Like so many other major industries, construction suffered serious disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic, including shutdowns, reduced budgets and supply chain shortages. Yet, in a testament to American’s resolve in the face of adversity, industries have adapted in their own ways to survive.

How did the construction industry respond? By making the right choices to become more nimble and more efficient. This is a trend certain to continue, especially with rising construction costs and a declining number of workers.

Adopting New Technologies

COVID-19 reinforced that technology is a key enabler in maintaining and improving productivity. The construction industry is a great example, adopting new technologies in one-third the usual time, according to a new report from the commercial real estate services firm JLL. The report, "State of Construction Tech,” identifies the most important “foundational tools” for rolling out construction technology as BIM, CAD, artificial intelligence and digital collaboration.

BIM allows users to generate 3D computer renderings of buildings online with the added benefit of shareability. These modeling tools connect teams, work flows and data across the entire process. As a result, manufacturers are now offering their own software libraries with custom integrated toolbars. These toolbars allow contractors and BIM designers to import their BIM models without having to leave the platform to search multiple websites for the products they need. This simplifies project designs by providing easy access to manufacturers’ product models.

Product selection is much more streamlined and efficient with the use of BIM filters to select one or more product families based on the specific BIM models for the project. The toolbars are completely customizable from one project to the next. The user has the option to select the products and product categories they would like to import in the toolbar for each project.

In addition, online tools known as digital configurators enable engineers, contractors and others to identify and order the exact product they need for their designs. Users simply select attributes desired for a configurable product, such as their desired measurements for a ladder or cable system, and the virtual tool calculates and outputs the hardware needed—right down to the specific part number.

As region and geography dictate a building’s codes, projects have become increasingly complex. Logistics can further complicate the matter given the sheer number of materials required. BIM modeling helps offset this complexity by offering filters for each BIM family and files for different regions and product years.

Users can quickly overcome any worries and easily get up to speed in using today’s digital design tools for their projects through many free, online lunch-and-learn tutorials that manufacturers offer on their websites.

Choosing the Right Materials and Systems

A plethora of benefits come from selecting materials that make installation more efficient and cut time spent on the job, labor costs and stress on the installer. The weight, flexibility and durability of the materials all start with their composition. For instance, traditional MC Cables have a THHN/THWN-insulated copper conductor with polypropylene wrap and are designed to meet UL 1569 standards. But now manufacturers are working with the armor profiles of cables, redesigning the profile to reduce friction to allow for a faster, easier, smoother and quieter installation when pulling interlocked armored cable through metal studs and ceilings.

New, completely redesigned cables make pulling cable an easier task without compromising flexibility or strength and allowing the installer to do the job in half the time it takes when using traditional MC cable. This new type of cable is best used in commercial, industrial, multi-residential branch circuits and feeder wiring, or services for power, lighting, control and signal circuits.

When it comes to cable management systems, manufacturers are leveraging the strongest welded wire mesh in the industry. High-quality steel wires manufactured in the United States provide the fastest production times in the industry to manage and route the growing number of cables necessary to keep an operation running.

Not only does a short lead time mean less time spent waiting for stock product to arrive—there’s also less potential for costly downtime. Contractors can request staged shipments based on jobsite timelines and storage restrictions or order preformed fittings shipped ready to install.

Back to Basics: Accessories and Assemblies

Even in this time of fast-paced advancement in technology and materials, one simple solution to making the jobsite more efficient is to take a back-to-basics approach. Don’t overlook accessories that can cut down on redundant tools and improve the workflow.

Supports

One accessory in the cable market is the use of supports. Many supports (e.g., wire ties and straps) require screws and screwdrivers, or cutters to remove the excess plastic material. The alternative is the cable clip, which speeds and simplifies installation. Cable clips help eliminate the need for extra tools as they clip onto the metal studs and snap in cables. Other benefits include a seamless, clean look once installed, and reduced clean up and installation time compared with using plastic wire ties or screws.

Wire and Cable Dispensers

Other accessories on the market to save time and reduce waste are wire and cable dispensers. These material handling products allow the installer to easily pull a coil of wire or cable and cut to the desired length, reducing the amount of waste. Further, for renovation jobs, the wire or cable stay contained, reducing the chances of scuffing finished walls and floors. The lid prevents debris from negatively impacting the integrity of the product while keeping it clean and organized. With a dispenser, a contractor can bring the coil inside the tub to save space on the truck, pull the desired length using the turntable, while the remaining cable stays coiled and organized within the tub.

Prefabricated Assemblies

Contractors working on large-scale, repetitive jobs such as hotels, condos and dormitories often look for ways to speed up the electrical wiring installation. Many large contracting firms have their own prefabrication operation to increase efficiencies on projects. Small- to medium-size contractors can benefit from working with manufacturers on prefabricated assemblies to reduce onsite labor. Contractors have many such options and services to reduce labor and installation times and remain competitive in the marketplace. Prefabrication options range from basic to fully engineered systems, with the choice depending on installers’ needs.

• Basic assembly: Box with brackets and mud ring only.
• Assembly-required devices: Basic assembly with the addition of installed devices, side-wired and fitted with quick connect feature.
• Cable-ready devices: Assembly required with the addition of terminations outside the box, eliminating the need to remove the mud ring.
• Typical assemblies: Devices are installed, side wired, taped and include the desired length of cable.
• Fully engineered systems: Turnkey solution with contractor/engineer working directly with manufacturer to determine requirements by room. Components are built to specifications and packaged by area and released in stages to reduce handling on the jobsite.

Conclusion

The recent pandemic forced industries to adapt to keep business running and find new paths forward. In the construction industry, combining new technologies with advanced, yet already trusted materials, systems and accessories accelerates jobsite installation and productivity.