Professional Documents
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Construction.
The case for building with Cold Formed Steel.
1
In the new world it is not the big fish
which eats the small fish. Its the fast fish
which eats the slow fish.
Klaus Schwab,
Founder and Executive Chairman, World Economic Forum.
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Introduction.
We live in a world that is in constant In this eBook well examine forces driving
motion. Technological innovation is a change in attitudes towards traditional
reshaping old business models and construction methods, and look at how
approaches, and this is true even emerging technologies such as Cold Form
for brick-and-mortar industries like Steel (CFS), also known as Light Gauge
construction. Steel (LGS), are reshaping the buildings of
the future.
Over the next decade, the global
construction industry is expected to grow, We explore the advantages of steel
especially in emerging economies of Asia, structures over traditional construction
Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, methods, and share the different building
and India. To take full advantage of this applications that can be achieved using
market growth, construction companies CFS and how, as a project owner,
must find a way to turn architectural developer or builder, building with CFS
inspiration into commercial reality faster and in particular, the FRAMECAD System,
and more cost-effectively than ever will drive ROI and value for your business.
before, and success will come to those
who are able to differentiate themselves The FRAMECAD Design and Build
in a crowded market. methodology is all about the rapid
construction of quality buildings. Were
the fast fish. Which one are you?
Cold Formed Steel or CFS is also known as Light Gauge Steel or LGS.
CFS buildings are designed using specialist computer aided design and
engineering software and manufactured by rolling or pressing steel into semi-
finished or finished goods at an ambient temperature.
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CHAPTER 1
What is driving the shift
towards alternative
methods of construction?
CHAPTER 2
6 reasons why CFS is a
superior construction
method for the future.
CHAPTER 3
What to look for in
a CFS Partner.
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CHAPTER 1
alternative methods
forces, as well as technology and the growing
scarcity and expense of skilled labour-
forces are all factors contributing towards
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CFS is revolutionizing construction.
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TREND 1 Urbanization is at a historical peak,
driving construction demand.
Rapid urbanization is
driving change Meeting the global challenges of
growing populations and increased
up with the pace, requirements and
demands associated with rapid urban
construction demand are key issues development. At the same time,
The world is undergoing the largest million people will have to be built facing urban planners, developers and governments and regulators not to
wave of urban growth in history. More every week or 96 000 houses per builders today. Slow, resource-heavy mention consumers are demanding
than half of the worlds population day to meet growing demand in the traditional methods of construction quality, safe and attractive buildings.
now lives in towns and cities, and by world, and that by 2030, 70% of the in many countries simply cannot keep
2030 this number is forecast to swell to worlds population will live in large
about 5 billion 1 . It is estimated that over cities 2 .
the coming decades, a new city of 1.5 Traditional construction methods are
too slow to meet demand.
In India, a country that is expected to add about 500 million people to its
already dense urban population (377 million in 2011) by 2050, Cold Formed
Steel is a popular choice of building material for the rapid construction of
proposed Smart Cities which will transform the lives and living conditions
of citizens through better urban planning, smarter and greener buildings,
and cleaner energy.
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So by 2030, the BCA aims to have 80% of its buildings certified green
TREND 2 that is, energy and water efficient, with a high quality and healthy indoor
Demand for sustainable environment, integrated with green spaces and constructed from eco-friendly
materials.
green buildings
Resource hungry and waste unfriendly traditional building methods play
no part in this new plan. To meet Singapores green initiatives, alternative
building materials and methods, such as CFS, are being implemented to meet
Related to the trend of rapid quieter buildings that can be the plans ambitious environmental benchmarks.
urbanization, is increasing demand from constructed with less material
governments and communities for the waste, and that have a longer
better use of resources and energy. life-span.
People are demanding warmer, safer,
Singapore has mandated a government funded projects to get 15% of the building projects developed offsite. Cold Formed Steel https://www.bca.gov.sg/greenmark/others/sg_green_buildings_tropics.pdf
sub-components and pods are an ideal methodology to address this type of construction due to their outstanding strength to https://www.bca.gov.sg/newsroom/others/SUDW_Media_Release_260716.pdf
weight ration and transportability.
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TREND 3
Housing availability
and affordability
As the worlds population grows, for new, quality housing from all
housing, especially in urban areas, is demographic groups. For example, baby
becoming highly competitive and less boomers are moving out of traditional
affordable. Increasing demand coupled family homes seeking smaller, easier to
with limited supply of quality housing is maintain houses. In the US, millennials
forcing prices up. And, the demand for are being priced out of an insanely
housing is resulting in intensification of expensive housing market 1 which is
available space requiring an innovative seeing the creation of more compact,
approach to construction. Contributing livable communities in less-dense areas
to this trend is a swell of demand outside of larger urban centres.
Traditional construction methods cannot times, reduced labour costs and less
deliver the speed, flexibility of design waste, drastically lowering the overall
and quality of buildings needed to solve cost of construction.
this issue. Solving this issue requires
a new approach to construction that The trend of using 3D and BIM Design
solutions like CFS can provide as an collaboration plus high precision
example, for the same total building industrial manufacturing processes
footprint you can gain more internal results in both high quality accurate
space per square meter. building structures as well as the ability
to bring in sub-assemblies (doors,
CFS construction methods help to solve windows, bathrooms, kitchens) which
issues around global housing availability can be designed in the frame to fit
and affordability through faster build precisely.
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TREND 4
Environmental events are
impacting building design
& material selection
Natural disasters (such as earthquakes) ratio steel framed structures behave
and climatic warning events (such better than traditional materials in
as floods and cyclones) are forcing an earthquake. CFS is strong and
many governments and communities at the same time lightweight, so
to rethink their policies on building frames flex without breaking during
methods and standards, introducing an earthquake and absorb lateral
new and more modern regulations that movement without compromising
have construction businesses, engineers the structural integrity of the
and developers looking for alternative building. Testing shows steel
methods of construction and materials 1 . framing withstands earthquakes up
Due to its very high strength to weight to Force 9.
CFS building systems also provide building systems like CFS that make
High wind resistance is another winds, making it an ideal material
a faster, more efficient solution to use of cavity assembly methods
advantage of CFS over traditional for their humanitarian efforts
building temperature control. With using a combination of optimized
building materials. The US Navy has which is often done in areas
an increase in extreme temperature materials to achieve better, more
found that by using CFS they could that experience extreme weather
fluctuations being experienced around adaptable temperature control.
construct buildings which could conditions such as cyclones.
the globe, traditional building methods, Well designed steel framed
withstand close to 200 mph
which rely on the natural, gradual structures can achieve up to
heating and cooling properties of 300% energy savings compared to
thermal mass, simply do not perform traditional methods.
adequately. A more efficient approach is
CFS sub-assemblies provide high thermal,
fire and acoustic values.
Sources:
1: http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:0Tqcuhx-HpYJ:www.hnzc.co.nz/assets/Uploads/Future-
Scenarios-for-Social-and-Affordable-Housing.pdf+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=nz&client=safari
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TREND 5 CFS construction requires less
Political and skilled labour on site which
means less cost.
economic influences
Political influences on construction expertise moves upstream to the
methods are not only limited to design phase and a significant value
In all developing economies there unprecedented demand to cater developing countries. In the United of construction can be prefabricated
is a very strong desire for people to for more elderly people. Traditional States, and New York City in particular, offsite, means more unskilled
improve their well being. This has seen building methods do not satisfy non-traditional construction methods and/or non-union labour can be
a fast expanding middle class in most the speed of construction needed are proving popular with developers employed, significantly reducing the
economies with a surge in demand for to meet demand. This problem is and builders looking to sidestep the overall cost of a project. Non-union
quality housing, schools, health centres further compounded by a shortage union stronghold of on-site labour. construction is proving to be 20
as well as community infrastructures. of skilled tradespeople or artisans Modern methods such as CFS, where a to 25 percent cheaper than union
Also people are living longer creating required for traditional methods. significant portion of the construction labour 1 .
1: http://therealdeal.com/issues_articles/are-unions-losing-
their-grip-in-nyc/
This is where solutions such as steel described earlier in this section, there
framed construction are providing the is an intensification of construction
innovation required to help satisfy in urban areas. Traditional building
demand in developing countries. methods do not satisfy the speed
This is achieved by providing a rapidly of construction needed to meet
scalable precision process such as a CFS demand or maximise the use of limited
construction method which can be up to available building footprints.
300% faster than traditional methods. This is where solutions such as CFS
Through this industrialized process, construction are gaining ground and
structures can be made using lower providing the innovation required to
skilled labour to put together precision help satisfy demand in developing
manufactured components. Also, a lot countries.
of wet trades and waste are eliminated.
Coupled with rapid urbanization, as
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Better building in a crowded city.
In the 1970s, union members had a praised by the recently retired citys
monopoly on New York Citys skyline. mayor, Michael Bloomberg, as it is
At the time, card-carrying union faster, less expensive and allows
workers made up a stunning 90% of for high levels of quality control and
the citys construction workforce. 1 significantly reduces waste and truck
Today, New York, like many of the traffic. Its also safer for workers
worlds cities, is facing major housing as construction is done inside in
and spatial issues. More than 20,000 controlled environments. 3
affordable housing units were built
during the citys 2015 fiscal year, the This trend is threatening the
highest single-year gain in 25 years. stronghold that unions have
traditionally held on construction
That quantity of apartments could labour.
house 50,000 New Yorkers, according
Keep up to date
to the mayors office, which aims to In the past, the appeal of union
create 200,000 homes for financially labour has boiled down to
struggling city residents over the next standardization: Developers believe
global construction.
a building material, is being used to training, experience and safety to a
create micro apartments, which are project.
small by typical apartment standards
between 82 and 160 meters they Off-site CFS construction is flying
are designed to optimize space and in the face of the union defense.
maximise the sense of openness. The latest stats peg the non-union
market share at 40% and some
But crucially, these micro apartments say it may be as high as 50%. Subscribe to our blog
can be prefabricated at off-site indoor
facilities and transported to be erected As the city continues to see a
on-site. building boom, sources say non-
union contractors have gained an Sources:
1: http://therealdeal.com/issues_articles/are-unions-losing-their-grip-in-nyc/
CFS and modular construction as important stronghold, especially in
2: http://www.constructiondive.com/news/nyc-mayor-boasts-addition-of-20000-affordable-housing-units/402314/
a method of rapid construction is 20-to-25-story residential projects. 1
3: http://www.modular.org/HtmlPage.aspx?name=NYC_MC_Housing_Needs_MA
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CHAPTER 2
6 Reasons why
The future of construction lies in sustainable
materials that are delivered using fast,
modern methods such as a proven CFS solution
construction method
Companies like FRAMECAD have been
providing CFS construction solutions around
the world for over 25 years.
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REASON 1
Speed of
construction
CFS construction is faster than traditional methods to
manufacture and construct buildings.
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Design and specification phase: Manufacturing phase:
CFS construction is a design-led Systems such as the FRAMECAD CFS frames and components are The wide range of advanced tooling
process, meaning that the need for skill System utilize world leading produced and fabricated from structural functions provided by systems like
to construct the building is more in the sophisticated design and engineering quality steel coils and are shaped at the FRAMECAD System allow high
design stage and less so on-site. software that is incredibly accurate, ambient temperatures by roll-forming productivity and versatile output to
reducing the need for engineer machines. produce roof trusses, wall frames, and
involvement during the detail design, floor joists all to exact measurements,
speeding up compliance, reducing They can be produced in large quantities saving time and costly wastage in
engineering cost and minimizing room and at high speed with consistent the construction stage. Detailed
for error on-site. quality and precision. design speeds up compliance, reduces
engineering cost and minimizes room for
error on-site.
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Construction (erection) phase:
CFS fabricators supply frames pre- CFS construction can offer a much
assembled, strong and straight, and more predictable construction schedule
clearly identifiable. No on-site, welding and less on-site cost than traditional
or cutting is normally required. This construction methods. For example, as
means that the erection process is fast the material is lightweight, no heavy
and simple requiring less labour time lifting equipment is needed on-site,
on-site and heavy lifting equipment. frames, trusses and joists can typically
be carried into place by on-site labour.
Steel frames do not absorb moisture
so there is no delay waiting for frames Frames are made to precise dimensions
to dry. This means minimised weather meaning pre-made windows, doors and
delays for rain, snow, or excessive heat bathrooms will fit perfectly and quickly
for example. reducing engineering cost and
minimizing room for error on-site.
Shorter construction times reduce the hard costs of a project. Buildings using
CFS can go up much faster than traditional heavy materials like concrete and
masonry. Up to 3 months or more can be shaved off the schedule of a mid-
FRAMECAD system requires no welding rise project.
or riveting in assembly.
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How the CFS design-led process works
G
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P T UA L D E S I A NALYSIS
M A N U FA C T U R E & PA N E L I Z AT I O N
CONSTRUCTION
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REASON 2
Reduced need
for highly
skilled labor
The rise in popularity of CFS construction can be
attributed in part to its ease of construction. Lightweight
designs, pre-fabricated frames, uniform quality, and
quick and simple erection on-site using basic tools all
these factors reduce the need for highly skilled labor.
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FRAMECAD buildings can be assembled
using common tools and local labor.
Using less skilled labor for shorter periods of time on-site has obvious bottom-line
benefits.
And for this reason, CFS provides an attractive business proposition for trades looking
to diversify their businesses.
Experienced trades people find it very easy to transition to CFS framing, and with
assistance and training, traditional trades who understand the fundamentals of building
construction can adapt to CFS very quickly.
Assembly drawings and information can easily be shared with tradespeople on the job
site via a smart phone or tablet.
The FRAMECAD System is a design led process that shifts the skill of the
construction process upstream, with emphasis on the design phase.
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REASON 3
Versatility
of design
The strength and ductility of CFS makes it an ideal
building material for all building types from modular
and pre-fabricated units, to multi-story hotels, hospitals,
schools as well as stand-alone multi-story housing.
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CFS is suited to many types of building designs and applications including architecturally
challenging ones.
CFS offers larger span lengths due to less weight of structure, and increased space
utilization, making it possible to produce some architectural designs not possible with
traditional methods, including the creation of innovative building shapes and non-
conventional roof lines.
With one of the highest strength-to-weight ratios of all construction materials, CFS
delivers excellent spanning capability and makes CFS perfect for creating wide, open
spaces.
Steel framing allows for narrower walls than typically achieved with traditional materials,
offering more internal space for the same total footprint, which is highly advantageous
for addressing urban density demands.
And because CFS is also lightweight and easy to transport, it is also an ideal design
solution for sloping or difficult sites which might otherwise require significant
foundation works or on site logistics.
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REASON 4
Faster return
of investment
Return on investment (ROI) is obviously a critical aspect of
the financial analysis of any property development opportunity.
When a property can be acquired and developed in a short
period of time the return on investment is realized faster and
the response to satisfy immediate market demand is greater.
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Designing and building with CFS can lower both
construction delays and long term building ownership
costs contributing to both immediate and long term
ROI of building ownership in the following ways:
CFS construction is cost With CFS construction, logistics CFS is strong while also being Discounts on builders risk
competitive compared to can be simplified; Using compact light, so it can be assembled easily insurance for steel framed
traditional methods and, steel coils compared to the bulk without the need for heavy lifting structures can also result in
depending on the building design, and weight of transporting equipment and no specific tools significant cost savings.
can be cheaper when evaluating traditional materials, especially in except a screw gun saving on
the overall build and ownership dense urban environments or to time, labor and cost.
cost due to its advantages in remote locations.
speed of construction, accuracy
and reduced labour costs.
There is also less waste with Structural grade steel is consistent Long-term building maintenance CFS construction is also highly
traditional methods, material - it doesnt have a weak direction costs are reduced as steel is scalable, which means it is an
wastage can be up to 20%, or grain and is not reliant on stable, resistant to rot, mold, ideal solution for mass production
meaning that for every 5 buildings water-cement ratios for strength. termite and insect infestation. and repeatable designs. This
constructed, one is wasted. Therefore, high consistency scalability provides a much
With CFS, waste is virtually non- means common building delays needed answer to areas in which
existent. A FRAMECAD System that erode developer profits are there is a huge shortage in
produces less than 1% material dramatically reduced. affordable, quality housing and
wastage. community buildings, specifically
in developing countries.
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REASON 5
CFS construction
creates less
waste & is
environmentally,
a better building
choice.
Material waste in construction is a significant issue from both an
ROI and an environmental perspective.
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With CFS structures, waste is minimal due to accurate design and manufacture,
reducing the environmental impact from waste going to landfill.
In the case of the FRAMECAD System, waste is less than 1% from frame and truss
manufacture and fabrication.
And steel is 100% recyclable, reducing the overall environmental impact of any
waste created.
Steel framing scrap is a valuable commodity in fact the overall recycling rate of the
steel industry is 66%, the highest of any industry in the world.
CFS is a dry system, which means there is no need to use limited water resources for
mixing cement or other materials.
This is a major consideration for those constructing in areas where access to water is an
issue and where skilled wet tradesmen are rare.
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REASON 6
Lends itself
to off-site
construction
World-wide there is an increasing trend towards off-site
and modular construction as landowners, developers,
engineers and architects look for sound ways to improve the
commercial viability of projects.
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CFS is an ideal solution for modular off-site
construction for the following reasons:
of the FRAMECAD
these locations opening up more bringing project timelines forward,
development opportunities. reducing both congestion and
wastage onsite.
advantages of CFS
cement and plaster can be reduced. predicted to grow at a
compounding average
growth rate of 6.50%
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Why
FRAMECAD
CFS buildings
are better
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Better quality buildings
Buildings constructed in CFS are stronger, straighter
and more stable than traditional materials:
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Healthier, more
sustainable buildings.
CFS buildings are healthier, more energy
efficient and enable more sustainable living
for the life of the building:
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The ideal material to build
with in seismic zones.
CFSs high strength to weight ratio and non-
combustibility means that it behaves better than
traditional materials in earthquakes and fires
making it the ideal material for seismic zones.
Steel absorbs energy. Unlike Framecad CFS sections are very
concrete and masonry, ductile securely connected, using screws.
steel bends without breaking. Steel framing has a predictably
The same material that absorbs consistent load path. Steel does
energy in a car crash also provides not have corrosive chemicals or
benefits in an earthquake by moisture that can corrode or
dissipating its force. degrade connectors or fasteners.
Steel is consistent. Steel does not have a weak direction or grain and is not
reliant on water-cement ratios for strength.
Sources:
1: NFPAS 2015 U.S. Fire Loss Report
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CHAPTER 3
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Look for a partner who
leads by design
Look for a partner who applies an design capability, engineering
integrated, design-led building model, data and performance that the
merging the design, engineering, FRAMECAD System can offer.
manufacturing and construction The FRAMECAD System is a design
process into one efficient, effective led process that shifts the skill of
and innovative system. the construction process upstream,
with emphasis on the design and
Efficient value engineering is a key engineering.
success factor required to be profitable
in the cold formed steel construction Extremely accurate design
industry. software enables the automation
of engineering calculations and
Using the intelligence integrated into status reports for most building
the FRAMECAD System with real time codes, speeding up the specification
engineering is a critical success factor process, and improving both quality
that most machinery makers fail to and economics of output.
provide.
All this adds up to a faster, better
Many CFS providers can deliver steel quality construction process and
frames to site, but few can rival the lower cost engineering inputs.
The FRAMECAD System is the save costs in compliance in the software and complete the in accordance to code and
only industry cold form steel and rework. Most other CFS engineering calculations in the with leading CFS calculation
system that combines both software packages have very software. FRAMECAD Software techniques.
engineering and design software limited or no engineering has the major CFS building codes
in one easy to use package. capability and will require integrated to the software for FRAMECAD is committed to
detailed analysis from an most markets worldwide. ongoing localization with design
FRAMECAD Software is engineer. But with FRAMECAD, software in 8 languages and
developed to ensure fast and designers can either import So no matter where you live in more being added.
efficient design that can output the design file into FRAMECAD the world, you can have certainty
fully-engineered designs to Structure or draft the design that the design can be done
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Look for a technology that
enables rapid production
of a wide variety of
components and buildings
The wide range of advanced FRAMECAD provides industry
manufacturing functions provided by leading combination of speed and
systems like the FRAMECAD System precision. With the FRAMECAD
allow industry leading high productivity System, production lines pre-cut,
and versatile output to produce wall form, punch, number and label
frames, roof trusses and floor joists frames and parts like an erector
all to exact measurements, saving time set which means no welding,
and costly wastage in production and cutting or riveting is needed on-site,
erection. making it very easy to assemble with
common tools and unskilled labor.
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Look for a partner who can
provide a complete business
solution - not just a roll
forming machine.
There are plenty of companies who can Traditional methods and traditional
sell you a steel roll forming machine, thinking no longer apply. To truly scale
but designing, engineering and building a CFS business you need a partner who
with CFS in most instances, requires is invested in your success through
a complete change to the way you the provision of business tools that
approach construction projects. provide real time information about the
performance of your roll forming system,
You need an integrated end-to- allowing better and faster business
end process from design through to decisions to enable business scalability.
manufacturing.
Advantage
FRAMECAD offers customers a unique support, design and engineering tools
business intelligence and support system and marketing resources to ensure you
through their MyFRAMECAD customer minimise downtime, increase visibility
portal. MyFRAMECAD gives online access of productivity, and have accurate
to real time production information productivity monitoring and reporting. Find out more
from your factory, 24/7 technical
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Summary
Traditional methods of construction simply cannot compare with the numerous
The speed of change in the world demands a
benefits of CFS as a construction material speed of construction, value for
new approach to construction. money, versatility of design, ease of specification and reduced need for highly
skilled labor are notable advantages. CFS material also has the ability to lend itself
Population growth and changing environmental, to off-site and modular construction, ideal for areas where traditional construction
methods are impractical or too costly.
political and social attitudes towards
construction methods are causing many But to realise the full benefits of CFS construction, its important to select a CFS
landowners, developers and builders to move partner who can provide both design and engineering capability, a wide range
away from traditional building methods and look of tooling functions and 24/7 business intelligence support to provide a scalable,
towards modern methods of construction such as end-to-end CFS solution that enables faster decision making and quality of
construction.
CFS to meet these new demands.
Please note that the information provided in this guide is of a general nature and should
not be construed, or relied on as suitable for your specific situation.
www.framecad.com
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