Research on Fire and Structural Safety in Permanent Modular Construction Buildings

The Oversight Function has a number of strands for which BSR is the government authority.

This contract relates to the oversight function of the BSR in reviewing the safety and standards of all buildings in England by furthering the understanding of the level of fire and structural safety during the occupation of Permanent Volumetric Modular Construction (PVMC) buildings and identify good practice for their design, construction, maintenance, and management.

Permanent Volumetric Modular Construction (PVMC), is the use of three-dimensional pods, manufactured off-site, and stacked on-site to create non temporary buildings. PVMC is typically used in the UK for buildings whose function lends itself to being built out of repeated pods such as housing, student accommodation, hotels and schools.

PVMC is a type of Modern Method of Construction (MMC, Category 1) that is indicated as a potential way to increase the rate of housing development. MMC is also encouraged in public sector building, so this work may also contribute to both the housing and public sector building priorities of the government.

The aims of the research will build on previous research , in this area and are to engage with stakeholders to identify levels of fire and structural safety and good practice in all stages of PVMC procurement, design, construction, maintenance, demolition, and management. This research project will be managed by HSE Science Division on behalf of the Building Safety Regulator (BSR).