Fabrication
|
In construction, a ‘fabrication’ is an item that is manufactured by a fabricator for installation on a building site as part of an ongoing construction project, for example, a window, door, steel member, staircase and so on that is typically made off-site to the specification required for the project.
A building’s windows are normally fabricated off-site to special dimensions that the fabricator has either taken off the drawings or specification, or else has visited the site and measured for the item to be supplied. The fabricator can then proceed to manufacture. It should be noted that a fabrication can be termed ‘prefabricated’ if it is made off site. Delivered to site ready to install means that these items can help reduce waste and time and cut emissions.
For more information see: Prefabrication.
In theory, it is possible for fabrications to be made on site (or in a flying factory) as opposed to off site, assuming the process is simple enough (e.g timber windows) and there is enough space on site to allow the fabrication process to take place. In most circumstances however, fabricating building elements can require complex machinery that requires the controlled conditions, accuracy and space offered by a manufacturing plant.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Concrete frame.
- Construction problems avoided by using a modular approach.
- Crosswall construction.
- Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA).
- Modular buildings.
- Offsite manufacturing.
- Off-site construction.
- Off site, on track.
- Prefabrication.
- Stainless steel.
- Steel frame.
- Structure relocation.
- The overlooked secret of off-site fabrication.
Featured articles and news
Costs and insolvencies mount for SMEs, despite growth
Construction sector under insolvency and wage bill pressure in part linked to National Insurance, says report.
The place for vitrified clay pipes in modern infrastructure
Why vitrified clay pipes are reclaiming their role in built projects.
Research by construction PR consultancy LMC published.
Roles and responsibilities of domestic clients
ACA Safety in Construction guide for domestic clients.
Fire door compliance in UK commercial buildings
Architect and manufacturer gives their low down.
Plumbing and heating for sustainability in new properties
Technical Engineer runs through changes in regulations, innovations in materials, and product systems.
Awareness of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
What CBAM is and what to do about it.
The new towns and strategic environmental assessments
12 locations of the New Towns Taskforce reduced to 7 within the new towns draft programme and open consultation.
Buildings that changed the future of architecture. Book review.
The Sustainability Pathfinder© Handbook
Built environment agency launches free Pathfinder© tool to help businesses progress sustainability strategies.
Government outcome to the late payment consultation, ECA reacts.
IHBC 2025 Gus Astley Student Award winners
Work on the role of hewing in UK historic conservation a win for Jack Parker of Oxford Brookes University.
Future Homes Building Standards and plug-in solar
Parts F and L amendments, the availability of solar panels and industry responses.
How later living housing can help solve the housing crisis
Unlocking homes, unlocking lives.
Preparing safety case reports for HRBs under the BSA
A new practical guide to preparing structural inputs for safety cases and safety case reports published by IStructE.
Male construction workers and prostate cancer
CIOB and Prostate Cancer UK encourage awareness of prostate cancer risks, and what to do about it.