Innovation and an eye for minute details like water pipes are imperative to boosting construction productivity, according to Khaw Boon Wan, Minister of National Development.
“If we benchmark ourselves against Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, we are lagging behind in construction productivity,” he said in his latest blog post entitled ‘More plastics?’
He highlighted the use of cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) to build water piping as a way of improving productivity.
The durable and light PEX can create flexible plastic water piping and requires fewer joints than the conventional copper piping system, therefore no welding is needed.
“These advantages mean the time taken to install PEX piping is 40 percent less than copper pipes using the conventional welding method,” he noted.
“As an illustration, two workers can install PEX piping for three toilets in one day, compared to only two toilets when using copper piping.”
As an example, about three kilometres of these water pipes are used by a typical HDB block comprising 100 flats, said Mr Khaw.
Traditionally, many buildings use copper pipes that are joined by welding, requiring skilled labour and time.
But the HDB has managed to cut costs and labour through a ‘press fit’ method, wherein pipes are crimped together.
“Greater standardisation and off-site precasting of building components are important strategies. There are also other avenues to complement these efforts, which involve some innovation. Every effort counts.”
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