WO2019086754A1

WO2019086754A1 - Technics unit and method of providing a building structure

Info

Publication number: WO2019086754A1
Application number: PCT/FI2018/050783
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ville Volanen; Eero PESOLA
Original assignee: Metsi Oy
Priority date: 2017-11-03
Filing date: 2018-10-29
Publication date: 2019-05-09
Also published as: FI20175979A1

Abstract

According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided atechnics unit (1) comprising a body (2) which is configured to serve at least as a part of a wall (3) of a prefabricated module (4) having an opening (6), wherein the technics unit (1) includesbuilding equipment and a door (4) in the body (2) configured to provide an entrance into the module (4) and an exit out of the module (4) as the technics unit (1) is being coupled to the module (4), and wherein the technics unit (1) is further configured to be coupled to the module (4).

Description

TECHNICS UNIT AND METHOD OF PROVIDING A BUILDING STRUCTURE

FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a technics unit.

[0002] Further, the present invention relates to a method of providing a building structure.

BACKGROUND [0003] It is known to build a structure such as a building from one pre-fabricated module or a plurality of different pre-fabricated modules. In principal, any building can be built using such modules. The building may be a correctional facility, a refugee camp, or a dormitory, for instance. Instead of building a facility on-site from the ground-up, fully operational modules are pre-fabricated at a manufacturing plant and shipped to the construction site.

[0004] For example, a single module may be used as a bedroom, a bathroom, a kitchen, a living room, or a prison cell. The modules may comprise several walls, a ceiling, a floor, doors, windows, pipes, electric cables, furniture, and the like, for instance. Such completely prefabricated modules can be transported and are easy to install. Only the utilities, electric, and plumbing need to be connected at the construction site. The prefabricated modules may be, for example, made of concrete and/or steel. However, transporting such prefabricated modules is heavy.

[0005] In addition to transportation, cargo containers have also been used to set up mobile confinement units as temporary jails or interrogation rooms at festivals, borders, refugee camps and other such locations normally not having the necessary infrastructure. US 4599829, for example, discloses an entire complex formed out of cargo containers.

[0006] Cargo containers are hollow, six-sided boxes, fabricated almost entirely of welded mild steel corrugated sheets, or aluminum and/or non-recyclable fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP), in very few cases, such as in refrigeration containers. The containers are constructed in accordance with International Standards Organization (ISO) standard marine transportation size lengths of twenty feet, forty feet, forty five feet, forty eight feet, and fifty three feet, heights between eight feet and nine and a half feet, widths of eight feet. They are also provided with uniform distance lifting eyes and structural design specifications. One particular container, the so-called intermodal marine shipping container, has been the standard container of the marine transportation shipping industry for sixty years.

[0007] While cargo containers are very mobile and attainable at a moment's notice from the market, there are legislative requirements regulating the environment in which citizens are held for questioning or as prisoners. One such regulation is disclosed by the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, which are adopted by the First United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders, held at Geneva in 1955, and approved by the Economic and Social Council by its resolutions 663 C (XXIV) of 31 July 1957 and 2076 (LXII) of 13 May 1977. On top of that, the facilities located especially in cold and hot environments should be adequately designed so that they meet standard jail environment requirements concerning temperature, humidity, etc. In addition, the design of the confinement space should be such to avoid suicides.

[0008] The requirements are not an issue, when inmates are housed in purpose-built buildings. It has, however, become apparent that standard cargo containers do not fulfil all of the requirements for modern confinement spaces. There is therefore a need for cargo containers that conform to regulatory requirements for housing inmates.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] The invention is defined by the features of the independent claims. Some specific embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0010] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a technics unit comprising a body which is configured to serve at least as a part of a wall of a prefabricated module having an opening, wherein the technics unit includes building equipment and a door in the body configured to provide an entrance into the module and an exit out of the module as the technics unit is being coupled to the module, and wherein the technics unit is further configured to be coupled to the module.

[0011] Various embodiments of the first aspect may comprise at least one feature from the following bulleted list:

• the technics unit is configured to cover the opening of the module as the technics unit is being coupled to the module

• the technics unit is configured to be coupled to a module in form of a standard cargo container

• the technics unit is configured to be coupled to lifting eyes of the container

• the technics unit is configured to be attached to the module without using a welding method

• the technics unit is configured to be attached to the container without using a welding method

• the technics unit is configured to be attached to the container without making any changes to the container

• the technics unit is configured to be attached to the container without damaging the container

• the technics unit is configured to be released from the container such that the container is capable of being reused for shipping cargo

• the technics unit is configured to provide access to at least a part of the building equipment only from the outside of the module as the technics unit is being coupled to the module

• the technics unit is configured to provide an access to a part of the technics unit only from the inside of the module as the technics unit is being coupled to the module

• the technics unit comprises a first wall and a second wall separated from the first wall

• the technics unit comprises a first wall and a second wall separated from the first wall, thus forming a cavity between the first wall and the second wall

• the technics unit is configured to provide an access to the cavity only from the outside of the module as the technics unit is being coupled to the module • the technics unit comprises at least one hygienic unit fixedly attached to the first wall and including at least one of a toilet and a wash basin

• the technics unit is configured to provide access to the hygienic unit by a user from the inside of the module as the technics unit is being coupled to the module

· the hygienic unit comprises a fresh water connection and a waste water connection accessible from within the cavity

• the technics unit comprises a communication unit fixedly attached to the first wall

• the technics unit is configured to provide access to a user interface of the communication unit from the inside of the module as the technics unit is being coupled to the module

• the communication unit comprises an electrical connection accessible from within the cavity

• the technics unit comprises an air exchange unit

• the technics unit comprises an air exchange unit coupled to first openings through the first wall

• the technics unit is configured to provide an air exchange in the module through the first openings as the technics unit is being coupled to the module

• the technics unit is configured to provide the access from the outside of the module via a door providing an entrance into and an exit out of the cavity

· the technics unit is configured to provide the access from the outside of the module via at least one cover hinged to a frame of the second wall

• the technics unit comprises a video surveillance system configured to transmit activity data of a person located within the module to a surveillance display

• the technics unit comprises a video surveillance system configured to store activity data of the person located within the module on a memory

• the technics unit comprises an audio surveillance system configured to a transmit audio data of a person located within the module to a loudspeaker

• the technics unit comprises an audio surveillance system configured to store audio data of the person located within the module on a memory

· the technics unit is configured to be connected to at least one of an electricity supply network, a fresh water supply, and a waste water disposal system

• the technics unit is configured to be coupled to a concrete structure, a steel frame, or to a standard cargo container • the technics unit comprises a computing device capable of storing at least one of video data and audio data or transmitting at least one of video data and audio data to a surveillance center

• the technics unit is configured to serve at least as a part of a wall of a module of a correctional facility, refugee camp, or dormitory

[0012] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of providing a building structure, the method comprising providing a prefabricated module including an opening, providing a technics unit comprising a body which is configured to serve at least as a part of a wall of the prefabricated module, wherein the technics unit includes building equipment and a door in the body configured to provide an entrance into the module and an exit out of the module as the technics unit is being coupled to the module, and coupling the technics unit to the module.

[0013] Various embodiments of the second aspect may comprise at least one feature from the following bulleted list:

• an opening between two walls of the module is covered by the technics unit

• at least one opening in a wall of the module is covered by the technics unit

• the technics unit is coupled to a module in form of a standard cargo container

• the technics unit is coupled to lifting eyes of the container · the technics unit is connected to at least one of a fresh water supply, a waste water disposal system, and an electricity supply network

• the technics unit is fixedly attached to the module

• the technics unit is released from the module [0014] Considerable advantages are obtained by certain embodiments of the invention. A technics unit and a method of providing a building structure are provided according to certain embodiments of the present invention. The technics unit comprises at least building equipment and a door. Further, the technics unit is configured to be coupled to a prefabricated module. Thus, the technics unit can be prefabricated at a manufacturing plant and shipped to the construction site, while the module as such can be manufactured at another manufacturing plant, for example.

[0015] By prefabricating the technics unit and shipping the technics unit to a location, where an available module should be equipped with the technics unit, a fully operational accommodation facility can be provided. Shipping of a fully operational module, i.e. a module including at least the building equipment, to a required location is not necessary anymore. Consequently, storage, handling and shipping can take place easily. In case of an emergency situation, for example after a hurricane, a plurality of technics units according to certain embodiments of the present invention can be quickly transported to a required location. By coupling the technics units to available modules, for example to standard cargo containers, it is possible to quickly provide a camp for first aid accommodation. Building such a camp quickly by using fully operational, prefabricated modules is typically not an option, because of the heavy transport requirements.

[0016] According to certain embodiments, the module may be a standard cargo container, for example of twenty feet length or forty feet length. Such standard cargo containers are typically easily available all over the world. By prefabricating the technics unit and shipping the technics unit to a location, where an available container should be equipped with the technics unit, a fully operational accommodation facility can be provided. [0017] According to certain embodiments, the technics unit can be coupled to a module in the form of a container without making any changes to the container. It is not necessary to weld or to otherwise fixedly attach the technics unit to the container. Consequently, the technics unit can also be removed from the container after use of the container as an accommodation facility. Thus, the container can be used for shipment of cargo again and the technics unit can be used at another location or can be shipped to the manufacturer or another provider for maintenance or disposal.

[0018] The modules can be used as units of a correctional facility, a refugee camp, or the like, when being equipped with the technics unit according to certain embodiments. Further, the modules are not necessarily all used for accommodation of a person, but a module can also be used, for example, as a bathroom, a kitchen, or a living room. Thus, it is possible to form a wide variety of building structures by combining different modules with different technics units. [0019] Further, at least some prefabricated modules do not require any electric cables or pipes anymore. All required building equipment is comprised by the technics unit according to at least some embodiments. Consequently, construction and fabrication of the modules is easy to perform.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] For a more complete understanding of particular embodiments of the present invention and their advantages, reference is now made to the following descriptions, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0021] FIGURE 1 illustrates a schematic perspective view of a technics unit in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention, wherein the technics unit is coupled to a prefabricated module,

[0022] FIGURE 2 illustrates a schematic perspective of a technics unit in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention,

[0023] FIGURE 3 illustrates a schematic side view of a technics unit in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention,

[0024] FIGURE 4 illustrates a schematic front view of a technics unit in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention,

[0025] FIGURE 5 illustrates another schematic perspective view of a technics unit in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention,

[0026] FIGURE 6 illustrates a schematic front view of a technics unit in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention, wherein the technics unit is coupled to a prefabricated module, and

[0027] FIGURE 7 illustrates a schematic perspective view of a technics unit in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention during coupling of the technics unit to a prefabricated module. EMBODIMENTS

[0028] In this document, the term "module" means a structure that can be used for accommodating a person. Typically, a module comprises a perimeter wall as the technics unit according to the present invention is coupled to the module. For example, a module comprises four separate walls forming a rectangular footprint as the technics unit according to the present invention is coupled to the module. The module may further comprise at least one of a ceiling and a floor. One module can be understood as a building as such or as a part of a building. Typically, one of the walls of the perimeter wall is missing or at least there is at least one opening in one of the walls in a prefabricated module before coupling of the technics unit. The perimeter wall is formed by coupling a prefabricated technics unit to the prefabricated module. A module may be, for example, a standard cargo container. When the doors of the standard cargo container are in open position, a prefabricated module having an opening is provided, for instance.

[0029] In this document, the term "building equipment" comprises devices that require a connection to at least one of a fresh water supply, a waste water disposal system, and an electricity supply network. Examples of such devices are a hygienic unit comprising at least one of a toilet and a water basin, a communication unit, a light source, a video surveillance system, an audio surveillance system, an air exchange unit, a washing machine, a dish washing machine, a shower, and an oven. [0030] In this document, the term "standard cargo container" or "container" means a standard marine transportation unit with size lengths of twenty feet, forty feet, forty five feet, forty eight feet, and fifty three feet as described above.

[0031] In FIGURE 1 a schematic perspective view of a technics unit 1 in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention is illustrated, wherein the technics unit 1 is coupled to a prefabricated module 4. The technics unit 1 comprises a body 2 which is configured to serve at least as a part of a wall 3 of the prefabricated module 4. In the shown example, the prefabricated module 4 is in the form of a standard cargo container 5. The module 4 may be a standard cargo container 5 of twenty feet length, for instance. The shown container 5 may be further used as a prison cell of a correctional facility. [0032] When the doors of the container 5 are in open position, a prefabricated module 4 having an opening is provided as shown. The technics unit 1 is coupled to the module 4, thus covering the opening and serving as a wall 3 of the module 4. The technics unit 1 further comprises a door 18 in the body 2 configured to provide an entrance into the module 4 and an exit out of the module 4 as the technics unit 1 is being coupled to the module 4. [0033] Furthermore, the technics unit 1 includes building equipment. The technics unit 1 is configured to provide an access to at least a part of the building equipment only from the outside of the module 4 as the technics unit 1 is being coupled to the module 4. In other words, it is not possible to have access to at least a part of the building equipment, for example to the air exchange unit 14, from within the module 4. In particular, it is not possible to have access to fresh water, waste water, and electricity supply connections from within the module 4.

[0034] According to certain embodiments, the technics unit 1 is configured to be coupled to lifting eyes of the container 5. The technics unit 1 is a prefabricated unit that can be easily shipped to the construction site. The air exchange unit 14 may be removable from the technics unit 1 for reasons of transportation.

[0035] In FIGURE 2 a schematic perspective of a technics unit 1 in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention is illustrated.

[0036] The technics unit 1 comprises a body 2 which is configured to serve at least as a part of a wall (not shown) of a prefabricated module (not shown). The prefabricated module may be, for example, a module of a correctional facility used for accommodation of a person. The prefabricated module may be in the form of a container or a concrete structure, for instance.

[0037] The technics unit 1 is configured to cover an opening (not shown) of the module as the technics unit 1 is being coupled to the module. The technics unit 1 may be configured to be attached to the module without using a welding method. Further, the technics unit 1 is configured to be attached to the module without making any changes to the module or damaging the module.

[0038] The shown technics unit 1 includes building equipment such as a fresh water connection, a waste water connection, an electric connection, an air exchange unit 14, a hygienic unit 7, a communication unit 13, and the like. The technics unit 1 further includes a window 19. [0039] The technics unit 1 further comprises a first wall 10 and a second wall 11 separated from the first wall 10, thus forming a cavity 12 between the first wall 10 and the second wall 11.

[0040] The technics unit 1 is further configured to provide an access to at least a part of the building equipment only from the outside of the module as the technics unit 1 is being coupled to the module. In particular, the cavity of the technics unit 1 is only accessible from the outside of the module 4 as the technics unit 1 is being coupled to the module.

[0041] On the other side, a part of the technics unit 1 is only accessible from the inside of the module as the technics unit 1 is being coupled to the module. For example, the hygienic unit 7 is fixedly attached to the first wall 10. The hygienic unit 7 includes a toilet 8 and an integral wash basin 9 in one combined unit. The combined toilet 8 and wash basin 9 unit 7 may be of stainless steel, for instance. Such "anti-vandal-style" hygienic units 7 are often used in correctional facilities and cannot chip or crack due to their heavy duty construction. Of course, the toilet 8 and the wash basin 9 may also be separate units 7 each fixedly attached to the first wall 10. The hygienic unit 7 may be connected to a security frame comprised by the technics unit 1. While access to the hygienic unit 7 by a user is provided from the inside of the module as the technics unit 1 is being coupled to the module, the fresh water and waste water connections are only accessible from the cavity 12 between the first wall 10 and the second wall 11 , i.e. from outside of the module. At the construction site, a fresh water supply system can be connected to the fresh water connection(s) and a waste water disposal system can be connected to the waste water disposal connection(s).

[0042] Further, the shown technics unit 1 may comprise a sprinkler nozzle. The sprinkler nozzle is configured to produce a very fine spray of liquids into the module. The sprinkler nozzle comprises a water connection only accessible from within the cavity 12, i.e. from the other side of the first wall. Furthermore, the technics unit 1 may also comprise a smoke detector or fire detector (not shown) configured to detect smoke or a fire in the module, respectively. [0043] Additionally, the technics unit 1 comprises a communication unit 13 fixedly attached to the first wall 10. The communication unit 13 may, for example, comprise a button which can be pushed by a user in order to request communication with a person such as a guard outside of the module. Further, the communication unit may, for example, comprise a loudspeaker and a microphone for communication. The communication unit 13 is fixedly attached to the first wall 10 and a user interface is accessible by the user from the inside of the module as the technics unit 1 is being coupled to the module. The communication unit 13 further comprises an electrical connection only accessible from within the cavity 12, i.e. from the other side of the first wall 10.

[0044] Further, the technics unit 1 comprises at least one light source 21, for example a LED lamp. The light source 21 can be fixedly attached on the first wall 10 of the technics unit 1 or embedded in the first wall 10. The light source 21 is configured to illuminate the module. The light source 21 further comprises an electrical connection only accessible from within the cavity 12, i.e. from the other side of the first wall 10.

[0045] Furthermore, the technics unit 1 comprises an air exchange unit (not shown) coupled to first openings 15 through the first wall 10. A second opening 20 may be optionally arranged above the hygienic unit 7. The technics unit 1 is configured to provide an air exchange in the module through the first openings 15 as the technics unit 1 is being coupled to the module. The air exchange unit may also be capable of controlling a temperature of air flowing into the module in addition to providing fresh air. The air exchange unit is not accessible from the inside of the module. The first openings 15 and the second opening 20 may each be equipped with bars in order to prevent a person from accessing the cavity 12 or any air exchange piping between the air exchange unit and the first openings 15 as well as the second opening 20, respectively.

[0046] An electricity supply network can further be connected to at least one electrical connection socket, plug or terminal of the technics unit 1 at the construction site in order to provide electricity to electrical consumers such as the air exchange unit, the light source 21, and the communication unit 13. The electrical consumers are typically electrically (pre)connected to such electrical connection socket, plug or terminal.

[0047] When the technics unit 1 is being used in connection with a correctional facility, the technics unit 1 typically comprises a video surveillance system including a surveillance camera 17 configured to transmit activity data of a person located within the module to a surveillance display and/or to store activity data of the person located within the module on a memory. Additionally, the technics unit 1 typically comprises an audio surveillance system configured to a transmit audio data of a person located within the module to a loudspeaker and/or to store audio data of the person located within the module on a memory. The video surveillance system may be, for example, arranged within the cavity 12 behind an indestructible glass window (not shown) covering an opening in the first wall 10 or a surveillance camera 17 fixedly attached to the first wall 10. Additionally, a microphone, which is not visible from the inside of the module, may be arranged in the first wall 10 or the communication unit 13 may be used for detecting audio signals. The display and the loudspeaker may be, for example, located outside the module or in a separate surveillance center. The technics unit 1 can further comprise a computing device capable of storing at least one of video data and audio data or transmitting at least one of video data to the display and audio data to the loudspeaker or to the separate surveillance center.

[0048] According to certain embodiments, the technics unit 1 is configured to be coupled to a concrete structure, a steel frame, or to a standard cargo container. When the technics unit 1 is coupled to the prefabricated module, it is not possible for a person located within the module to manually release the technics unit 1 from the module. However, the technics unit 1 may be configured to be released from the module according to certain embodiments. This is, of course, only possible from the outside of the module, for example by releasing screws, especially security screws, connecting the first frame of the first wall to parts of the module, for example to lifting eyes or a steel frame of the module.

[0049] As described above, the technics unit 1 is configured to provide an access to a part of the technics unit 1 only from the outside of the module and to another part of the technics unit 1 only from the inside of the module as the technics unit 1 is being coupled to the module. All parts and devices accessible by a user from the inside of the module may be designed and attached to the first wall according to "anti- vandal- style" criteria. Even when using brute force, an imprisoned person cannot remove or damage the parts and devices accessible from the inside of the module. The parts and devices being accessible from the outside of the module can be inspected and maintained by a technician or any other person. The access from the outside of the module may take place via a door providing an entrance into and an exit out of the cavity 12 and/or via at least one cover hinged to a frame of the second wall 11. An entrance into and an exit out of the module is additionally provided by means of the technics unit 1. [0050] The technics unit 1 may comprise at least one further device not illustrated in

FIGURE 2. In some embodiments, technics unit 1 lacks at least one device described above.

[0051] In FIGURE 3 a schematic side view of a technics unit 1 in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention is illustrated. The technics unit 1 comprises a first wall 10 and a second wall 11 separated from the first wall 10. Between the first wall 10 and the second wall 11 a cavity 12 is arranged. The building equipment, for example a hygienic unit 7 or a surveillance camera 17, is typically fixedly attached to the first wall 10. Connections of the building equipment, i.e. a fresh water connection, a waste water connection and an electricity supply connection, are typically only accessible from within the cavity 12. The cavity 12 as such is only accessible by an authorized person, for example a technician, via a door in the second wall 11 or via a cover hinged to a frame of the second wall 11, for instance. The cavity 12 does not extend over the whole width of the technics unit 1 , because a door 18 providing an entrance into the module and an exit out of the module is arranged adjacent to the cavity as a part of the body 2. Of course, the cavity 12 is closed by two further walls between the first wall 10 and the second wall 11, thus forming a perimeter wall with the cavity 12 being arranged inside of the perimeter wall. The cavity 12 may be accessible via a cover hinged to a frame 16 of the second wall 11 of the technics unit 1, for instance. [0052] The technics unit 1 is configured to be attached to one side of the prefabricated module on its outside, thus forming at least a part of a wall of the module. According to certain other embodiments, the technics unit 1 can be completely or partially inserted into an opening of the module.

[0053] In other words, the prefabricated module and the technics unit 1 do not necessarily form a flush surface as the technics unit 1 is coupled to the prefabricated module. However, in all cases the body 2 of the technics unit 1 is configured to serve at least as a part of a wall of the prefabricated module after being coupled to the module.

[0054] In FIGURE 4 a schematic front view of a technics unit 1 in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention is illustrated. The shown technics unit 1 is configured to be used as a part of a wall of a module of a correctional facility. The body 2 of the technics unit 1 comprises a door 18. The door 18 further comprises a hatch 24 by means of which food or items can be handed to a person located within the module. The door 18 can be closed using a lock 25 and latches 26. Additionally, a bolt 23 is provided. The bolt 23 is configured to prevent a prisoner from opening the door by running or pushing against the door 18 once the lock 25 and the latches 26 have been opened. The door 18 may optionally comprise a window. [0055] Additionally, the body 2 comprises a window 19. The technics unit 1 may further comprise bars 22 arranged to protect a widow duct from being accessed from the outside or to prevent a person from escaping from the module via the window duct.

[0056] In FIGURE 5 another schematic perspective view of a technics unit 1 in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention is illustrated. [0057] In FIGURE 6 a schematic front view of a technics unit 1 in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention is illustrated, wherein the technics unit 1 is coupled to a prefabricated module 4. The module 4 is in the form of a container 5. An opening is provided in the container 5 by opening the doors of the container 5. Then, the technics unit 1 can be coupled to the container 5, thus covering the opening in the container 5 and serving as a wall of the container 5. An entrance into and an exit out of the container 5 is provided by the door 18 of the body 2 of the technics unit 1. An air exchange within the container 5 is provided by the air exchange unit 14 of the technics unit 1.

[0058] In FIGURE 7 a schematic perspective view of a technics unit 1 in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention during coupling of the technics unit 1 to a prefabricated module 4 is illustrated. The module 4 is in the form of a container 5. An opening is provided in the container 5 by opening the doors of the container 5. Then, the technics unit 1 is connected to the container 5 such that the opening 6 in the module 4 is covered by the technics unit 1.

[0059] Subsequent to coupling the technics unit 1 to the module 4, only at least one of a fresh water supply, a waste water disposal system, and an electricity supply network have to be connected to the technics unit 1 in order to provide the functionality of the building equipment.

[0060] It is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention disclosed are not limited to the particular structures, process steps, or materials disclosed herein, but are extended to equivalents thereof as would be recognized by those ordinarily skilled in the relevant arts. It should also be understood that terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.

[0061] Reference throughout this specification to one embodiment or an embodiment means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Where reference is made to a numerical value using a term such as, for example, about or substantially, the exact numerical value is also disclosed.

[0062] As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. In addition, various embodiments and example of the present invention may be referred to herein along with alternatives for the various components thereof. It is understood that such embodiments, examples, and alternatives are not to be construed as de facto equivalents of one another, but are to be considered as separate and autonomous representations of the present invention. [0063] Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of lengths, widths, shapes, etc., to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

[0064] While the forgoing examples are illustrative of the principles of the present invention in one or more particular applications, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications in form, usage and details of implementation can be made without the exercise of inventive faculty, and without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the claims set forth below. [0065] The verbs "to comprise" and "to include" are used in this document as open limitations that neither exclude nor require the existence of also un-recited features. The features recited in depending claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the use of "a" or "an", that is, a singular form, throughout this document does not exclude a plurality.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0066] At least some embodiments of the present invention find industrial application in providing a building structure such as a correctional facility, a refugee camp, or a dormitory.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

1 technics unit

2 body 3 wall

4 module

5 container

6 opening

7 hygienic unit 8 toilet

9 wash basin

10 first wall

11 second wall

12 cavity 13 communication unit 14 air exchange unit

15 first opening

16 frame of second wall

17 surveillance camera

18 door

19 window

20 second opening

21 light source

22 bars

23 bolt

24 hatch

25 lock

26 latch

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

US 4599829

Non Patent Literature

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A technics unit (1) comprising:

- a body (2) which is configured to serve at least as a part of a wall (3) of a prefabricated module (4) having an opening (6), wherein the technics unit (1) includes building equipment and a door (4) in the body (2) configured to provide an entrance into the module (4) and an exit out of the module (4) as the technics unit (1) is being coupled to the module (4),

- and wherein the technics unit (1) is further configured to be coupled to the module (4)·

2. The technics unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein the technics unit (1) is configured to cover the opening (6) of the module (4) as the technics unit (1) is being coupled to the module (4).

3. The technics unit (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the technics unit (1) is configured to be coupled to a module (4) in form of a standard cargo container ().

4. The technics unit (1) according to claim 3, wherein the technics unit (1) is configured to be coupled to lifting eyes of the container (5).

5. The technics unit (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the technics unit (1) is configured to be attached to the container (5) without using a welding method.

6. The technics unit (1) according to any one of claims 3-5, wherein the technics unit (1) is configured to be attached to the container (5) without making any changes to the container (5) or damaging the container (5).

7. The technics unit (1) according to any one of claims 3-6, wherein the technics unit (1) is configured to be released from the container (5) such that the container (5) is capable of being reused for shipping cargo.

8. The technics unit (1) according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein the technics unit (1) is configured to provide access to at least a part of the building equipment only from the outside of the module (4) as the technics unit (1) is being coupled to the module (4).

9. The technics unit (1) according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein the technics unit (1) is configured to provide an access to a part of the technics unit (1) only from the inside of the module (4) as the technics unit (1) is being coupled to the module (4).

10. The technics unit (1) according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein the technics unit (1) comprises a first wall (10) and a second wall (11) separated from the first wall (10), thus forming a cavity (12) between the first wall (10) and the second wall (11).

11. The technics unit (1) according to claim 10, wherein the technics unit (1) is configured to provide an access to the cavity (12) only from the outside of the module (4) as the technics unit (1) is being coupled to the module (4).

12. The technics unit (1) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the technics unit (1) comprises at least one hygienic unit (7) fixedly attached to the first wall (10) and including at least one of a toilet (8) and a wash basin (9), and wherein the technics unit (1) is configured to provide access to the hygienic unit (7) by a user from the inside of the module (4) as the technics unit (1) is being coupled to the module (4).

13. The technics unit (1) according to claim 12, wherein the hygienic unit (7) comprises a fresh water connection and a waste water connection accessible from within the cavity (12).

14. The technics unit (1) according to any one of claims 10-13, wherein the technics unit (1) comprises a communication unit (13) fixedly attached to the first wall (10), and wherein the technics unit (1) is configured to provide access to a user interface of the communication unit (13) from the inside of the module (4) as the technics unit (1) is being coupled to the module (4).

15. The technics unit (1) according to claim 14, wherein the communication unit (13) comprises an electrical connection accessible from within the cavity (12).

16. The technics unit (1) according to any one of claims 10-15, wherein the technics unit (1) comprises an air exchange unit (14) coupled to first openings (15) through the first wall (10), wherein the technics unit (1) is configured to provide an air exchange in the module (4) through the first openings (15) as the technics unit (1) is being coupled to the module (4)·

17. The technics unit (1) according to any one of claims 10-16, wherein the technics unit (1) is configured to provide the access from the outside of the module (4) via a door providing an entrance into and an exit out of the cavity (12) or via at least one cover hinged to a frame (16) of the second wall (11).

18. The technics unit (1) according to any one of claims 1-17, wherein the technics unit (1) comprises a video surveillance system configured to transmit activity data of a person located within the module (4) to a surveillance display and/or to store activity data of the person located within the module (4) on a memory.

19. The technics unit (1) according to any one of claims 1-18, wherein the technics unit (1) comprises an audio surveillance system configured to a transmit audio data of a person located within the module (4) to a loudspeaker and/or to store audio data of the person located within the module (4) on a memory.

20. The technics unit (1) according to any one of claims 1-18, wherein the technics unit (1) is configured to be connected to at least one of an electricity supply network, a fresh water supply, and a waste water disposal system.

21. The technics unit (1) according to any one of claims 1-20, wherein the technics unit (1) is configured to be coupled to a concrete structure, a steel frame, or to a standard cargo container (5).

22. The technics unit (1) according to any one of claims 1-21, wherein the technics unit (1) comprises a computing device capable of storing at least one of video data and audio data or transmitting at least one of video data and audio data to a surveillance center.

23. The technics unit (1) according to any one of claims 1-22, wherein the technics unit (1) is configured to serve at least as a part of a wall (3) of a module (4) of a correctional facility, refugee camp, or dormitory.

24. A method of providing a building structure, the method comprising:

- providing a prefabricated module (4) including an opening (6),

- providing a technics unit (1) comprising a body (2) which is configured to serve at least as a part of a wall (3) of the prefabricated module (4), wherein the technics unit (1) includes building equipment and a door (4) in the body (2) configured to provide an entrance into the module (4) and an exit out of the module (4) as the technics unit (1) is being coupled to the module (4), and

- coupling the technics unit (1) to the module (4).

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the technics unit (1) is coupled to lifting eyes of a container (5).