03 December 2012
Portakabin Launches 'A' Rated Energy-Saver Buildings to Cut Energy Use by More than 60%
Portakabin has expanded its modular building options with the launch of its Energy-Saver range, which has been engineered to reduce energy usage by more than 60 per cent. This allows building occupiers and specifiers to meet more stringent environmental and carbon reduction targets and to reduce running costs.
The new Portakabin Solus and Titan Energy-Saver buildings, which were developed in collaboration with environmental consultants Energy Building Limited, have been independently assessed and have the capability to achieve an Energy Performance Certificate 'A' rating, putting them among the best-performing sustainable buildings available in the UK. They use up to 63 per cent less energy than the standard Portakabin Solus and Titan buildings, which already offer high levels of energy efficiency.
Available to buy for permanent applications and to hire for interim accommodation solutions, the Energy-Saver buildings incorporate the latest energy-saving technology which will radically reduce running costs and carbon emissions. This includes:
- Air source heat pumps which use outside air to produce around 4.5kW of heating for every 1kW of electricity consumed
- High frequency, energy-efficient lighting controlled by motion detection (PIR) sensors and dimmer controls that are linked to daylight so lights are only used when needed.
Commenting on the launch of the Energy-Saver buildings, Kevin Jones, Director and General Manager of Portakabin Sales, said, "Reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions, and ensuring compliance with increasingly stringent environmental legislation have to be key priorities for every organisation in the UK. Our new Energy-Saver buildings demonstrate our ongoing commitment to the sustainability agenda, to innovation and to helping our customers minimise energy costs."
All Portakabin buildings are designed and manufactured to minimise impact on the environment:
- Portakabin has now achieved its target of zero waste sent to landfill
- Buildings are manufactured under strictly controlled factory conditions that minimise waste by up to 90 per cent
- Up to 67 per cent less energy is required to manufacture a modular building compared to new build (Source: MPBA/Arup)
- There are 90 per cent fewer vehicle movements to site - radically reducing carbon emissions
- Buildings are precision manufactured to engineering tolerances creating very air-tight buildings to minimise the draughts that reduce thermal efficiency
- The insulation materials used in the walls, roof and floor of all Portakabin buildings have an Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) of zero, minimising any impact on the environment
- Modular buildings can easily be reconfigured, refurbished or relocated to meet an organisation's changing needs. Re-using the entire building or its component parts in this way will preserve more than 90 per cent of its embodied energy. (Source: MPBA/Arup).
The Titan building is Europe's largest single modular building. Available in a range of sizes up to 67sqm, it has a generous 4m width and a ceiling height of 2.5m for ease of space planning. Any combination of interior design can be accommodated, including open plan areas, individual offices, meeting rooms, reception areas, toilets and kitchen facilities.
The Portakabin Solus building is the only self-contained modular office building available without telescopic legs. This provides enhanced aesthetics and is delivered complete with data communications to minimise work on site, and large windows for high levels of natural light. It is available in sizes up to 36sqm to comfortably accommodate up to six people.
Both building types can be sited within a day, are supplied with independent approvals from the BBA and LABC, as well as the pioneering Portakabin five-year product warranty and 30-year structural warranty package for sales customers.
For further information about modular buildings for permanent and interim applications, visit www.portanews.co.uk, email information@portakabin.co.uk or call 0845 401 0010.
Editor's Notes
1. Portakabin modular buildings offer a range of advantages over site-based construction, including:
- Programme times reduced by up to 50 per cent
- Much greater certainty of completion on time and on budget /continued...
- Enhanced quality and a robust steel-framed construction
- The provision of buildings with significantly less disruption
- A wide variety of aesthetic and fitting out options to reduce procurement time.
2. Portakabin, Titan and Portakabin Solus are registered trademarks.
