| What is a container? What are prefabricated living | | | | The expression “unconventional building |
| container modules? And what are their pros? | | | | systems” indicates building systems other |
| The first advantage of prefabricated living | | | | than masonry, or frameworks made of |
| container modules is of course its cost. Generally | | | | Reinforced Concrete (RC); pre-stressed |
| speaking, prefabricated houses are cheaper for a | | | | reinforced concrete (PRC); steel; or a combination |
| number of reasons well explained in the guide | | | | of the above, for four or more-storey buildings, |
| ‘consumatore.com’. | | | | either above or partially below ground and for |
| In addition to being cheaper than brick houses, | | | | structures with bearing panels. |
| prefabricated structures – let it be a house or | | | | The expression “unconventional building |
| an office – offer two more advantages: they | | | | aggregates” indicates those building |
| can be customized from the early design phase | | | | aggregates not envisaged by the Engineering |
| and easily transported. | | | | Regulations for Building Works (Norme Tecniche |
| And what are the laws about prefabricated | | | | sulle Costruzioni), whose use is subject to ad hoc |
| structures? | | | | directives issued and certified by the STC. |
| One section of the website of the High Council of | | | | Documents such as the “Qualification of |
| Public Works (Consiglio Superiore dei Lavori | | | | Prefabricated RC and PRC Frameworks”, the |
| Pubblici) is dedicated to prefabricated structures. | | | | “Body of Regulations”, the “STC |
| The Central Engineering Service (Servizio Tecnico | | | | Guidelines about the Ministerial Decree of 3 Dec |
| Centrale, or STC) is a supervisory body in charge | | | | 1987 concerning prefabricated structures”, the |
| of complex and delicate functions in the civil | | | | “Guidelines for RC and PRC structures”, |
| engineering field as per security of the public and | | | | and the “CE Certification of Conformity for |
| private buildings. | | | | prefabricated RC and PRC Frameworks”. On |
| These functions – which are mentioned in | | | | 4 March 2008, the Tax Office (Agenzia delle |
| article 9 of law no. 1086 of 1971 about | | | | Entrate) issued Resolution no. 76/E that applies to |
| prefabricated structures – can be summarized | | | | (a) construction of buildings whose elements are |
| as follows: qualification of mass-produced | | | | assembled at the building yard and (b) the |
| prefabricated structures, certifications of suitability | | | | production of the aforementioned elements using |
| for unconventional building systems, and | | | | concrete. Both of the above are applied the |
| authorizations for use of unconventional building | | | | so-called reverse-charge principle. |
| aggregates. | | | | |