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What is ÉVOSZ?
Építési Vállalkozók Országos Szakszövetsége
(National Organizaion of Building Contractors). It is
a construction-industry interest group that is comprised
of a collection of companies with high quality standards.
In March of 2000, the most famous Hungarian light-frame
builders, the Építési Minőségellenőrző Intézet (ÉMI –
Building-quality Monitoring Institution), the Nyugat-Magyarországi Egyetem
Faipari Mérnöki Kar (Western-Hungarian University’s Department of
Wood-industry Engineering), and other prestigious groups joined to
form the Könnyűszerkezetépítők Szakmai Tagozata (Professional
Department of Light-frame Builders).
What is the MAKÉSZ
(Magyar Készház – Hungarian Prefabricated House) Seal?
This is a quality assurance distributed by ÉVOSZ’s Department of Light-frame Builders.
It designates factory-built, exceedingly high quality prefabricated houses.
The MAKÉSZ Seal is awarded based on the ranking committee’s recommendation,
and is ultimately decided upon by the board of directors, and
finally confirmed by the general assembly. A company who has been
awarded a MAKÉSZ seal can use the approval for one year.
Once or twice a year, the committee reviews the company and
puts forth its recommendation.
Who can get a MAKÉSZ Seal?
To receive the Seal, a contractor must satisfy the following criterion:
- "Igazi", prefabricated houses – in other words, the components must be pre-built
- ÉMI-approved construction technology
- Existence of fully comprehensive documentation
- Use of quality-certified raw materials
- Use of quality standards at factory
- Strict archiving of constructed buildings
When is the MAKÉSZ Seal revoked?
Based on the recommendations of the committee and the board of directors, the general assembly can revoke the
Seal if:
- two reviews are without avail,
-
ÉME is revoked,
-
membership is terminated,
- legality of functioning, or technological use comes into question
(based on customer complaints),
- the company does not accept the ombudsman conciliatory recommendations,
- the company ceases to exist,
- there is a significant violation of the organization’s constitution.
What are the advantages of prefabricated houses compared to conventional buildings?
Aside from the technological differences, prefab houses are built according
to the price and quick schedule that was agreed upon in the contract.
There are no delays and there is no need to deal with many different
craftsmen. If we have a problem, we can turn to a single company
and save ourselves from the hassle of figuring out who is responsible.
What is the lifespan of wood-structured, light-framed houses?
As far as we know, there is a 50 year history of light-framed technology here in Europe. In America, the life-span is targeted for about 50-70 years, but this can be extended to 100 years with professional structural solutions, construction, quality assurance, and maintenance.
For more than 1000 years, wood-structured buildings have been dominant in Székelyföld. The buldings were usually constructed by lathing and plastering the walls. There are a number of 2-300 year old wooden churches by the Tisza still in use.
Does it need to be maintained during use?
In general, no maintenance is needed. However the covering and the wooden doors and windows require regular treatment. If the plaster is damaged, it needs to be repaired just as with any conventional building.
How does sound insulation work?
To reduce noise, the buildings use double-layer
walls which contain heat- and noise-insulating material on the inside. This provides insulation from the outside and between rooms.
Another solution is to use materials of varying density in multiple layers; this reduces sound waves as they pass through it.
How safe is the building in case of fire?
The wooden frame is quite resistant if it is built correctly (plasterboard / gypsum fiber inner sheeting) and treated appropriately (fire-resistant treatment). In a home fire, items such as furniture, carpet, curtain fuel the fire. This gives off such immense heat, that (independent of the building material) the home’s structural integrity remains in the hands of the firefighters. There is no guarantee in a larger fire. And this is true for conventional brick buildings as well.
What happens if a pipe breaks?
This can happen, although the generally used technologically advanced plastic pipes are designed to withstand extremely high pressure and even the joints are melted together. If however there is a leak, then similar to other buildings, the wall must be partially removed and repaired. The wet areas must be dried or replaced (ex.: insulation material). All of this is usually simpler than with brick walls. The often used OSB resists water fairly well.
What is gross area and net useful area?
Built-in area: the area that the building’s
external walls and supports use within the plot of land, including patio
and car park.
Gross area the area that the
walled building uses including stories, patio, and car park.
Useful area: interior area without walls,
where the clearance is at least 1,9 m. The patio counts as 50%.
Net useful area: interior area surrounded
by walls, independent of clearance. Usually equal to the area where
horizontal covering can be placed. The patio counts as 50%.
How much time
after signing the contract until I can move in?
For an average 100 m2 home with no special
extras: planning and design (depends on customer): 1-3 weeks;
acquisition of building permits: 4 weeks; groundwork (depends
on weather): 1-3 weeks; turn-key house (depends on size and extras):
8-16 weeks.
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