Advantages of temporary buildings
To help develop this article, click 'Edit this article' above.
Temporary buildings are often pre-fabricated, portable buildings that are typically required for a very short time. The term 'temporary' refers to the amount of time they remain on any one site, the building itself may be re-used and can have a life span of up to 30 years.
Temporary buildings are often lightweight structures made up of modular components designed and created in factories and then assembled on site. Examples include grandstands, marquees, stages, and so on.
Planning permission is required if the building will be in position for more than 28 days. However, this is reduced to 14 days for some uses, and only certain temporary uses are permitted at all without planning permission. See Temporary use for more information.
Schedule 2 of the building regulations defines a temporary building as, ‘A building that is not intended to remain where it is erected for more than 28 days’. Temporary buildings may be exempt from some parts of the building regulations, see Building regulations exemption for temporary buildings for more information.
Temporary buildings have a number of advantages over conventional buildings. These benefits are listed below:
- Temporary buildings generally take less time to construct as they may not require foundations, and components can be quickly manufactured. After the modules are constructed and transported to the site from the factory, they can be assembled rapidly, sometimes within hours.
- They can be cheaper to construct and install.
- Flexibility - One of the benefits of modular buildings is that their configuration is easy to change.
- They are less affected by the weather because they are manufactured within the confines of factories.
- They may produce less waste because the same designs and parts can be used over and over again.
Featured articles and news
Does the first Labour budget deliver for the built environment?
What does the UK Budget mean for electrical contractors?
Mixed response as business pays, are there silver linings?
A brownfield housing boost for Liverpool
A 56 million investment from Homes England now approved.
Fostering a future-ready workforce through collaboration
Collaborative Futures: Competence, Capability and Capacity, published and available for download.
Considerate Constructors Scheme acquires Building A Safer Future
Acquisition defines a new era for safety in construction.
AT Awards evening 2024; the winners and finalists
Recognising professionals with outstanding achievements.
Reactions to the Autumn Budget announcement
And key elements of the quoted budget to rebuild Britain.
Chancellor of the Exchequer delivers Budget
Repairing, fixing, rebuilding, protecting and strengthening.
Expectation management in building design
Interest, management, occupant satisfaction and the performance gap.
Connecting conservation research and practice with IHBC
State of the art heritage research & practice and guidance.
Innovative Silica Safety Toolkit
Receives funding boost in memory of construction visionary.
Gentle density and the current context of planning changes
How should designers deliver it now as it appears in NPPF.
Sustainable Futures. Redefining Retrofit for Net Zero Living
More speakers confirmed for BSRIA Briefing 2024.
Making the most of urban land: Brownfield Passports
Policy paper in brief with industry responses welcomed.
The boundaries and networks of the Magonsæte.
London Build Fire and Security Expo
20-21 Nov and now with new Ambassador Programme..