Valkonen, T; Lindberg, A; Alhava, O; Talebi, S; Koskela, L and Seppänen, O (2026) Tolerance management in prefabrication of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing installations. Construction Management and Economics, 44(4), pp. 279-299. ISSN 0144-6193
Abstract
Prefabrication in construction has advanced. However, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) works still lag structural and interior applications. Inaccuracies in design and installation can undermine the benefits of prefabrication, emphasizing dimensional accuracy. However, literature lacks comprehensive methods for managing tolerances in MEP prefabrication. This research aims to advance tolerance management in MEP prefabrication by formulating prescriptive principles based on best practices. A multiple case study approach with five projects was adopted. Four advanced cases and one with tolerance issues were studied. These included two hospitals, two apartment buildings, and one laboratory, representing differing functional requirements and tolerance environments. Thematic analysis was applied to interviews, documents, and site visits. Seven prescriptive principles for tolerance management in MEP prefabrication are the primary contribution. Among these, the role of communication, detailed design, and quality control are emphasized, while buffer assembly is identified as a distinctive MEP tolerance management method. The novelty and industry impact of the principles are underscored by the limited prior research and by the fact that none of the case projects applied all the principles. Adoption of these principles is recommended to guide design, manufacturing, and installation to improve productivity, reduce lead times, and enhance quality.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | industrialization; MEP; prefabrication; tolerance management; variation |
| Index terms: | accuracy, apartment building, industrialization, interview, laboratory, management method, thematic analysis, documents, variation, plumbing installation, productivity, case study, prefabrication, plumbing, quality control, buffer, lead time, best practice |
| Subjects: | construction type, building construction, research management, financial risk, economic development, project delivery, business, mechanical systems, data collection methods, project controls, professional development, methods and analysis, contractual condition, management |
| Topics: | Quality Management, Sustainability, Engineering Principles, Contract Administration, Time Control, Design Practice, Construction Technology, Business Strategy, Cost Management, Information Management, Research Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here