Buildings

Abstract

A modular building system for constructing a building comprises a frame for detachably mounting modules providing rooms and modules providing services to the rooms. The service modules are located between room modules and the modules can be inserted in and removed from the frame without compromising the integrity of the building

1 . A building comprising a plurality of prefabricated modules, wherein each module is removable from the building independently of the other modules and without compromising the integrity of the building.  
   
   
       2 . A building according to  claim 1  further comprising a weatherproof exterior surrounding the modules and each module is removable from the building without damaging the weatherproof exterior.  
   
   
       3 . A building according to  claim 1  further comprising a frame in which the modules are removably mounted.  
   
   
       4 . A building according to  claim 3  in which the frame is made of steel.  
   
   
       5 . A building according to  claim 3  in which the frame provides support for external cladding and roofing of the building.  
   
   
       6 . A building according to  claim 5  in which the external cladding is removable to allow access to the modules for removal and insertion of the modules.  
   
   
       7 . A building according to  claim 6  in which the removable cladding is a plurality of panels mounted on the outside of the frame and arranged to be detachable from the frame to allow access to modules for removal and re-attachable to the frame once the module has been removed/replaced.  
   
   
       8 . A building according to  claim 6  in which the removable cladding is a plurality of weather tight doors permanently mounted on the frame and movable from a closed position concealing the modules to an open position allowing access to modules for removal.  
   
   
       9 . A building according to  claim 8  in which the doors are pivotally mounted to the frame.  
   
   
       10 . A building according to  claim 3  in which means is provided to facilitate insertion and removal of the modules into and from the frame.  
   
   
       11 . A building according to  claim 10  in which the means is a mechanism, which allows the modules to be slid into and from the frame.  
   
   
       12 . A building according to  claim 11  in which the mechanism comprises pairs of horizontal skids on the frame and/or modules, each pair of skids arranged to allow a module to slide across the frame to guide and support the modules during insertion and removal.  
   
   
       13 . A building according to  claim 11  in which the mechanism comprises guides mounted on the frame that have formations that inter-engage with runners on the module to allow sliding movement of the modules relative to the frame during insertion and removal of the modules.  
   
   
       14 . A building according to  claim 13  in which the guides are mounted on sides of the frame and the runners on outer sidewalls of the modules.  
   
   
       15 . A building according to  claim 14  in which the modules are located in the frame both horizontally and vertically by inter-engagement of the runners with the guides.  
   
   
       16 . A building according to  claim 1  further comprising means for supplying services to the modules.  
   
   
       17 . A building according to  claim 16  wherein prefabricated service modules are provided housing the service supplying means.  
   
   
       18 . A building according to  claim 17  wherein the service modules are located in between removable modules.  
   
   
       19 . A building according to  claim 18  wherein the removable modules are detachably connected to the services such that the module can be disconnected from the services for removal from the building without damaging the service supply and disrupting the supply of services to other modules.  
   
   
       20 . A building according to  claim 19  wherein the removable modules are suitable for forming part of a decontaminated area of the building.