The physical format of prefabricated knockdown temporary housing for staff in construction sites and construction workers : a case study of Italian Thai development public company limited
Abstract:
In general, construction companies are responsible for the provision of temporary housing for construction workers. Companies usually select housing areas near construction sites in order to facilitate their employees and provide welfare benefits for them. Nowadays Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited has developed prefabricated knockdown temporary housing and used it for full-time employees, construction workers, and subcontractors including engineers, staff, foremen, the companys construction workers, and the subcontractors construction workers to reduce expenses in the long run and to relocate easily. Nonetheless, according to the preliminary study, it has been found that temporary housing is not fully or effectively used. Moreover, many workers also remodel their places. As the length of general temporary stay is over 1-2 years, it is common for them to remodel their places according to their lifestyle and work environment. This causes damage to temporary housing.This research aims to study the physical changes of temporary housing in order to understand the types of accommodation, related problems, and reasons for remodelling. The research methodology is to thoroughly study one particular temporary housing area by surveying physical changes of 147 units and collecting data by interviewing sampling residents of 35 units. Each sample group consisted of five units covering supervisors and construction workers. The sampling residents included engineers, staff, foremen, the companys Thai construction workers, the companys Burmese construction workers, the subcontractors Thai construction workers, and the subcontractors Cambodian construction workers. Data were analysed in order to propose solutions.The results show that physical changes that affected temporary housing when moved to new locations, accounting for 74%, included expanding awning, clotheslines, roof flashing, and skylight covers, installing shelves on the walls, and adding partitions in each room. The reasons for remodelling included 1) to expand internal and external room space (50%) and 2) to solve issues related to physical surroundings, such as sunlight and rainfall, and the use of areas in temporary housing that is not suitable for the residents needs (50%). When examining physical and social problems, it was found that the ways that the residents dealt with those issues caused by the need to modify and remodel the temporary housing in order to improve their living conditions. This caused damage to temporary housing before the break-even point was reached. Based on the conclusion concerning the use of temporary housing, patterns, problems, and reasons for modifications which were different among each sample group, construction companies that need to efficiently use temporary housing for the long-term benefits should take residents needs and lifestyles as well as the ways they use their temporary housing into consideration. This research is beneficial to both business and enterprise. The findings can be used for developing temporary housing. Additionally, governmental organisations can also use this research as a guideline to impose the rules and regulations regarding temporary housing to increase the quality of life of construction workers. This can contribute to an increase in work efficiency and an upgrade to the construction industry.