Modular welfare units – what you need to know before placing an order

Site accommodation is a temporary organisational and technical infrastructure that forms an integral part of the project site. Its main purpose? To guarantee smooth and uninterrupted progress throughout the entire process – from the moment the first excavator arrives on site right through to final handover. Without efficiently organised accommodation, even the best-designed project loses momentum, and the team suffers a drastic decline in work conditions.

The modular construction of temporary facilities is currently the most comprehensive and flexible solution on the market. At Modular System we prove this every day by delivering high-quality spaces that are the ideal solution for projects of any scale – from small-scale housing estate building sites, through commercial facilities, to massive worker camps.

Tried and tested: We created a Worker Camp for the PKN Orlen project covering an area of approx. 37,000 m², which efficiently accommodated nearly 6,000 employees. This is one of the largest and most demanding projects of its kind in Poland. Choosing Modular System means choosing a partner that can handle projects of any scale.

Why do Modular System’s solutions work better than traditional site accommodation?

1. Tailor-made flexibility of the layout. We design and configure spaces precisely to suit the specific requirements of your construction site and the dynamics of your team.
2. Certified safety. Our structures meet the most rigorous building and fire safety standards.
3. Lightning-fast assembly. We deliver ready-made modules directly from our factory, drastically reducing the time needed to put the accommodation into operation.
4. Premium comfort. Efficient heating, air conditioning and a perfectly thought-out interior layout are part of our standard offering.

But what if the team grows or the project schedule is extended? You can add further modules to the existing layout without any disruption to work. This allows the site accommodation to be expanded in response to the growing needs of the construction site – something traditional solutions simply cannot offer.

What are the components of a site accommodation? Areas and equipment

A well-designed construction site accommodation is a well-oiled machine. We divide it into three key areas, eliminating any risk of organisational downtime.

1. Administrative and office area (office containers).

Our office containers are command centres designed with management in mind. Key decisions are made here. We design spaces for meetings, secure document storage and efficient management. We create offices in every format – from functional, individual modules for site managers to multi-storey, glazed, open-plan administrative complexes that serve as a showcase for the general contractor.

2. Welfare and sanitary area (welfare containers).

At Modular System we know that a productive employee is a well-rested employee. Our welfare containers provide comfortable changing rooms, canteens and relaxation areas that allow the team to fully recharge their batteries. We complement these with top-class sanitary facilities: modules with showers and toilets that fully comply with strict OHS standards. We provide infrastructure that takes care of people and protects investors from any legal issues.

3. Storage and technical area (storage containers).

The storage areas are intended for equipment, tools and the storage of valuable building materials, protecting them from theft and weather conditions. On large-scale projects this area expands in line with the delivery schedule. The more materials there are at any one time, the more of a mistake it is to underestimate its size during planning.

Everything is brought together by installation equipment. Everything is brought together by the building services systems. Professional electrical systems, efficient heating systems and air-conditioning ensure optimal conditions for work all year round – whether in a freezing January or a sweltering July. In Modular System projects these facilities include heat recovery systems with up to 91 per cent efficiency and photovoltaic systems powering the entire facility. Without these three areas and systems no construction project goes according to plan.

Legal aspects: Permits, notifications and site status

As an industry leader, we not only supply modules but also share our expertise to protect our customers from bureaucratic pitfalls.

Is the site accommodation considered a construction site?

Yes. A construction site comprises the area of the ongoing work and the space occupied by our site accommodation. This means that the highest OHS standards, which we implement in our modules, directly protect your entire project site.

What about notifications and permits?

Most temporary facilities erected for the duration of the work (under the main planning permission) do not require additional paperwork. The complications begin when a module is situated outside the construction site or is to remain there for longer than 180 days. At Modular System we are thoroughly familiar with the necessary procedures. That is why we advise our partners on how to optimise the administrative process to avoid unnecessary downtime.

Whatever the requirements you need to meet, it is good to know what certificates to look for in a supplier, as these are what guarantee quality and safety. Modular System operates in accordance with the ISO 9001:2015 quality management system, and carries out welding in accordance with EN 1090-2:2018 and EN ISO 3834-2: 2006 under the supervision of a TÜV Rheinland certificate; furthermore, thanks to AQAP 2110:2016, licence B-022/2019 and the NATO NCAGE code, it meets the standards required of NATO and military suppliers.

For a commercial investor this means one thing: if a structure meets the stringent requirements of defence orders, it is even more likely to prove its worth on a standard construction site.

Health and safety regulations and the correct layout of the site accommodation

The location and organisation of site accommodation are not a matter of convenience, but of specific rules that directly affect the safety of people on the construction site. Failure to address this stage results in a real risk, not just a note in the report. What should you know?

• Choice of place. Construction site cabins should be situated away from watercourses and excavations. The designated site for the cabins must be stable enough to support the weight of the containers and withstand daily foot traffic and the movement of machinery.
• Organisation and fencing. Regulations require the construction site to be surrounded by a fence at least 1.5 metres high, and for vehicle access routes to be separated from pedestrian routes. If objects may fall from a height, the distance between the fence and the building must also be at least 1/10 of the building’s height.
• Infrastructure and utilities. Reliable access to utilities (electricity and water) and proper wastewater management, including a septic tank in sanitary containers, are essential for the site accommodation to function. A lack of utilities prevents technical equipment from functioning properly and hinders the efficient organisation of work on site. Therefore, a high standard of the system (leak-proof connections, certified materials, tried-and-tested heating systems) effectively increases safety levels and minimises the risk of breakdowns during construction.

How to optimally plan the area intended for modular space?

1. Determine the demand. Start by analysing the number of employees and the expected duration of the construction project. These two variables determine the size and type of site accommodation more than the plot area.
2. Take advantage of scalability and modularity. Modules can be stacked in 2- and 3-storey configurations to make efficient use of space, even on very limited areas. This is particularly effective in dense urban environments, where accommodation simply cannot be extended horizontally.
3. Adapt the interior to the work of the team. Appropriately adapted containers (with functionally arranged windows, doors and fittings) allow to create comfortable workstations, which directly translates into user comfort and boosts the team’s productivity, as less time is wasted on logistics within the construction site cabins themselves.

Tried and tested: during the construction of a container village for the Government Agency for Strategic Reserves, 1,092 modules were planned across six locations, encompassing residential, hygiene and sanitation, welfare and medical areas within a single coherent functional layout. If this planning logic works on a scale of over 1,500 people, it works just as well for your project – no matter its size.

Rental costs: What determines the price of site accommodation?

The cost is determined on a case-by-case basis depending on the option chosen and the duration of the contract – there is no single, standard price list, as site accommodation is always tailored to a specific project.

The choice of a rental service rather than purchase reduces initial investment costs, allows for full budgetary flexibility and allows for quick dismantling once the work is complete, which is particularly important for projects with a defined, predictable timeframe.

Site accommodation by Modular System – a comprehensive solution for your project

Modern construction site facilities are key to the efficient delivery of any project and ensure a high level of safety and optimal work conditions, regardless of the application and scale of the project – from a single office container to an entire modular camp.

Contact us. Provide us with the scale of your project and the number of employees. Our engineers are ready to prepare a modular layout design for you that sets new standards of comfort on your construction site. Contact us to receive a comprehensive solution, from the initial consultation all the way to assembly.