliveries required to site and reducing wastage by minimising offcuts. It enables quicker installation for complex projects whilst enabling a reduction in staff training requirements and less safety equipment too. With no need for a hot works permit, contractors can also reduce the need for safety equipment, cut training requirements and lower insurance premiums.
Prefabricated drainage is the sensible choice for bathroom pods, providing an enhanced solution which improves efficiency without compromising on project cost or quality. This collaborative approach between the manufacturer/service provider and pod supplier helps to overcome challenges through innovative designs and on-time deliveries. A fuss-free solution, without the hassle.
For more information, visit www.geberit.co.uk
