a.aa MMC M11 52pp Web
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tools & equipment<br />
Quality is the main driver towards <strong>MMC</strong> use, NHBC Foundation<br />
report finds<br />
The term ‘Modern Methods of Construction’ (<strong>MMC</strong>) is often mentioned when discussions occur<br />
about the need to build more new homes. Richard Lankshear, Innovation Manager at NHBC,<br />
explains more about this approach…<br />
At NHBC we have a specific way of assessing <strong>MMC</strong> Systems so we can understand the detail of the<br />
system and support our customers by carrying out a thorough review.<br />
As such we identify <strong>MMC</strong> as offsite manufacture, innovative technologies and other non-conventional<br />
methods of construction that form the structure and envelope of the home. This includes sub-assemblies,<br />
volumetric and panelised systems manufactured off site as well as site-based <strong>MMC</strong>.<br />
Not all offsite manufacture is necessarily a Modern Method of Construction as many conventional forms of<br />
construction are assembled offsite. We do not treat a system as <strong>MMC</strong> if the construction is described in<br />
the NHBC Standards and where the system components can be inspected on site.<br />
We know that vast majority of homes are built with traditional cavity masonry – 74% in 2017 with 16% in<br />
timber frame and 1.5% in light steel frame with the balance in framed structures or unique systems.<br />
However, what we are seeing is an overall much greater interest in <strong>MMC</strong> systems. In the past we received<br />
between four and eight innovative systems to review each year, but this changed dramatically from about<br />
2015/16 with over 30 systems received in 2016. Last year saw a record 38 new systems submitted.<br />
And this is also seen in the investment by house builders and housing associations in their own offsite<br />
production and the emergence of new, sizeable, manufacturers of <strong>MMC</strong> systems. The Government’s White<br />
Paper and the MHCLG report “Modernise or Die” set out the opportunities for greater use of <strong>MMC</strong> and industry is certainly responding.<br />
The 2018 NHBC Foundation report “<strong>MMC</strong>: Who’s doing what”, identified “Quality” as the primary driver towards the use of <strong>MMC</strong>. This potential raising<br />
of standards is welcomed by NHBC, but it is not always achieved. What is clear from our review of multiple <strong>MMC</strong> systems is that quality is only<br />
achieved through investment – investment in design, in manufacturing procedures, in training and in construction.<br />
NHBC is the UK’s leading warranty and insurance provider for new homes. We set standards for NHBC registered builders and work with them to help<br />
them improve the construction quality of the homes they build.<br />
www.nhbc.co.uk/mmchub<br />
+353 47 80500<br />
combilift.com<br />
Feb 2019 <strong>M11</strong><br />
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