Prefabricated MEP Racks in Office Buildings : A Case Study on the Technical and Economic Feasability of the Tegelbruket Project

The construction industry faces growing pressure to improve efficiency, reduceenvironmental impact and adapt to modern building demands. One approachthat can contribute to increased productivity is prefabrication, particularly ofmechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) racks. However, the use of prefabricatedMEP racks in Swedish office buildings remains limited and underexplored.The aim of this master’s thesis is to help close this knowledge gap by examiningthe technical feasibility and economic impact of prefabricated MEPracks through a case study of the Tegelbruket office building project in Stockholm.The study also identifies key strategies to consider when opting for prefabrication.The methodology combines qualitative data from experts in thefield, analysis of project documentation, cost comparisons between conventionaland prefabricated installation methods, and a Monte Carlo risk analysis.The findings show that prefabricated MEP racks are technically feasiblefor the Tegelbruket project. A suitable model containing the required pipingand systems was identified. Despite transportation limitations associated withStockholm’s BK2 classification, the prefabricated racks can be delivered to anearby storage facility and subsequently transported, assembled and installedon the construction site.The analysis also reveals that initial costs for prefabrication may be higherthan for conventional methods. However, the results are highly sensitive tocertain cost components, particularly weather protection. At the same time,benefits such as time savings and earlier revenue generation can outweigh thehigher upfront cost, making prefabrication a strong alternative in this case.Finally, the study identifies several key strategies for successful implementationand for fully leveraging the benefits of prefabrication: early integration,a well-structured planning schedule and careful consideration of logistics.iii