Prefabricated service pod

Abstract

The present invention relates to a prefabricated service pod comprising: a central framework adapted to accommodate at least one utility means, said utility means being selected from: an electricity supply, a telecommunications/data supply, a water supply, a waste fluid drainage conduit, and a ventilation supply; and at least two sections attached to said framework selected from: a kitchen section, a bathroom section, and a staircase section. The present invention also describes a method of constructing a building using a prefabricated service pod.

1 . A prefabricated service pod comprising:
 a central framework adapted to accommodate at least one utility means, said utility means being selected from: an electricity supply, a telecommunications/data supply, a water supply, a waste fluid drainage conduit, and a ventilation supply; and   at least two sections attached to said framework selected from: a kitchen section, a bathroom section, and a staircase section.   
   
   
       2 . A service pod in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the service pod of the present invention further comprises an entertainment section attached to said framework. 
   
   
       3 . A service pod in accordance with any of  claims 1 - 2 , wherein the central framework of accommodates the at least one utility means in at least one void located within said framework. 
   
   
       4 . A service pod in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the central framework comprises a plurality of voids therein to accommodate said at least one utility means. 
   
   
       5 . A service pod in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the central framework of the service pod has a lattice construction and is adapted to accommodate the at least one utility means within the voids in said lattice. 
   
   
       6 . A service pod in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the central framework of the service pod has a plurality of attachment means adapted to accommodates the at least one utility means adjacent thereto. 
   
   
       7 . A service pod in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein all of said utility means are accommodated within/adjacent to the framework. 
   
   
       8 . A service pod in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the utility means can be substantially integrated in the service pod. 
   
   
       9 . A service pod in accordance with any of  claims 1 - 7 , wherein all of the utility means are substantially integrated in the service pod. 
   
   
       10 . A service pod in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the central framework is arranged to form a cage-like structure having open sides thereto to permit access to the sections attached to the central framework. 
   
   
       11 . A service pod in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the pods is provided in a single storey format. 
   
   
       12 . A service pod in accordance with any of claims, wherein the pod is provided in a multi-storey format. 
   
   
       13 . A service pod in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein the multi-storey pod is integrally formed. 
   
   
       14 . A service pod in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein the multi-storey is formed in single storey component parts to be connected to each other and/or adapted to communicate with each other on-site. 
   
   
       15 . A service pod in accordance with any of  claims 12 - 14 , wherein the communication between multi-storey pods is provided by at least one of: the at least one void in the central framework of each component part of the pod being adapted to communicate with an adjacent component pod, the at least one integrated utility means of each pod being connected with or adapted to communicate with an adjacent component pod, and/or a staircase portion allowing ease of access to a user from one component pod to an adjacent component pod. 
   
   
       16 . A service pod in accordance with any of  claims 12 - 15 , wherein at least one of the pods is preferably provided with a staircase section to permit a user an ease of access to each storey of the pod. 
   
   
       17 . A service pod in accordance with any of  claims 12 - 16 , wherein the pods are arranged to be stacked substantially directly on top of each other. 
   
   
       18 . A service pod in accordance with any of  claims 12 - 16 , wherein the pods are arranged such that only a portion of the upper pod is stacked on the lower pod. 
   
   
       19 . A service pod in accordance with any of  claims 17 - 18 , wherein the stacking of the component storeys of a multi-storey service pod may be achieved by directly connecting adjacent pods to each other. 
   
   
       20 . A service pod in accordance with any of  claims 17 - 18 , wherein the stacking of adjacent pods is by connecting them to internal and/or external structures of the building in suitable spaced relation to each other to permit communication between said component pods. 
   
   
       21 . A service pod in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the framework is adapted to divide the internal space of a room into two or more distinct spaces or rooms. 
   
   
       22 . A service pod in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the pod is provided with removable or retractable transport means. 
   
   
       23 . A service pod in accordance with  claim 22 , wherein the transport means are provided in the form of wheels or rollers mounted on legs that can be mechanically raised and lowered into the pod. 
   
   
       24 . A method of constructing a building wherein:
 a building envelope is constructed, said envelope comprising at least external walls, floors, ceilings, and a roof;   the envelope is provided with a service pod access means; and   a service pod in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention is subsequently introduced into the building envelope.   
   
   
       25 . A method in accordance with  claim 24 , wherein the service pod access means is provided in an external side wall to permit access to the interior of the envelope to the service pod. 
   
   
       26 . A method in accordance with any of  claims 24 - 25 , wherein after the service pod has been introduced into the envelope via the service pod access means, the external wall is sealed.