In some instances, sometimes a project cannot afford to wait some months before being put up. Mining camps, construction sites, or disaster relief programs need dry and properly working areas immediately, usually, where there are a few skilled laborers and equipment. The easy-to-assemble buildings are custom-made for such cases. They consist of prefabricated pieces which can be assembled using only a few screws and basic tools.
This manual describes how such buildings work, what the specifications mean and how to select the required building. In addition, there is a small project example and the answers to the most common questions.
A simple to put together home is a modular building constructed off-site and shipped to the installation site as separate parts. It is comprised of a steel structure painted with sandwich panel insulation, roof, doors, and windows. The engineers of ZN House assert that no crane or forklift is needed.
Three features define this format:
You may also see this product called an easy assemble container house or a modular container house. These terms describe the same basic idea. It is closely related to the flat pack container home, which also ships as compact components.
The following table shows ZN House’ specifications of a standard 20 ft container. Consider these as reference values and verify them for your particular unit.
| Item | Typical Specification |
| Structure frame | Q235 galvanized steel |
| Wall panel | 50–75 mm sandwich panel (EPS, rock wool, or PU) |
| Standard size | 5,950 × 3,000 × 2,800 mm |
| Wind resistance | Level 10 |
| Earthquake resistance | Grade 8 |
| Service life | 15–20 years |
| Installation time | 2–4 hours with two workers |
Ratings are only useful if you know what they mean.
Wind level 10 most likely refers to the Beaufort scale. On that scale, force 10 is classed as a storm, with winds of roughly 89 to 102 km/h (Met Office, Beaufort scale). This is an excellent rating for a temporary structure. Nonetheless, the design wind speed unit may differ in local codes. In this respect, kindly explain how the calculation is made.
As for the "grade 8" of the earthquake, the potential may be a little bit misleading, since the seismic rating can be used either to the define the intensity, or the magnitude, which are totally different things. Double check with the supplier, which rating was used and for which test/calculations.
Application period 15-20 years for stage and semi-permanent use actual service time depends on the quality of the coating and climate conditions.
The comparison below shows why many project managers consider modular options.
| Factor | Easy Assemble House | Traditional Building |
| Construction time | Hours to days on site | Months |
| Labor needs | Small crew with basic tools | Large skilled workforce |
| Heavy equipment | Generally not required | Cranes and machinery common |
| Relocation | Possible | Not practical |
| Site preparation | Level base or simple foundation | Full foundations |
| Design freedom | Moderate, within module limits | High |
| Permanence | Temporary to semi-permanent | Permanent |
The traditional construction methods are better suited to structures that meant for long-term use or customized. The easy assemble house is more appropriate where mobility and ease of assembly are quite important.
The process is straightforward. The manufacturer describes five steps:
Most common time ranges for one unit with two people are two to four hours. It's one to two days for ten units. (Those figures may be a bit optimistic.) The figures are for prepared, leveled bases and drawing-ready parts, and will be affected by bad weather, uneven ground and missing hardware.
It does not imply that A-frame cars were better; skilled supervision continues to matter. The use of bolted connections is quite simple, but any errors in leveling or anchoring will cause problems in future.
This building type suits many sectors:
Relief from disaster is one such case. The UN’s refugee agency UNHCR notes that shelters for emergencies should be safe, climate-appropriate, and quick-deployable. Shelter is considered a vital component of any emergency situation (UNHCR, Emergency Handbook: Shelter, camp and settlement). Flat-packed, bolt-together units fit that need because they ship compactly and go up quickly. They are not a complete answer on their own. Sanitation, water, and site planning still matter.
Remote camps also need power. Sites without a grid connection can combine housing with a container energy storage solution to run lighting and cooling. A battery energy storage container can store solar energy for night use.
Specifications tell only part of the story. These design points affect daily performance.
Frame and Coating
Galvanized steel resists corrosion. In coastal or humid sites, ask about coating thickness and any extra protection.
Wall Panels
Panel choice changes fire behavior, insulation, and cost.
| Panel Type | Strength | Typical Consideration |
| EPS | Low cost, good insulation | Lower fire resistance |
| Rock wool | Strong fire performance | Heavier, slightly higher cost |
| PU | High insulation and sound control | Higher cost |
Rockwool is commonly used for dorms and camps due to its excellent fire performance. Request fire test certification for the specific panel. Terms like “fireproof” cannot be substituted for a fire test report.
Insulation and Ventilation
Hot and cold weather both require thick panels, appropriate insulation and accurate ventilation design. Inappropriate and insufficient ventilation leads to condensation and molds in inhabited spaces.
Utilities
Plan your electrical, plumbing and drainage systems beforehand, since adding them later is more expensive and takes more time.
Prefab construction results in reduced waste because of controlled assembly in an enclosed space. The steel framework can be reused and recycled, while relocatable buildings are not demolished. Flat-packing reduces the number of trucks or containers used.
These are real benefits, but they are worth mentioning cautiously. The savings are conditional on the design, the length of your shipment and the duration of actual use of the building. And be wary of large cost-savings percentages. Request a project comparison.
Background
A contractor for mining operations was in need of a place for members of the crew in a secluded area that was windy as well. The nearest township had no rental apartments located in it, and it lacked any cranes available on the job site as wel006C.
Key challenges
Solution
ZN House provided easy-to-assemble residences constructed with galvanized steel framing and rock wool insulations. The units were delivered in flat packs to reduce transportation space. Workers utilized the supplied plans to lay down the frame on an even surface for assembly, connecting the dormitory modules by bolting, as well as incorporating a small office module with the dormitory structure.
Results
The lesson is very practical. Just match the anchoring, panels, and layout to the site, not to the catalog.
Use this checklist before requesting quotes:
Share your quantity, layout, application, and destination with the supplier so the quote matches your project. You can review options on the easy assemble house product page.
As stated by ZN House engineering team, a typical 20ft module can be built in 24 hours, with 2 workers, and can be completed in 12 days for 10 modules. The building cost appraisal does not factor in any work on foundations, crew proficiency, nor climatic conditions. Extra time should furthermore be allocated for working on mechanical services and internal finishing of the premises as well as for inspection activities.
These structures are classified as temporary to semi-permanent, with a life expectancy of 15 to 20 years. Some owners use them for longer periods with proper care. In terms of permanent dwellings, it is essential to consult local regulations to find out what type of insulation and type of foundation you will need.
The main purpose is to build it using basic tools and bolted connections, meaning heavy machinery is not needed in most cases. Having an experienced installation team who can work using construction drawings speeds up the building process. The people working with electricity and plumbing must be qualified as required by local regulations.
Easy assemble house is considered as fast and flexible way of building affordable shelter, work and sleeping space without large equipment and with the help of lot of people. It suits well for remote camp, construction sites and emergency situations. In order to ensure best performance, use the suitable panels, anchoring and building design given the particular situation, your codes and timeframe.
Have a project coming up? ZN House can evaluate your site conditions and advise a satisfactory configuration. Feel free to get in touch with our team and let us know your project needs.
Disclaimer
The specifications and materials listed in this article refer to ZN House's own produced container products. Any specifications, materials, or technical details are for reference and may vary according to the model and configuration of ZN House products.
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