Relocatable buildings are prefabricated, modular structures consisting of a room, or rooms that are constructed in a factory either wholly assembled, or ready to be assembled quickly on site. The construction, military, agricultural, manufacturing, education, disaster relief and medical industries use these portable buildings for a number of transitory or short-term applications.
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Once assembled, relocated buildings can be moved through the use of cranes, forklifts or trucks to their desired location. Relocatable or portable buildings provide a cost-effective and time saving alternative to building traditionally constructed permanent buildings, and are especially ideal for use in situations requiring a shelter for a short time. Relocatable buildings may be set up as separate stand alone units, they may be attached to already existing buildings, or they may be assembled contained within a large building such as a factory. Portable buildings are a type of modular building; however modular building is intended for more permanent long term use. Relocatable buildings are used for applications such as sheds, small barns, storage spaces, temporary offices for example on a construction site, mobile homes, classrooms, garages and cabins, and because they are not intended for permanent use, a landowner may not need to obtain a building permit for construction to take place, although it is necessary to check with local regulations.
The basic layout consists of a frame and wall panels, as well as a roof and installed floor. In order to be relocatable, these prefabricated buildings have to be made out of lightweight materials, and are usually constructed out of a combination of wood, plastics and steel. Steel is an ideal framing material as it is durable and corrosion resistant. Most relocatable buildings are intended for outdoor use and therefore have to withstand a wide range of temperatures and weather conditions. Buildings have watertight seals to prevent leaking, and are often available with insulation and HVAC system options to maintain a comfortable interior temperature. While most relocatable buildings are fairly simple in terms of layout and design, custom specifications can be made. However, the most cost effective option would be a standard pre engineered building; custom features will raise the price of the structure considerably, and for a temporary building solution, the pay off might not be worth it. A typical building has a door and windows which can be specifically placed if needed. Electrical wiring and lighting is also an option to be considered. Relocatable buildings are not attached to a permanent foundation and are usually laid directly on the ground, or on a level surface such as a concrete block which has been previously constructed.
