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About The Steel Living Group
Since it was established in 2004, originally as the Steel Homes Group, the SLG has represented major players from the UK steel home manufacturers and builders, and become the leading industry authority focused on developing and promoting the effective use of steel products and systems in residential construction.
It has worked to ensure that the significant contribution steel products and systems make towards providing quality, cost effective housing that is kind to the environment is more fully recognised and exploited by the market.
The Group has lobbied government and other policy making and influential bodies to communicate the positive benefits of using steel in residential construction such as reduced cost, sustainability and speed of construction that could help achieve their ambitious housing plans.
Evolving membership to meet a developing steel construction landscape
Whilst the group still sees the residential market as important, to keep up with the market and the increasingly diverse use of light steel in construction, the Steel Homes Group is evolving; broadening its membership and re-branding as The Steel Living Group to encompass the residential market and beyond such as schools, single occupancy, education and healthcare for example.
For the first time, we are offering associate membership to those companies that are directly involved in the supply of our existing members and other manufacturers and builders across the steel framed construction market.
Benefiting from Industry best practice
The Steel Living Group is one of several special interest groups supported and hosted by The Steel Construction Institute (SCI). As such, the group benefits from the latest industry research and best practice from the steel industry's leading independent research and technical organisation. The Steel Living Group is chaired by Dr Bassam Burgan, Deputy Director of SCI.
What we do
The group works independently and in partnership with key construction and government bodies to:
- Promote the value of steel in residential construction to occupiers, developers and specifiers.
- Guard and support quality regulations and standards in steel home construction such as the Code for Sustainable Homes.
- Communicate the benefits of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and offsite construction.
- Provide clear relevant data and advice on steel in residential construction.
- Highlight the clear advantages that steel offers over traditional construction.
Key Issues
Modern Methods of Construction (MMC)
MMC is the collective term for technologies and processes involving various forms of supply chain relationships, pre-fabrication and off-site assembly.
Panellised units are produced in a factory and assembled on-site to produce a two dimensional structure. Open panels consist of a skeletal structure only, whereas more advanced panels may include lining material, insulation services, windows, doors, internal wall finishes and external claddings.
Volumetric (Modular) construction involves the production of three-dimensional modular units in controlled factory conditions prior to transport to site.
Hybrid techniques combine both panellised and volumetric approaches. Typically, volumetric units (sometimes referred to as pods) are used for the highly serviced and more repeatable areas such as kitchens and bathrooms, with the remainder of the dwelling or building constructed using panels.
Off-site Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and Steel Framed Housing
Steel framed homes are typically constructed using off-site MMC, which deliver quality homes, quickly, efficiently and economically. Many members of the SHG use Volumetric Construction and automated manufacturing techniques that allow for high volume, customised production with optimum levels of efficiency and minimal amounts of waste whilst retaining flexibility of design.
Why use MMC in residential construction?
- More effective, sustainable materials
- Increased rate of house construction
- Flexible design and a high standard of design quality
- Reduced resource consumption
- Improved overall site safety
- Reduces defects and drying out problems, so reducing costs and occupier disruption
The National Audit Office's publication Using modern methods of construction to build homes more quickly and efficiently (Nov 2005) concludes that when using modern methods of construction rather than site based techniques;
- It should be possible to build up to four times as many homes with the same on-site labour
- On-site construction time can be reduced by over a half
- Building performance can be at least as good
The Steel Living Group aims to develop and promote the effective use and benefits of steel in residential construction. The Group works to ensure that the significant contribution steel products and systems make towards providing quality housing for sustainable communities is more fully recognised and exploited by the market. It highlights how using light steel frames as a key component in modern methods of construction can address the Government’s focus on sustainable development.
Interested in joining us?
Please contact us for further details of membership, ensuring that you provide a telephone number so we can contact you directly.
The SHG undertakes a variety of activities to achieve its aims including;
- A bi-annual home buyers survey
- Providing pro-active industry comment on a variety of construction and sustainability issues
- Lobbying government
Key membership benefits
1. A broad membership base
The group represents a whole range of companies within the steel framed accomodation construction industry from new entrants to the market right through to more established and larger companies.
2. Strength in numbers
By operating as a united entity combining strengths, ideas, data and information, the Steel Living Group carries more weight in the eyes of the media and opinion formers. It can be challenging operating as a sole voice; the SLG has steadily built its credibility and awareness and continues to work to raise its profile, consequently the media and target audiences are receptive to our input.
3. Networking opportunities
Our members meet four times a year, as well as at planned activities such as round table events and exhibitions in between. Additionally we invite an external speaker to each of our meetings to offer their perspective on current issues within the residential construction industry.
4. An opportunity to shape the market
Membership of the SLG offers a key opportunity to work with those people that influence and shape the residential construction industry from government ministers through to developers, planners and architects.
5. A planned, sustained programme of activity
The group has a specific plan of marketing and PR activity which members feeds into; detailed programmes are set and undertaken to achieve particular agreed objectives.