Prefabricated Bathroom Unit (PBU) is a bathroom unit, which is preassembled off-site complete with finishes, sanitary wares, concealed pipes, conduits, ceiling and bathroom cabinets, before it is delivered and installed on-site.
Why use PBUs
- Improved Productivity– Manpower and time savings of up to 30% can be achieved at trade level.
- Better Construction Environment– Less dust and noise is generated as bathroom fixtures and finishing are completed off-site.
- Improved Quality Control– Off-site fabrication can result in higher quality end products through quality control in a factory-like environment.
What to consider when using PBUs
- Early contractor involvement– Developers/project managers should engage a PBU supplier and main contractor during the design stage of the project. Layout and detailing of the PBU needs to be considered early to ensure that structural, architectural and MEP considerations are addressed before fabrication begins.
- Site / project management– The weight, installation method and placement of PBUs should be taken into consideration when deciding the capacity of the lifting equipment. Forward planning to ensure assembly of the PBUs are completed ahead of time in the factory and delivered to site just in time for installation would prevent unnecessary double handling.
- Maintenance, replacement and renovation– All PBUs should have a Manufacturer’s Label containing key details of the PBU and manufacturer’s contact information. Similar to conventional bathrooms, tile finishes on PBUs can be replaced, while provisions of barrier-free accessibility design are provided for. It is good practice for developers/builders to provide a homeowner user manual for the PBU. For any renovation works, it is recommended for homeowners to engage a contractor who would use the appropriate tools and follow the instructions provided in the homeowner user manual.
Compliance to regulation
- PBU Acceptance Framework- To ensure that the different PBU systems meet the required performance standards, BCA has set up a PBU Acceptance Framework consisting of building regulatory agencies as well as industry experts to evaluate the design and materials used. PBU suppliers and manufacturers who intend to supply their PBU systems to be used at the mandated development sites should apply for acceptance.
- Requirements for residential non-landed Government Land Sale sites– The use of PBU is required for all residential non-landed and residential non-landed components of mixed-use developments on Government Land Sale (GLS) sites from 1 November 2014 onwards. Further details on the requirement can be found in the Building Control (Buildability and Productivity) Regulations and in the prevailing Code of Practice on Buildability.