Modular construction now has its own dedicated certification: QB Modular

Designed with and for professionals in the sector, meeting the expectations of insurers and technical inspectors, this new certification will support the development of modular construction, promoting and structuring good practices, while providing specifiers and contracting authorities with a benchmark quality, performance and reliability.

Modular construction: a growing sector

Modular construction, based on the design and assembly of buildings from modules prefabricated in factories, has various advantages, particularly in terms of:

• Environmental: limitation of waste and nuisances, facilitation of reuse, etc.;
• Productivity: acceleration of installation and transformation;
• Quality: reduction of implementation hazards;
• Contribution to the reindustrialization of territories.

These advantages make modular construction a relevant technique in the face of the challenges facing the building sector: climate change, technological changes, changes in use, etc.

To support its development, promote achievements, encourage and structure good practices, CSTB has developed, in consultation with the sector, a dedicated certification: QB Modular.

QB Modular: highlighting the strengths and advantages of the modular approach and supporting the development of the sector

QB Modulaire is the new application of QB – Quality for Building, a unique CSTB certification mark, at the service of construction.

Based on a voluntary approach, QB Modulaire is aimed at all manufacturers of modular construction: it certifies and certifies their skills, methodology and organization, with regard to a reference system of quality requirements supervised and controlled by the CSTB. .

Its scope covers:

• All types of so-called "permanent" or "long-term" works (offices, schools, health establishments, housing, etc.), subject to Damage-Works insurance, involving the presence of a control office and complying with regulatory requirements;
• All stages of the construction life chain:
  • 1. Design
  • 2. Manufacture of the modules
  • 3. Implementation on site
  • 4. Reconditioning / reconfiguration
• Several levels of performance on each of the 4 stages
• Two possible certification paths:
  • In full certification, covering the 4 stages of the modular construction life chain;
  • For manufacturers not involved in the scale of the work, a right to use the certification only for the manufacturing part of the modules.

The level of requirements and monitoring by CSTB of risk control over all of these four stages will make it possible to use new construction methods in complete safety.

Thus designed, meeting the expectations of insurers and control offices, QB Modular certification constitutes:

• A vector of differentiation, recognition and thus economic development for manufacturers;
• A solution for evaluating the field of use of the modules and their maximum duration of use in relation to their performance;
• A market support tool, structuring practices and facilitating the insurability of achievements;
• A sign of quality, reliability and performance to guide and comfort specifiers and contracting authorities in their choice, with confidence.