FAQ's

Q: What are Kwikspace’s units made from?
A: The main components which make up our units range from 40mm polyurethane filled, steel skinned panels as well as a fire-rated polyurethane panel we can offer these as both temporary and fully permanent solutions.

Q: Does Kwikspace provide buildings in various designs according to different client requirements?
A: Yes. We offer flexible design options and endeavour to provide buildings closest to the design that our clients require, nearest to our standard panel dimensions.

Q: What is the difference between prefabricated buildings and containers?
A: Our prefabricated buildings are made with insulated panels whereas containers are standard sea freight shipping containers, usually uninsulated. Prefabricated buildings offer more flexible dimensions than containers which are restricted to the standard container dimensions.

Q: What is the difference between and site built unit and a factory built building?

A: A factory built unit is a mobile unit as it can be transported and moved on multiple occasions. When buildings become more complex or the client needs a more permanent building the buildings are then sent to site in a kit format and installed/assembled on site.

These site built units are not fully relocatable and have to disassemble to its components to move whereas a factory built unit is picked up a moved as a complete building and module.  This is quicker and there is less damage.

Buildings built in a factory are built in a more controlled environments

Built in parallel whilst the site is prepared

Safer

Less impact on the site with mobiles as there is not the normal construction activities on the site.

Site erected buildings are often required when there are access restrictions on locations far from the factory

Q: Where does Kwikspace operate?
A: a) Our mobile and rental units are available from our branches in South Africa from
Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth and Kathu. These branches not only offer support within South Africa but also to Lesotho, Swaziland, southern Mozambique, Botswana and Namibia.

Below indicates some of the places where we have executed projects:

Q: How long does it take to construct a Kwikspace building?
A: Anywhere between one to three weeks, depending on the size of the building.

Q: What is the lead time on purchases?
A: The lead time varies from the size and type of purchase, this could take anywhere between two – four weeks depending on our current order commitments.

Q: What is the lead time on Rentals?
A: From sign off of our rental agreement, we usually work on a few days, should any custom refurbishments be required, and we would typically work on 5-10 working days. This is also dependant on the location of the final destination.

Q: What are the site requirements for delivery of a fully assembled relocatable building?
A: We require an entry point between 4m and 5m wide and a direct line of +/- 24m for offloading and positioning purposes. Our experienced personnel would typically provide a site inspection to ensure site accessibility. We also provide a delivery checklist when an order is placed, to ensure requirements are fulfilled.

Q: Will clients require a permit from the municipality to set up Kwikspace unit in a residential area?
A: Municipalities may have different interpretations and clients should confirm with the local councils exactly what permissions are required prior to building. 

Q: What standard codes and quality systems does Kwikspace comply with?
A: We conform to certain aspects of SANS 10400 for our building designs, unless otherwise specified by the client’s local standards. We are furthermore ISO 9001:2008 certified and have recently obtained our OSHAS 18001:2007 certification.

Q: What guarantee is offered on Kwikspace’s products?
A: We offer a one year guarantee on our products, for equipment manufactured by our approved supplier we provide the manufacturers warranty, which is generally 12 months from receipt of the materials.

Q: Why Kwikspace’s prefabricated buildings apart from other similar products?
A: Our buildings are constructed using a thicker gauge steel than the industry norm, our units are insulated (walls and ceiling) using our polyurethane foamed panels, which has excellent thermal and structural properties. Other products in the market use an expanded polystyrene (EPS) core as insulation which will not provide you with same thermal or acoustic properties. The significant difference however will be the units structural integrity, fire rating and longevity of the unit.
Our buildings are manufactured in an ISO accredited factory and are Engineered certified

Less Site Disturbance

On-site traffic is greatly minimized from workers, equipment and suppliers.

Greater Flexibility and Reuse

Modular buildings can be disassembled and the modules relocated or refurbished for new use, reducing the demand for raw materials and minimizing the amount of energy expended to create a building to meet the new need.

Less Material Waste

When building in a factory, waste is eliminated by recycling materials, controlling inventory and protecting building materials.

Improved Air Quality

Because the modular structure is substantially completed in a factory-controlled setting using dry materials, the potential for high levels of moisture being trapped in the new construction is eliminated.

Reduced Construction Schedule

Because construction of modular buildings can occur simultaneously with the site and foundation work, projects can be completed 30% to 50% sooner than traditional construction.

Elimination of Weather Delays

60 – 90% of the construction is completed inside a factory, which mitigates the risk of weather delays. Buildings are occupied sooner, creating a faster return on investment.

Safer Construction

The indoor construction environment reduces the risks of accidents and related liabilities for workers or scholars in the case of schools.

Q: What is the expected lifespan of Kwikspace’s products?
A: Our 40mm polyurethane panel-buildings have a lifespan of up to 20 years. To maximise lifespan, buildings must undergo normal regular maintenance.

Q: What are the maintenance requirements for Kwikspace’s buildings?
A: Like any other facility or home, our buildings require standard household maintenance.

A: Polyurethane (PU) is much more expensive than expanded polystyrene (EPS), and most suppliers in the panelised market use EPS due to the low cost and easy manufacturing. There are large differences between EPS and PU.

Thermal Insulation – PU is a much better thermal insulator than EPS and has approximately 1.5 times more insulation resistance than EPS. For example for a typical 40mm PU panel you will need a 63mm EPS panel to achieve the same thermal insulation (R  – Value).

Moisture Resistance – Water permeability can be an issue with buildings and cold rooms. When water enters the panel you can get rot or mildew, and moisture seeping through the wall and creating damp. PU has an excellent permeability rating due to the closed cell nature of the PU foam, with no voids between the cells. EPS has a closed cell structure but there are voids between the cells, and moisture can permeate more easily through EPS than PU. The additional effect of moisture in the wall panel is a dramatic loss of thermal insulation as moisture is an excellent conductor of heat/cold. Depending on how cold it gets the moisture in the panel can also freeze and create further structural issues.

Fire Resistance – Both EPS and PU will burn and most panel suppliers use a fire retardant in the EPS or PU, this ensures that when the flame/heat source is removed from the material both EPS and PU wall panels will self extinguish. Both PU and EPS emit noxious and asphyxiating fumes, but PU will emit a small percentage of hydrogen cyanides and chlorides which are toxic if inhaled directly.

As PU is a thermal-set material it will not melt in a fire/heated situation, and only above 1,000 degrees C will it char. EPS will soften at around 180 Degrees C and will melt at around 240 degrees C. This is why you can cut EPS with a hot wire, and that does not work with PU.
Density – The density of a product will contribute to the strength. EPS has a density of 12-22 kg/cbm and PU has a density of 36-40kg/cbm.

Chemical Resistance – PU is resistant to most counter chemicals. EPS react most solvents or petroleum based products.

Manufacturing – Probably the biggest difference between PU and EPS is in the manufacturing process of these panels. As PU and EPS are used as panel cores they need to the bonded to the steel/timber/fibre cement. As PU is one of the best adhesives available it has a very strong bond to the panel skin. EPS needs to be bonded to the panel skin and this process often creates voids in the adhesion layer and results in delamination of the panel skin.