There are various words used throughout the industry to describe a modular or portable building and to clarify these we have listed the ones most commonly used;

Modular Buildings: The term modular building is used to describe made up of individual modules that are transported to site and erected to form a larger area. An unlimited amount of modules can be used and erected side by side or back to back. Modular buildings can be single storey, double storey or multi storey buildings.   

Portable Cabins: The term portable cabin is used to describe a self contained unit with four walls. The term portable cabin is also sometimes described as a portable building or temporary building. Portable cabins are generally jack leg units, jack leg cabins which are fitted to enable the correct leveling off the ground.

Pre-fabricated buildings: Pre-fabricated building Is a term used to describe buildings that are manufactured under factory conditions prior to delivery to site.

Temporary buildings: Temporary building is a term used to describe both modular buildings and portable cabins when their use is of a temporary nature. This term includes hiring a modular building or hiring a portable cabin. 

Jack Leg Cabins: The term Jack Leg Cabin is used to describe portable cabins which have jack legs on them. The Jack legs enable the portable cabin to be lifted off the ground. Jack leg Cabins range from 8’ x 9’ to 60’x12’ and have their own heating, lighting and electricity supply. 

Mobile Classrooms: The term mobile classroom is used by schools to describe a single classroom building consisting of three or more modules, or a double classroom building consisting of five or more modules.

Relocatable Buildings: Relocatable building is a term used to describe both a modular building and portable cabin which can be transported to another site at a later time and is therefore relocatable.    

Anti Vandal Buildings: Is a term used to describe an all steel constructed self contained building that is more resistant to vandalism. Also sometimes known as an Anti Vandal Unit.