Open Compatibility Standard

One project. Several plants. One standard.

An open initiative for the compatibility of modular structures in Kazakhstan and Central Asia. Different manufacturers should be able to produce compatible modules: not a single design, but a common language of geometry, connection details, interfaces, quality and documentation.

Why it is needed

The market needs compatibility, not uniformity

We are not proposing to make all buildings identical. Architecture, facades, layouts and purpose remain free. But the details that gain no value from constant reinvention are worth making compatible.

Main principle

Standardize the interfaces. Keep the architecture free.

A client should be able to expand a facility, replace an individual module or procure the next phase from another qualified manufacturer without completely redesigning the project. For this, modules from different manufacturers must match not only in external dimensions but also in internal floor and ceiling levels, so that a single building has no steps, no differing ceilings and no misaligned corridors.

First scope of the standard

What we propose to unify first

Seventeen items that most often create incompatibility, rework and unnecessary revisions. The list is open for discussion in the working group.

Geometry
  • Base module lengths
  • Module widths
  • External height
  • Finished floor level
  • Finished ceiling level
  • Height of top and bottom frames
  • Mating planes
  • Door and corridor axes
Connection details and interfaces
  • Connection details between modules
  • Lifting points
  • Electrical service entries
  • Water and sewerage
  • Ventilation interfaces
  • Stairs, landings, canopies
Materials, quality, data
  • Standard materials and fasteners
  • Marking system
  • Quality control and tolerances
  • Digital product passport
Geometry

Compatibility families instead of one universal size

We are not proposing to artificially impose one size on the entire market. Compatibility families are more practical: within a family, modules from different manufacturers join up in dimensions, levels and axes. The starting point for discussion is the size range that INTERMODULE already produces in series.

The INTERMODULE size range as a basis for discussing the families
ParameterValuesComment
Width2 435 mm; 2 990 mm2 435 mm without a special transport permit; 2 990 mm is an oversize load
Corridor module width2 000 mm (also 2 435 / 2 990)clear passage width is checked against evacuation requirements
Length2 435 / 4 885 / 6 055 / 7 335 / 12 000 mma fixed range of values, not a continuous range
Internal height2 340 / 2 540 / 2 700 / 3 000 mmexternal from 2 600 mm
Floor and ceiling levels, frame heights, mating planessubject of the working groupthese are what determine joining within a building
A 450-module project

The standard turns the market into a distributed production network

A single plant in Kazakhstan may physically be unable to produce 450 modules on a short schedule. With a common standard, the order is split: plant A builds part of the accommodation modules, plant B another part, plant C the sanitary blocks, plant D the admin and welfare blocks (ABK) and service facilities. On site, everything is assembled into a single compatible facility.

01

Common specification

Shared interface drawings, dimensions, tolerances and permitted materials.

02

Parallel production

Several qualified plants produce their batches simultaneously.

03

Common control

Uniform quality control, marking and a digital passport for every module.

04

One facility

On site, the batches from different manufacturers are assembled into one compatible building.

Compete on quality and efficiency. Cooperate on capacity.

This uses the combined production capacity of the region instead of depending on a single plant.

Open working group

Take part in developing a compatibility standard for modular construction

The working group brings together manufacturers, design engineers, clients and general contractors around the practical tasks of the industry. Here you can flag real constraints, propose technical solutions and take part in shaping approaches that will benefit the market as a whole.

For manufacturers

Record production capabilities

Which dimensions, tolerances, connections and technological solutions can be unified without losing production efficiency?

For design engineers

Define design interfaces

Which joints, input data and requirements most often lead to rework, extra approvals and repeat revisions?

For general contractors, clients and operators

Formulate practical requirements

Which compatibility, schedule, installation and operation problems should be ruled out already at the specification and procurement stage?

What participants get

Access to working versions of materials, typical approaches and discussion outcomes, plus the opportunity to propose solutions and take part in shaping requirements that can simplify the design, production, procurement and installation of modular facilities.

Working group application

The first proposals will be compiled into a working draft of the Open Compatibility Standard. We will reply to every participant.