Arcadis Insights Mar 2019 - DFMA - Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA) for Prefabricated MEP Systems

Q: What does DFMA mean in the context of MEP systems?

DFMA integrates factory-manufactured building components delivered to the site for assembly. For MEP, it emphasizes Prefabricated Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) systems to shift major processes off-site.

Q: What kinds of prefabricated MEP modules are mentioned?

The document lists horizontal ceiling modules, vertical riser modules, and plant modules. It also includes options such as prefabricated duct modules and modules integrated with work platform/catwalk.

Q: How does Singapore’s BCA support DFMA adoption for prefabricated MEP systems?

The document cites BCA’s Prefabricated MEP Good Industry Practices guidebook and the Code of Practice on Buildability 2017, which assigns additional points for MEP modules with sufficient coverage, reflecting expected productivity and manpower savings.

Oct 24, 2026

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Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA) technologies are presented as a way to improve construction productivity and quality, reduce dependence on labour-intensive work, and support a safer and more sustainable site environment. The focus is on Prefabricated Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) systems, describing how factory-manufactured modules are delivered for off-site assembly-related activities and then transported for installation, inspection, testing and commissioning. It also outlines types of prefabricated MEP modules, Singapore BCA guidelines, accreditation routes, and associated cost and time implications.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages5

Reading Time13 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

What is DFMA – MEP System

Types of Prefabricated MEP Systems

BCA’s Guidelines for DFMA for Prefabricated MEP Systems

Prefabricated MEP Good Industry Practices Guidebook

Code of Practice on Buildability 2017

Accreditation

Building Innovation Panel (BIP)

Prefabricated MEP Manufacturer Accreditation Scheme

Cost and Time Implications

INTRODUCTION In the effort to drive the industry towards improving construction productivity and quality, reducing reliance in labour intensive production, and promoting a safer and sustainable working environment, the concept of adopting Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA) technologies in projects is gaining popularity. WHAT IS DFMA – MEP SYSTEM DfMA refers tothe practice of integrating factory-manufactured building components being delivered to site for assembly. DfMA provides a better quality, a time-managed solution and a safer construction site as more activities are carried out offsite. DfMA comes in many forms – the principal focus of this article is Prefabricated Mechanical Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) Systems. Through the implementation of DfMA for Prefabricated MEP Systems, major MEP construction processes which are traditionally labour intensive will be carried out at off-site facilities. The respective prefabricated MEP modules which are complete, with two or more MEP services, will be transported to the construction site for final assembly, inspection, installation, testing and commissioning. TYPES OF PREFABRICATED MEP SYSTEMS There are various types of Prefabricated MEP modules available in the market including horizontal ceiling modules, vertical riser modules and plant modules. The potential areas of application are as follows: | Residential
Commercial
Hotel
Office
Industrial
Healthcare
Institutional
Data Centre | | | | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Prefabricated Duct | 􀀹 | 􀀹 | 􀀹 | 􀀹 | 􀀹 | 􀀹 | 􀀹 | 􀀹 | | Prefabricated Horizontal or Vertical MEP Module including Pipes, Cable Trays, Ducts | 􀀹 | 􀀹 | 􀀹 | 􀀹 | 􀀹 | 􀀹 | | 􀀹 | | Prefabricated Riser Module | 􀀹 | 􀀹 | 􀀹 | 􀀹 | 􀀹 | 􀀹 | 􀀹 | 􀀹 | | Prefabricated Horizontal Module including ceiling board, duct, pipe, lightings, etc | | 􀀹 | | | | 􀀹 | | 􀀹 | | Prefabricated Plant Module including Pumps, Pipes, Valves, Pump Skid | 􀀹 | 􀀹 | 􀀹 | 􀀹 | 􀀹 | 􀀹 | 􀀹 | 􀀹 | | Prefabricated MEP Module integrated with Work Platform/ Catwalk | | 􀀹 | 􀀹 | 􀀹 | 􀀹 | 􀀹 | 􀀹 | 􀀹 | BCA’S GUIDELINES FOR DFMA FOR PREFABRICATED MEP SYSTEMS Prefabricated MEP Good Industry Practices Guidebook The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) of Singapore released a Prefabricated MEP GIP guidebook in April 2018 to help practitioners to have a better understanding on prefabricated MEP modules and its benefits. The guidebook draw references from overseas project experiences and sets out some good industry practices guidance (from upfront planning, procurement and maintenance) on how such systems could be incorporated prefabricated MEP systems in the development. Code of Practice on Buildability 2017 The Buildable Design Appraisal (BDAS) framework was further enhanced in May 2017. To promote designs giving considerations on DfMA, and encourage wider adoption of MEP Systems with higher productivity gains, the Code of Practice on Buildability 2017 allocated additional points to the following new MEP modules with at least 65% coverage in the project. | | N Value | | | --- | --- | --- | | | Percentage of Coverage | | | | ≥ 65% to < 80% | ≥ 80% | | Prefabricated MEP modules integrated with work platform/ catwalk+ | 3.00 | 5.00 | | Prefabricated MEP modules e. g. pipes, cable trays/trunking etc+ | 2.00 | 4.00 | | Prefabricated MEP plant modules e.g. pump, compressor etc+ | 2.00 | 4.00 | | + denotes items newly introduced in COP on Buildability 2017
Source: BCA Code of Practice on Buildability – Table 3 Design for Manufacturing and Assembly technologies (DfMA)– N Value | | | Points for other MEP modules with relatively lower class of DfMA as compared to those stated above has been adjusted in COP 2017 to commensurate the potential manpower savings expected from their adoption. | | N Value under COP 2017 | | N Value under COP 2015 | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | Percentage of Coverage | | Per

FAQs

What does DFMA mean in the context of MEP systems?

DFMA integrates factory-manufactured building components delivered to the site for assembly. For MEP, it emphasizes Prefabricated Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) systems to shift major processes off-site.

What kinds of prefabricated MEP modules are mentioned?

The document lists horizontal ceiling modules, vertical riser modules, and plant modules. It also includes options such as prefabricated duct modules and modules integrated with work platform/catwalk.

How does Singapore’s BCA support DFMA adoption for prefabricated MEP systems?

The document cites BCA’s Prefabricated MEP Good Industry Practices guidebook and the Code of Practice on Buildability 2017, which assigns additional points for MEP modules with sufficient coverage, reflecting expected productivity and manpower savings.

Oct 24, 2026

Upload by adawds