Pre-engineered buildings (PEBs) have made a steep growth in the industrial and commercial segment; however the trend is yet to pick up in the residential segment, writes P V RAO, Managing Director, and PEBS Pennar.
Climate change, sustainability and green have become the most ubiquitous words in recent times. They have caught the attention of people across various sectors who are concerned with sustainable goals. The level of awareness about the benefits of new eco-friendly material and technologies in the construction industry is growing and the industry is moving forward from traditional methods of construction to the environment friendly methods. In order to ensure that development and environment conservation go hand in hand, major corporations around the world are going for ‘Green Buildings’ concept which will slow down the depletion of natural resources.
Likewise, PEB displays wider scope in construction market. Considering India’s need for faster, sustainable and comfortable steel structures, the construction companies have started addressing the need for PEB structures.
PEB Revolution in India
The concept which was introduced in India in 2000 has marked a steep growth in the field of building construction. Initially till 2003, the demand was very poor however subsequently the demand has picked up and reached the peak in 2007 with a growth rate of 30% per year. Due to the recession in 2008, the demand has come down nonetheless it again started growing from 2010 onwards. Currently, the PEB market size is around `4500 crore and we can expect a growth rate of about 10% per year in the coming 3-4 years. Faster to construct, aesthetically appealing, economical, durable, re-locatable, earth quack resistant, easy maintenance, factory controlled quality, wider spans are the main driving factors for this revolution.
The huge shortage of skilled construction workers in India coupled with project execution challenges in case of civil traditional construction of houses and availability of sand issues due to ban on mining in many states further demonstrates prefab structures as the best alternative for housing units. Given the requirement of 26.5 million affordable housing units in India, the Government of India is funding for Indira Awas Yojana, meant for rural houses and Rajiv Awas Yojana, meant for urban poor. Under both schemes, Government of India is funding around `75,000/ for each house and the funding from State Government is ranging from `25,000/ to `50,000/ per house.
Commercial vs Residential
The emerging new trend of PEB structures has to the greater extent sufficed the modern commercial and industrial sector. The structural representation of PEBs can be seen in warehouses, factories, workshops, offices, gas stations, vehicle, parking sheds, showrooms, aircraft hangars, metro stations, schools, recreational, indoor stadium roofs, outdoor stadium canopies, bridges, railway platform shelters etc. It further stretches its reach to porta cabins, portable cabins, GRP cabins, MS bunk etc.
However, the trend is yet to pick up in the residential segment. It’s a myth that the application of PEB is restricted to maximum heights ranging between 25-30 meters. Height is not an issue and we can go beyond 30 meters also. The main problem in residential multi-storied towers is that the column is spacing and the clear spacing restriction between floors. The floor beams are to be covered with false ceiling and the columns have to be encased with light weight concrete or gypsum board or fire proofed with special coatings as per norms. These issues are making it highly uneconomical compared to traditional RCC construction.
PEB’s are generally tailor made to suit each customer’s requirements. Also the wind loads and seismic loads differ from place to place. Hence PEB’s do not have much scope in retail segment other than site offices and porta cabins.
Challenges for PEB manufacturers
During the initial stage, there was huge resistance from the traditional consultants and customers who have been accustomed to conventional buildings because of their apprehensions. However, with the concept gaining tremendous acceptance in the market, this challenge is slowly wiping out. However, unorganized players are problematic in terms of pricing. There are many challenges being faced in erection at sites as the sites are not getting ready with foundations by the time we deliver the materials, in view of huge shortage of skilled workers like masons, rod benders, carpenters etc. There are huge delays at most of the sites in giving us foundations ready and once the site is ready, the customers put enormous pressure on us to expedite the erection works.
Indian Codes for the PEB segment
Indian codes are not specifically catering to PEB sector. These codes have lot of stringent criteria irrespective of usage of building. There should be clauses in IS code specifically addressing warehouse and industrial structures as the codes are generally addressing residential buildings at present. At Pennar, we follow American Codes to present the best quality products and services at every stage of delivery. A stringent quality code is followed through a comprehensive plan complying with MBMA, ASTM and AWS requirements at various stages of design and manufacturing.
PEBS Pennar’s Offerings
PEBS Pennar is a reckoning power in the Pre engineered steel buildings in India. Covering a wide spectrum of application areas, PEBS Pennar has brought innovation, design distinction, international expertise and above all, global quality to every customer who aspires for technological and structural superiority. We design, fabricate and erect PEB’s for ware houses, industries, aircraft hangers, retail shops, commercial establishments, stadiums, equipment support structures etc. With our thrust for customer satisfaction and also due to our excellent talent in engineering and projects execution, we are able to get repeat orders from leading companies like L&T, Ultratech, Volvo, Schindler, Honda, Toyota, Schneider Electric, Tata Steel, HCC etc.
Our factory in Sadsivapet, close to Hyderabad, is the first factory in India to receive the prestigious Gold Rating from the Indian Green Building Council. PEBS Pennar is also a pioneer in providing comprehensive solutions for LEED/IGBC compliance for Green Buildings Certification.
Although, the present atmosphere is not encouraging in India as the Government has failed to give importance to the infrastructure sector, I think the situation will improve after the General Elections and things will start moving favorably once the new Government starts functioning.
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