Ausco's Superior Engineering and Design

We continue to drive product and design innovation with the industry’s only in-house testing facility independently accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA).

Ausco Modular's Investment

Ausco Modular invested heavily to ensure we lead the way in building better, stronger and more reliable buildings.

• In 1999 our Engineering Laboratory was accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA).
• Our scope of authority covers the Australian Standards relevant to:
  • Design and assembly
  • Proof testing of building tie downs. This is a natural extension of Ausco Modular’s product testing philosophy, now being applied on site to reduce uncertainty of tie downs.
  • Mechanical testing for steel frame structures
  • Design Guidelines for Australian Public Cyclone Shelters for wind force and debris impact tests published by Qld Government Department of Public Works.

Customer Benefits

• Real life testing in conjunction with independent engineering calculations allows us to better meet the standard in the design and rating of modular buildings for wind speed, including under cyclonic conditions and cyclone shelter design. We have just built the only modular certified shelter in Australia.
• We have the capability to work with our customers to jointly design and engineer a building solution, or deliver a turnkey solution.

NATA Lab at Work

Ausco Modular's design and engineering teams around the country work closely with our customers to provide durable, attractive, and functional buildings.

Introduction of Prep, Queensland

The Queensland Government introduced a new school year with the launch of Prep in 2004 with a commitment to have the system up and running by 2007. Ausco Modular was chosen as a key partner of the Government to introduce Prep. Our NATA approved Engineering Lab assisted Education Queensland to design a product to meet:

• Architectural look and feel with a sense of permanency
• Light and ventilation required for effective learning
• The demanding environmental requirements throughout Queensland
• The internal durability required for younger students

For example, product testing of internal wall linings was done in the lab to test durability and damage from the normal wear and tear of young children. Several materials were tested and final recommendations of finishes, both internal and external, were incorporated into the final design brief. In 2006 / 2007 Ausco manufactured and installed 250 new Prep Buildings throughout Queensland with the final design.

Engineering Audits

Ausco Modular’s engineering team has the capability to carry out building audits from one building to several hundred. Ausco Modular has worked with customers to conduct such audits with specific objectives being:

• To assess structural risks of modular buildings within the customers fleet, irrespective of manufacturer.
• To evaluate buildings that may serve as storm shelters for accommodation village irrespective of modular or in-situ construction form.

With the combination of real life testing within in the lab and the independent certification of Ausco Modular’s technical competence, results of such audits provide an evaluation of risk under certain conditions, including cyclones and recommendations to help mitigate these risks, Ausco Modular’s compliance testing has significantly enhanced our knowledge and understanding of the structural performance of our products. For example compliance testing on standard Region D external walls where we test to failure, provides our customers with the confidence the audit results and recommendations will reduce the risk and uncertainty of their buildings.