Speeding up construction of homes

INDUSTRIALISED Building System (IBS) is a construction technique in which components are manufactured in a controlled environment (on or off site), transported, positioned and assembled into a structure with minimal additional site work.

IBS offers better productivity, quality, cleanliness and safety at construction sites. It also reduces the dependency on foreign labour at sites as well as, through modern production practices, at the manufacturing facilities.

With proper planning, design and execution, it can also lower the total construction costs, which is why IBS is the choice of many developers.

Singapore is an excellent case study where its Housing Development Board offers a standard set of building components supported by a design software system to be used by all players in executing its successful and affordable housing projects.

IBS was made compulsory for government projects in 2008, and it had been proposed to be gradually introduced for private projects beginning this year.

The Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia (CIDB) and Public Works Department have started to produce building component catalogues and pre-approved plans.

CIDB has also developed IBS reference materials and organised seminars and training sessions, either highly subsidised or even free of charge.

However, support from the construction industry has not been encouraging mainly due to legacy issues. In fact, GLCs could have done better in supporting the agenda.

The construction industrialisation agenda through the IBS Roadmap 2003-2010 was approved on Oct 29, 2003 at the final Cabinet meeting chaired by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad during his previous premiership. It is time for the federal and state governments to get serious in implementing this roadmap.

IR. SHAHRUL NIZAR SHAARI Kuala Lumpur