Issue 18 - July - October 2016

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To Build Handbook

Plan, Design, Build, Interior & Exterior Décor

A Word on Longevity Green Power – Green Materials Top Tips – Outdoor Lighting The Law Upheld issue 18 | July 2016 - October 2016

Unfired Earth Buildings

Issue 18 • Jul 2016 - Oct 2016

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foreword Having the privilege of writing this foreword for the July 2016 edition of To Build is fitting as the Green Building Council South Africa’s (GBCSA) ninth annual Green Building Convention is taking place for the first time in Johannesburg this month. Inspiring professionals in the built environment to ‘Build a Better World NOW’, the convention aims to stimulate awareness, ambition and action to design, build and operate better buildings – and to make this change swiftly. As buildings are one of the main contributors to climate change, building green is an excellent opportunity to use resources efficiently and address climate change while creating healthier and more productive environments for people and communities. One of over 95 members of the World Green Building Council, the GBCSA works with its membership community to sustainably transform the African built environment through competitive, sustainability and professional advantages; training, certification and event discounts; exclusive networks and events; and beneficial affiliations at home and abroad. Founded in 2007, the GBCSA certified just one green building project in its first year of operation. Today, we have awarded over 180 Green Star SA certifications, and the World Green Building Trends 2016: Developing Markets Accelerate Global Green Growth - Smartmarket Report predicts that South Africa could become a leader in the green building sector in the next three years. Results in the USA, Australia and now South Africa clearly show there is no significant difference between the costs of building green compared to conventional buildings. However, green buildings show the potential to achieve better investment returns and higher valuations. Our partners, associates and Green Star SA certified projects are already reaping the rewards of their green investments through lower operating costs, higher returns on their assets, minimised churn and increased productivity – all while doing their bit for the environment. Green building presents a compelling business case, and 28% of built environment professionals around the world now report that they are focusing their work on sustainable design and construction by building at least 60% of their projects green. With this in mind, can you afford not to? Warm regards Brian Wilkinson Chief Executive Officer: Green Building Council South Africa

www.tobuild.co.za

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Publisher

Media XPOSE excellence in exposure Plan, Design, Build, Interior & Exterior Décor

/tobuildpublication

www.tobuild.co.za

Tel: +27 21 424 3625 | Fax: +27 86 516 7277 PO Box 15165, Vlaeberg, 8018 Editor Gareth Griffiths editor@tobuild.co.za SUB EDITOR Emma Dawson emma@ediwrite.co.za Project Manager Elroy van Heerden elroy@tobuild.co.za

To Build Handbook

Plan, Design, Build, Interior & Exterior Décor

A Word on Longevity Green Power – Green Materials Top Tips – Outdoor Lighting The Law Upheld issue 18 | July 2016 - October 2016

Unfired Earth Buildings

Issue 18 • Jul 2016 - Oct 2016

Editorial Contributors Adv Bryan Hack Gareth Griffiths Imaging Joy Cronje Melissa Davidson Neil Cameron Rhys Evans Simon Berry Stephanie Forbes DESIGN & LAYOUT CDC Design carla@cdcdesign.co.za Sales Manager Sarina Afonso sarina@mediaxpose.co.za ADVERTISING SALES Rene van Heerden rene@tobuild.co.za Marketing & Online Advertising Maurisha Niewenhuys marketing@mediaxpose.co.za Content manager Melanie Taylor artwork@mediaxpose.co.za Financial director Shaun Mays shaun@mediaxpose.co.za

COVER ART: Reynaers Aluminium

Accounts Assistant Melany Smith accounts1@mediaxpose.co.za Distribution and subscriptions Janine Mays distribution@mediaxpose.co.za

Printed by Paarl Media Paarl www.paarlmedia.co.za Disclaimer: The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher or its agents. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information published, the publisher does not accept responsibility for any error or omission contained herein. Consequently, no person connected with the publication of this journal will be liable for any loss or damage sustained by any reader as a result of action following statements or opinions expressed herein. The publisher will give consideration to all material submitted, but does not take responsibility for damage or its safe return.

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contents issue18 July 2016-October 2016

Foreword 2 10 Editor’s Note Cover Story: Reynaers Aluminium 12 17, 18, 19 Lead Story News & Views 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 Editor’s Choice 30, 31 Out & About 183, 184 Student Designs 186, 187 188 Notes Page 190 Advertisers’ Index

Floors 90 Kitchens 96 Lighting 101 Roofing 104 Security & Safety 116 Steel Framing 121 Water Features & Pools 124 Walls & Cladding 126 128 Windows & Doors

Divisions

Adhesives 133 Bricks & Paving 138 Cement & Concrete 143 Coatings 146 Insulation 148 Timber & Decking 151

PROFESSIONS

Architects 35 Construction & Contractors 38 Construction, Health & Safety 44 Interior & Exterior Design & Décor 47 Developers 49 Engineers 59 Facilities Management 62 Landscape Architects 64 Legal 66 Quantity Surveyors 69

BUILDING SYSTEMS Automation 72 Bathrooms 75 Ceilings & Partitions 85 Electrical 88

MATERIALS

SERVICES Air-conditioning 157 Furniture 158 Plumbing & Reticulation 163 Ground Engineering 166

GREEN BUILDING HVAC 171 Buildings 174 Water 178 Renewable Energy 181 Energy 191

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contents issue18 July 2016-October 2016

Cover story......................................................12 Green power – green materials..................17 News & Views........................................ 22 - 27 AAAMSA update...........................................29 Editor’s Choice....................................... 30 - 31 Unfired earth buildings..................................35 Building bridges .............................................38 Opportunities for school leavers .................41 Hangovers and OHS Laws ...........................44 Italian design, Italian flair .............................47 SA major develops in Nam ..........................49 New property in Menlyn ..............................51 Growth and urban renewal ........................52 Mall of Africa – all routes ..............................56 Get project fees right....................................59 Intelligent goals..............................................62 Hard assets for hardscaping........................64 The Law upheld..............................................66 Quantity surveying South Africa..................69 Africa needs capacity building...................70 Making technology work.............................72 Bath or shower?..............................................75 Bathroom designs..........................................80 New Gryphon tile factory.............................82 Around the cornice.......................................85 Eskom seeks ESCos.........................................88 Safety first on walkways ...............................90 Resin floors mall..............................................91 Water-based underfloor systems.................92 Tiling technique..............................................94 KSA Corner......................................................96

Heart of the home.........................................99 Cordless cutoff machine............................104 A word on longevity....................................106 Hallmark of steel success............................110 Profile of a leader.........................................112 Getting real about crime...........................116 Residential complex security.....................120 Light steel frame masterpiece...................121 Learning from nature...................................124 Tiles for the Cradle.......................................126 Grand entrances.........................................128 Passive fire retardant range.......................133 Manufacturer supports a cause................138 Supplier profile..............................................141 Green concrete mixes................................143 International supplier launches.................146 A favourite brand in the market................148 New timber preservative............................151 New Bryanston showroom..........................158 Building with wood pallets..........................160 Critical issue facing industry.......................163 Stabilising two staircase shafts...................166 A breath of fresh air ....................................171 Leading the way..........................................174 A word on solar geysers..............................176 Water-seeding the debate........................178 Developer walks the talk............................181 Out and About ............................................183 Students - game for Hong Kong................186 Calls for energy debate..............................191

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Now also available in Clean COLORBOND® AZ150 MATT

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ed’s letter Welcome to the 18th edition of To Build Various contributors have brought the edition 18 theme of green building alive with new products, project news, views and formal opinions. In this edition, we especially tackle two highly pertinent themes, water as a resource and alternative building methods and materials. Contractors and project managers should also be interested in the sage advice provided by the writer of our legal column, Adv. BC Hack, which relates directly to contract, arbitration and legislation. Our featured architect is Andy Horn, who brings alive the traditional methods of design and building with unfired earth. Read about the amazing work undertaken by his practice using hybrid cob and straw bale construction technologies. Astonishingly good results have also been achieved in the research and application of alternative concrete technologies, by dedicated researchers at M&R Construction, leading to a substantial reduction in the carbon footprint of various challenging projects. All in all, To Build is a community and we rely on your input to bring to life the topic of the built environment in an interesting and meaningful way. This is your forum. We accept editorial submissions with pleasure. That is what makes us unique in the market. We have a large circulation that ensures your contributions deliver ‘bang for buck’. All we ask is that you follow our simple editorial guidelines. We do this in the interest of maintaining a high professional standard. If you need a copy of these guidelines, please email editor@tobuild.co.za. Of course, should you have any suggestions or requests, please feel free to pop me an email at the above address. I look forward to sharing the next edition with you.

Regards Gareth Griffiths editor@tobuild.co.za www.tobuild.co.za

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Cover Story Reynaers Aluminium

At the forefront of technology and sustainability Reynaers is proudly our cover page sponsor for To Build’s 18th edition. As can be seen from the cover photograph, the company produces beautiful products that seamlessly integrate the living space with the outdoor vistas.

Reynaers is the European leading specialist in the development of innovative and sustainable aluminium solutions. Research, product development and testing are conducted at the Reynaers Institute – the largest European privately-owned centre for innovation and testing in the aluminium sector. The Reynaers Institute has evolved with the need to respond effectively to market requirements, bringing together in one space human and technical resources capable of achieving the end result of

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innovative ideas. With a total area of 28 000m2 this centre, currently undergoing expansion, is dedicated to sharing know-how where architects, builders, installers and other partners come together and contribute to Reynaers’ mission: ‘Together for Better’. Reynaers Aluminium is the market leader in Belgium and has acquired a strong market position in 37 countries where it has its own sites.

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Reynaers Aluminium

Cover Story

Quality fenestration for low energy consumption A great percentage of the energy used in South Africa goes towards heating, cooling, lighting and managing the buildings in which we live and work. Reynaers is a provider of a complete range of energy-efficient and sustainable building solutions, and aluminium is a material that can rightfully be called durable. For Reynaers, it is particularly important that the manufactured products contribute to energy-efficient buildings.

outward, to meet all possible requirements. Apart from the standard folding elements, CF 77 can feature a main door principle, in which the first leaf is used as an entrance door without affecting the other folding leafs.

Reynaers products focus on sustainable buildings Concept Folding® 77 combines high insulation and comfort with maximal transparency and aesthetics. This folding door system optimises your way of living by drawing the exterior into your home with a minimum of space usage. This high-performance system offers different opening types, both inward and

Other innovative and sustainable aluminium solutions ES-50 – Eco System® 50 includes a well-insulated flush door system that combines aesthetic design and energy efficiency with a moderate price. All types of inward and outward opening doors and flush doors can be accomplished with ES 50, perfectly matching the ES 50 window system. In addition, ES 50 doors can comply with burglar resistance class 2.

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Cover Story Reynaers Aluminium CP-130 – Concept Patio® 130 is a highly insulated slide and lift-slide system that meets the highest requirements with regard to insulation, stability and safety. This robust system allows the construction of large and stable sliding windows and doors with a vent weight of up to 300kg. CP 130 can comply with burglar resistance.

CS-59Pa – Concept System® 59Pa offers an extensive range of non-insulated profiles for the construction of elegant and moderately priced aluminium flush doors. CS 59Pa is the ideal system for applications in warm climates, but it can also be used for the partitioning of indoor office spaces.

CS-77 (Optimised safety and comfort) – Concept System® 77 is a high insulating window system that meets elevated requirements regarding thermal insulation, stability and security. The system’s performance regarding acoustics, water and air tightness – as well as for specific applications such as bullet and fire resistance – meets the most severe

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European standards. Moreover, CS 77 windows are available in different burglar resistance levels. CW-50 (Concept wall, unlimited design) – Concept Wall® 50 is a façade and roof system that offers unlimited design freedom and allows maximum transparency. As such, CW 50 is available in several design and glazing variants, but also includes different technical variants to comply with specified levels of fire-resistance and thermal insulation. .

Reynaers Aluminium – South Africa 102 Plane Road, Spartan, Kempton Park, 1619, Johannesburg T +27 (0)11 570 1800 T +27 (0)71 165 2935 (Sales) E design.za@reynaers.com

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Renewable energy LEAD STORY

Green power – green materials The area of the Northern Cape Province to the north of Calvinia is an environmentally pristine but dry and windswept land of great distances. At the end of winter, tourists from around the world flood into the areas north and south of Loeriesfontein, district Hantam, to view the captivating natural wild flower displays. It is only appropriate that the power of the wind should be harvested in a sustainable way to provide a renewable energy resource to best serve this land and its people. Loeriesfontein Wind Farm is part of the South African Government’s Round 3 Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPP). South Africa Mainstream Renewable Power will manage both the construction and operations of this wind farm.

About the wind farm

Photo by Gareth Griffiths

Situated in the Hantam Municipality, 60km north of Loeriesfontein in the Northern Cape, the Loeriesfontein Wind Farm will have 61 99m-high wind turbines erected on 3 453ha of agricultural land, and will connect into a 132kV Eskom line.

The site was chosen because of its excellent wind resource, its proximity to national roads for wind turbine transportation, the favourable construction conditions, municipality and local stakeholder support, the straightforward electrical connection into Eskom’s Helios sub-station approximately 11km south of the site, and studies show that there would be little environmental impact.

About Wind Power Loeriesfontein Wind Farm Key facts: • Number of wind turbines to be installed: 61 • Height of wind turbines: 152m • Length of a single turbine blade: 53m • Minimum wind speed required to start a turbine: 13km/h • Turbine maximum wind speed before cut-out: Wind speeds more than 90km/h. • Projected date of completion: December 2017 • Maximum power output: 140 Megawatts • Estimated annual power production: Approximately 563 500MWh/year • Number of households that may be powered when complete: 120 000

The Hantam: Nature in all its beauty

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LEAD STORY Renewable energy When operating at full capacity, the Loeriesfontein Wind Farm will generate approximately 563 500MWh of clean renewable energy per year; this is expected to supply electricity to power up to 120 000 South African homes. Khobab Wind Farm will effectively eliminate approximately 550 000 tonnes of carbon emissions each year when compared to traditional fossil fuel power plants. The wind turbine towers for Loeriesfontein Wind Farm will arrive along the N1 from Atlantis near Cape Town, where they are manufactured. The blades and nacelles are sourced from abroad and imported via the Eastern Cape’s Port of Ngqura before being transported by road to the wind farm with due consideration to the environment and the rights of the population and road users along the route.

Project suppliers World-leading manufacturer, Siemens Wind Power, is supplying the turbines, and a consortium – Murray and Roberts Construction and Consolidated Power Projects – is completing the civil and electrical works. The 99m turbine towers are being manufactured at the recently-launched GRI Industries Wind Turbine Tower Factory in Atlantis, Western Cape. Delivery of turbines has begun and the farm is expected to be operational by late next year. [Source: www.loeriesfonteinwind.co.za] The project also assists to accelerate the sustainability of local enterprises owned by previously disadvantaged people, with BBB-EE Recognition Levels, women-owned vendors and QSEs and EMEs.

The hallmark of a good triple bottom line

Photos by Cyril Attwell

According to Premier of the Northern Cape, Sylvia Lucas, ‘We are excited and optimistic about the

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prospects of renewable energy and we have always supported developments in this sector. The Provincial Renewable Energy Strategy is a manifestation of the fast-growing renewable energy and green economy sector in the province. We are well on our way to becoming a net producer of renewable energy to the rest of the country by 2020. Renewable energy is expected to unlock existing potential and to position the province to attract both local and foreign investment and create much needed jobs.’ The project has employed many people from the local community. Loeriesfontein Wind Farm and the involved contractors aim to procure goods and services locally wherever possible to support the local community. The Loeriesfontein 2 Renewable Energy Community Trust owns 5% of the Wind Farm. Established through loans from the Development Bank of South Africa (50%) and company shareholder’s (50%), the trust will invest in community education, health, agriculture, sports and cultural, and social welfare development once the loan has been repaid.

Environment Wind farm turbine blades rotate between 15 and 20 revolutions/minute at constant speed. Wind farm sites are required to have an environmental impact assessment/study done prior to construction, and ongoing studies are conducted during the operation of a wind farm. Studies have shown that bird deaths as a result of wind turbines is minimal compared to other human-related sources such as buildings and vehicles. The wind farm will avoid approximately 550 000 tonnes of carbon emissions each year when compared

Green concrete in action. Preparing the foundations for the first wind turbine.

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Renewable energy LEAD STORY to traditional fossil fuel power plants, and generate enough to power around 120 000 average South African households.

Construction and the environment While the very nature of a wind farm is by definition a green renewable energy initiative, it is ironic that one of the waste by-products of the production of iron and steel so commonly used in construction, Ground Granulated Corex Slag (GGCS), is actually upcycled and used on site. GGCS is a component that benefits the manufacture of green concrete found in many of the concrete structures on site. [ED: See the report on the interview with research scientist, and head of Murray & Roberts’ Concrete Centre for Excellence, Cyril Attwell in the Materials section on Concrete.] Each wind turbine foundation is 19m in diameter, is made of concrete and steel, and placed below ground level. Loeriesfontein Wind Farm announced that its wind turbine foundations are utilising one of the world’s lowest quantities of Portland cement in the concrete formulation. The foundations are designed using an 89% replacement of cement, resulting in what is reported to be one of the world’s lowest carbon footprints for any wind farm. The first two bases, which were completed on October 13, 2015, utilised an 80% replacement of Portland cement, while the remaining foundations use a unique design comprising 35kgs of highgrade Portland cement/m3, an 89% reduction from a standard concrete mix. This composition has resulted in the wind farm’s carbon footprint being reduced to approximately 90.7kg of carbon dioxide/m3. ‘Cement manufacturing is typically a highly-energy intensive process. By substituting the cement with a

by-product such as GGCS, we are able to reduce our carbon footprint considerably,’ explains Leo Quinn, Project Manager for Loeriesfontein Wind Farm. A 28-day compressive strength test has been completed, which indicated that the 80% replacement ratio achieved an impressive strength of 55MPa (megapascals), and an expected ultimate strength of 100MPa, within a 56-day period. ‘The strength of concrete is measured in megapascals; theoretically a cubic metre of concrete that is rated 30MPa is able to withstand the weight of six bull elephants, whereas these foundations are able to withstand the approximate mass of 20 bull elephants standing on a square centimetre of concrete – a phenomenal feat,’ says M&R’s Cyril Attwell. A carbon footprint is defined as the total amount of greenhouse gases produced to directly and indirectly support human activities, expressed in equivalent tons of carbon dioxide (CO2). ‘The achieved reduction in our carbon footprint is phenomenal, especially considering that a standard 30MPa concrete as supplied by the ready-mix industry equates to a carbon footprint of approximately 300kgs to 350kgs of CO2/m3,’ Quinn points out. The Loeriesfontein Wind Farm has one of the most constructive and informative websites that this magazine has ever reviewed. Green indeed.

Loeriesfontein Wind Farm W www.loeriesfonteinwind.co.za W w ww.loeriesfonteinwind.co.za/loeriesfonteinwind-farm/investors-and-partners/

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NEWS & VIEWS

FROM THE TRADE

Greener pastures in Gauteng? The Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) caused some eyebrows to be lifted when it announced that it’s moving the annual Green Building Convention from its original venue in Cape Town to Gauteng. We asked various role players whether this represents a disinvestment from the Mother City’s unofficial status as the ‘green capital of South Africa’. The GBCSA was formed in the Mother City in 2007 by a stakeholder group of commercial property operators in the built environment. It has received widespread support from the professional community, suppliers and the academic sector. The annual convention has been its flagship event. The GBCSA and its programmes grew in stature locally and internationally, ultimately gaining the ranking of first place in the World Green Building Trends 2016 SmartReport, which shows that South Africa is the country with the highest share of green building projects out of a global sample of 69 countries, and that it has the highest share of expected green building projects leading up to 2018. The 2016 annual convention will now be held in Sandton. It appears that several administrative and management jobs previously based in Cape Town, are also relocating to Gauteng. Elaine Jack, City Improvement District Manager of the Sandton Central Management District (SCMD), which manages the public urban spaces of South Africa’s cosmopolitan financial hub, comments: ‘With among the largest number of standing and under construction green buildings in Africa – many of which are ground-breaking sustainable developments – it is fitting that the Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA) has decided to move its Green Building Convention to Sandton. It is South Africa’s flagship green building and sustainability event and will put the spotlight on Sandton as a major centre of green building activity in Africa when it takes place in July.’ The GBCSA’s CEO, Brian Wilkinson, had the following comment to offer: ‘The GBCSA is now based in both Johannesburg and Cape Town, with the technical and admin teams remaining in our Cape Town office, and the stakeholder-facing teams (marketing and business development) being based

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in Johannesburg. With 70% of our stakeholders operating out of Gauteng, we felt it was important for these functions to be based there to have an accurate feel of, and access to, the largest portion of the market that our organisation serves.’ So, where does this leave Cape Town? And is this an effective disinvestment out of the city by big property business, as is suggested by some? Asked for comment on the matter, the Western Cape MEC for Economic Opportunities, Alan Winde, says: ‘The Western Cape is an attractive region in which to live and do business. Figures show that the Western Cape’s construction sector is outperforming national figures. In the Western Cape, the rolling average over 2014 found that the number of square meters approved for residential building plans increased by 22.5%, compared to the national number which increased by 9.2%. Over the same period, the number of square meters approved for non-residential building plans increased by 15.5%, compared to national figures that slowed by 1.7%. In addition, we are South Africa’s fastest job creating region. In 2015, 210 000 jobs were created in the province, according to employment figures from Statistics South Africa. Jobs growth here during the period under review was at 9.7%, compared to nationally at 4.6% and Gauteng at 4.3%,’ he points out. ‘Although the conference has moved to Gauteng, the Western Cape is still viewed as a leader in this space. The Western Cape records the biggest demand for retrofitting green building equipment. The Green Building Council is also set to host a set of regional workshops, which will provide a platform for sectors across the country to share best practice and take the discussion forward,’ Minister Winde concludes. www.gbcsaconvention.org.za.

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FROM THE TRADE

NEWS & VIEWS

The winning line up at the African Utility Week Industry Awards 2016

Photo by AUW

At a gala dinner on May 18, during the annual African Utility Week and Clean Power Africa at the CTICC in Cape Town, the winners (across 11 categories) of the prestigious African Utility Week Industry Awards were announced. Sierra Leone’s Kandeh Yumkella of the Sustainable Energy For All Initiative, Johannesburg’s City Power, George Airport, and Akon Lighting are just some of the exciting and pioneering power and water professionals, utilities and projects that were winners in this year’s African Utility Week Industry Awards. Uganda’s NWSC won the coveted Water Utility of the Year Award for the second year running. Mr Kandeh Yumkella, UN Under-SecretaryGeneral and Former Special Representative of the Secretary-General and CEO, Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All), won the Lifetime Achievement Award. He was also a keynote speaker on the opening day of African Utility Week. On receiving his award, Mr Yumkella said: ‘I know the energy revolution is powering up and ready to take off. Once again this

Kandeh Yumkella – Lifetime Achievement

week, we have seen that we have the technology and the innovation. Sometimes we are too suspicious of each other, we should embrace energy trade with each other.’ For the full list of finalists, winners and award categories, please visit www.african-utility-week.com.

ITC-SA Awards date set The Institute for Timber Construction (ITC-SA) – South Africa’s professional body and regulator of the engineered timber structure industry and provider of design, manufacturing, erection, inspection and certification for compliance – is hosting its Annual Timber Engineered Product Awards on August 19, 2016. The event is set to celebrate and honour exceptional work in the structural timber industry, including roofing, decking and timber frame construction by Institute for Timber Construction members. Project submissions will be judged according to specific criteria set out in the competition rules and will be assessed by a professional panel of judges. Lyndsay Cotton, Chairman of the ITC-SA, comments: ‘The Institute of Timber Frame Builders (ITFB), which was incorporated into the ITC-SA three years ago, had a fantastic tradition of hosting its awards to celebrate superior workmanship in the

timber construction field. We are delighted to continue this tradition in the ITC-SA and look forward to adding a roofing category to this prestigious event.’ The event takes place on August 19, 2016, at the Expo Centre Nasrec, Johannesburg, during Interbuild Africa 2016, at which the Institute will also be exhibiting.

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NEWS & VIEWS

FROM THE TRADE

Kathu soon to go solar Construction will soon begin on the 100MW solar project in Kathu in the Northern Cape of South Africa. Kathu Solar Park is a 100MW greenfield concentrated solar power (CSP) project with parabolic trough technology and equipped with a molten salt storage system. The ENGIE-led consortium, together with its South African partners, has signed a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Eskom, making it possible for construction at the site to begin soon. The concentrated solar park, situated in the Northern Cape Province (600km South-West of the national capital Pretoria), is expected to be operational in the second half of 2018. Kathu Solar Park is noteworthy in that it will allow 4.5 hours of thermal energy storage and thus limit the intermittent nature of solar energy.

Bruno Bensasson, CEO of the ENGIE Africa Business Unit, commented: ‘This is an important milestone for our first CSP project in the ENGIE Group. The Kathu Solar Park project supports South Africa’s strategy of increasing the contribution of renewable power and also underlines our commitment to be a key partner in achieving sustainable energy generation in Africa.’

ENGIE W www.engie.com

Popular roofing personality heads home Well known industry figure, Wayne Miller, BlueScope’s General Manager in the region leaves South Africa in June and returns to his native city, Melbourne in Australia. Miller has been at the helm of BlueScope’s marketing thrust into Africa since 2007 when the company reopened its local office. Formerly known as BHP Steel, BlueScope has been at the cutting edge of supplying highperformance products such as Clean COLORBOND™ steel. His position will be filled by Arno Hanekom, already well known to architects and the roofing industry. A big welcome to the hot seat, Arno! But Wayne Miller leaves behind more than just his contribution to South Africa’s steel industry. He leaves a fully-fledged Australian Football League club in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, which he helped to develop and nurture. Additionally, his legacy of coaching the South African Lions national side during its 2014 tour of Australia lives on. Hamba kahle, old friend of South Africa. Happy days ‘Down Under’.

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Photo by Gareth Griffiths Imaging

Premier coated steel roofing material supplier, BlueScope, is changing guard.

Wayne Miller at his farewell function with July Machethe, of the AFL South Africa.

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FROM THE TRADE

NEWS & VIEWS

Sun City’s revamp continues

According to Group GM, Brand and Communications, Michael Farr: ‘We have seen many changes to the complex since 1979 when the resort was built, notably the construction of the Palace of the Lost City, but there have been significant upgrades to the complex over the years. Our aim is to keep refreshing all our offerings at the complex to make sure we stay current with our guests’ needs and aspirations. Sun City remains really popular with locals, visitors and convention delegates,’ he points out. ‘This is a significant upgrade and the feedback so far has been exceptional. We have committed about R1-billion to making sure this icon of South African

Photo by Sun International

Sun City’s four hotels and the entertainment zones continue their revamp with a five-year, R1-billion upgrade that will be completed in 2017. hospitality continues to offer everything leisure and business travellers could possibly want. The Sun City brand is an extremely strong one, and there are few South Africans – and tourists to South Africa – who haven’t heard of Sun City and the kind of experiences that can be enjoyed at the complex. We’re delighted with the improvements and innovations at Sun City and our guests are really enjoying them too.’

Sun International Michael Farr T +27 (0) 71 440 1112

Vinyl Verified The Southern African Vinyls Association welcomes news that an industry consortium, known as Vinyl Verified, is expanding its influence into the southern hemisphere. According to SAVA’s CEO, Delanie Bezuidenhout, Vinyl Verified is an international association that has been formed to correct misinformation about vinyl materials in the media. ‘It is made up of industry organisations primarily based in North America that are concerned with challenging negative media coverage and misinformation about vinyl materials. The platform confronts media bias, alarmist commentary and competitive mischaracterisations about vinyl in online discourse,’ she says.

Members of Vinyl Verified include the Plastic Pipe and Fittings Association, PMC Group, PVC Pipe Association, Resilient Floor Covering Institute, The Vinyl Institute, Vinyl Siding Institute and the Flexible Vinyl Alliance. The South African association will soon join Australia’s Vinyl Institute as a member of the Vinyl Verified consortium.

SAVA W www.savinyls.co.za, www.vinylverified.com issue 18 www.tobuild.co.za

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NEWS & VIEWS

FROM THE TRADE

Photo by Gareth Griffiths Imaging

Spier Wine Cellar

Treating the people of the earth with respect Two tourism establishments lead the way with the people factor of the triple bottom line. The African Responsible Tourism Awards celebrate the most inspiring stories in responsible tourism on the African continent, and showcase tourism organisations that are actively and demonstrably taking responsibility for making tourism stronger. These were the gold winners in the categories that impact the built environment: Best Contribution to Cultural Heritage Conservation – supported by Sustainable Tourism Partnership Programme Bushman’s Kloof Wilderness Reserve, custodian of over 130 unique San rock art sites, received gold. According to the Judges’ citation: ‘At its heart, Bushman’s Kloof is about the conservation of this remarkable heritage and culture. Over the past few months, Bushman’s Kloof has been one of the main sponsors of a distinctive troupe of dancers from Wupperthal – a small, impoverished village in the area. Die Nuwe Graskoue Trappers has not only been reviving the art of the Rieldans – a traditional dance form – but has also placed Wupperthal on the world map, taking the 2015 World Champions of the Performing Arts by storm.’

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Best for Accommodation for Responsible Employment, supported by Thebe Reed Exhibitions Spier wine farm and hospitality establishments received gold. According to the judges’ citation: ‘The judges were looking for examples of businesses able to demonstrate an exemplary responsible approach to the employment and treatment of staff. This category produced a strong longlist that reflects the progress being made in raising employment standards by an increasing number of businesses. Spier in South Africa’s Western Cape Region received the Gold Award for transparent reporting and the breadth of its approach to improving the employment conditions of its staff, ranging from addressing the issue of safety on public transport to their provision of Individual Learning Spend budgets to support the development of skills and knowledge, for personal development, and innovation for the employee and their family, for example, for the payment of school fees.’

Responsible Tourism Awards W www.responsibletravel.com/awards/africa W www.spier.co.za W www.bushmanskloof.co.za

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AAAMSA Advertorial

Johan J Heyneke, Executive Director of the Association of Architectural Aluminium Manufacturers of South Africa (AAAMSA), writes for us. Our Group is a managing association of different energy efficient system association members. We aim to modernise the day-to-day running of the association by implementing better software for a more integrated member experience. Our SAGGA electronic glazing certificate is recognised by all building inspectors and has become the norm for building glazing sign off. The AAAMSA test rig for structural, air and water filtration (SANS 613) is booked months in advance for testing windows, giving the architects and consumers peace of mind when selecting a fenestration manufacturer/installer. The AAAMSA Group continues the programmes of the Thermal Insulation Association of Southern Africa (TIASA). Its membership will open to installers of domestic and industrial insulation, including hot and cold applications. The AAAMSA Group is uniquely positioned in the building and construction industry to represent its members on contractual matters assisting where necessary with dispute resolutions. The AAAMSA Group with its 1 300-odd members is representing member interests at all levels on SABS committees: TC59, TC60, TC81, TC1021, and TC21, including all relevant sub-committees, workgroups and task teams. Furthermore, we are interacting with CSIR, NRCS, Agrêment SA, NFRC, and have strong bonds with MBSA, SECC, JBCC, SAIA and SAIT. In particular, our interactions with building control officers and building inspectors have made the numerous certificates of compliance for any building envelope system very desirable. South Africa Interior Building Systems Association (SABISA) has led the introduction of ceiling certificates for drywall and ceiling. These certificates are a declaration by the installer that their work is in accordance with recognised standards and SABISA guidelines. The introduction of the certificates was prompted by the need to improve public safety.

Photo by AAAMSA

Encouraging professionalism and accountability

SABISA documented more than 30 ceiling collapses in the past two years. Some of the collapses have been featured in the press and on social media. Typical plastered ceilings in public spaces weigh approximately 11kg/m². Collapse on any person can cause serious injury. This is exacerbated by the fact that when failure occurs, large sections of the ceiling may collapse at the same time. The certificate will also promote high levels of professionalism and accountability among drywall and ceiling installers. We encourage specifiers, main contractors and end users to request a ceiling and/or partition certificate from their installers. SABISA represents the ceiling and partitioning trade, particularly contractors on government, SABS and other national forums. Membership offers national recognition by the built environment professions who refer to SABISA’s membership list in the appointment of ceiling and partitioning contractors. Members are provided with SABISA guidelines for the installation and these guidelines are frequently used by built environment professions as specifications and also as a basis for dispute resolution. The South African Glass Institute (SAGI) three-day SAGI Course has been accredited with 3-CPD points for Institute of Architects members. Presenters are Mr Nick Wright (President) and Mr Mike Pote (VicePresident).

Dates for SAGI Courses – contact SAGI Registrar to book: 19 to 21 July 2016 – Cape Town 13 to 15 September – Durban 11 to 13 October – Johannesburg

AAAMSA Johan J Heyneke, Executive Director E aaamsa@iafrica.com issue 18 www.tobuild.co.za

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Editor’s Choice

FROM THE TRADE

Passive fire protection Den Braven’s newest product innovation, FireProtect®, is a complete range of fully certified and approved passive fire products, for application in expansion and connection joints, openings, and surface penetrations between fire compartments. Passive fire protection products are the primary materials included in the construction of a building. By correctly applying these products, the fundamental and legal requirements of compartmentalisation can be met. Additionally, they contribute to the structural stability of a building and provide time to safely evacuate or clear it. Passive fire protection limits the spread of flames and smoke, which also limits the transfer and spreading of fire between fire compartments. The Den Braven Fire Protect range consists of an FP Acrylic Sealant, FP Silicone Sealant, FP Hybrid Sealant, and FP PU Foam Filler. Each of these specialised products acts as a fire retardant for of up to four hours and has international fire certifications.

Den Braven E sales@denbraven.co.za W www.denbraven.co.za

Cobra mixers were the first choice in two recent Jo’burg apartment developments – at The Vogue Rivonia, and a new apartment complex at Kyalami Gardens. For the 53-apartment Vogue Rivonia in Sandton, mixers were selected from Cobra’s new Karoo range – part of the brand’s renowned Heritage Collection – most notably because of their stark, minimalist and clean-cut aesthetic. A total of 100 Cobra five-function shower heads, 120 Cobra Karoo basin mixers and 120 Cobra Karoo sink mixers were installed in the one-bed/bath and two-bed/bath units. According to the designers, the fittings had to reflect the luxurious look and feel of the units, which aim to offer everything one could need for modern-day living.

Cobra Watertech W www.cobra.co.za

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Photo by Cobra Watertech

Seamless integration with sanitary ware

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Promising Products Editor’s Choice

Light towers offer benefits and durability on site Chicago Pneumatic introduces two new light towers – the V15s – the first models in the Chicago Pneumatic range to use a heavy-duty polyethylene (PE) canopy. This new canopy – coupled with the light tower’s small size, ease of transportation, and fuel-efficient performance – ensure that these models meet the demands of a variety of applications. To facilitate productivity by allowing workers to operate safely in any ambient light conditions, the V15 range has two models. The CPLT V15 comes with metal halide technology, while the CPLT V15 LED features LED lighting technology and can light an area approximately 25% larger than that of the CPLT V15 while proving additional fuel efficiency benefits.

Chicago Pneumatic T +27 (0)11 821 9000 E jacques.vanderwesthuizen@cp.com

Fueling the future

Solarus - Dave Fortune T +82 717 6529 E david@solarus.com W www.solarus.com

PowerCollector at the African Utility Week.

Photo by Gareth Griffiths

The PowerCollector is now available in South Africa. Developed and marketed by Solarus, the unit is a hybrid concentrated photovoltaic and thermal (C-PVT) collector. The company claims that its Collectors are capable of harnessing up to four times more of available solar energy compared with conventional PV products on the market. Concentration is done by way of a curved mirror on the unit.

To Advertise IN THE NEXT ISSUE CONTACT

TO BUILD Plan, Design, Build, Interior & Exterior Décor

SA

BUILDING REVIEW

ANNUAL ARCHITECTURAL RESOURCE HANDBOOK

T 021 424 3625 F 086 516 7277 C 072 365 4877 W www.mediaxpose.co.za issue 18 www.tobuild.co.za

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Plan, Design, Build, Interior & Exterior Décor

PROFESSIONS Architects.........................................35 Construction & Contractors.................................38 Construction, Health & Safety............................................44 Interior & Exterior Design & Décor...........................................47 Developers........................................49 Engineers..........................................59 Facilities Management..................62 Landscape Architects..................64 Legal..................................................66 Quantity Surveyors........................69

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Architects Professions

Unfired earth buildings

Established in 1998 by Andy Horn, Eco Design is at the forefront of the green building movement in South Africa, winning a number of international awards in the field of sustainable design. Eco Design has an enduring concern for the rapidly degrading natural environment and widening social inequalities. In 1995, Andy Horn graduated from the University of Cape Town and has built up experience in the field of ecological design. While applying a holistic vision, his special focus has always been on the use of local, natural, non-toxic and recycled materials, such as stone, clay earth, sand, straw, rubble, timber and poles, bottles, reeds, bamboo, thatching grass, and other materials. His practice has worked on a wide range of projects and consulting jobs across the country and abroad for an array of clients. Eco Design’s first commission as an independent practice was to rebuild an old langhuis for actress, Sandra Prinsloo. The project used straw bale infill construction techniques that set the tone for much of Eco Design’s subsequent work. This afforded them the opportunity to continue to explore and refine the use of natural and local materials. With many of the older buildings built using local, natural materials, Eco Design’s experience has also led to some historical restoration work, including working with the City of Cape Town’s heritage and environmental planning department in Mamre, as well as reports for the South African Heritage Resource Agency (SAHRA). The use of natural, local materials lends itself to community participation, and Eco Design’s modus operandi includes supporting community development and helping people to gain access to good quality housing with minimal means. Eco Design has held numerous on-site workshops to train unskilled labour and owner builders.

Conference presentation – Smart Build Speaking at the well-organised Smart Build Conference held in Cape Town in March this

Photo by Gareth Griffiths

Eco Design – Architects & Consultants specialises in ecologically-friendly green building and consulting. Its principal architect, Andy Horn, gave a compelling presentation on sustainable construction at a recent seminar in the Mother City.

Andy Horn addresses the Smart Build Convention 2016.

year, Horn explained his approach to sustainable construction using unfired earth. ‘Maintaining a healthy indoor living climate and also lowering environmental impact are important factors. Our carbon-based (built environment) infrastructure is not sustainable,’ he maintained. ‘When sustainability is the driving force in the creation of a building, specifiers and architects need additional knowledge to assist them in making decisions about the choice of building materials and the way in which they are used,’ HJ Holtzhausen, Wit Transactions on Ecology and the Environment, Vol 102© 2007 WIT Press. In this paper, Holtzhausen makes particular reference to embodied energy in building materials and concludes that locally-sourced natural materials offer the lowest options in initial embodied energy. However, there are other considerations including building life and maintenance that lead to the second parameter, that of recurring embodied energy.

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Professions Architects

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Photo by Andy Horn

This is an approach that Horn and his colleagues have clearly taken to heart as it underlies his approach to natural building technology. He quoted an old adage, ‘All a building needs is a good hat and a good pair of boots’, with reference to keeping a building habitable and dry indoors. Horn pays particular attention to the foundations of the building and to the floor. He says that local vernacular architectures still use earthen foundations or make the mistake of plastering with cement based plasters, which cause issues with durability, negatively affecting perceptions about earthen buildings. He argues that the use of naturally breathing materials result in a far better regulation of humidity and also reduce the exposures of building inhabitants to potential toxins contained in conventional materials. A good example of this are the original cob buildings seen in Cornwall and Devon in the UK. A fusion of cob and straw bale – that they sometimes calls cob-bale – is a particular favourite for Eco-Design. This method marries the benefits of straw bale and cob, cancelling out each other’s disadvantages. Straw bale is known for its ease and speed of construction and, most notably, its supreme thermal and acoustic properties, but can be tricky to plaster well. However, with the cob-bale method, a watery clay mix is impregnated into the surface straw, dried off to a cob-like consistency, and then stacked as giant sticky cob-like bricks. Cob as a material is a very durable form of earth construction, having a higher tensile strength than other types of earth construction, which can generally be weak in tension. The method offers relatively good levels of thermal comfort with a high level of thermal mass and humidity exchange. It is simple and easy to work with and offers interesting prospects for community participation. Cob walls are formed by hand and lend themselves to interesting curves and styles. However, there are various more conventional (linear) examples. Additionally, cob building can be very slow and so the cob-bale method greatly speeds up the whole process. Foundations are often constructed using stone or otherwise urbanite, a mixture of recycled concrete slabs, bricks and other building waste. A recent example was the upgrade of the caravan park in Nieuwoudtville, Northern Cape, a project that won Eco

A cob/bale project by Andy Horn

Design Architects the Holcim Award for Sustainable Construction 2005 and took Silver in the Africa and Middle East Region. The practice pays special detail to the selection of environmentally-sustainable timber, to the extent that preservatives can be avoided. The methodology is the concept of the moon-phase harvesting of timber, a technique that ensures the harvested timber has the lowest levels of sap and affords natural resistance to attack by insects and fungus. The company has an informative website (see below) with useful articles and links to technical manuals that are downloadable.

Eco Design Architects T +27 (0)21 462 1614 E info@ecodesignarchitects.co.za W www.ecodesignarchitects.co.za

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Professions Construction & Contractors

Building bridges For more than two decades, Boksán Projects CC (Boksán) has been involved in the fabrication, supply and erection of a variety of specialised bridge building projects, as well as steel pedestrian and pipe support structures throughout southern Africa. In additional to its specialised bridge building projects, most recently, Boksán has carried out bridge refurbishment projects for bridges needing structural repair and corrosion protection from environmental elements. This skills-set has become increasingly important on many historical bridges as they age and require refurbishment, mainly as a result of structural damage or because of new requirements to suit contemporary conditions.

Iconic feature The Bruma Lake Bridge is one of the iconic features of the Johannesburg East area. Many members of the local community and some further afield, see the bridge as having sentimental value. Despite the many

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buildings in the area, the bridge cannot be missed by motorists, especially when driving on Marshall Road. The bridge has remained in its original state since the 1980s, and is mostly used by pedestrians crossing over the Jukskei River to access the Bruma Lifestyle Centre. However, over the past three decades the natural elements have caused a significant amount of corrosion. As part of the rehabilitation of the Bruma Lake business precinct, Boksán partnered with the main contractor, Basil Read & ARQ Consulting Engineers, the driving force in face lifting the Bruma Lake Bridge. Boksán then looked to Prokon Software Consultants as their Autodesk® Reseller and advisor. ‘The challenge was to make use of existing

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Construction & Contractors Professions structural elements as much as possible to manage project costing,’ explains Structural Detailer, Wayne Page. ‘It’s therefore important to maintain the original structure of the bridge, which is a cambered profile suspended from steel cables with balustrades that have a unique design, rolled-profiled hand-railing, and shaped stanchions,’ he adds. ‘The concrete pillars and other parts of the bridge were refurbished to restore the bridge to its former glory and ensure that the natural elements cause minimal corrosion in the years to come.’

Software to the rescue Another common problem with the refurbishment of old buildings and structures is that the original architectural drawings are paper-based hand drawings that can get damaged or lost. This means that years later, contractors need to recreate the drawing to carry out repairs. While detailed drawings are crucial to the success of construction projects to ensure accuracy, they also enable the planning of other details such as transporting and lifting the structure. Bridge detailing always presents a challenge to architects as each bridge is unique. To manage the re-drafting of the bridge’s plans, technology offered by the Advance Steel 2015 package from Autodesk on the AutoCAD platform was used. This software helps accelerate design, steel detailing, steel fabrication, and steel construction. It also improves accuracy, reduces time to fabrication, and ensures a more connected workflow. Prokon Software Consultants provided Boksán with the training required to use Autodesk® Advance Steel to its fullest potential, and provided technical support throughout the project. ‘With Autodesk® Advance Steel we were able to model the existing bridge structures with little complication. The 3D model generation made for easy viewing of the external design of the bridge, as well as the fitting of internal members for practical connections,’ Wayne explains.

‘The steel detailing, draughting and creation of shop drawings in Advance Steel is fairly simple and enabled us to detail cambered plates and other bridge parts quickly.’ According to Page, this software’s advanced pillar functions is what sets it apart from others on the market.

Trial assembly offsite The bridge was trial assembled off site in the factory in Olifantsfontein to ensure a seamless and correct fit as no mistakes can be afforded on site. ‘The advantage, of course, is that much of the structure is pre-assembled in a controlled workshop environment and less time is wasted on site when erecting the bridge,’ Page points out. Once completed, the bridge was transported to the building site, after dark when there was less traffic on the roads. It was assembled piece by piece, using scuffling bolts under the bridge to support it, two to three parts at a time. Upon erection, the metal surfaces of the bridge were painted with a specialised heavy duty anti-corrosion paint system that can withstand harsh environmental elements. The project was completed at the end of April 2016 following additional upgrades to the bridge.

Worldsview Ryan Giliam T +27 (0)11 844 1074 E ryan@worldsview.co.za issue 18 www.tobuild.co.za

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Construction & Contractors Professions

Opportunities for school leavers

Photo by Tony Keal, MBAWC

The Master Builders Association Western Cape is offering people in the Western Cape an opportunity to attain a nationally-recognised qualification for free, as well as to gain employment and earn while they learn. Hopefully this innovation will be echoed in other provinces.

‘The high costs of tertiary education, together with limited places at institutions of higher education, means that many school leavers have fewer options to acquire the skills required for employment beyond that of a menial level,’ says Tony Keal, Group Skills Facilitator at the Master Builders Association Western Cape (MBAWC), a registered trade association for employers in the building industry. One of the ways the MBAWC is alleviating this situation is by providing those with a grade 12 pass with maths as a subject with the chance to obtain a Certificate in Construction Supervision. The opportunity is also open to those who do not have a grade 12 with maths, but who undergo psychometric tests to prove their suitability for the course. This four-year course, approved by the South African Qualifications Authority, will result in a National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level IV qualification (equivalent to a technicon diploma). During the initial three months of their first year, students are exposed to all the facets of the building industry, including carpentry, plumbing, plastering, and health and safety. They are given practical experience through employment at MBAWC member companies for the next nine months. Over the following three

years, they undergo two months of theoretical training at a technical institution and are employed by different member companies each year. At the end of the fourth year, if they have completed all their modules and projects, they receive their certificate and can become construction foremen or further their studies to progress up the career ladder. Throughout the four years, the students receive a monthly stipend. ‘Generally we enable one group of 10 people to undertake the course each year, but because it has been so successful, we are making it available to a second group this year, giving this opportunity to 20 candidates,’ says Keal. Recognising that health and safety is a key requirement in the sector, the MBAWC is, for the first time, also offering a SAQA-approved Certificate in Construction Health and Safety. Entry into this two-year programme requires a grade 12, preferably with maths. The first part of the programme is an introduction to the building industry, including all trades, excavation and electrical, as well as two months of theoretical training at a technical institution. Following this, students are placed with MBAWC members to carry out their practical training. After their first year, students return to the technical institution for another two months of theory and then return to their employers. In their last four weeks they submit projects and undergo assessments. On completion of the programme they receive an NQF Level III qualification, recognised by the South African Council for Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP). Students who pursue this certificate are also given a monthly stipend during their studies. Keal says that the courses will go a long way to solving skills shortages in an industry that offers opportunities for growth and is potentially lucrative. Full funding for both courses is provided the MBAWC’s Skills and Education Trust.

Master Builders Association Western Cape E info@mbawc.org.za issue 18 www.tobuild.co.za

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PHONE US TODAY

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Photo by Flex Building Systems

Flex Building Systems advertorial

Show house, Rosslyn, SA

Camp Grayling, Michigan, US

Modular housing solutions Flex Building Systems is a leading manufacturer of Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) building systems, using cutting edge technology for the design and construction of modular housing solutions. Flex Building Systems offers high-quality, rapid assembly and cost-effective building solutions. It is an alternative building technology that holds an Agrément certificate. The structures are lightweight and easy to assemble, and the system is ideal for applications such as classrooms, clinics, ablution facilities, site offices, stores, dormitories, guard houses and laundries to name a few. The units can be erected as permanent structures on concrete strip footings, or as mobile units on a steel base frame with flooring. Flex Building Systems plays an important role in community social upliftment and skills transfer by creating employment opportunities for unskilled people. We have a global footprint with agents representing Flex Building Systems in various countries around the world. Flex Building Systems are ideal for the following applications: • Classrooms and mobile clinics • Military camps and guard houses • Employee housing • Single family dwellings • Storage buildings • Utility sheds • Disaster relief and site offices Advantages of the Flex Building Systems include: • High quality • Low cost

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Flex Building Systems Lesly Harris, General Manager T +27 12 541 3660 F +27 12 541 0215 E L.harris@flexbuildingsystems.com W www.flexbuildingsystems.com issue 18 www.tobuild.co.za

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Professions Construction Health & Safety

Hangovers and OHS Laws On a construction site, one tiny slip resulting from too many sips the night before could mean a fatal or disabling accident with disastrous consequences to people and the corporate bottom line. It has been a tough day. You make your way home, sit down in front of the TV, pop open a beer and unwind. You sit down for dinner and have another, and another. Before you know it you have had too much. Or, it’s been a rough day and you need to let loose, you invite some friends over and before you know it, its 3am, you are lying in bed and you can’t remember how you got there. The situation of how it starts may differ but the end result is always the same – illness and fatigue. Importantly, there is a strong possibility that when you clock in for work later that morning, you have a hangover and alcohol is still in your system. This can have dire consequences. One alcoholic beverage takes a full hour to make its way out of your system and includes one standard sized beer, 130ml glass of wine, or one and a half tots of spirits. If a lot of alcohol is consumed, it can take many hours for it to work out of your system. By the time a person clocks in for work, there could still be an excessive amount of alcohol in their system, impacting their ability to execute their work and possibly putting their colleagues in danger.

The effects of alcohol are significant

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Photo by Alco-Safe

The effects of alcohol on the body are significant, particularly when feeling the ill effects of ‘the night before’. Your body hurts because of inflammation, your heart is put under strain as the effects of anxiety are heightened, endorphins crash, and dehydration sets in, not to mention the effects on your stomach – your body loses its ability to absorb minerals and vitamins for a period of time. Your brain function lessens considerably. An overuse of dopamine takes place during intoxication, and the body goes into a state of low blood pressure and toxicity, causing dizziness and nausea. ‘The problem with a hangover is that you don’t even realise you have one as a large percentage of the time you are still intoxicated when you wake up. The brain does not register the change between being sober and being intoxicated. If you wake up and don’t feel the after effects of the night before, it’s because

you are still intoxicated and chances are that at around lunch time you will begin feeling fatigued and ill, your sugar levels will begin to drop rapidly, and the affected individual’s wellness begins deteriorating. It is obvious that these effects on a worker operating an earthmoving device or heavy machinery could easily result in an accident, or even death. [Employees working in hazardous circumstances or even at height are equally a risk – Ed.] However, many employers miss the signs and, after an incident occurs, claim to have taken the necessary preventive steps. While many employers do take the minimum precautions necessary to

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Construction Health & Safety Professions attempt the prevention of accidents, the impact of an incident happening is far greater on the company than the implementation of regular testing before and even possibly after a work day. If an incident occurs in a mine, for example, the mine will be shut down for a period of time while an investigation occurs, and fines will be incurred, all of which is a costly procedure. Employers would be better off testing more often as opposed to employing random testing procedures. The Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) law makes provision for this. It states that no employer may legally allow an employee on site if they are, or appear to be, under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This includes tell-tail signs such as smelling of alcohol or exhibiting symptoms of a hangover. In such a case, the employer is liable for more serious repercussions than the employee should an accident occur.

should be the first thing you remember while driving to work the day after a heavy night. Technically, you are driving under the influence of alcohol. Next time you consider laughing off a hangover with mates, consider the consequences of causing an accident where someone is injured or killed and the other driver notices the smell of alcohol on your breath. Besides the jail time, could you live with the guilt if involved in an accident?

GENERAL SAFETY REGULATIONS 1031: DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR 1988 Intoxication

Essential: Drug and Alcohol Abuse Policy It is management’s function to ensure the alcohol and drug abuse policy (assuming this exists) is compiled and ratified. Importantly, they need to ensure that employees comply. The formulation of a company Alcohol and Drug Abuse Policy that applies equally to workers and management is a crucial process and requires input from all levels of management. A fair amount of policy content will be decided upon from the results of past experience in dealing with the problem. It is important to revise your alcohol policy regularly with regard to amendments as made by the Department of Labour. Often white collar workers think that they are exempt to the rules as most accidents that matter take place on construction sites or in mines. This is not the case. It is in contradiction to the OHS act to host intoxicated employees in the work place, even if you are a white collar company. According to the OHS act, those Friday drinks at the office are not allowed in any workplace and should you trip and fall down the stairs and injure yourself or another employee, it is seen as gross negligence and management can be held legally liable for knowingly allowing such behaviour to take place on company premises. Additionally, if someone is killed, criminal charges may be brought against those responsible. Often the concept of working through a hangover is spoken of in jest between co-workers and friends but the reality is that you are working with a hangover, and you are quite possibly still intoxicated. This

2A.(1) Subject to the provisions of subregulation (3), an employer or a user, as the case may be, shall not permit any person who is or who appears to be under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs, to enter or remain at a workplace. (2) Subject to the provisions of subregulation (3), no person at a workplace shall be under the influence of or have in his or her possession or partake of or offer any other person intoxicating liquor or drugs. (3) An employer or a user, as the case may be, shall, in the case where a person is taking medicines, only allow such person to perform duties at the workplace if the side effects of such medicine do not constitute a threat to the health or safety of the person concerned or other persons at such workplace.

ALCO-Safe Rhys Evans, Director T +27 (0)12 343 8114 E rhys@alcosafe.co.za issue 18 www.tobuild.co.za

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BUILDING EXCELLENCE

Tel: 011 430 7700

|

12 Desmond Street, Kramerville, Sandton

Web: www.tiber.co.za

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Interior Design Professions

Italian design, Italian flair

What made Italia For Contract’s launch events distinctive was the interactive nature of the conferences, where the owners of the design companies within the network were able to have an open conversation with the director of Italia For Contract. This enabled the audience, consisting predominately of architects and contractors, the opportunity to gain extraordinary insights into the offerings of the Italia For Contract brands. At the Johannesburg launch event, an exclusive exhibition space showcasing the prestigious brands and design aesthetics was set up at the chic yet urban 3 Desmond Rooftop venue. Here guests were able to soak up the Sandton skyline while unwinding, sipping on their sundowners, and mingling with the Italia For Contract director, company owners, and industry leaders. The conference and launch events created the ideal platform to introduce South African architects and contractors to the Italia For Contractor portfolio, boasting the world’s best solutions and design elements within the contracting sector. From high-end seating elements, doors and windows to transparent cement and design accessories, every product showcased at the recently established exhibition in Cape Town and Johannesburg represented years of research in both materials and manufacturing techniques. ‘We’re excited to further leverage and build our relationships with architects and designers in South Africa by continuing to offer this market our best

Photo by Italia For Contract

The prominent Made in Italy design network, Italia For Contract, recently hosted exclusive and prestigious conferences and launch events in Cape Town and Johannesburg.

Italia For Contract – The show

Carlo Piemonte, Simone Barazzuol, Silvia Fantoni, Davide Michelizza, Franco Di Fonzo, Olga Fontanini, Francesco Crassevig, Elisa Molaro, Sara Galliussi and Aldo Goz.

service and products originally made in Italy,’ says Carlo Piemonte, Director of Italia for Contract. With various companies within their network, they work with partners with an impeccable track record and each company representing excellence in its own sector. The brands boast important projects within international markets, making this a prestigious collaboration with the most renowned architectural and planning firms.

Italia For Contract W www.italiaforcontract.com F www.facebook.com/italiaforcontract issue 18 www.tobuild.co.za

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Rendering by: Atterbury Property

Developers Professions

SA major develops in Nam Atterbury’s shopping mall development in Walvis Bay, Namibia is to go ahead. A major South African developer, Atterbury Property, recently announced the development of a new R650million mall in the key Namibian port city of Walvis Bay. Atterbury is the joint developer and co-owner of the newly named Dunes Mall, previously called the Erongo Mall development. Bulk earthworks on the mall began in November 2015, and its doors are set to open to the public in late 2017. Louis van der Watt, Atterbury’s CEO, comments: ‘We are delighted to launch this development that will be the only one of its kind and size in Walvis Bay. Dunes Mall will be the largest in the city and the second largest in Namibia, after Atterbury’s The Grove Mall of Namibia. Our investment continues Atterbury’s African expansion and our commitment to the continent.’ For the Dunes Mall project, Attebury partnered with Safland, the dominant retail mall developer in Namibia. The two joined forces previously to develop The Grove Mall of Namibia in the country’s capital Windhoek, which has become Namibia’s icon of world-class retail. At 30 000m2, the new Dunes Mall development in Walvis Bay is, and will be offering, a comprehensive and exciting variety of shopping and entertainment facilities for Walvis Bay residents and visitors, as well as for people throughout Namibia’s greater Erongo region.

Cobus van Heerden, Atterbury’s Director of Retail notes that Dunes Mall is excellently positioned to meet both retailer and consumer demand in this popular and important city. It benefits from a prime location at a major road intersection close to the city’s airport and the iconic tourism area of Swakopmund. Dunes Mall is designed to best take advantage of its superb site. In addition, the prime site chosen by Atterbury for Dunes Mall also forms part of a development node that serves a rapidly growing market and offers future expansion possibility. Van Heerden says: ‘Dunes Mall is expected to be a catalyst for even more development and investment in the area. It will be a boost for the local economy in Walvis Bay and its surrounding region and, on completion, will create around 700 sustainable jobs. Importantly, it will also give the people who live nearby a first-class and all-inclusive shopping experience, conveniently located right on their doorsteps.’ Dunes Mall will be anchored by leading retail brand, Shoprite, while negotiations with two other major anchors are at an advanced stage. In addition, it will feature an appealing selection of stores, services, fast food outlets, restaurants and entertainment.

Atterbury Property T +27 (0)12 471 1600 W www.atterbury.co.za issue 18 www.tobuild.co.za

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Developers Professions

New property breaks ground in Menlyn

Rendering by Emira Property Fund

Summit Place, located in Menlyn, Pretoria, will shortly offer great convenience with access to the new Protea Hotel Fire & Ice and Menlyn Park Shopping Centre directly across the road. Secured by Emira Property Fund, which has invested a R403-million, 50% share in five buildings in Summit Place, a new P-grade office development – including other mixed uses – will further bolster Emira’s already flourishing portfolio of quality property assets. Geoff Jennett, CEO of Emira, says: ‘We believe this investment will enhance our portfolio and the value we give our shareholders, as well as offer significant opportunities in the future.’ Emira concluded the acquisition deal last year at an average yield of 8.14%. Jennett explains that Emira was able to take up this attractive opportunity because of its excellent partnerships. ‘Emira was offered the opportunity to purchase a 50% undivided share with Neotrend, the same company that in 2014, sold Emira a 60% undivided share in the Ben Fleur Boulevard shopping centre in Mpumalanga.’ Summit Place is optimally located at the intersection of Garsfontein and the N1, with great visibility towards the highway. Garsfontein also has several Gautrain bus stops, an added convenience for commuters travelling between Pretoria, Centurion, Johannesburg and OR Tambo International Airport. The overall development comprises 10 premiumgrade commercial buildings. Emira and Neotrend will take ownership of five of these, with current tenants including Grant Thornton, BDO, Summit Sky Grill & Bar, Land Rover, Assupol, and Sizwe Ntsaluba Gobodo. The first two completed buildings were transferred to Emira in December 2015 and offer state-of-the-

art security, ample parking, and upmarket finishes to create an appealing business environment. The remaining three buildings, which include both office and retail space, will be developed by Emira and its partners for completion in January 2017. The large mixed-use node that is collectively known as Menlyn, includes the Menlyn, Garsfontein, Menlyn Maine, and the Faerie Glen areas. Well serviced, busy and easily accessed from the suburbs and freeways, this node is dominated by the commercial hub of some 353 490m2 of mixed-grade commercial space. In addition to the Menlyn Park Shopping Centre, currently increasing its size to a massive 170 000m2, the area has a number of hospital facilities, a sizeable motor trade hub, various value centres, a number of schools, and several green-rated commercial buildings. Most recently the area has been granted a license to operate a casino and conference centre in the immediate vicinity of Summit Place, which will see the Menlyn area become even stronger. ‘With the flurry of development in the area, an investment in prime property in Menlyn made for an easy decision. Seeking to expand the fund’s property portfolio, and premium grade offices in particular, this deal has provided us with an incredible opportunity to further our own growth,’ reports Jennett.

Emira Property Fund Limited Geoff Jennett, CEO T +27 (0)11 028 3100 issue 18 www.tobuild.co.za

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Professions Developers

Observing growth and urban renewal The property market in the Western Cape is pumping and maintains its higherthan-average rate of property price inflation despite a gloomy outlook for most of the rest of the country. ‘The numbers show that the Western Cape’s construction sector is outperforming national figures. In this region, the rolling average during 2014 found that the number of square meters approved for residential building plans increased by 22.5%, compared to the national number that increased by 9.2%. Over the same period, the number of square meters approved for non-residential building plans increased by 15.5%, compared to national which slowed by 1.7%,’ says Alan Winde, Provincial Minister for Economic Opportunities. ‘Cape Town has certainly become a place to work, play and stay, and as a City we continue to support this by creating an enabling environment,’ says Councillor Gareth Bloor of the City of Cape Town. ‘The growth seen in property price inflation and in new building projects in the Western Cape peaks in the Southern Suburbs, Atlantic Seaboard, up-market suburbs, and in certain of the fast-growing CBD fringe areas within the metropole,’ says Carl Nortje, Managing Director of Rawson Developers. ‘In certain suburbs, selling prices have grown between 20 and 30% over the past year. Overall, despite the stable balanced conditions that prevail

in the other provinces, the Western Cape has been the country’s shining property star with a 12% yearon-year rise to the first quarter 2016 as determined by IHS Global Insight, one of the world’s largest databases of global economic, financial and industry data,’ Nortje adds. According to Lightstone Property, in April 2016 the current annual national house price inflation was 5.23%. However, just over 10.7% was recorded on average across all pricing bands in the Cape Town Metropole. In support of this opportunity, Rawson and other developers have pursued the compact and convenient housing opportunity, especially in the Observatory precinct, which has been at the epicentre of urban renewal initiatives by the Observatory Improvement District (an initiative of the City), the Observatory Civic Association, and certain commercial developers. ‘We purchased a couple of run-down warehouses directly across the road from the Groote Schuur Hospital and Medical Campus with the intention of providing attractive, secure and easily accessible apartment living for young professionals and students,’ says Nortje. He adds that 90% of their

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Photos by Gareth Griffiths Imaging

Observatory Main Road – proximity to Anzio Road and UCT Medical Campus

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Photos by Gareth Griffiths Imaging

Developers Professions

Off Trill Road – direct access to vibrant lifestyle

first project, the Paragon, is already sold. ‘Our construction teams are on the ground and we are aiming for completion and first occupancy by May 2017.’ Interestingly, it seems as if property investors have given the area their firm stamp of approval. ‘Significant numbers of investors from Cape Town and Gauteng have spotted the value in the Observatory Main Road area – up to 50% of our buyers so far,’ he points out. This is no surprise, given the urban development zone (UDZ) status of the suburb, allowing attractive income tax savings to investors over a fixed number of years. Supporting this tantalisingly attractive tax opportunity, the rental market is looking strong. ‘This

The shabby-chic of Observatory – bottom of Trill Road.

Rendering by Rawson Developers

is one positive spinoff of the increasing costs of property ownership, caused by rising interest rates,’ explains Nortje. He adds that his company’s latest Main Road Observatory development, Madison Place, will shortly break ground. Located along Trill Road, with easy pedestrian access to the trendy Obs Lower Main Road lifestyle, it will be an attractive option to both apartment owners and tenants it seems.

Madison Place – near development off Trill Road

Rawson Developers T +27 (0)21 658 7100 E carl@rawson-developers.co.za W www.rawson-developers.co.za issue 18 www.tobuild.co.za

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Professions Developers

Mall of Africa serves all routes An efficient and modern transport infrastructure with more than adequate road access is essential to mega developments such as the recently opened Mall of Africa. The Mall of Africa recently opened its doors to the public and has been the subject of much publicity in recent weeks. A major benefit of the Mall of Africa is its central location in Gauteng and easy access from all areas. The Mall of Africa is superbly situated in Waterfall City, halfway between Johannesburg and Pretoria. It is highly accessible, located adjacent to the Allandale Road exit of the N1 highway, the first free-flow intersection of its size in Africa. Plus, Atterbury has undertaken major roads upgrades around the development to make it easy for shoppers to arrive at the Mall of Africa’s 26 entrances. The mall has around 6 500 parking bays, most of which are under cover. It also offers valet parking, special drop-off facilities for buses and dedicated Uber pick-up and drop-off points – a first in the South African retail environment. It is also minutes away from the Gautrain Midrand Station.

Atterbury Property Development’s James Ehlers notes that accessibility for shoppers was a key factor in the mall’s development. ‘Easy access from Gauteng’s transport network is an inherent advantage of the Mall of Africa,’ he points out. ‘Excellent accessibility is crucial for the success of any shopping centre. For a superregional shopping centre the size of the Mall of Africa, this means creating the best access for shoppers from across an entire province and even further afield. It is an enormous undertaking.’ To this end, the massive road upgrades that the developer has undertaken as part of the Waterfall City development ensures that getting to the Mall of Africa is easy for shoppers and improves the infrastructure for all road users. The new R160-million Bridal Veil Road overpass bridge, developed by Atterbury Property Development, opened at the same time as the mall to create a new east-west transport route.

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Photo by Atterbury

The new Bridal Veil Bridge

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Photo by Atterbury

Developers Professions

It crosses the N1 highway south of the Allandale Road interchange and north of the Buccleuch interchange. The bridge also creates a direct link between Midrand and Waterfall City with the new R40-million, 1km S-bend dual carriageway extension to Bridal Veil Road, which takes shoppers right to the mall’s doors. The bridge’s superstructure is 115.8m long and 22.7m wide. It carries four lanes of traffic – two in each direction – a pedestrian walkway, a cycle lane and a raised centre median. Additionally, road infrastructure was substantially upgraded on Maxwell Drive, to the west of the mall, where increased capacity was created at the intersections. The existing traffic circles were upgraded, at a cost of R17-million, to signalised intersections. Together the new road and bridge infrastructure create a convenient route through Waterfall and its surrounds. The Bridal Veil Road extension begins from Allandale Road at a new signalised intersection east of the N1 highway and Pretoria Main Road. At the Mall of Africa, the new road connects to the upgraded access route of Maxwell Drive, via the Simlak Drive link road. Then Maxwell Drive goes on to link with Woodmead Drive to the south and Harry Galaun Drive to the north.

The green aspects However, it appears that there is much more to this major retail development than first meets the eye. Cobus van Heerden from Atterbury Property Developments comments: ‘Our commitment to responsible development, energy efficiency, sustainability and the implementation of green strategies is evident in the Mall of Africa’s inspired design, construction and operational practices. As a developer it is crucial to ensure the assets we create are environmentally responsible and as energy efficient as possible.’ The project implemented multiple green technologies, including a massive photovoltaic installation on the mall’s roof. The installation is the largest in South Africa and Africa and provides 4.8MVA of sustainable power for the centre. The Mall of Africa uses grey water harvesting in all public toilets and for the irrigation of the entire development. Its design means natural light is maximised in the mall in such a way that shopper comfort is also optimised.

Mall of Africa W www.mallofafrica.co.za www.atterbury.co.za issue 18 www.tobuild.co.za

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Engineering Professions

Get project fees right to keep mentors The engineering skills gap in South Africa is well documented, but what is not necessarily more widely understood is the loss of engineering professionals as a result of the inappropriate way the industry has, until now, calculated fee income.

Photo by Fresh Projects

are based on value of construction works, whereas the true cost of delivering services is based on the number hours of professional input. In Berry’s view, the issue lies in not knowing the true cost of delivering a professional service from the outset. Teams need a better understanding of the actual project costs and how much leverage they have to offer discounts against tariffs before it compromises the entire project and industry. ‘The sector continues to lose talent because the earning potential is reduced so significantly. Talented engineers are in great demand in other sectors and can earn more than what is being offered within the built environment, despite the skills shortage,’ explains Berry. He adds that these engineering skills are not only lost to other industries, but also any young talent entering the market loses out on valuable mentoring. ‘There is a significant gap in the 40 to 50-year-old age range of engineers within the industry. The impact of not having these valuable potential mentors is significant and implications are long lasting.’

Simon Berry, director of Fresh Projects, an online business platform tailor made for South African built environment professionals, says that for decades the industry has been at the mercy of an imbalanced playing field with dire consequences. ‘Built environment professionals have often under quoted on projects, offering unsustainable discounts – as much as 70% – to get appointed. The knock-on effect of this is more serious than many realise.’ With a discount of that magnitude, Berry notes that projects then have to try to cover costs with as little as 30% of the fee that they should be earning, which is not feasible for any professional team. ‘This immediately impacts the earning potential for everyone, and the long-term viability of a business.’

‘In comparison, other professionals such as lawyers, accountants and doctors, charge hourly fees that fundamentally cover their costs, resulting in profitable margins.’ There is a disconnect between built environment fee guidelines and real costs. The fee guidelines

Graphic by Fresh Projects

Poor in comparison

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Professions Engineering True costings If the fee scale approach is abandoned and project managers use the correct tools to accurately cost a job, many of the issues facing this industry will begin to be addressed – retaining skills is at top of that list. Berry points out that some firms end up cutting corners because of low or negative profit margins. This translates into spending less time on delivering a project than they should to deliver a robust solution. ‘There is a liability issue here for firms and it more than likely adds to the reasons why individual talent decides to move on.’ Not supporters of administration of any kind, Berry says that there are online tools such as those offered by his company that will assist a professional in the built environment to easily identify and manage the real costs. ‘If they can get the fees right initially and better manage costs over the entire project, then the profit margins will naturally increase. This means you can reward talent appropriately to prevent them seeking greener pastures.’

Online at www.freshprojects.co.za These online tools are not time intensive either. According to Berry, working out a fee and resource plan can take as little as 30 seconds. Aside from overall project management improvement, there is also a business intelligence component that enables

‘big picture’ thinking after the project is completed. ‘You can identify which projects make money and the ones that don’t, which clients are profitable, and which result in losses. It can even tell you which employees are worth retaining,’ Berry adds. The best part is that tools like this are also affordable. A tool like www.freshprojects.co.za was developed because the heavyweight costly enterprise systems are out of reach for majority of small and medium businesses, and they also require significant manpower and several months of implementation. ‘The traditional tools are just not suitable for this sector and it is for this reason that we developed our online tool. It is quick and easy, affordable and scalable,’ says Berry. There is a direct impact on profit if you utilise a system such as Berry’s, and it is easy to track. Maybe this way technology will save jobs instead of replacing them.

Fresh Projects Simon Berry T +27 (0)11 463 5244 E simon@freshprojects.co.za W www.freshprojects.co.za

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Professions Facilities Management

Intelligent goals, cities and buildings Cities around the world are creating public-private initiatives around sustainability and liveability goals, and they’re being intelligent about it, says Neil Cameron of Johnson Controls.

Increasing the value of buildings There is more than just one way that evolving technologies can help. The ever-expanding universe of applications assist businesses to manage energy and maintenance costs, reduce environmental impact,

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Photo by Johnson Controls

Intelligent cities support their goal-setting processes with IT solutions that enable benchmarking, measurement, and achievement. In turn, they depend on smart buildings. After all, building efficiency is central to both sustainability and liveability. In setting goals for building efficiency, cities take a range of approaches. Some make buildings’ ‘Energy Star’ scores public in reports, others publish general ‘Energy Star’ performance without naming specific buildings. While yet more have begun to release general statistics with a plan to start naming individual buildings’ scores at a set date in the future. Across these varied approaches there are a couple of key elements in common – cities are benchmarking using ‘Energy Star’ standards, and counting on the very measurement of efficiency – whether made public or kept private – to be a motivating factor for ongoing improvement. This is where intelligent building technology solutions come in. Setting energy benchmarks for a whole city requires consistent measurement and meaningful reporting on a scale beyond the building or portfolio level. New cloud-based solutions are helping communities meet that need, offering scalable solutions that work with other platforms and building systems. On the most fundamental level, companies such as Johnson Controls can help businesses comply with legislation based on ‘Energy Star’, by doing the ‘heavy lifting’ for energy managers when it comes to data and reporting. Cloud-based applications, such as Carbon and Energy Reporter (CER), provide customised ‘Energy Star’ reports based on utility bill data – all in a matter of minutes, instead of the hours it would take to manually pull and report on this data.

enhance occupant comfort, and increase the value of their buildings – all while providing the data needed to verify savings and compliance. In fact, to help cities set and meet their sustainability and liveability goals, Johnson Controls has recently partnered with Microsoft’s CityNext initiative. CityNext takes a people-first approach to creating better communities, with buildings, infrastructure and planning as a key area of focus. CityNext aims to bring together technological innovation and industry-leading expertise to help cities provide sustainable services – a perfect fit with Johnson Controls’ Panoptix, which offers a whole community of expertise and support around its advanced technological solutions. Through the partnership with CityNext, Johnson Controls will support people to deliver buildings that are more efficient and sustainable. In turn, it’ll be helping cities to meet their goals, now and into the future.

Johnson Controls Building Efficiency Neil Cameron, General Manager T +27 (0)11 921 7141

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Professions Landscape architects & landscaping

Hard assets for hardscaping

Urban landscape design means taking a piece of land – brownfields or greenfields – any size, and analysing, evaluating and beautifying it. Designers need to focus on maintaining or increasing functionality and usability for humans and animals in a cost effective manner. It can be daunting. Design teams often consist of architects, surveyors, landscape designers, horticulturalists and conservationists. These professionals harmonise in creating a solution for an underutilised space, which enhances the surroundings and improves or maintains natural surroundings, including waterways. Hardscaping requires the right tools for the right job. In some cases, heavy equipment is needed for heavy tasks. Excavating and earthmoving rental equipment provider EPH Plant Hire recommends the range of SB202 hydraulic hammers supplied by sustainable productivity solutions provider Atlas Copco. According to EPH Plant Manager, Brendan Badenhorst, the recent fitment of the SB202 hammers onto the Komatsu PC55 mini excavators has proven to be a winning combination that has yielded high production rates for EPH because of the outstanding reliability of these hammers. This means greater effectiveness and less time on site, allowing the next phase of hardscaping to get underway without adverse delays.

Fitted with the hydraulic hammers, the mini excavators provide flexible rock breaking solutions for small rural infrastructure projects that have limited working space because most water pipes, electrical cabling and road infrastructure pass through densely populated areas. ‘This has culminated in a significant demand for smaller excavators fitted with hydraulic hammers capable of completing such projects,’ explains Badenhorst. ‘The SB202 hammer and mini excavator is proving to be a winning combination.’

Reuse of broken rocks or concrete

Atlas Copco Construction Technique (South Africa) T +27 (0)11 821 9000 W www.atlascopco.co.za

Stones, rocks or even concrete elements that are broken up using hydraulic hammers can be reused as hardscape elements or in building walls.

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Hydraulic hammers – fit on EPH’s excavators.

Photo by Atlas Copco

Hardscape refers to hard landscape materials in built environment structures that are incorporated into a landscape. They allow for the erection of man-made landscaping features that would otherwise be impossible because of soil erosion, or that compensate for large amounts of human traffic that would cause wear on bare earth or grass1.

Rent, don’t buy Badenhorst points out that as a rental company, reliability is paramount for EPH. ‘Cheap imports are not a long-term solution for any company. While they may initially save you money, their long-term expenses, servicing and maintenance costs are endless. The value of Atlas Copco equipment lies in quality, reliability, performance and low maintenance that deliver lowest cost of ownership, rapid return on investment and, most importantly, satisfied EPH customers,’ concludes Badenhorst. 1 Reference: Merriam Webster 2015

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Professions Legal

The Law upheld despite arbitration To Build’s legal eagle and experienced advocate of the High Court, Bryan Hack, writes about a case that went to the highest court in the land concerning a matter of legal precedent involving the construction industry. In a recent decision concerning a dispute between a contractor and a home owner, the Constitutional Court once again reaffirmed that the law must be obeyed. The court upheld the general principle of our law that if a party flouts the law the court will not come to its assistance. The court will not make a ruling based on fairness or equity. It will uphold the law regardless of whether the result might be inequitable.

The case: Cool Ideas 1186 Cc v. Hubbard and Another 20141 Bare facts: • In 2006 the home owner employed the builder to build a house for R2 695 600.

• T he builder was not registered as a home builder under the Housing Consumers Protection Measures Act.2 • In terms of section 10(1)(b) of the Act, only registered builders are entitled to payment arising from a contract to erect a new house for a homeowner.

Arbitration stage The home owner discovered certain structural defects in the works and refused to make final payment as claimed by the builder. The home owner instituted arbitration proceedings for the costs of remedial work and the builder instituted a counterclaim for the balance of the contract price, which was approximately R550 000. The arbitrator found in favour of the builder.

Court action involved The home owner refused to comply with the award and the contractor then approached the High Court seeking an order to enforce the award in its favour. The High Court proceeding was opposed by the home owner on the ground that the builder was unregistered and therefore barred from receiving the payment that the arbitrator had awarded in its favour. The builder, in turn, argued that this would be unfair, that the actual construction was in any event done by a registered subcontractor, and that it had itself since registered. The High Court agreed with the builder and upheld the award.

‘Builders should be very wise to heed and comply fully with the provisions of the Housing Consumers Protection Measures Act.’ 66

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Legal Professions Appeals The home owner then took that decision of the High Court on Appeal to the Supreme Court (SCA) of Appeal in Bloemfontein. The SCA agreed with the home owner and upheld the appeal and thereby ruled that the builder should not receive payment in terms of the ward. As a final resort, the builder then turned to the Constitutional Court (Concourt) so as to reverse the decision of the SCA.

Basis of approach to Concourt In the approach to the Constitutional Court the following issues were raised for determination: • the proper interpretation of s 10(1)(b) of the Act;

• whether the builder would be arbitrarily deprived of its property if it were barred from enforcing a claim for unjustified enrichment; • whether the building contract remained valid; • whether equity considerations applied; and • whether a refusal to make the arbitral award an order of court would constitute a denial of the right of access to court. The conclusion of the court was that fairness may not be invoked to circumvent the plain meaning of a statute that is rationally connected to a legitimate purpose. Courts would rarely enforce a private arbitration contrary to a plain statutory provision, and never where enforcement would constitute a criminal offence.

Significance and meaning of this case An unregistered home builder may be deprived of any claim for payment. This case stands as a binding precedent that all builders should be very wise to heed and comply fully with the provisions of the Housing Consumers Protection Measures Act. In particular, when account is taken of the fact that the building contract originated in 2006 and final judgment was only given in 2014 after no less than four legal proceedings. References: 1. Cool Ideas 1186 CC v Hubbard and Another 2014 (4) SA 474 (CC) 2. Act 95 of 1998 Housing Consumers Protection Measures Act 95 of 1998

Housing Consumers Protection Measures Act 95 of 1998 Purpose: To make provision for the protection of housing consumers; and to provide for the establishment and functions of the National Home Builders Registration Council; and to provide for matters connected therewith.

Adv. Bryan Hack Member of the Cape Bar T +27 (0)21 423 5441 E hack@capebar.co.za issue 18 www.tobuild.co.za

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Quantity Surveyors Professions

Quantity surveying South Africa: SACQSP president’s profile Professor Kathy Michell is the President of the SA Council for the Quantity Surveying Profession (SACQSP), a statutory body that looks after the interests of the profession and the public. SACQSP is represented on the Council for the Built Environment (CBE), an overarching body that coordinates six professional councils.

Photo by Gareth Griffiths

After graduating, Kathy worked briefly as a quantity surveyor. She joined the University of Cape Town as a Lecturer in Quantity Surveying at the beginning of 1995. During the latter part of the 1990s, she researched the management of the design team and the impact that this temporary management structure has on the ability of the Quantity Surveyor to achieve client satisfaction, and obtained her M.Phil. with distinction. She was simultaneously involved in an International Collaborative project between the University of Natal-Durban and The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology into the effectiveness of building procurement systems in the attainment of client objectives. Kathy spent 2002 gaining international experience teaching and undertaking research at the University of New South Wales, Australia. She completed her PhD at the University of Salford, which entailed an investigation into the role of community-based facilities management in leveraging local economic development and social development in communities characterised by high levels of unemployment and marginalised by poverty. She is an active member of the UCT-Nedbank Urban Real Estate Research Unit and her current research is in sustainable urban development and management. As both president of the SACQSP and a fulltime academic, Kathy is Associate Professor in the Department of Construction Economics and Management at the University of Cape Town and acting head of department. Present at To Build’s interview with the Professor was a group of four exceptional students, preparing for the finals of the Chartered Institute of Building Student Challenge. They are all students at the Department of Construction Economics and Management at UCT. Three of them are completing their Honours in Quantity Surveying (QS) and the third year undergraduate student, Courtney Meyer, will read the QS honours degree next year once she graduates with her first degree.

Prof Kathy Michell

Kathy comments that the CIOB Challenge is a voluntary inter-university student event. Over 50 teams from universities all over the world entered the competition, which began in March. A total of six teams won through to the finals, to be held in Hong Kong from July 9 to 15, and represent a truly global mix. The other teams are from: Glasgow Caledonian University, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Chongqing University, Bond University and Deakin University. The UCT team competes under the name of a virtual company, Prestige Worldwide. ‘Given the socio-economic challenges facing our cities/urban areas I am very proud to be a quantity surveyor in South Africa and of the contribution that the profession makes to the betterment of society. I am also proud of UCT’s CIOB Challenge team and what they represent for the future of the profession and South Africa as a whole. Their success thus far in the Challenge is a great reflection of the international standard of their qualifications’, says Kathy. Further info on page 186.

SA Council for the Quantity Surveying Profession (SACQSP) W www.sacqsp.org.za Professor Kathy Michell E kathy.Michell@uct.ac.za W www.cons.uct.ac.za/cons/undergrad/surveying_honours issue 18 www.tobuild.co.za

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Professions Quantity Surveyors

Africa needs capacity building RICS believes that Africa’s built environment needs to be prioritised to unlock growth.

Photo by RICS

Wafula Nabutola

The property and broader built environment sector has an important role to play in Africa’s growth, but it needs to be taken more seriously and prioritised. This was one of the strong messages to emerge from the recent Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors’ (RICS) 2016 Africa Summit held in Sandton Central, Johannesburg. Opportunities and challenges in the real estate sector and broader built environment in sub-Saharan Africa was the key theme of the summit. RICS Chief Executive, Sean Tompkins, said the growth and development of the built environment sector in Africa was crucial to the sustainable growth of the continent, especially with Africa’s rapid urbanisation. ‘Africa is one of the fastest urbanising regions in the world and will have to house a billion people, so getting its built and urban environments right is critical.’ He added: ‘Africa is not alone. Most governments around the world don’t recognise the importance of the built environment sector and the profession. They understand medical, accounting and law professions better, but need to get the message across about the role and importance of built environment professionals – including the importance of increasing skills and having more built and urban environment professionals.’

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RICS – a global professional body that promotes and enforces the highest qualifications and standards in the areas of land, real estate, construction and infrastructure – plays a key role in promoting the broader built environment sector and is increasing its presence in Africa. ‘There is a role for professional bodies such as RICS to set the competencies to ensure that we’re creating the workforce for the future. It is important to create an environment where government, regulators and professional bodies hold each other to account,’ Tompkins said. During one of the interactive discussions at the RICS Summit, the lack of sufficient data in the real estate sector and broader build environment in subSaharan Africa, outside South Africa, was highlighted as one of the main challenges for property developers and investors. Another emerging issue was that developers investing in Africa often find it hard to access information regarding land ownership. Land rights and tenure are major challenges and there is no one-sizefits-all solution. ‘RICS has the expertise to assist with standards and transparency, as well as skills and capacity building in the built environment. Despite challenges, Africa presents opportunity but it needs real capacity building across the built environment. RICS can play a role in this as an internationally-recognised organisation with more than 120 000 global members. We are growing in Africa and want to build relationships and collaborative partnerships with governments and national bodies to benefit the property and built environment sector here,’ says Wafula Nabutola, RICS’s Director for sub-Sharan Africa.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors’ South Africa Office TC Chetty, RICS Country Manager for South Africa T +27 (0)31 764 4645

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Plan, Design, Build, Interior & Exterior Décor

BUILDING SYSTEMS Automation......................................72 Bathrooms.......................................75 Ceilings & Partitions......................85 Electrical.........................................88 Floors................................................90 Kitchens.............................................96 Lighting...........................................101 Roofing...........................................104 Security & Safety...........................116 Steel Framing.................................121 Water Features & Pools..............124 Walls & Cladding........................126 Windows & Doors........................128

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Building Systems Automation

Data: Making technology work for you From silicon chips to smart phones – the General Manager of a major building controls firm shares his opinion with To Build’s readers. By Neil Cameron, General Manager, Johnson Controls Building Efficiency

No one buys technology just for the sake of technology. If that were the case, we might all have pockets full of silicon chips instead of smartphones. To have value, technology has to help people achieve more. It has to make life easier. Building Management Systems (BMS), including a system my company produces called Metasys, do just that. They help facility managers control multiple systems and conditions using one tool, making management of the facility far easier and ensuring the buildings are more efficient. And, while they’re doing all that, they’re also gathering enormous quantities of performance data. However, consider this from a survey of the industry’s facility managers conducted in July 2015: 93% of respondents indicated that they are currently using BMS. While the vast majority of them believe their BMS is keeping pace with other technologies,

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only 22% of them say they’re completely satisfied with their systems.

Locked up data The reason for facility managers’ relative dissatisfaction is because of locked up data, and because many aren’t taking advantage of the full capabilities of their BMS. They know the technology is great, they know lots of data is being gathered, and they know there’s value in it. But they don’t have the time or the resources to sift, sort and interpret it. So its value remains locked up and beyond reach. Locally, South African companies are open to new technology and some of our most ambitious projects have emanated from South Africa. This is partly because of freeing human intelligence for higher achievements in South Africa, and technology can perform the repetitive task of analysing data rather

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Automation Building Systems than requiring human intervention with enhanced functionality in the latest iterations of BMS technology. How then do we get data to make more sense? That’s where a new and different kind of technology comes in.

Visual input and interpretation The human brain gathers and interprets data through five senses – sight, sound, smell, touch and taste. Of those five, sight is easily the most important. We’re hard-wired to process information visually: • The smartphones we carry in our pockets take advantage of that fact every day with icons, simple on-screen tools and intuitive displays that make everything as simple and useful as possible. • Visualisations simplify information, allowing our brains to focus on the important things. They help us see the patterns and connections. They help us understand, quickly and effortlessly. • Visualisations unlock the value of data.

Rise of dashboards In recent years, the building efficiency industry has witnessed the rise of dashboards, which have simplified the process of aggregating data and displaying information such as energy use and utility benchmarking. However, dashboards are just a starting point.

Applications and cloud-based solutions Today, applications and cloud-based solutions work in tandem with BMS systems to analyse vast amounts of data, transforming it into visuals that offer a clear picture of what’s going on, and a clear path to achieving more. These visualised forms of information help facility managers to literally see how building systems are functioning, how they could and should be made to function better, how to make equipment last longer, and how to make everything, including people, work more efficiently. Many applications go beyond what dashboards can do. Cloud-based solutions often reach beyond their sophisticated visualisation tools. Users also benefit from resources that help them structure, interpret and take action, including technical support, communities where like-minded people can share ideas, and forums where industry experts lay out their visions of what the future holds. Thanks to innovative tools that help us understand it, data is becoming the world’s most valuable resource. As new technology makes existing technology work better, it helps people work better and smarter too. It helps us achieve. Which is where the real value lies.

Neil Cameron T +27 (0)11 921 7141

Facilities management controls

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advertorial

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Bathrooms Building Systems

Water efficiency: Bath or shower? With so much focus on South Africa’s water shortages, and a general desire to make environmentally-responsible and cost-efficient choices in the home, Blanche Burger from Bathroom Bizarre offers an overview on which is better – having a shower or a bath – so that designers can explain the options to their clients. This is an age-old debate that not only depends on personal preferences, but also on facts and figures that can be compared to see which comes out tops. Blanche Burger offers the lowdown on the pros and cons of each: Which is more water-efficient? The answer to this question largely depends on three variables: • The time spent in the shower • The size of the bath • The flow rate of the existing showerhead Blanche says that when it comes to water efficiency, the shower wins hands down every time: ‘The average time a person spends in the shower is around eight minutes, and the standard flow of water through modern showerheads is around 9.5 litres/ min. As such, it can be deducted that the average person uses around 76 litres of water every time they shower.’ However, having said this, Blanche notes that there are low-flow shower heads that will seriously reduce this figure: ‘For example, the in-wall 3-jet showerhead that our company supplies boasts a flow rate of as

little as 4.8 litres/min (at a water pressure of 1Kpa), which means that for an average eight-minute shower you would use a mere 38.4 litres.’ She notes that there are also showerheads that use a lot of water: ‘Rain showerheads require a lot of water to create a rain-type showering environment – often using more than you would taking a bath. Our overhead ring showerhead can use as much as 19.2 litres/min (at a water pressure of 1Kpa), which mean that it would consume around 153.6 litres for an average eightminute shower.’ On the other hand, the average bath holds in the region of 190 litres of water. If you want to enjoy soaking in a full bath, you would probably only fill it up to around 160 or 170 litres to prevent it from spilling over the sides. ‘Even if you choose to only half fill your bath, you will still use 95 litres of water – so either way, baths use considerably more water than a shower would.’

Which is more hygienic? Many people believe that taking a shower is more hygienic compared to having a bath, as it allows you

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Building Systems Bathrooms to wash all the dirt and grime off your body, instead of sitting in it in the bath water. Blanche says that it does not really make that much difference – as long as you are washing regularly, both are equally hygienic.

Which is easier to clean? As a general rule of thumb, Blanche believes that washing a bath is easier than washing a shower: ‘This is largely because with a bath there is much more space to manoeuvre and it is just the tub and the faucet that need to be wiped clean. With a shower, you need to do the cleaning in a confined space and there are a number of different things that need to be cleaned, including the shower doors or curtain, the showerhead, faucets and drain, the tiles and the tile grout, and the shower floor.’

Which costs less to use? The cost of bathing and showering is generally defined by water usage – in other words, the cost of the water itself, and the cost of heating the water. As a shower uses less water and, as a result, less hot water, Blanche notes that showering tends to cost less than bathing: ‘If you say that you choose to shower instead of bathing (in a half-filled bath), then over a year, you would save in the region of 6 935 litres of water, plus the costs of heating that water.’

Which is quicker? ‘As a general rule, it is estimated that the average shower lasts for around eight minutes. However, if you are in a particular rush, then you should be able to shower in five minutes, as long as you are not washing long hair. To fill up half a bath, you need around 95 litres. Let’s say the average bath faucet runs at around 20 litres per minute, so the bath will be half full after around four to five. So, as you can see, it is much quicker to shower as you don’t have to wait for the bath to fill up.’

Which is safer? There is no definite answer to this question, but Blanche says that it is largely dependent on the age of the user: ‘Baths in general are a better bet for younger users – there is less risk of slipping, it is easier to clean little ones in the bath, they can sit and play in the water, and the bath water is less intimidating than water sprays inherent in a shower. However, baths present a much bigger risk of little ones drowning. Baths are not a very safe option for the elderly –

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The Pescadero freestanding bath.

getting in and out of the bathtub can prove to be difficult for those who are motion impaired, and the risk of slipping is great. As such, showers tend to be safer for the elderly, purely because they are easy to get in and out of.’

Which is more luxurious? ‘This is really a matter of preference,’ Blanche maintains. ‘Taking a long hot soak in the bath is a great way to unwind and wash away the stresses of the day. However, showering has also made serious inroads when it comes to upping the scales of luxury. Today, you can buy showerheads that can be adjusted for various massaging effects, shower jets that are built into the wall for an all-over-body massage, rain showerheads for a relaxing natural shower effect, steam showers, showerheads with LED lights for added chromotherapy, and the list goes on. It all really comes down to what you prefer.’ So, to surmise – the shower is more water-efficient, costs less to use, it is quicker, and a safer option for the elderly, while the bath is easier to clean and a better bet for young users. The shower and the bath tie when it comes to issues pertaining to hygiene and luxury. Ideally, it is best to have both in a home, but if you’re in a position where you have to choose between a shower and a bath, and you are looking for an eco-friendlier, water-wise and cost efficient choice – the shower would be the optimum choice.

Bathroom Bizarre W www.bathroom.co.za

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Our new showroom at 819 Steve Biko Street, Gezina, Pretoria

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advertorial Viega

A new level in bathroom design By Viega Southern Africa

Those contemplating building their own home or renovating a bathroom should take note of the latest award-winning design technology from Viega – a wallmounted shower drain. Adding style and timeless architecture for the most discerning of tastes, this hi-tech innovation is the modern alternative to the ugly central drain that’s been around for decades. Viega, which pioneered the Advantix Vario shower floor drainage channel, now offers a concealed wall mounted unit in an extremely narrow, prize-winning design that brings all the advantages of the floor unit to the wall. Advantix Vario wall drain offers flexible installation that allows water to drain away over the complete width of the shower. With an installation depth of just 25mm, it can even be used in front of an existing solid wall. This makes it ideal for small bathrooms and allows for floor tiling right up to the wall, leaving a drain that disappears subtly into the wall. When the unit, including its odour trap, is installed, only a 20mm high drainage gap can be seen. Appearance can be further reduced by using a grate – available in four designs, matt stainless steel, gloss stainless steel, black or white.

Just 25mm installation depth The base plate of the shower channel is made from extremely durable plastic that requires an installation depth of just 25mm. This allows Advantix Vario wall drain to be fitted into a pre-wall or used in front of a solid brick wall – the plaster thickness or an XPS hard foam panel is often enough for its installation. This makes chiselling work unnecessary, leaving brickwork unaffected. With the innovative wall attachment, sound insulation guidelines in accordance with DIN 4109 and VDI 4100 are also complied with through the simple ‘click’ assembly.

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Sophisticated shower drainage from Viega.

Can be shortened as needed The Advantix Vario wall drain has a standard length of 1 200mm and, like the Advantix Vario floor shower channel, can be accurately shortened up to a length of 300mm as needed. To do this, a saw support and a tiler’s set with all the necessary installation and sealing materials is included in the delivery kit. To prevent contamination during the installation phase, the flange surfaces are protected with adhesive strips and the drainage slot with a foam insert.

Renovation and new builds Depending on the installation circumstances, two drain designs are available: for bathroom renovations with a height of 70mm and the standard 90mm model for properties with a higher floor structure, which can be flexibly increased to 165mm. Water drains along the entire length of the wall drain and a floor inclination of 1 to 2% is all that is needed. It is no longer necessary to laboriously cut sloping tiles to size. The drainage capacity is between 0.6 and 0.75 litres/second in accordance with DIN EN 1253. The connectors can be rotated by 360° in DN 40 or DN 50.

Easy cleaning The odour trap of the Advantix Vario wall drain is optimised for flow and designed to be self-cleaning. For simple and hygienic cleaning of the channel body in the wall, a cloth and cleaning brush are all that’s needed and are included in the delivery kit.

Viega Southern Africa Keith Milner C +27 (0)83 645 0059

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advertorial Ceramic Industries

Ceramic Industries launches its Gryphon tile factory

Ceramic Industries has officially launched Gryphon, its latest state-of-the-art factory and the eighth facility in the Group’s manufacturing portfolio. Situated in Vereeniging, Gauteng, the 35 000m2 tile factory is custom built to produce large format (600mm x 600mm) white-bodied glazed porcelain tiles. The R530-million factory will employ 68 people, many sourced from local communities and trained to meet the exacting operational standards required in the plant. Commissioned earlier this year, Gryphon is currently in its first phase of operation. Once fully operational, the factory will produce 8.5 million square metres of tiles per annum. ‘In keeping with the Group’s reputation for sustainable innovation in the industry, we have partnered with international suppliers SACMI and SYSTEM to build a plant that raises tile manufacturing standards to a new level in this country and facilitates development of contemporary, ground-breaking product ranges,’ says Ceramic Industries’ CEO, Lance Foxcroft. To meet the wide spectrum of local customer tastes, the stylish, trend-setting tiles will be manufactured in both shiny and matt finishes with a ‘cushion’ edge to reduce breakages and sharp edges. In line with international benchmarks, the water absorption factor is reduced to 1%. Other key features are the product’s strength, wear resistance and stain resistance. High definition ink-jet printing with advanced effects and a range of textures will provide advanced aesthetic products.

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The quality of each tile will be assured using the latest generation Qualitron, and tough mechanical testing is performed to ensure that every tile meets strict sizing and planarity specifications. ‘Every effort has been made to ensure that our products are of a world-class standard while simultaneously meeting the highest possible ecofriendly benchmarks,’ Foxcroft maintains. To achieve this goal, Gryphon strives to minimise energy and water consumption. The plant operates state-of-the-art Italian EKO kilns that recover and utilise waste energy to minimise gas consumption and emissions in the firing and drying processes. Natural lighting, low wattage and motion sensor lights are also a key feature in the factory. All process water used in the plant is recovered and reused in the clay manufacturing processes, thereby omitting effluent. ‘The launch of Gryphon is an important milestone in Ceramic Industries’ history. We are excited about the impact the products will have on improving the standard and quality of tiles in the local market,’ Foxcroft concludes.

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Ceilings & Partitions Building Systems

Zimbali

Around the cornice Expert plaster trim company, Pelican Systems, shares some tips with To Build’s readers. The plaster trim cornice as we know it in the building industry is used to create a modern finish with a shadow line to the flush plaster ceiling. This option is ideal for those who prefer minimalist clean lines and not the traditional polystyrene or gypsum ceiling cornices. These plaster trim profiles can be used with the Jumbo Grid or Steel Brandering suspension systems, and are available in aluminium or steel with a white coated finish.

Plaster trim profiles can be used with the Jumbo Grid or Steel Brandering suspension systems.

The following (9mm aluminium plaster trim) options provide the different shadows for your designer ceiling: • PS1 – 20 x 20mm • PS2 – 25 x 20mm • PS3 – 45 x 20mm • PS4 – 45 x 45mm

On-site instructions To make on-site installation easier and faster, Pelican Systems has already pre-drilled all the holes in the trim profiles to allow for easy fixing to the wall, saving contractors the hassle of needing drill bits for aluminium and steel, as well as for masonry. The extra 3mm allows for the Jumbo jointing or skimming plaster to be skimmed to the straight plaster line edge to create the smooth finishing line to the plaster trim. Steel Profiles are also available in 9mm and 12mm: • PS5 – Plaster Trim 20 x 20mm (9mm) • PS6 – Plaster Trim 20 x 20mm (12mm) The PS6 is designed for 12mm Jumbo plasterboards and its additional 3mm allows for the skimming. The straight edge of the plaster trim measures 15mm. The trims are suited for the 8mm or 9mm Jumbo plasterboards and the plaster line (measuring 12mm) allows enough space for skimming.

Pelican Systems W www.pelican.co.za issue 18 www.tobuild.co.za

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Building Systems Electrical

Eskom seeks ESCos Eskom calls for energy services companies to propose energy-saving projects. An invitation from parastatal, Eskom, has been issued to Energy Services Companies (ESCos) and project developers for proposals aimed at shifting energy consumption patterns and improving efficiency. According to an Eskom Spokesperson, the objectives of the request for proposals is to: • Identify and scope opportunities to improve energy efficiency, reduce energy usage, and shift energy load from evening peak to off-peak hours on behalf of customers in the commercial and industrial sectors. • Develop project proposals based on these opportunities. • Submit these proposals to be considered for funding under the umbrella of the ESCo Model. The Spokesperson adds that this funding model forms part of Eskom’s strategic commitment to: • Supply customers with funding and advice on how to reduce energy use and, as a result, lower their operating costs, and • Offer customers an opportunity to help stabilise the power system.

Projects not included The Eskom request adds that projects that are based on: • converting waste material into energy, • r enewable energy sources, such as solar and wind energy, • h eat pump and solar water heating technologies; will not be considered for funding under the umbrella of the ESCo Model. Moreover, funding is limited. ESCos or project developers are urged to submit proposals for consideration as soon as possible. Says Eskom spokesperson, Khulu Phasiwe: ‘The ESCo Model makes a significant contribution on three fronts: It supports customers in the commercial and industrial sectors in their efforts to lower energy use, it helps to keep South Africa’s power system stable and, importantly, in the case of projects that can achieve demand savings of 250kW or more, offers a vehicle for the empowerment of emerging black-owned ESCos and project developers in the fields of energy efficiency and energy management.’

Projects with a demand savings potential greater than or equal to 250kW to 1 200kW will be considered on condition that they: • Be submitted by black-owned ESCos or project developers. • Be implemented within six months at a maximum of five sites, preferably close to each other and with a minimum saving of 50kW per site. • Achieve sustained demand savings during evening peak periods over a period of 36 months. Projects with a demand savings potential greater than or equal to 500kW will be considered on condition that: • They be implemented at a single site within six months. • Achieve sustained demand savings during peak periods over a period of 36 months.

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Eskom T +27 (0)8600 37566 (Leave a name and number and request that an Eskom Energy Advisor makes contact and supplies additional information.) E AdvisoryService@eskom.co.za W www.eskom.co.za/idm

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Building Systems Floors

Safety first on walkways A Gauteng-based manufacturer argues the case for premium quality walkway components in industrial and mining environments.

Photo by Vital Engineering

‘Contractors and customers need to be aware of the dangers of cutting corners with respect to the quality of materials used. When engineers design walkways, they do so with specific performance in mind. By replacing this with unspecified material, or sub-standard workmanship, one is courting disaster,’ Dodds Pringle, Managing Director at Vital Engineering advises. Under the brand name Vitagrid®, Vital Engineering’s fully-serrated gratings have been used extensively in large and small mining projects for many years. ‘We receive positive feedback about these installations in terms of significant reductions in the number of accidents caused by slippage. This equates to a reduction in the number of employee compensation claims and the resultant downtime,’ Pringle notes. The company’s precision-made pressure-forged gratings are manufactured to international standards using only the highest grade steel, such as WA355. According to Pringle, floor gratings are manufactured in mild steel, aluminium and fibreglass, with

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galvanised mild steel a popular choice because of its resilient and hardy finish. Vital’s Maclock® range of handrails has also been developed for safety in applications such as mine walkways, using mild steel, galvanised mild steel and stainless steel. Additionally, in response to the general demand for ease of fitment and versatility, the company has introduced moulded fibreglass gratings and handrails to industry, and has seen a significant uptake, particularly on mining operations. ‘Fibreglass is anti-corrosive, fire-retardant, nonconductive, non-slip, and virtually maintenance free,’ Pringle points out. ‘As a viable alternative to steel, our fibreglass stair treads, walkways and gratings – under the Vitaglass® brand name – are gaining wide acceptance because of their long-term cost-saving implications and improved safety. They are particularly suitable in harsh, outdoor or highly-corrosive conditions. Pringle notes that his company’s Vitex® range of expanded metal products is manufactured in galvanised mild steel, stainless steel and more exotic materials on request. The company also recently launched its non-slip, serrated expanded metal walkways for conveyors and narrow, low walkways (up to 800mm wide).

Safety on the mine ‘When it comes to safety in mining operations there is no room for guesswork. That is why we ensure strict material controls for our products, which results in the benefits not only of minimising lost time injuries (LTIs), but also of long life-cycle and low maintenance costs,’ says Pringle. ‘The selection of material for handrails and gratings is a critical factor in safety, particularly when elevated such as in the context of a mine walkway. When one is 30 to 60m off the ground, the last thing one needs is a badly designed and constructed walkway. By making the “Vital” choice, our mining customers are assured of total safety at all times,’ Pringle concludes.

Vital Engineering W www.gratings.co.za

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Floors Building Systems

Resin floors for Meadowdale Mall

Photos by Flowcrete

Flowcrete South Africa has worked with several food and beverage stores in Gauteng’s Meadowdale Mall to provide flooring refurbishment solutions tailored to the demands of both public-facing and back-of-house areas.

Meat world floor

Retail locations selling food and beverage produce require floors that can create a clean, efficient and visually-appealing space. However, these flooring characteristics need to be maintained in the face of large bodies of people, frequent cleaning, and exposure to the organic acids, sugars, and other corrosives present in the produce. In the shop fronts of the butchery, Meat World, and supermarket, Apple Tree, the seamless resin terrazzo floor finish Mondéco Earth was installed. This system is designed to create a durable yet highlydecorative surface, with visually-appealing colours and glittering aggregates that work with the interior design to convey a pleasant and welcoming environment. Apple Tree installed 1 250m2 of Mondéco Earth in a cool, contemporary almond colour, and Meat World installed 550m2 of the finish in a similar shade. Flint and granite aggregates were added into the resin system to create an eye-catching, glittering effect. It was important for both stores that the floor constantly conveyed a sanitary and unblemished appearance to attract customers and reassure them of the location’s quality. Mondéco Earth was chosen thanks to its ability to combine attractive aesthetics with an easy-to-clean finish that would help to keep the floor looking its best despite the scuffs, scrapes and stains that a high level of foot traffic, food spillages and heavily-laden trolleys would inevitably inflict. To avoid a build-up of bacteria in the back-ofhouse areas, Meat World and Apple Tree drew on the antimicrobial enhanced Flowfresh range of polyurethane floors. Flowfresh actively minimises

Apple tree supermarket floor

the risk of contamination incidents by forming an impervious ultra-hygienic floor area that doesn’t harbour dirt, dust, grime or bacteria. Every Flowfresh system has the antibacterial agent, Polygiene®, homogenously distributed throughout its polyurethane make-up. This empowers the floor coating with the ability to eliminate up to 99.9% of bacteria in contact with the floor. In fact, the ability of Flowfresh to keep food facilities free from contaminants led to the range attaining HACCP International certification in 2015. In Meat World’s back-of-house areas, 1 000m2 of Flowfresh RT was applied – an ideal solution for a store dealing with large quantities of raw meat and a need to maintain a contaminant-free environment. Over 1 000m2 of Flowfresh flooring was applied in Apple Tree’s back-of-house areas, including 700m2 of Flowfresh RT (6mm) in light blue and 350m2 of a signal green Flowfresh MF (4mm) finish. It took four weeks to refurbish these floors in the Meadowdale Mall. During this time Flowcrete South Africa’s approved applicator had to cope with a lack of lighting and water, which they dealt with by using a generator and water tanker to ensure the installation continued unhindered. Thanks to the durability of these systems, Meat World and Apple Tree are able to maintain appealing, functional and hygienic floors for an extended period of time.

Flowcrete W www.flowcretesa.co.za issue 18 www.tobuild.co.za

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ADVERTORIAL Viega

Winter warmth and summer cooling from water-based underfloor systems Traditionally, underfloor heating systems in South Africa were electrical and relatively inexpensive to install and efficient to run when the price of electricity was low. However, with the massive increases in the price of electricity, electrical underfloor heating has become an expensive option despite its lower installation cost. In countries with colder climates and more expensive energy, alternative water-based methods of centralised or surface heating are widely used. These tried and tested water-based systems are now available in this country through Viega, the German-based company that pioneered the use of press fitting pipe technology solutions for wet services, drainage and gas systems, as well as a range of innovative sanitary systems for modern bathrooms. The advantage of Viega Fonterra water-based under floor, ceiling and wall heating systems is that the energy used to heat the water can be sourced

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from low or no electrical consumption devices – a high-efficiency gas or oil-fired boiler, solar/PV panels, or a heat pump. Where a reversible heat pump is installed, the system can also provide a cooling effect of up to 4°C during the summer months.

Energy savings reduce heating and cooling costs Research has shown that the optimum comfort level temperature is 20°C in underfloor heated areas, as opposed to 22°C where radiators are installed. This equates to a 10-12% saving in annual heating costs. Although costlier to install than electrical underfloor heating, recent studies have shown that in a typical home environment, Viega Fonterra underfloor heating can pay for itself within three years because of savings in energy, and thereafter the saving in annual electricity costs can be more than 60% compared with electrical underfloor heating.

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Building Systems FLOORS

Tiling technique The supplier of a top brand of grouting provides some useful hints about fixing tiles – three steps to better tiling with Saint-Gobain Weber.

Photos by St Gobain Weber

The Saint-Gobain Weber tile fixing range has been specifically developed for both the professional tiling contractors and DIY’ers. This easy-to-use inclusive product range is suitable for all applications including the preparation of substrates, the installation of various types of tiles, as well as the finishing of grout joints.

Three important criteria When selecting which Weber tile fixing products to use, one needs to consider three variables, what type of tile is being used, what is the size of the tile, and where is the tile going to be placed? The company has developed a simple guide to better tiling via a three-step process. Surface preparation – Before tiling begins, the surface being tiled must be prepared as this will impact on the quality of the final application. Weber Saint-Gobain has a comprehensive range of additive and surface coating products to ensure a perfectly prepared surface whether it be gypsum, cement, friable timber, smooth or plastered surfaces. Several products in the range have the added benefit of waterproofing properties, essential in certain applications.

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Adhesive selection – The choice of an appropriate adhesive is based on a number of variables. Weber has a range of adhesives specially formulated for ceramic, porcelain or mosaic tiles. In addition, adhesives are available for quick-setting tile installations such as high-foot traffic walkways in commercial properties, and for tiling on flexible surfaces such as wood. Grout application – Grouting is the third and final step in the process once the tiles have been fixed to the prepared surface. The Weber grout range includes either a general purpose cement-based tile grout available in nine colour variants, or barrier waterproof tile grout that comes in two colours and is suitable for application to tiling on walls and floors in wet areas. Should you require detailed information about tile fixing product selection, visit www.weber-tylon.co.za and watch the new online video series, which takes the viewer through a step-by-step guide of all its tile fixing products available for prep, adhesive and grout tiling steps.

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St Gobain Weber W www.weber-tylon.co.za

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Building Systems Kitchens

Photo by KSA

Modern kitchen with recycle bins

KSA Corner Kitchens South Africa, the industry body for kitchen suppliers and retailers, talks to To Build about going green in the kitchen. Going green is not cheap. This is primarily because it is still a fairly new demand in South Africa and the products with the best green ratings are all imported. There are very few kitchen manufacturers that can claim to do green kitchens that are 100% up to speed on how to achieve sustainability. Therefore, it is important that you are ‘in the know’ as to what products you want them to include or eliminate to make your green kitchen.

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Green design By optimising natural light in the kitchen, the designer can cut back on the amount of lighting you will require. Look to place key work areas – such as sinks and stoves – near a source of natural light. Ensure lighting is low voltage or uses energy-saving bulbs. Include practical recycling bins that allow you to separate your recyclable waste easily. Look to include a waste disposal system or green bin for

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Kitchens Building Systems biodegradable waste that can be turned into compost. The inclusion of a ‘green’ area in your kitchen in the form of an internal herb garden or planters takes the concept of green design to a tangible level.

Green materials Specify that you wish your carcasses to be made of board with a green stamp from an approved green specifying agency. This will be slightly more expensive but is manufactured using a ‘greener’ process and contains less formaldehyde than other boards. Melamine chipboard is the normal choice for the manufacturing of carcasses. If you are prepared to pay for it your carcasses can be made from sustainable timber like bamboo. MDF is the most common substrate board for manufacturing doors and drawer fronts, and comes from various sources with different green ratings. Ensure your door finish is considered sustainable by checking the rating of the MDF being used in the manufacture. If you are looking for a paint finish or ‘duco’ door, ensure the paint used is water based and environmentally friendly. In the past, wrap has been seen as unsustainable but there have been huge strides in the manufacturing process of PVC and many of the companies’ manufacturing PVC wrap do have green certification, so know where the wrap foil is coming from. Some studies view PVC as an eco-friendly option because of its durability and long life cycle. If opting for timber doors, do your homework. Use of a rare timber or one harvested and transported in an unsustainable manner is definitely not environmentally friendly. Use local timbers that are in abundance. Bamboo, for example, is considered highly sustainable and has multiple uses. It is grown in commercial plantations using sustainable forestry practices. The plants require no fertilisers or pesticides and, unlike other hardwoods, the bamboo tree is not killed when it is harvested. Choose an eco-friendly top. Engineered stone is a composite of stone-fragments and resin and is considered a recycled material. Natural stone can also be seen as sustainable if obtained from a local quarry. When flown long distances it adds to the carbon footprint. Solid surfacing is man-made and is considered sustainable when the supplier has a green stamp for manufacturing and processing. If you wish to stick with a laminated top, then look for a ‘hollow core’ top. This top uses a hollow core

substrate that is strengthened with recycled paper product. It is lightweight and durable, and uses far less raw material to manufacture. You can also look at a sustainable timber as an option. Green appliances Appliances are the largest consumers of electricity and water in your kitchen. All appliances are given an energy rating based on their energy and water consumption. Take the time to research the rating of the appliances you are choosing. A green living philosophy Look after the kitchen to ensure its longevity. Recycle, turn off appliances at the wall, and switch off your lights when you are not in the kitchen. Being green may cost a little more in the beginning, and demand a little more effort in your day-to-day routine, but in the long run it will save you time, money and will ensure a healthier planet.

Cabinetworks

Kitchens Specialists Association Stephanie Forbes C +27 (0)82 787 8806 E stephanie@ksa.co.za or capetown@ksa.co.za W www.ksa.co.za issue 18 www.tobuild.co.za

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granite | marble | engineered stone | sintered porcelain | memorials kitchen tops | vanity slabs | bath surrounds | office furniture | reception counters | fireplace surrounds | braai areas

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021 905 3322

shawn@graniteprojects.co.za

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Kitchens Building Systems

Few would deny that when it comes to kitchens a new era has dawned. No longer relegated a purely utilitarian role where food storage and preparation take place, kitchens have become a place for gathering and making memories. It is fitting then that the theme for this year’s Franke Kitchen Design Project at the Decorex SA Exhibitions is ‘Heart of the Home’. Presented and sponsored for the second year running by Franke, one of the world’s leading kitchen systems suppliers, the refined culinary zones on show at Decorex SA 2016 showcase the very latest in visionary kitchen design and materials. ‘We are pleased to be affiliated with Decorex for a second year,’ says Clinton Soutter, National Sales Manager for Franke South Africa. He adds that the trio of shows is a designers’ hub, offering homeowners an array of inspiring new ideas and the latest in trends. The Decorex SA platforms enables consumers, interior designers and architects to engage with the Franke brand and its customers in one place. ‘The shows focus on giving kitchen companies a platform from which to demonstrate to these key players – consumers, interior decorators and architects – what is possible in modern-day kitchen design. Additionally, our sponsorship and partnership with other large industry suppliers allows kitchen companies to participate in and experience the tremendous draw of the show and the awareness it brings for one’s brand,’ Soutter continues. Visitors to the exhibitions are also treated to the latest product ranges from Franke. ‘This year we launch our new Specialist Range,’ says Soutter. ‘Each sink has been carefully selected, covering everything from the latest trends to traditional favourites, ensuring that customers find the best fit for their cooking styles, personal styles and lifestyles. The reinvented new Fragranite range, for example, is available in both

Photo by Decorex

Frankly redefining the ‘heart of the home’

Onyx and Polar White, and offers distinctive properties such as resistance to germs, scratches, stains and heat. The new range includes a number of sinks that have multiple installation fixing methods, from inset and flush-mount to slim-top and under-mount, giving customers the freedom to select the option best suited to their specific kitchen designs and tastes.’ As for the expectant big kitchen trends in 2016, Soutter says: ‘A base of neutral and soft colour palettes are a very popular choice this year as they allow individuals to experiment with their own personal expression of complementary colour.’ He adds: ‘Open-plan kitchens that allow for seamless interaction between living and prep areas will remain key, as will the need to maximise cupboard usage to increase storage through functional design, without compromising organisation and access. ‘Finally, an increased awareness of technology in the kitchen will see kitchen designers incorporate a tech perspective in the kitchen cabinet,’ Soutter predicts. He also notes that we can expect to see Jetson-like add-ons, such as built-in charging stations, hands-free functionality and tablet holders.

Franke Kitchen Systems (Pty) Ltd W www.franke.com/kitchensystems/za/en/ home.html W www.decorex.co.za issue 18 www.tobuild.co.za

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Lighting Building Systems

Top tips for outdoor lighting Melissa Davidson from Lighting Warehouse shares her outdoor lighting tips for those considering lighting up their home’s exteriors. Outdoor lighting can highlight your home’s architecture, landscaping, and provide added safety. If you are house proud you will have spent a lot of time and money making sure that your home looks its very best in the light of day. However, after the sun goes down, your home should look just as fabulous. Melissa Davidson from leading lighting supplier, Lighting Warehouse, says: ‘Outdoor lighting goes a long way to improving your home’s night-time curb appeal, it extends the amount of time you can enjoy your outdoor living space, and maximises your home’s safety and security.’ Here are Melissa’s top tips for homeowners looking to add some lighting to their home’s exterior: Plan a lighting layout: Walk around your home and identify the areas that you would like to illuminate. It is a good idea to use a torch to see how

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Photo by Lighting Warehouse

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the light will interplay with your home’s architectural and landscaping features. It is important to make a note of areas that you would use socially, as well as those very dark spots that compromise your safety and security. Install lighting in layers: Any good lighting design worth its salt will include different layers of light that provide the three different types of lighting – ambient, task, and accent lighting. As its name implies, ambient lighting provides general overall lighting and sets the mood or ambience of the space being lit. Task lighting is designed for globes – those spaces where work needs to be done – and, as such, needs to be bright enough so that you can see what you are doing. Accent lighting is decorative and serves to highlight various features and interplay with the ambient lighting to reinforce a particular style.

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Building Systems Lighting

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Choose energy-efficient options: Spending a little extra from the outset by investing in energysaving globes will end up saving you a lot of money in the long run – both on your lighting bills and on the cost of replacing the bulbs themselves. Choosing LED globes, for example, can provide energy savings of up to 90% when compared to incandescent globes. They also boast a very long lifespan of between 20 000 and 30 000 hours, which works out to about 10 years of average nightly use. Stay in control: Why not consider motionactivated sensors, day/night activated sensors, and time switches? This all aids with saving on your lighting bill. Consider your neighbours: Be considerate and make sure that your lighting design does not encroach onto your neighbour’s property. It can be very annoying when your neighbour’s outdoor lights shine directly into your living space for example. So, when planning your design, for those installations that are close to your neighbours, select light that shines downwards or position the lights so that they shine solely into your property. Choose weather-resistant fixtures: For optimum longevity, make sure that the fittings you choose are weather-resistant. Outdoor fixtures should be noncorrosive and UV-resistant. Consider proportion: The ideal size of an outdoor light fitting needs to strike a balance between proportion and size. For example, a single light fitting for the front entrance of your home should measure one-third of the front door’s height so that it is in proportion and provides visual balance, as well as being noticeable from the driveway. However, if there are two lights at the entrance for example, each light should measure only one-quarter the size of the front door. Don’t over-do it: Too much light can create light pollution and distract guests and neighbours. Rather aim for a subtle, well-planned landscape lighting scene that accentuates your landscaping, features, and home. For example, plan your pathways using low-voltage, down-facing lights to provide a nicely lit pathway, without glare, to guide you and guests along paths. Or, use spotlights to highlight trees and other large features on your property, or to wash your garden walls with light to create dramatic light-and-shadow features. Safety first: It is essential to remember that by law, all outdoor lighting needs to be fully sealed

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against the elements to protect it from rain, irrigation and splashes. Water and electricity can be a lethal combination, so it is imperative that a professional electrician installs them, and that the fittings you choose are IP-rated for outdoor use. IP ratings are expressed as ‘IP’ followed by two numbers that define the degree of protection they offer. The first digit (Foreign Bodies Protection ie ‘dirt’) shows the extent to which the equipment is protected against particles (ie ‘grime’). The second digit (Water Protection) indicates the extent of protection against water entering the fixture. Outdoor light fittings should have a minimum IP rating of at least IP44.

Lighting Warehouse W www.lightingwarehouse.co.za

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Building Systems ROOFING

Cordless cut-off machine provides solutions Stihl is a German-based company known as a global leader with a focus on constantly upgrading and reworking its innovative power tool designs. To Build reviews its new TSA 230 cordless cut-off machine. cutting in a flash. Other useful and safety features – typical of Stihl – are its standard-fitted water connection and optional vacuum adapter for clean, dust-free cutting, making it suitable for exterior and interior work, and a tool-less wheel lock that prevents blade rotation when removing the wheel attachment bolt.

A revolutionary approach Safety, adaptability, and user- and environmentallyfriendly features are prioritised in line with the demands of Stihl’s worldwide users who include professionals, home users, and DIY enthusiasts. Now, Stihl’s new TSA 230 cordless cut-off machine answers the call for improved handling, mobility and operator comfort with a revolutionary approach to transforming numerous features of this popular and versatile piece of equipment.

Precision tasks

Compact yet powerful This compact yet powerful cut-off machine is powered by 36-volt lithium-ion battery technology, cutting out emissions and making it both more pleasant to work with and kinder on the environment. Although it weighs only 5.6kg, the lightweight and easy-to-handle TSA 230 can cut up to 48 clay tiles lengthwise on only one battery charge, plus it is compatible with all Stihl batteries for added user convenience and reduced downtime.

Indoors or outdoors – not an issue With this cordless cut-off machine, the first of its kind, the working environment is not an issue and can change from day to day: indoors or outside, wet or dry cutting. The TSA 230 is highly adaptable – the standard water connection with quick-release coupling means that it can effortlessly be converted for wet

The TSA 230 is ideal for precision tasks. The 230mm abrasive wheel cuts quickly and accurately through construction materials up to 70mm thick while the ergonomic handle allows the machine to be smoothly and accurately guided in the desired direction. High quality and durable, the cutting wheels have a long operating life no matter how tough the applications or gruelling the working environment. Plus, the brushless EC motor is low-maintenance and hardy, reducing time off site for servicing and limiting service costs. Practical and simple to use, the TSA 230 is easily up to the challenge of slicing through multiple materials, including roof, wall and floor tiles, as well as bricks, pipes and metal. With numerous improved features, this professional quality power tool is a triumph of Stihl innovation and insightful engineering.

Stihl W www.stihl.co.za

To Advertise IN THE NEXT ISSUE CONTACT

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ANNUAL ARCHITECTURAL RESOURCE HANDBOOK

T 021 424 3625 F 086 516 7277 C 072 365 4877 W www.mediaxpose.co.za

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Building Systems ADVERTORIAL

A word on longevity Research confirms that 55% Al-Zn coated steel roofs can last longer than 60 years. A leading roofing metal supplier writes about the importance of using a premium-grade product.

60-Year lifespan for aluminium-zinc coated roofing Research shows that aluminium-zinc (Al-Zn) coated roof systems can last 60 years and more. Research conducted by the Metal Construction Association (MCA) of North America confirms that 55% Al-Zn coated steel standing seam metal roof such as the Newlok™ system available from Safintra can last at least 60 years. This means it will not require replacement during a building’s service life.

Internationally licenced technology This particular Al-Zn coating technology is licensed by BIEC International, and is sold under various brand names globally. In South Africa, the technology is licensed to the Safal Group for Safal Steel to make ZINCAL® locally. When it is factory pre-painted, it is sold as COLORPLUS®. With millions of square meters sold to date, this is the most widely used coating technology in the world. ‘There are a few really good reasons why

Aluminium Zinc is environmentally friendly. Apart from being manufactured from 100% recyclable steel, it is more efficient, less costly to construct and heat resistant; and it is often referred to as “investment roofing”. Aluminium Zinc does not rust and is virtually maintenance free,’ says Nicci Solomons from Safintra.

Research The MCA research was conducted in a variety of inland states in the USA and incorporated multiple field inspections, as well as laboratory analyses of

While low-slope steel standing seam roof systems were projected to last up to 60 years, ancillary components (such as fasteners) may need to be replaced during the roof life.

Photos by Safintra

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Photos by Safintra

ADVERTORIAL Building Systems

Newlok™ is a standing seam profile available from Safintra.

metallic corrosion of the roof panels, components and sealants. Importantly, it also included assessment of all integral ancillary components that impact the end of roof service life.

Behind the research findings Deciding factors for projected service life were predominantly local climate and the acidity of local precipitation. The study acknowledges that all roof systems require a maintenance programme (at least annually) to clean off debris, to inspect the condition of the roof, and to conduct minor remedial repairs. The study also confirmed that these types of metal roofs resist corrosion even in weak spots, such as sheared edges and profile bends. While low-slope steel standing seam roof systems were projected to last up to 60 years, ancillary components (such as fasteners) may need to be replaced during the roof life, but this represents significantly less than 20% of a total roof replacement cost, and therefore constitutes standard maintenance rather than replacement.

What to specify? Sold on Aluminium-Zinc, but not sure which profile of roof sheeting to choose? ‘Aluminium Zinc material is offered on Safintra’s wide range of branded pierced fix profiles in corrugated and IBR, and on concealed fix profiles, such as Saflok® and Newlok™, complementary flashing and closures and the Safintra range of vents and louvres.’

Availability Safintra has seven branches in South Africa, in Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town, Nelspruit, Polokwane, Port Elizabeth and Bloemfontein. Further operations are located in Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania and East Africa. Safintra is a member of the Safal Group, one of the largest metal roofing companies on the African continent.

Safintra T +27 (0)11 323 6300 E info.safintrasa@safalgroup.com W www.safintra.co.za issue 18 www.tobuild.co.za

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Building Systems ROOFING

Photos b MiTek/High-Tech Nail Plate

Case studies: Hallmark of steel success An experienced roof structure supply and engineering service company tells To Build about the implementation of three wide span truss solutions from MiTek, a well known system supplier. Licensed Ultra-Span system specialist and engineers, High-Tech Nail Plate, was honoured last year when one of its projects was awarded joint first place in the SA Institute of Steel Construction’s Steel Awards 2015 in the light steel frame category. The project in question was the Midstream Centurion Mediclinic building. Professional teams on record consisted of Graceland Architects and Cibucon Structural Engineers.

Two education sector projects High-Tech Nail Plate also recently delivered a highly efficient and interesting roof structure solution for two establishments of learning in Gauteng. Dave Anderson, Managing Director of Hi-Tech Nail Plate, describes the two identical education facility jobs recently completed using the Ultra-Span system supplied by MiTek. ‘The roof structures were for the nutrition halls at Garankuwa Campus and Moses Kotane Primary in Bram Fischerville, Soweto. Our client, the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE), originally specified conventional hot-rolled structural steel but changed the specification to MiTek’s Ultra-Span because of cost and simplification of the supporting structure,’ Anderson explains.

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Simplification of the supporting structure meant that no ring beams and no columns were required based on closer truss spacing. Hence, the building could be constructed from load-bearing brickwork only. The principal contractor in this instance was ENZA Construction.

Project parameters • S pan: 30m clear span, plus 1.0m cantilever on both eaves • Roof covering used: Sheeting • Method: Half span trusses were fabricated in the factory and delivered to site where they were spliced together to construct the full span truss. Two trusses were joined together with box frames. ‘As a result of this efficiency, the entire roof was lifted with a crane in one day,’ notes Uwe Schluter, MiTek’s Marketing Manager.

MiTek Industries South Africa (Pty) Ltd T + 27 (0)11 237 8760 E uschluter@mitek.co.za W www.mitek.co.za

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Building Systems ROOFING

Profile of a leader In May this year, a South African leader in roof truss technology, LCP Roofing, celebrated six years of successful business in the local timber roof truss sector. With solid foundations, world-class machinery, and a talented, dedicated staff complement, the only way is up.

Established in 2010 with the vision of becoming the preferred roofing company in Gauteng, LCP Roofing offers its clients a complete range of roofing-related services from truss design and manufacture to custom-made plates for decorative exposed trusses. The company’s General Manager is Lyndsay Cotton, who holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Quantity Surveying from the University of Pretoria and a Diploma in Project Management. According to Cotton, ‘Our vision, which remains today, is underpinned by our core values that include making a significant difference through owner involvement in the day-today running of the business, and our dedication to and promotion of correct building practices.’ Over the past six years, LCP Roofing’s management has made great strides in growing the business through a number of strategic decisions. ‘Obtaining our South African Technical Auditing Services (SATAS) SANS1900 accreditation – which comes with rigorous and ongoing quality inspections – permits us to apply the mark to our products, giving our customers the peace of mind that our products have undergone strict quality control measures and are fabricated to the standards set out in SANS1900.

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Photos by LCP Roofing

Andri Pretorius

AV Birch press

We also use design software from International Truss Systems (ITS), that is ISO 9001 accredited,’ Cotton points out.

Systems Business automation has played a significant role in enhancing LCP Roofing’s operational functions. ‘With over 80 staff in various roles, we’ve employed the use of industry-leading accounting and human resource management systems, which have tremendously streamlined these processes. We’ve also combined a number of operational programmes into a single platform called “Our LCP” – a combination of processes made up of industry leading server-, cloudand mobile-based applications that help manage all the platforms, including site measurements, site reports, delivery reports, quality control reports, and client confirmation documents. We also use mobile form submission applications to monitor fuel usage and vehicle inspections,’ Cotton explains. ‘FlowCentric, a business process and flow automation system, helps us to keep tabs on everything from client file management, representative commissions, document and drawing control,

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ROOFING Building Systems payment requests, and quote and design documents. Device Magic is a mobile forms application that is used to send information from the field to our processes. We also make use of Qlikview to report on all facets of the business, as well as DataTim, which is a transport management system.’ With a relatively small factory, LCP Roofing management undertook to optimise output through automation of both the factory set-up and its delivery vehicles. Andri Pretorius, LCP Roofing’s Operational Director, explains: ‘Our factory boasts two Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) saws, the first of which we obtained in 2010 when there were very few in the country. The accuracy of the cut produced by these saws is unrivalled and their throughput is phenomenal. In addition, we have two AV Birch presses, which optimise both the production speed and quality of our trusses.’

still relies heavily on brick and mortar, but alternative building systems, even with some market resistance and a shortage of technical skills, are slowly but surely making their way into the mainstream arena. Timber framing and modular systems make a lot of sense from a quality, speed, and ease of delivery perspective, and investment into these types of construction methods will create additional revenue streams, boost skills development and promote economic growth – not only for LCP Roofing, but for the construction sector as a whole,’ Cotton maintains. LCP Roofing celebrates its sixth anniversary by being the main sponsor of the De Wildt Funduro 2016, hosted by Vissershoek Primary School. The event is also in its sixth year, and proceeds now not only go to this local farm school, but also to the entire De Wildt community.

Resources Transportation is an essential consideration for roof truss fabrication, both with regard to getting raw materials to the factory and delivering the final product to site. ‘In addition to our tri-axle and super-link trucks for transporting roof sheeting, we have a 14.5m-long custom-designed truss trailer, which makes it possible to legally transport any size truss anywhere in the country,’ Cotton points out. ‘Our two large-capacity tile transport trucks with large cranes and specially designed tile grabs make it easy to transport an entire medium to large residential house in a single delivery. We also put our own transport systems to use by collecting raw timber for processing.’ LCP Roofing is supported by an energetic and dynamic staff complement, many of whom have been with the company since its inception and early stages. ‘Over the years we have created a young, highly-skilled and competent team that we are justly proud of,’ says Cotton. ‘Training, although I prefer to call it “personal growth”, is a top priority for us and our team know that their knowledge and skills base will continue to grow under the management of LCP Roofing.’

LCP Roofing

Vision

Lyndsay Cotton

LCP Roofing is ideally positioned technically, structurally, and geographically to service the residential and commercial construction sectors in Gauteng and further afield. However, in the longterm, there are new market opportunities to be explored. ‘The South African construction market

LCP Roofing Lyndsay Cotton, General Manager T +27 (0)861 527 7663 E lyndsay@lcproofing.co.za W www.lcproofing.co.za issue 18 www.tobuild.co.za

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Building Systems Safety & Security

Getting real about crime – the shape of things to come By Charl Mijnhardt

Centurion’s Charl Mijnhardt talks about his company’s high-volume security solution. Spend five minutes talking about the current state of the country and the conversation invariably descends into wistful reminiscences of ‘how safe things used to be’. Old chestnuts such as ‘we used to play in the streets until well after dark’, and ‘we walked to the shops without giving our safety a single thought’ always make an appearance, often followed by a long moment spent shoegazing. While memories of this nature have almost certainly been painted with the rosy brush of fond nostalgia, it is impossible to deny that crime has shown a disconcerting upward trend in recent years. Consult the national crime statistics, and the picture painted is anything but pretty.

Two clicks of the ruby slippers and we’re not in Kansas anymore, Dorothy. With apologies and due credit to The Wizard of Oz, this sentence says it all. South Africa is a developing country with developing country problems – the poverty problem; the unemployment problem (in the region of 27% of the population, according to the latest figures); and the health problem – all set against the backdrop of a relatively volatile political landscape. All these factors have conspired to create a perfect storm of sorts, a fertile environment in which crime can breed like cultures in a lab.

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King Shaka Airport installation

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Safety & Security Building Systems A grim story, to be sure, but the South African narrative has always been one of survival, of tenacity and of resilience. In the same way that the country’s various socio-economic challenges breed criminal activity, so also do they breed ingenuity – the sort of out-of-the-box thinking present in many South Africans. Pat Dickens, an electrical engineer by trade, is one of South Africa’s most innovative sons. In 1986, Pat founded Centurion Systems and, today, his company is a leading security and automation powerhouse serving the domestic, industrial and commercial markets with reliable, robust and feature-rich gate automation and access control products. With a workforce some 400-strong (including a crack team of fully-qualified engineers), branches throughout South Africa and two beyond our borders (in Lagos and Sydney), Centurion has become a household name in South Africa and currently exports its hi-tech wares to more than 60 countries worldwide. ‘Our company is driven by the passion to develop and engineer products that we can sell not only in South Africa but around the globe,’ says Centurion’s Marketing & Sales Director, Richard Rohman. ‘Undoubtedly, we strive to ensure that our products are innovative, offering world-class performance and reliability. Equally important is the need to provide service and support that is second to none.’

Traffic barrier The company’s latest offering to the industrial, commercial and residential security market, the Sector II high-volume traffic barrier, bears solid testimony to this ethos of reliability and innovation. Building upon the success of its trusted predecessor, the original Sector – examples of which can be seen valiantly guarding the entrances to and exits from housing estates, airports, correctional services, car dealerships and even warehouses – the Sector II is the heir to the throne of access automation. The Sector II boasts the same beefy DC gearbox, reliable battery backup and intelligent logic controller that made the Sector I – an access automation legend in its own right – but features an optimised design with all the electronics (battery, charger, controller, native loop detector support and individual switches for AC

Unauthorised access mission impossible!

and DC isolation) at the top of the cabinet for easy access. Additionally, the barrier has been given an updated look courtesy of a sleek, slim-line design and powdercoated aluminium lid in striking crimson: a crown befitting a king. The cabinet has also been optimised for the seamless integration of a Claws [roadway spikes] controller – ideal for high-security sites – and the fitment of higher capacity batteries should the installation call for it. The original Sector was the vanguard of the innovative and, in some instances, ground-breaking technologies that would eventually propel Centurion to security superstardom. In keeping with this tradition, the Sector II with its tasty bouquet of advanced features, are all neatly housed with an intelligent LCDbased controller. These features include: • High-volume capability – up to 3 000 operations per day • Rapid boom pole raising and lowering for enhanced security • Smooth, intelligent speed control • Simple setup via an intuitive ‘wizard’ • On-board diagnostics • On-board Centurion code-hopping multichannel receiver with selective add and delete • Integrated timer technology (a world first)

Centurion Charl Mijnhardt T +27 (0)11 699 2400 W www.centsys.com issue 18 www.tobuild.co.za

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Building Systems SECURITY

Seven tips for improved security

Living and working in a secure complex provides peace of mind. Here are some tips for body corporates: Protect the perimeter: When securing, adopt a layered approach to security from the perimeter wall to individual units. An electric fence or point-to-point infrared beams fitted to the top of the perimeter wall provide a deterrent and an excellent early warning system about the presence of intruders. It’s now a legal requirement to ensure that an electrical fence is wired in keeping with SA National Standards and a certificate of compliance must be obtained from a professional installer. Individual unit owners in complexes need this certificate when selling their properties. Enforce access control: A security guard posted at the gate of a complex can use hand-held GPS scanners to record identity documents, driver’s licences and vehicle registration numbers to control visitors. This data can be used to ensure that the same number of visitors leave at the end of the day. An access control audit trail report can be produced to keep a record of movements. A security guard at the gate adds peace of mind as he watches for any suspicious activities. Ensure safe entry: Gate remote controls called ‘code hopping’ remotes are popular in modern residential and business complexes as they prevent criminals from being able to jam the remote or use code grabbing software to steal the code and clone a remote. A code hopping remote generates a new code every time a button is pressed. Optimise intercom systems: Residential and business complexes can install sophisticated intercom

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Photo by Brian Jackson

Writing for To Build, Brian Jackson suggests ways to beef up security in a residential complex. systems that allow residents to punch in a code to gain access or to remotely open the gate using a cell phone. To remotely allow access for contractors or domestic workers, the intercom will ring your cell phone and you can press a key to open the gate. Use camera technology: Business owners and residents can access cameras installed at the entrance of a complex via their cell phones to check who is ringing the intercom at the gate. Business owners can also keep an eye on who is arriving and leaving, and check what is happening to goods being offloaded at the gate. Secure individual units: Insurers require minimum levels of security for individual properties and may repudiate claims if alarm systems are found to be inadequate. Every office or house in a complex should be fitted with its own intruder detection alarm system monitored by a security company that takes care of armed response, technical problems and system upgrades for the complex. Install external beams: Individual units should have beams installed in their private gardens, and business parks are advised to install point-to-point beams around the internal perimeter of the yard for an additional early warning system. It’s vital to have a security-conscious mind set. Get to know your neighbours and their staff, look out for each other and report anyone suspicious who doesn’t seem to have legitimate reasons for being there.

Blue Security T +27 (0)31 717 5000

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Steel Framing Building Systems

Light steel frame showpieces Springbok rugby player, Dewald Potgieter, explains why he chose Light Steel Framing for his home. There is more to well-known Springbok rugby player, Dewald Potgieter, than meets the eye. At 1.90m and 103kg he is big, strong, very fast, and more than proficient around the rugby fields of the world. But Potgieter is equally adept at understanding what he wants from a home and, as his new house demonstrates, he has a remarkable sensitivity and understanding of design and construction.

Why I chose LSFB Potgieter explains the thought process behind the house he designed using Light Steel Framing (LSF). ‘I wanted the house to be striking in appearance, with clean square lines and many different depths and textures on any particular face. I like combining different natural elements, so I used a lot of wood, glass, steel and stone to create focal points and feature areas. I also love to entertain, so the open

plan area is the hub. Everything is easily accessible from this point and it encourages and enables interaction across the kitchen, dining room, living room and patio,’ he says. Potgieter designed the house himself, using 3D software on his laptop, and submitted the designs to ACG Architects in Pretoria to produce the official drafts. On the question of why he decided to use Light Steel Frame Building (LSFB), Potgieter says that being an advocate of green initiatives lured him to this building method. ‘I believe we all have to actively play our part in implementing sustainable environmental building solutions. The fact that I could build a house that stays cool during the summer and retains its heat in the winter, significantly cutting energy costs, and takes less than half the time to build compared to traditional building methods, really sealed the LSFB deal for me,’ he explains.

Photos by SASFA

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Building Systems Steel Framing

Potgieter adds that the expected advantages of using LSFB certainly came to fruition. ‘All that I expected from LSFB from an energy-saving perspective materialised,’ he says. ‘In fact, the only perceived negative – LSFB being limited from a design perspective – was disproved quite emphatically. In essence, the house is a complicated design that makes use of big open plan areas where the spans are pretty significant and the LSFB coped very easily indeed.’ The Potgieter double-storey house comes in at just under 480m2, has four bedrooms, four bathrooms – all en-suite – his and her walk-in closets in the master bedroom, a large open-plan kitchen/dining room/living room area, separate scullery and pantry, entrance hall, triple garage, large wine cellar, and domestic helpers’ quarters, all on a 1 500m2 stand. Large glass areas have been used to make the most of spectacular views.

Speedy building times ‘To think that the actual building time was just on six months is in itself one of the strongest recommendations for LSFB building,’ Potgieter notes. ‘I happily endorse LSFB as a financially viable and energy efficient method of building and, at the very least, I want to stimulate people to seriously look at this building method for themselves in the future. Thinking green is not just a “moment with momentum any longer” – it is a full-blown movement and I encourage everyone to participate in it.’ Potgieter suggests that one needs to look at the LSF as a system, where every part and/or layer plays a significant role in achieving the full benefits. ‘This is really where my contractor – Light Steel Innovations

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(LSI) – carried the torch in terms of an understanding of the craft,’ he enthuses. ‘It was a pleasure working with Riaan Swanepoel, Operations Director of LSI. We were constantly pushing the envelope on what could be done, and in the end I believe there was a perfect marriage between getting the ideas in my head to merge with his uncompromising dedication to the system.’

Benefits of LSFB John Barnard, Director of the Southern African Light Steel Frame Building Association (SASFA), says that Dewald Potgieter is one of a growing number of high profile and professional design enthusiasts who are using LSFB for a wide variety of projects. ‘The ability to achieve complex and beautiful designs with LSFB is no longer in doubt and, given that LSFB also contributes to a growing movement of sustainable and cost-effective building, the significant advantages of LSFB to individual homeowners and the environment can no longer be discounted,’ he maintains. For the Potgieter house, the steel frame was supplied by Innosteel; the polystyrene and mesh by Tecnipol; the gypsum board and basecoat by Saint Gobain; level screed and render by Trowel on Textures; and technical support by Mulder Kruger and Jaco Richter.

SASFA John Barnard T +27 (0)11 726 6111 E info@sasfa.co.za W www.sasfa.co.za

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There are two kinds of light reflection - specular reflection and diffuse reflection. A specular reflection occurs when light is reflected in a concentrated mirror-like manner, resulting in a discomforting glare; whilst a diffuse reflection is a scattered and unfocussed reflection of light.

Now also available in Clean COLORBONDÂŽ AZ150 MATT

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Building Systems Water Features

Learning from nature Oudebosch is a sustainable tourism development with an innovative water offering for its visitors. Read about conservation organisation, CapeNature’s newest green ‘first’ in water features. With five beautifully designed, spacious self-catering cabins and a function room located in the heart of the Cape Floral Region, Oudebosch in the Kogelberg Nature Reserve has raised the bar on eco-sensitive tourism.

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As part of CapeNature’s Tourism Strategy, the organisation is committed to environmental best practice in all its new tourism developments and upgrades. Projects are carefully planned to avoid

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Water Features Building Systems and amphibians. Additionally, it acts as an emergency reservoir in the event of a fire.

and mitigate any local environmental harm while also optimising use of green building technology. The Oudebosch cabins boast an eco-pool on site in keeping with the green and sustainable nature of the development. Conventional pools are prone to algae build-up and dirty water as a result of nutrients in the water. Toxic chemicals (usually chlorine) are typically used to suppress algae growth. Such chemicals are expensive and have environmental and health impacts. The eco-pool is a recreational facility, without the harmful chemicals and high energy use associated with normal pools. It has the added benefit that it also attracts various birds, dragonflies

What is an eco-pool? An eco-pool (also known as a natural pool or natural pond) is a system consisting of a constructed body of water in which no chemicals or devices that disinfect or sterilise water are used. The water is clarified and cleaned purely via to the motion of the water through plants. A biological filter is used as backup.

Design The eco-pool is divided into two areas: • The swimming zone is the area intended for swimming, which resembles a conventional swimming pool or pond. • The planted zone consists of a lined overflow pool filled with specific filtration substrate (gravel, sand, or lava stone) and plants. This zone functions in a similar way to natural vegetated rivers and streams that are clear and can self-cleanse to some extent. Plants used for water regeneration include decorative flowering species that create an attractive water garden environment. The plants compete for the nutrients that would otherwise promote algae growth. The biological processes needed to clean the water take place in this zone. The swimming zone is next to the planted zone. Water from here flows via gravity from the swimming pool into distribution shafts and then passes through a biological fine filter/bioreactor before it is pumped into the planted zone.

Environmental considerations The water in a balanced eco-pool system has none of the detrimental effects of chlorination (red eyes, dry skin and hair, and bleached bathing suits) and is clean enough to drink. In time, the only filtering required will be that done by the plants, which means that the mechanical operation will consume considerably less energy. Existing chorine pools can be converted to eco-pools. Properly managed eco-pools have clear water and require no chemicals.

Photo by Alain Proust

References: Michael Littlewood’s guide: Natural Swimming Pools, A Guide for Building http://swimnatural.blogspot.com

CapeNature T +27 (0)21 483 0190 W www.capenature.co.za issue 18 www.tobuild.co.za

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Building Systems Walls and Cladding

Tiles for the Cradle Eleanore Beyers, from Tile Africa – a leading commercial tiling supplier – explains her company’s role in finishing walls and floors at the newly opened Bidon Bistro in the Cradle of Humankind.

A brand new rustic little restaurant, hidden among the trees, offers a great view of the Zwartkops Valley in the Cradle of Humankind. The Bistro showcases the first cyclist drive-through, a big parking facility, and a full bike-wash service, making it a perfect cyclist stop spot. ‘The new bistro opened at the perfect time as the number of cyclists riding in The Cradle continues to grow. Cyclists to the area needed a place with a relaxed atmosphere where they could munch on light eats and drink great coffee while they get their bikes washed. An old building structure on the property was revamped into the drive-through coffee bar area and the rest of the venue was built new,’ explains owner, Garth Mes.

What was specified Leading tile supplier, Tile Africa, supplied 131m2 full body porcelain tiles for the kitchen. ‘The bistro needed a strong tile that can handle the kitchen traffic, clean easily, and not absorb the colour of the red sand outside. Full body porcelain tiles in Biscuit were specified for the kitchen floor to ensure that the winter frost won’t cause them to lift and crack. Superscreed was used instead of porcelain adhesive to level the floor before tiling as this is the most economical option.

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The Bidon Bistro

The wall tiles used are standard white gloss,’ says Eleanore Beyers, Tile Africa’s Architectural Specifier. Vaughn Dyssel, Tile Africa’s Commercial Sales Manager, explains that the commercial department matches the product with the client’s specification while keeping the technical aspects in mind to ensure that the tiles supplied suit the installation in terms of traffic and durability. In this case, the tiles had to be hard-wearing, practical and weather tolerant. Tile Africa offers an extensive range of technical and aesthetic products that cover every requirement and application. And, thanks to its strategic distribution centres, centralised coordination for national projects, and specialised advice from its experienced consultants and specifiers, the Tile Africa promises the expertise to ensure that it meets its customer’s application needs while remaining a leading supplier of tile and flooring solutions to the commercial market.

Tile Africa Commercial W www.tileafrica.co.za T +27 (0)11 979 0327

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Building Systems Doors & Windows

Make a grand entrance Cobus Lourens, from leading window and door manufacturer, Swartland, offers an overview on the top front door trends making waves this year. The front door is the gateway to your home – it is the one part of the home that family members and visitors get to touch and walk through every time they visit and, as such, is most certainly something that will be noticed. Says Cobus Lourens from leading window and door manufacturer, Swartland: ‘Front doors can leave a big impression on anybody who is visiting your home. They can also make a big impact on the curb appeal and add substantial character to your home. In fact, research has shown that replacing the front door is a home improvement with one of the biggest pay-offs – it is affordable, relatively easy to do, and it makes one of the most visually noticeable impacts.’

Factors

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Wooden it be nice? Natural wood has always dominated when it comes to the materials used to make front doors. Its uniquely organic aesthetic and rich natural texture

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He notes that when you are choosing a front door, the last thing you want to settle for is something ordinary or boring. ‘When choosing a front door, there are obviously practical matters that need to be considered, such as security, energy efficiency and light. However, aesthetic appeal is also incredibly important. Ideally, your front door should stand out as an impressive focal point – and of course complement the rest of your home’s architecture and décor – but it ought to also stand out as something distinctive and interesting. Today’s front doors provide homeowners with the opportunity to make an individual statement with the entryway to their homes – they have become a personal signature, an expression of the unique character and style of the home and those who live in it.’ Understanding the different drivers in the design and manufacturing of front doors can go a long way to help you decide on which front door best suits your home’s design and your style preferences. Lourens offers a broad overview of the hottest front door trends:

offer a winning combination for making a truly eyecatching feature. Also, as general home improvement trends head towards eco-friendlier solutions, timber remains a great choice as it not only looks good but it is an excellent insulator, it has an impressively low carbon footprint, it boasts an incredibly long lifespan, and if sourced from a sustainably managed forest, it is also a renewable building resource. ‘All the timber used to make Swartland’s range of doors and windows come from sustainably-managed forests,’ Lourens points out.

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Let the light shine through Whether in an aluminium or a wooden door, glass panelling is in vogue. Front doors with oversized glass inserts, surrounding panels, decorative glass inserts, sidelights and transoms are increasingly popular because of the extra light they admit inside. Recently, glass manufacturing has made significant

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Doors & Windows Building Systems technological strides, resulting in impressive choices. Apart from transparency, glass offers many other desirable qualities including protection, safety, security, solar and sound control, UV-protection, decoration and insulation. ‘You may select the type of glazing you prefer in our pre-sealed and pre-glazed Ready-2-Fit range of front doors to customise what you buy,’ he adds.

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Bigger is better Similar to tile trends, large-format front doors seem to be bang on trend this year – increasingly more designers and architects are choosing front doors with added width and height to give their designs a more dramatic aesthetic. They also tend to create an illusion of increased interior space. You can make your entrance appear even larger through the addition of side panels, sidelights and transoms.

way of turning it from something ordinary into a real feature. You can choose from ornate knockers, door handles or hinges to pediment sets, door pilasters, door mantels and overlays, keystones and dentil strips.

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Energy efficiency Swartland is ahead of the game when it comes to going green. All the products in Swartland’s KENZO range of aluminium windows and doors, as well as its range of Ready-2-Fit timber wooden windows and doors, are SANS 613- and SANS 204-compliant. This means they comply with all the necessary local building regulations and are also an environmentally responsible choice.

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A matter of colour Use colour to turn your front door into your home’s centrepiece – a standout colour or one that harmonises with the rest of your home’s colours. From bright, eyecatching pops of colour, through to more muted organically natural tones – there are plenty of options for front doors. ‘Our Ready-2-Fit range of doors are available pre-treated in various tones, including Imbuia, Teak, Light Oak, White and Mahogany,’ Lourens notes.

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The little things Installing designer door accents, surrounds and hardware is another growing front door trend. Just like fashion accessories can make or break an outfit, so can these seemingly minor features give your front door that ‘wow’ factor. They can add character to a front entrance and also provide a relatively affordable

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Customisation is key Increasingly more homeowners opt for striking entrances that have been designed and custommanufactured to suit their specific requirements. Swartland can custom-create tailor-made front door solutions to virtually any specification. These front doors add status to the home. For guests, designer front doors set the tone as to the rest of the home’s architecture and décor.

Swartland W www.swartland.co.za issue 18 www.tobuild.co.za

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Steel Windows 2000 quality workmanship with professional service and sound advise Steel Windows 2000 is a privately owned family business and has operated successfully in South Africa since 1970. Our main objective and goal is to establish and maintain quality workmanship with professional service and sound advice. Exceptional service an unmatched quality is what we strive for.

We offer the following: Steel Windows Steel Doors Burglar Proofing Aluminium Windows & Doors Circular Windows New Industrial Look

New Industrial Look

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Tel: +27 (0)11 917 2605/6 Cell: +27 (0)83 589 5085 Fax: +27 (0)86 645 0509 E-mail: rinapringle@netactive.co.za / admin@windows2000.co.za 20 Lorna Road, Boksburg North, Anderbolt Muswelldale, Industrial Area

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Plan, Design, Build, Interior & Exterior Décor

MATERIALS Adhesives.........................................133 Bricks & Paving.............................138 Cement & Concrete.....................143 Coatings.........................................146 Insulation.......................................148 Timber & Decking...........................151

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Adhesives Materials

Launch of new passive fire retardant range business loss, protect the structure of buildings, and keep them accessible after the fire,’ says a company spokesperson. [Ed: See also our Editor’s Choice pages.]

Den Braven E sales@denbraven.co.za W www.denbraven.co.za

Photos by Den Braven

Leading supplier, Den Braven, recently hosted the media and various customers to a launch of its newest range of sealants, adhesives and expansion foams. ‘In the event of a fire, have you taken the necessary precautions to limit the spread of flames, heat and smoke, and significantly increase fire safety, resulting in sufficient time to evacuate an office block, shopping centre or hotel? These critical steps can save lives, reduce material damage, minimise

Fire Protect: Results through knowledge – group demos.

Above: FP Hybrid Sealant – Jointing. Right: Sealing cavities and around pipes. Far right: Demonstrating Fire Protect foam not burning.

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product catalogue Den Braven Sealants Acryl-W is a plastic elastic sealant for interior and exterior use, based on acrylic resin emulsion with a good adhesion to many materials. Paintable with emulsion paints, freeze resistant and not corrosive towards metals. Conforms to the SNJF-standard. After curing Acryl-W is weather and rain resistant. Cartridges of 280ml and 4kg bucket. Shelf life 18 months In original unopened packaging at temperatures between +5°C and +25°C. Application For sealing cracks and joints where moderate amounts of movements can occur (max.12,5%). Not suitable for joints exposed to continuous water immersion.

FireProtect® FP Acrylic Sealant is a one-component, highly qualified emulsion based sealant for fire retarding constructions. This product is almost odour free and non-corrosive towards metals. Will show good adhesion without a primer on building materials like concrete, brickwork, painted wood, anodised aluminium and uPVC. Cartridges of 310ml Shelf life 12 months In original unopened packaging at temperatures between +5°C and +25°C. Application Especially for indoor joints where high demands are to be met as a fire resistant seal. Joints in fire retardant constructions in buildings, houses and ships. Perimeter pointing around door and window frames, concrete and brickwork. Joints between walls and ceillings, and joints around pipes and cable work.

Silicone-1001U Professional is a high quality, ready-to-use elastic sealant, based on acid curing with very good adhesion to many surfaces. Excellent UV and weather resistance. Cartridges of 300ml Shelf life 24 months In original unopened packaging at temperatures between +5°C and +25°C. Application Sealing joints around buildings, industrial and fenestration applications.

Silicone-Sanitary is a high quality fungal resistant elastic sealant, based on acid curing which is waterproof, resistant to moisture, detergents and household chemicals, and has good adhesion to many surfaces (without primer). Cartridges of 300ml Shelf life 24 months In original unopened packaging at temperatures between +5°C and +25°C. Application For sealing joints and cracks in bathrooms, shower cubicles, kitchens and utility rooms.

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Den Braven Sealants product catalogue Do it right... the first time Silicone-NO is a high quality neutral curing fungal resistant, durable and elastic sealant with excellent adhesion on many surfaces (without primer). Has good UV and weather resistance. Silicone-NO complies with international standards. Cartridges of 300ml Shelf life 18 months In original unopened packaging at temperatures between +5°C and +25°C. Application For sealing joints where mildew is undesirable. Suitable as a perimeter and weather sealant. For sealing joints in glazing systems, buildings and general construction industry. Not suitable for use on mirrors or natural stone.

FireProtect® FP Silicone Sealant is a one-component, low modulus silicone sealant for sealing fire retardant joints. This product is neutral and almost odourless, forming a durable rubber seal after application. May be used without primer to seal assemblies of glass, laminated glass, glazed surfaces, aluminium and many other metals, unplasticised plastics, polyester, polystyrene and most uPVC, painted wood, concrete and brickwork. Cartridges of 310ml Shelf life Approx. 12 months In original unopened packaging at temperatures between +5°C and +25°C. Application Fire retardant expansion and joint sealing to precast concrete, brickwork and masonry. Fire retardant perimeter pointing and curtain wall sealing. Sealing fire retarding glazing systems and cap beading. Sealing joints where spreading of fire, smoke, water or toxic gases is undesired.

Hybriflex-540, a convenient one-component, non bubbling, moisture curing, low modulus sealant and adhesive. Free from isocyanates, silicones and solvents. Excellent adhesion to most substrates. Highly resistant to ageing and weathering. Hybriflex-540 is environmentally friendly, low VOC and easy to use. Cartridges of 300ml and 600ml Shelf life 12 months In original unopened packaging at temperatures between +5°C and +25°C. Application As a specific sealant for expansion joints between building structures, and around uPVC window frames. For sealing joints (inside and outside) in concrete, natural stone, asbestos, wood, enamelled surfaces, steel and aluminium. For use with Polyethylene Backing Cord.

Polyflex-422 is a high quality one-component polyurethane sealant. Excellent adhesion to many common building material surfaces. Forms a durable rubber seal. Pimer available on request for critical application. Cartridges of 300ml and 600ml Shelf life Approx. 12 months In original unopened packaging at temperatures between +5°C and +25°C. Application As a specific sealant for expansion joints between building structures, and around uPVC window frames. For sealing joints (inside and outside) in concrete, natural stone, asbestos, wood, enamelled surfaces, steel and aluminium.

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product catalogue Den Braven Sealants Supplying Africa with our green range Tecflex 510 is an Isocyanate free, low VOC, fast curing one component high modulus adhesive and joint sealant, based on SPUR technology for high mechanical performance. Cartridges of 290ml Shelf life 9 months In original unopened packaging at temperatures between +5°C and +25°C. Application Bonding and sealing of fixed glass and body parts in automotive, trucks, busses, aeronautical and marine industry, farm and construction equipment.

High Tack is a high quality, strong one component adhesive, with very high grip and tack based on MS Polymer. Cartridges of 290ml Shelf life 9 months In original unopened packaging at temperatures between +5°C and +25°C. Application Instant tack and gluing of panels, skirting boards,windowsills, natural stone, thresholds, mirrors and isolating materials. In coach-work and metal connecting joints. Gluing in shipbuilding industry.

Mirrofix-MS is an adhesive based on SPUR technology. For gluing mirrors. Consult our guide on gluing mirrors. Cartridges of 310ml Shelf life 9 months In original unopened packaging at temperatures between +5°C and +25°C. Application For adhering mirrors.

Fix-O-Chem is a fast curing, two component chemical fastener, based on synthetic resins. It is ideal for use instead of plugs or expansion anchors, as no pressure build up takes place. Not recommended for continuous water immersion. Temperature resistance of up to +80°C. Cartridges of 300ml Shelf life 9 months In original unopened packaging at temperatures between +5°C and +25°C. Application As a chemical anchor for wire rods and screws in massive and hollow surfaces such as concrete, aerated concrete, brickwork and hollow stones. For solid fastening of window frames, roller blinds, banisters, hinges, etc. in building constructions. Also as a synthetic repair mortar for concrete.

Woodflex is a solvent-free sealant and filler for sealing and joining of parquet, cork, laminate as well as for wooden floors and joinery. Available in 6 different colours suitable on all typical woods. The sealant has excellent adhesion qualities, is fast drying and may be sanded and painted. Cartridges of 300ml Shelf life 12 months In original unopened packaging at temperatures between +5°C and +25°C. Application As a colour match to wood colours for joining, sealing and finishes.

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Den Braven Sealants product catalogue Proud to be green... in more ways than one All Round Sealant is a paintable, solvent based plastic elastic sealant and is fungal resistant. Universal sealant based on synthetic rubbers with good adhesion properties. Can be used on damp non-porous surfaces. Cartridges of 280ml Shelf life 12 months In original unopened packaging at temperatures between +5°C and +25°C. Application A versatile sealant for sealing joints, repairing small cracks and for bonding. Can be applied even under moist conditions. Sili-Kill removes leavings of silicone sealants. Suitable for metals, glass, many plastics, ceramics, stone, concrete and textiles. Plastic bottles of 100ml. Brush included Shelf life 24 months In original unopened packaging at temperatures between +5°C and +25°C. Application For removing cured silicone sealants without any residue. Construction PU Foam is a one component fast curing construction foam based on moisture curing Polyurethane. It has a strong dense cell structure with excellent gap filling capability. Precise application with the NBS applicator option. PU Foam Cleaner is a cleaner that dissolves uncured PU Foam and is required for cleaning out the NBS applicator. FireProtect® FP PU Foam is a fire resistant, one component polyurethane foam curing by atmospheric moisture. For use in areas where fire resistance is required. Construction PU Foam handheld aerosol available in canisters of 500ml and 750ml Gunfoam aerosol available in canisters of 750ml Cleaner aerosol available in canisters of 500ml FireProtect® FP PU Foam available in 750ml Shelf life 12 months In original unopened packaging at temperatures between -5°C and +25°C. Always store canisters upright. Application PU-Foam can be used in joints between separation walls, ceilings and floors. Perimeter joints around window and door frames. Filling cavities carrying pipes, cables or transits in walls and ceilings. FP PU Foam offers fire resistance up to 4 hours combined with other FP products. For use with Polyethylene Backing Cord.

Johannesburg 2 High View Boulevard, High View Business, Ferndale Ext 26, 2194 tel: 011 792 3830 fax: 011 793 4266 Durban Unit 1, 22 Beechfield Crescent, Springfield Park, 4091 tel: 031 579 2375 fax: 031 579 4070 Cape Town Unit 2, Linpark, 17 Longclaw Drive, Montague Gardens, 7441 tel: 021 552 9674/5 fax: 021 552 9678 sales@denbraven.co.za www.denbraven.co.za The products and applications featured are a guideline. We recommend you contact us or visit our website to confirm the technical specifications of our products for the application required.

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Materials Bricks & Paving

Cobblestone manufacturer supports a cause A Cape-based manufacturer of cast-stone products, and a proud member of the Concrete Manufacturers Association, tells To Build about paving products and a fun project that raised funds for a deserving animal welfare cause. ‘Revelstone offers a wide range of cobbles that are ideally suited to heavy-duty commercial wear and domestic driveways. We offer an array of options,’ says Jeanine Pomario, the company’s spokesperson. ‘Our cobbles can be used in combination with pavers to create borders, edging, and accent line for gardens or gravel pathways.’ Cobbles are available in the traditional range, including Kent cobble (50mm), Ridgestone Cobble

Jura Cobble

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(50mm), Viking Cobble (60mm), and Jura Cobble (75mm). These cobbles are available in various thicknesses, size and colour to suit project requirements. Jeanine points out that the company is still 100% family owned and run, guaranteeing that the founding principles are not only maintained but revitalised as the business grows and develops. This ensures that Revelstone’s ethos and what it has become is not compromised but enhanced.

Viking Cobble

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Bricks & Paving Materials Paving the way for dogs and cats too Revelstone recently raised R16 000 for DARG (Domestic Animal Rescue Group). The fundraiser was held over six weeks from March 1 to April 5, 2016. Putting its concrete casting skills to the test, Revelstone manufactured and donated 320 delightful art concrete bunnies for the fundraising drive. ‘The bunnies were sold for R50 each and the target was reached within the six-week period,’ Jeanine enthuses. DARG is indeed a worthy cause that does great work in society. The NGO is a pro-life, non-profit organisation that rescues, cares for, sterilises and rehomes previously abused, neglected and abandoned cats and dogs. DARG provides a crucial role for the communities of Imizamo Yethu, Hangberg and the greater Hout Bay area. Andrew Cyprianos, CEO and founder of Revelstone, says: ‘We were overwhelmed with the response we got from our customers and the general public. We would like to thank all those

Art concrete bunnies raised funds for DARG.

who contributed towards this fantastic fundraiser. It has been a huge success. The funds raised will go towards assisting DARG with the re-homing, sterilisation and rescuing of abandoned cats and dogs in the Western Cape.’

Photos by Revelstone

Ridgestone Cobble

Revelstone E jeanine@revelstone.co.za W www.revelstone.co.za DARG W www.darg.org.za issue 18 www.tobuild.co.za

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The Paving Warehouse is a one stop shop for all your paving requirements. Driveway paving, patios, pools, fire pits, boma’s, romantic courtyards. We have it all. Visit our showroom in Midrand.

INTERLOCK PAVERS 60mm & 80mm

Cnr Setter & West Roads, Midrand Industrial Park T 011 310 2380 F 011 310 2389 E frontdesk@thepavingwarehouse.co.za

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Bricks & Paving Materials

Supplier profile Having been in the paving manufacturing industry for well over 30 years, Andrew and Debbie Carey are well qualified as owners of The Paving Warehouse. The company has mastered the art of simulated rock and is no run of the mill stone mason. According to Debbie Carey, the Paving Warehouse is South Africa’s leading manufacturer of simulated rock and, with applications both indoors and outdoors, each stone cast is a classic. ‘Our goal is to provide the best possible products at amazing prices. We pride ourselves on having a wide range of products for both the commercial and domestic markets. Some of our most prestigious jobs have been for Monte Casino, Carnival City, The Blue Mosque in Midrand, and Rosebank Mall.’ The company offers products for driveways, gardens, cladding, fire pits, bomas and various landscaping products, as well as patios and pools. ‘We really have all the products to make a home or office park look incredible,’ she adds. With an impressive compressive strength of between 3 to 40MPa, absorption levels below 5.7%, and shrinkages of a miniscule 0.05%, the company assures its clients that its Wonder Rock classic range will not only look good but also handle a load.

Andrew and Debbie Carey

A case history of success Twelve years ago, the company supplied floor tiles and cobbles to the site of the then-new Monte Casino development. The owner, Andrew Carey – with over 30 years’ experience in the manufacture of these products using state-of-the-art equipment – is justifiably proud of his successes. ‘Our floor tiles/cobbles in Monte Casino look as beautiful today as they did 12 years ago when they were laid, and show no wear whatsoever. We pride ourselves on our quality and service. In most products we also exceed the specifications laid down by the South African Bureau of Standards.’ The Paving Warehouse has a great showroom in Midrand. It offers a wealth of ideas, including live chickens for the entertainment of clients and their families. The company informs To Build that its staff are well qualified and happy to assist clients in making the correct choice for their projects.

Flagship Range The company proudly manufactures the entire Wonder Rock range. This brand has a 40-year pedigree and a solid track record in the supply of quality products. The range consists of: • Driveway cobbles • Flagstones and tiles • Stone wall cladding • Interlock paving

The Paving Warehouse T +27 (0)11 310 2380 E frontdesk@thepavingwarehous.co.za W www.the pavingwarehouse.co.za issue 18 www.tobuild.co.za

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Concrete & Cement Materials

Viable green alternatives in concrete mixes

Photos by Gareth Griffiths

At the Smart Build Conference, held in Cape Town in March, a number of pertinent options for the replacement of carbon-producing building materials were presented. To Build examines the work done in the field of green concrete.

Cyril Attwell

Murray and Roberts Construction Group (M&R) Concrete and Research Manager, Cyril Attwell, explains the advanced methods used to obtain optimal strength from green concrete. As a result of their research, the company has been able to produce concretes with a 0% Portland Cement content. Most commonly used are hybrid concretes, containing mixtures of differing available compounds that support sustainability. Speaking at the Smart Build Conference, Attwell told the audience that his company had successfully modified concrete by adopting the ‘bone structure model of the human body’ via a process called Advanced Re-Crystallization (ARC). ‘ARC is the process of optimising the crystallography of a hydration, polymer or hybrid material to increase the strength and durability of concrete while reducing the environmental and economic costs,’ he says. Traditionally, 30MPa concrete requires between 300kg and 350kg of ordinary cement/m3. Attwell and his team at M&R have developed a technology that meets the 30MPa standard using just 25kg of cement or even less. Not only does it meet the standard, it far

Mohammed Hussein

exceeds it. To date, strengths of up to 52MPa have been achieved on certain sites using M&R’s patented ARC technology and 0kg of Portland cement/m3. ‘The optimisation of the crystal lattice through mineral synergy increase the strengths beyond what is considered normal,’ Attwell adds. The ultimate goal was to produce a hybrid material of a superior strength but at a significantly lower carbon cost to the environment, reduced water consumption and lower cost. In addition, the mineral content in available ground water downgrades the performance of Portland cement when used in concrete because of DEF attack (Delayed Ettringite Formation). Hybrid concretes can mitigate this problem.

Slag A series of hybrid concrete mixes have been used on key projects, in which significantly less cement was used and replaced by slag, a hydraulic cement, from iron industry furnaces and also by fly ash (a by-product from the burning of coal in power stations). According to Attwell, slag waste ‘corex slag’ (GGCS) is a waste from the iron ore industry. It is the scum that floats to the top when purifying pig iron.

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Materials Concrete & Cement The addition of GGCS usually results in a reduced need for water, faster time of set, improved pumpability and easier finishing, and a higher 28-day strength. The advantages of using slag cement have been listed [Source: Slag Cement Association of the USA] as: • Better concrete workability • Easier finishing • Higher compressive and flexural strengths • Lower permeability • Improved resistance to aggressive chemicals including resistance to sulphate attack and alkalisilica reactivity (ASR) • More consistent plastic and hardened properties • L ighter colour.

Three sources of slag in SA • G GAS: Ground granulated arc-furnace slag sources in South Africa not commercialised. • G GBS: Ground granulated blast-furnace slag - sources at Vanderbijlpark and Newcastle. • G GCS: Ground granulated corex slag sources at Saldanha

Pozzolans and fly ash On the other hand, fly ash (PFA), Fly Ash, is a pozzolan. A pozzolan is a siliceous or aluminosiliceous material that, in finely divided form and in the presence of moisture, chemically reacts with the calcium hydroxide released by the hydration of Portland Cement to form additional calcium silicate hydrate and other cementitious compounds. The hydration reactions are similar to the reactions occurring during the hydration of Portland Cement. Thus, concrete containing fly ash pozzolan becomes denser, stronger and generally more durable in the long term compared to straight Portland Cement concrete mixtures. [Source: Ash Grove Resources http://www.ashgroveresources.com/showcase4.html] The use of natural pozzolan, a lime-based by-product of volcanic ashes or tuffs was well demonstrated by Dr Mohammed Hussein, a Saudi Arabian based specialist researcher who told the conference that its use in substituting for a proportion of Portland cement in the Middle East is gaining currency. ‘In soils with a proportion of chloride and sulphate, pozzolans are the best solution to producing longer inservice life of concrete structures,’ says Dr Hussein. According to Hussein, research and extensive testing carried out by his laboratory has shown that the advantages of using pozzolans are:

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• • • • • •

I mproved resistance to chloride, sulphate and acid R esistance to leaching, segregation and bleeding Reduced permeability and water repellent Reduces creep, cracks and micro cracking Improved high temperature durability and healing I ncreased ultimate strength over time. ‘Concrete containing pozzolans is qualified for use in nuclear vessels,’ he adds. Fly ash cannot completely replace cement in concrete, but can when combined with GGBS. Attwell and his team have developed a formulation in which 60% of fly ash was used with GGBS at the City Deep JHB container terminal.

Carbon footprint Attwell tells us that a common ‘eco-concrete’ 30MPa from a major ready-mix South African supplier has an embodied carbon content of approximately 259.9kg CO2/m³ calculated using the InEnergy system as per the Concrete Institute’s website. By contrast, and using the same calculation method, the embodied carbon content of the high strength 60MPa hybrid concrete produced by Murray & Roberts infrastructure on site is 161.1kg CO2/m³. The same original 30MPa concrete is 90.7kg CO2/m³. In the case of the 30MPa concrete as supplied at a site in the Northern Cape (ED: see Lead Story) this means an embodied carbon content is 65.1% lower than a common ‘eco-concrete’. At the Portside, Cape Town’s tallest building, up to 85% replacement of cement with GGCS was applied. ‘The Portside is the tallest and greenest skyscraper in Cape Town. Conventionally, up to 50% replacement of cement with slag has being applied to civil structures. However, the amount replaced at Portside was significantly higher,’ Attwell maintains. But was there an academic facility involved in the testing and evaluation of performance? ‘The hybrid concrete was tested for shrinkage and durability at the University of Cape Town with both results positively exceeding the requirements,’ Attwell concludes.

Cyril Attwell, M&R Construction E Cyril.attwell@murrob.com W www.construction.murrob.com Dr Mohammed Alhaj Hussein E m@dralhaj.com

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Materials Coatings

International supplier launches in SA A US-based manufacturer of integrated roof coatings and repair materials is entering the market after identifying a demand for its range of rubber-based coatings and sealants. US-based Topps Products Inc., through its products anchored on seamless rubber-based technology, aims to ensure leak-free roofs and cool roofs around the globe. Energy savings on their own can be impressive when the best performing roofing compounds are added. That’s when real savings are achieved. This is central to the belief system at Topps Products Inc, a manufacturer for integrated roof coatings and repair materials. Topps’ Coatings have been used successfully around the globe for more than three decades to protect projects, even in harsh environments, and support buildings to remain cool, covered and protected. The company’s unique product line for roofing applications include Topps Seal, Seam/ RivetGuard, and Polyprene.

Roof Restoration Topps Products’ 100% rubber roof materials are designed as stand-alone compounds to fix leakage problems and work hand-in-hand with roof restoration coatings. The company, which has already supplied its products to 41 countries around the world, serves South African customers through a local office – Topps Products Group South Africa. The company’s vibrant product range will also offer GutterGuard (a gutter leak protection solution) and ReFlex (a protective metal and masonry wall coating). Topps claims that its product line is well-known for energy-efficient roof coatings and cements that exceed all US standards – including the venerable US Environmental Protective Agency’s achievements for Energy Star® – with the company’s flagship coating being Topps Seal®.

coating market for commercial segments. Besides, as with acrylic coatings, its products are also easily compatible for concrete structures and Topps is the leading brand to meet the demand from metal buildings.

Residential – repair materials Products offered for the residential structure are not coatings but repair materials – for instance, Polyprene, a 100% rubber-cement material, offers 85% elongation. It comes in tubes and is used to seal seams/gaps and cracks inside and out of the residence,’ says James Thomas, VP – Sales International for Topps Products Inc. ‘We have a 30-year history of delivering real value and best practice roofing solutions to building owners and installers worldwide. Customer demand is the primary factor that has brought us to South Africa and we are getting increasing enquiries about our products and services from customers throughout the country. However, we have also keenly observed the South African market and the customer demand scenario, finding that a technical and skills gap exists in the market. Our products are preferred by customers to address these concerns. They are specifically engineered to compete with acrylic and even bituminous coatings. Our coating solutions are fully solvent based and ensure significant elongation capability – a feature that enables the structure to be fully adaptable to the changing climatic conditions. The solutions are 100% rubber, rather than polyurethane, based,’ Thomas concludes.

Commercial and Industrial A primary focus area for South Africa is to serve commercial and industrial buildings. However, the company also offers products for residential structures and road repairs. Topps is presently concentrating on strengthening its presence in the roof waterproofing

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Topps Products Group South Africa W www.toppsproducts.com

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117 Main Reef Road Technikon, Roodepoort, South Africa T. +27 11 760 6000 | chemplus.co.za E. info@chemplus.co.za

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Materials

Insulation

A favourite brand in the market

Aerolite is a thermal and acoustic glass wool ceiling insulation that maintains a comfortable living environment, keeping you cooler in summer, warmer in winter and safer, quieter, friendlier and happier all year round. Since November 2011, the South African building regulations legislation prescribes that all new homes are required to have a certain level of insulation in their roofs to meet specific performance requirements. R-value is a term used when calculating the capacity of an insulating material to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating power. To see the R-value legislative requirement in your area of interest, visit the website at www.aerolite.co.za.

Loss of energy A typical uninsulated home gains or loses up to 35% of its energy through the ceiling, resulting in a home that is uncomfortably hot in summer and cold in winter. Aerolite insulates ceilings and dramatically slows down heat loss or gain resulting in a comfortable home. The growing energy crisis and cost has forced a need to conserve energy and reduce electricity usage. Aerolite offers a payback in less than two years thanks to the home’s reduced energy requirements with continued savings thereafter. Aerolite also has exceptional acoustic insulation and soundproofing properties – it enhances an indoor environment by absorbing noise from the inside and outside resulting in a quieter home. Aerolite is also the safer option. Unlike many competitive products that are combustible, Aerolite

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Photo by Isover St Gobain

The manufacturer of a long-standing brand of insulation in the market reminds us of the advantages of its original product. is a certified non-combustible product, which means it won’t burn, smoke, or melt in a fire as it’s made from glass wool. Aerolite is made of 80% recycled glass and the company’s factory based in Springs, Gauteng, is CFC- and HCFC-free, saving more than 100 times the energy consumed and CO2 emitted from manufacturing, transporting and disposal. This ensures customers are on the right side of a sustainable future.

Safe installation rules Aerolite blankets are easy and safe to install as they are supplied in resilient, flexible compression packed rolls for easy manoeuvring and cutting inside the roof. Simply lay Aerolite on top of the existing ceiling. Make sure to use protective wear to minimise dust inhalation and to prevent injuries in older roofs. Also, don’t work in the roof during the heat of the summer, and be careful not to step through the ceiling. Aerolite is manufactured by Isover, a division of Saint-Gobain that was founded in 1937 and has been operating in South-Africa for almost 60 years. Isover manufactures a wide range of insulation solutions, ranging from applications in residential, commercial and industrial buildings. Products include glass wool, mineral wool and EPS (expanded polystyrene) solutions.

Saint-Gobain Isover W www.isover.co.za

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Timber & Decking Materials

Evolution pool interior

Timberframe

Metal free, solvent-based and biodegradable A tri-functional wood preservative that contains advanced organic azole fungicides and a synthetic pyrethroid as an insecticide/termiticide for the effective protection of timber against fungal decay, woodborers and insect attack. Arch Wood Protection’s introduction of Vacsol® Azure® timber preservative to the South African market in 2012 has extended its range of alternatives in wood preservation with an organic, solvent-based product that is metal free and biodegradable. With a shifting emphasis on product reassurance, Vacsol® Azure® timber preservative ticks all the boxes with its Ecospecifier Global endorsement that this treated wood exhibits ecological and preferable health characteristics. ‘We are constantly looking for opportunities to lead in the supply of wood protection products that meet customer demands and ultimately those of the end user. By remaining focused on the current and future industry trends, we are confident that Vacsol® Azure® timber preservative add to our capacity to expand the globally-recognised range of Tanalised® products in our local market,’ says Doug Sayce, Arch Wood Protection’s General Manager.

Making its mark on green building requirements Since its launch four years ago, Vacsol® Azure® timber preservative has already made its mark as the first metal-free Light Organic Solvent Preservative (LOSP) that provides treated timber with greater dimensional stability than conventional water-borne wood preservative products. Furthermore, it is rated among the contributing products to the achievement of the Green Building rating tool credits.

This tri-functional wood preservative contains advanced organic azole fungicides and a synthetic pyrethroid as an insecticide/termiticide for the effective protection of timber against fungal decay, woodborers and insect attack. It is used to treat wood products in a vessel using a double vacuum process to ensure that the wood preservative penetrates and is retained within the sapwood. Being metal free, it is biodegradable and regarded as safer than previous tin-based solvent wood preservatives. Vacsol® Azure® timber preservative is best applied for the treatment of plywood, finger jointed, laminated, and engineered wood products. The preservation solution is a clear, amber-coloured liquid and, on application, transforms wood to a beautiful natural light honey shade. As a certified environmentally-friendly product, it is perfectly suited to applications involving human contact. These are identified as Hazard Class H2 (interior above ground) and H3 (exterior above ground) applications such as balconies and decks, internal cladding, flooring and ceiling, laminated beams, thatching poles, lathes and wood features. In H3 applications, it is highly recommended that the treated timber is coated with a water repellent penetrating sealant after installation.

Arch Wood T +27 (0)39 682 6019; +27 (0)39 315 8406 E doug.sayce@lonza.com W www.tanalised.co.za issue 18 www.tobuild.co.za

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Plan, Design, Build, Interior & Exterior DĂŠcor

SERVICES Air-conditioning..........................157 Furniture..........................................158 Plumbing & Reticulation............163 Ground Engineering..................166

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ADVERTORIAL Services

Silent design series

Silent Design Series Extractor Fans are available from Air Movement Supplies (AMS). The company is represented nationally with offices in Cape Town (Montagu Gardens), Johannesburg (Sandton), Durban and Port Elizabeth.

A Silent and innovative design The SILENT 100/200 DESIGN Series extractor fans boast a modern and elegant slimline finish with low noise levels for world class silence in your bathroom.

Features The Silent Design fan is suitable for wall and ceiling installations, ideal for modern homes and small commercial applications, in sizes to suit 100 and 200mm duct diameter. It includes as standard an integrated backdraft shutter preventing air entry and heat leakage when fan is not running. The fan is manufactured from injection moulded plastic.

Run-on timer Option The Silent 200 Design series has a 1-30 minute adjustable run-on timer as an option and makes it

Photo by AMS

Air Movement Supplies, a dynamic and competitive role player in the air movement industry, is part of Elta Group with its worldwide operations and distributors. AMS strive to provide globally competitive products with local service, realizing the importance of a satisfied customer in a forceful market.

suitable for bathrooms and en-suites where steam is generated and running the fan will help clear the mirror and even remove unpleasant odours.

Rating The single phase 230V-50Hz,Class B motor, IP45 rated, is mounted on silent-elastic blocks which absorbs the vibrations and allow for very low noise levels.

Color The fan is available in a white finish and includes an operating light bar in blue that runs along the right side of the fan and indicates when the fan is running.

Air Movement Supplies T +27 (0) 21 552 1077 W www.fans.co.za

To Advertise IN THE NEXT ISSUE CONTACT

TO BUILD Plan, Design, Build, Interior & Exterior DĂŠcor

SA

BUILDING REVIEW

ANNUAL ARCHITECTURAL RESOURCE HANDBOOK

T 021 424 3625 F 086 516 7277 C 072 365 4877 W www.mediaxpose.co.za issue 18 www.tobuild.co.za

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Services Furniture

Photo by Dauphin

Bosse ModulSpace Systems

New Bryanston showroom A top office furniture supplier recently opened new doors with an innovative range of modular office concepts and furnishing systems for in-office design solutions. Dauphin HumanDesign® Group has recently opened its doors to a stylish new Johannesburg showroom, and is set to change the face of office design planning. The slick new showroom is an ode to working smart and celebrates the dynamic characteristics of Dauphin HumanDesign® Group’s signature furniture solutions. Central to the showroom concept is Dauphin’s Bosse Modul Space system, an innovative range of modular office concepts and furnishing systems for in-office design solutions – everything from smaller, boutique style office spaces to large corporates. And this internationally-renowned office range is now being produced in South Africa. ‘Both office design specialists and end users of Dauphin’s Bosse Modul Space system will be pleased to know that the European-designed system, known for its sleek good looks and best ergonomic practises, is now entirely locally manufactured. This means that office designers using the distinctive Bosse systems can rest assured that not only are they using a product that adheres to outstanding European design, quality and safety standards, but they are guaranteed of competitive pricing too. It’s a win-win situation,’ says Cherine Leishman, Sales and Marketing Director for Dauphin HumanDesign® Group.

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Showcase of versatility The new Dauphin showroom is a showcase of the versatility of these design systems, allowing wouldbe users to engage with the product to maximise their own design plans and find a solution for every office spatial demand – from the desking systems and customised storage solutions in the Bosse ModulSpace range to the Bosse Dialounge, which offers lounge and pause area solutions. ‘Today, workspaces and office environments need to accommodate the multi-tasking nature and dynamism of workers. Fulfilling these needs impacts on the culture of office workers and so to their ability to be efficient. It’s no longer about sitting in the same position at the same desk in the same chair from nine to five,’ Leishman concludes. The company has been represented in South Africa since 1981, later becoming a proud member of the Bidvest Group. Dauphin currently has showrooms in Bryanston, Johannesburg, and Black River Park, Cape Town, and is also represented in KwaZulu-Natal.

Dauphin HumanDesign® Group T +27 (0)11 447 9888; +27 (0)21 448 3682 W www.dauphin.co.za

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Services Furniture

The Rust Bucket, Sun Valley www.therustbucket.co.za

Building with wood pallets By Freelance writer, Joy Cronje

How to approach a wooden pallet project.

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Photos by Gareth Griffiths Imaging

The latest craze in homemaking in South Africa is the revival of do-it-yourself home projects. This comes as a response to a worldwide increased awareness of the changing weather patterns and global warming caused by our irresponsible use of Earth’s resources. It is also our nation’s way of thwarting the increased financial pressure we’re all feeling because of the ElNiño drought of 2016 and the unstable socio-political climate. Whatever your reasons may be, reusing glass jars and bric-a-brac has become the ‘in thing’, the neohipster’s ideal style. Join the bearded masses and pop the collar of your chequered shirt while you sand away at a plank of pallet wood or wield that manly power tool for the new coffee table you’ve always wanted.

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Furniture Services You may be a talented part-time carpenter who understands the inner workings of his power tools, or a mommy trying to save a few bucks with barely any knowledge of how a saw works. Or, you may be a student dipping rusks for breakfast or a hobbyist looking for new skills to learn. Whatever your circumstances, the timing has never been better to take on a pallet wood project.

What kind of DIY pallet projects are there? Browsing the internet, you’ll find thousands of ideas for what to make – from simple shelving projects where the pallet needs barely more than a coat of paint to the more elaborate projects such as building your own garden gazebo. The point is to build something you need in your home, and something suited to your level of skill. In some cases, as with most things in life, there will be a learning curve. However, in our current digitised world, finding resources out there should be a breeze to help you become a pro at working with pallet wood. Below we’ll look at a few tips and tricks common to many of the projects you could end up trying.

Tips and tricks for working with pallet wood

Tools Make sure you’ve got all the right equipment for the job. If you’re going to build a coffee table or gazebo, you’ll need a clean workspace, power tools, and other hand tools. If you’re wondering which tools you’ll need, it’s best to follow a step-by-step guide that you can easily find online. However, if you’re going for the simpler project, paint and primer could be the summary of your needs. Finish your projects off with varnish and the smaller finishing touches that make it unique.

Joy Cronje E joycronje@gmail.com The Rust Bucket W www.therustbucket.co.za

Photo by Shutterstock

Inspect the wood before taking it as some of it won’t be workable for your project. If it looks oily and stained or if it smells funny and looks dodgy in general, give it a miss. Heavy pieces and pieces with too many twisted nails could also complicate the job, so choose other pieces over these. Wear gloves. Getting a splinter or cut from a rusty

nail isn’t all that far-fetched, so avoid the hospital and the pain, and make sure your hands are protected. Clean the pallet wood thoroughly with bleach and warm soapy water to get rid of as much bacteria as possible. Unfortunately, because wood is porous you can never guarantee it is a hundred percent safe, so avoid using pallets in projects like spice racks or food gardens and for baby furniture such as bassinets and wooden toys. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask when sanding or sawing, and remember to follow standard woodworking safety precautions. Store the wood without the nails. The nails complicate the job and are extremely dangerous. The sooner you get rid of them, the better.

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Plumbing & Reticulation Services

Critical issue facing industry

Photo by SAPPMA

The plastic pipe industry in South Africa, a key infrastructural and critical national asset, is facing a crisis that threatens the industry as a whole and thereby key infrastructural sectors in South Africa, including mining and water supply. The Southern African Plastic Pipe Manufacturers’ Association (SAPPMA) writes about the critical issue in the pipeline with our standards authority.

The cause of the current crisis is solely as a result of the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) failing to perform in terms of its mandate, as well as its obligations prescribed in the Standards Act 2008. Amongst others, the SABS has: • Failed to renew expired licenses to plastic pipe manufacturers without providing any indication when the licenses would be renewed • In July 2015, unilaterally and without any consultation, decided to disallow partial testing of products manufactured by players in the industry • Failed to ensure that testing facilities and laboratories needed to conduct testing on products are adequate and that those persons responsible for the testing are competent. SAPPMA is a voluntary, non-profit organisation that represents almost 90% of all certified manufacturers of HDPE and PVC plastic pipes being made in southern Africa. One of its primary objectives is to improve product quality in the whole value chain of the plastic pipe industry to ensure the long-term viability of piping systems used in infrastructure through its representatives. ‘Directly as a result of the SABS’s failure to perform in terms of its mandate, local manufacturers of plastic pipes are no longer able to use the SABS Certification Mark,’ explains Jan Venter, SAPPMA’s Chief Executive Officer. Venter adds that these developments have, and will continue to have, dire consequences for the

manufacturers, the industry and the country. These include: • A diminishment of product confidence in the market place • No measurable improvement in product and service quality • Disqualifying manufacturers from submitting their products for tender as manufacturers are hindered in the sale and distribution of their products without the SABS mark of approval. Several years ago, and as early as May 2006, SAPPMA warned about the potential for the actualisation of the crisis and attempted to address the numerous issues with the SABS in regard to its testing facilities. Despite numerous cautions issued in this regard, and attempts made by SAPPMA to address this issue over the past ten years, the SABS has failed to heed of these warnings or implement any programme to avoid the present crisis. ‘On March 29, 2016, through our attorney David Swartz of Phillip Silver Swartz Incorporated, SAPPMA again called for an urgent meeting with the SABS to address the issues and the crisis at length. On April 15, 2016, the SABS responded to our lawyer’s letter and agreed to the request for an urgent meeting, the date of which is in the process of being finalised,’ Venter confirms. SAPPMA has given its members the assurance that it remains committed to finding the best solution for the industry and will continue to give regular feedback in this regard. [ED: As at the date of publication, it does not seem that SABS has responded to the media release issued by SAPPMA.]

The Southern African Plastic Pipe Manufacturers’ Association T + 27 (0)11 314 4021 W www.sappma.co.za issue 18 www.tobuild.co.za

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Services Ground Engineering

Case Study: Stabilising two staircase shafts Uretek Geo-Systems (SA) provides a quick and efficient solution for two subsiding staircase shafts at Nampak House. The two staircase shafts at Nampak House were subsiding as cracks at the junction between the main building and the two shafts developed over a number of months. The north-west corner of the northern shaft exhibited diagonal cracks in the facebrick work just above normal ground level in addition to the junction crack. The southern staircase shaft only exhibited cracks at the junction point. Uretek Geo-Systems (SA) was called to assess the problem and provide a fast and efficient solution. Uretek is the ideal technology for raising, relevelling, re-supporting and strengthening moving and sunken concrete structures resting on or in the ground.

Following acceptance of Uretek’s assessment and recommendation by the client, works commenced on site.

Methodology and products employed Uretek Geo-Systems (SA) is the license holder of the two Uretek patented technologies of Slab Lifting and Deep Injection: • Uretek Slab Lifting – Raising and re-levelling, carried out by injecting expanding geo-polymeric structural resins under the element to be raised, through 14mm diameter holes. • Uretek Deep-Injection (UDI) – Improved ground bearing capacity is achieved with this technology

Photos by Uretek South Africa

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Ground Engineering Services that compacts and densifies foundation soils, again by similar injection through tiny holes, but down to multiple depths in weak strata. At Nampak House the Uretek Deep Injection process was successfully implemented, achieving lift of 1.5mm, visibly reducing the size of the diagonal crack in the face brickwork. • Uretek Geoplus The patented UDI resin formulation, brings to bear controlled forces of up to 10 000kPa.

Characteristics of Uretek Deep Injection: • Hydro insensitive, repels water • Environmental and sustainable technology

Advantages • A ll Uretek components are completely machine pre-mixed before injection. The result is an inert material that is non-toxic, has an indefinite life span, and cannot leach out into the environment. • Uretek is clean and quiet • Uretek materials and processes have a low carbon footprint. In general, the following great attributes helped the Nampak House rehabilitation project: • Expansive resins greatly reduce material consumption compared to alternative methods, substantially cutting down on production and transportation emissions. • The company’s efficient processes involve no demolition, excavation or heavy machinery, and create no waste. The process is about repairing not replacing, and restoring not rebuilding. • It is fast and economical and causes minimal inconvenience to our clients’ normal activities.

The process Experienced technicians inject the appropriate Uretek resins through tiny pattern-drilled holes immediately below the slab or footing. The components are precisely machine-mixed and chemically expand almost immediately, exerting a mould pressure that fills voids encountered, re-establishing or confirming structural support. They cure, again almost immediately, to a strong stable and longlasting material that is immediately trafficable and environmentally neutral. Sub-grade compaction has been found to occur contemporaneously down to 500mm in weak ground.

Continued injection allows lifting to fractional tolerances. The spread of material is controlled, while the rate of lift is a gentle, precise operation. Movement is carefully monitored by laser and computer level. Results are immediate and permanent. With a mould pressure of up to 400kPa, (40 tonnes/m2), it is usual to lift floors – and entire buildings – with shelving and machinery in place, resulting in huge savings in both time and money. Unlike piling, masonry or concrete ‘underpinning’, Uretek is not rigid and does not transfer the load directly to a different stratum of soil, which could cause differential movement between then unequally supported sections of the structure. Project outcome The Nampak project was completed in four hours, saving the client time and the inconvenience of having a traditional piling contractor disrupt access to the building over a number of weeks. An informative video of the process may be found at https://youtu.be/mtqX4oyB44M.

Uretek - Geo Systems SA (Pty) Ltd T +27 (0)11 238 7154 F +27 (0)86 550 3164 issue 18 www.tobuild.co.za

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Plan, Design, Build, Interior & Exterior Décor

GREEN BUILDING HVAC.................................................171 Buildings.........................................174 Water................................................178 Renewable Energy........................181 Out & About....................................183 Student Designs.............................186 Energy.............................................191

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HVAC Green Building

A breath of fresh air in HVAC design Ever since air conditioning was invented ceiling cassettes have been square. However, this is about to change – no more ‘square pegs in round holes’… Samsung has come up with a revolutionary new idea – a round cassette. Not only aesthetically pleasing, it also eliminates two main problems with square cassettes.

Problem #1: Direct draughts No-one likes sitting in a draught. In some cases, ‘draught blockers’ have even had to be installed on ceilings to deflect draughts, especially where this is long periods of occupancy. With Samsung’s new 360 Cassette, cool or warm air is horizontally discharged with an even 360° spread, eliminating direct draughts.

Problem #2: Uneven cooling/heating The cooling or heating effect of a square cassette also results in uneven temperature distribution because of direct draughts. Air flow is concentrated in specific areas, leaving some people cold and others hot. However, the 360 Cassette distributes cooled or warmed air evenly to all parts of a room, ensuring maximum comfort. Bladeless flow control ncreases air volume by 25%.Due to not having a blade to divert the flow of air, the cassette delivers 100% of air volume without loss, ensuring faster cooling or heating. This also means no stained blades.

‘Coanda effect’ makes all the difference The cassette utilises a phenomenon known as the ‘coanda effect’, whereby flow of air attaches itself to the curve of a nearby surface, namely the upward curve of the units circular discharge vent and retains this direction even when the flow of air exits. This results in the almost horizontal omnidirectional air-flow discharge and ushers in a new era of comfort for air conditioner users. No more unpleasant draughts and no uneven temperature distribution.

Chiling news While the HVAC industry has seen a general move towards VRF air conditioning, there are still significant numbers of buildings currently equipped with older

water-cooled chiller units, requiring a cooling tower using electricity for pump operation. A new air-cooled chiller, the Samsung DVM Chiller range combines the strengths of both VRF and Chiller systems to provide world-class energy efficiency: an ESEER of 5.7. Economy of operation is becoming an ever greater factor in the choice of a replacement chiller. The new DVM Chiller facilitates easy installation in tights spaces, integrated control, and the ability to integrate with existing reticulation. A cooling tower and cooling water pump are not required and the chiller can also be used to provide both hot and cold water.

Modular system As with Samsung’s DVM air conditioning system, the DVM Chiller system is modular, with additional units being linked together to meet a building’s air conditioning demands. Up to 16 units can be combined as a single module, while Samsung’s Integrated Control System allows variable numbers of units to be in operation at different times, according to seasonal demands. The result is world-class energy efficiency for air-cooled chillers of an ESEER of 5.7 (rated in accordance with EN14511). Samsung’s new DVM Chiller offers a range of cooling/ heating capacities from 42 to 69.8kW per unit.

Fourways Airconditioning T +27 (0)11 704 6320 Samsung W www.samsung.com/za/business/businessproducts/system-air-conditioner issue 18 www.tobuild.co.za

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Green Building Green Education

Leading the way in green education Early in 2016, the first Streetlight School opened in Johannesburg. The project has been registered for a 4-Star Green Star SA Interiors rating with the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) by sustainability specialists, Solid Green Consulting. Streetlight Schools is an innovative low-cost primary school model that focuses on enquiry, collaboration, exploration, relevance, and the use of technology to teach and learn. This distinctive approach empowers learners to master core skills and develop curiosity through collaborative learning, technology-enabled classes, project-based learning and instruction. The site for the school, Jeppe Park Primary, is in the heart of Johannesburg’s inner city – within walking distance of Jeppe Station and directly opposite Jeppe Park. The school forms part of a mixed use but primarily residential development in an existing multi-storey building owned by Bjala, a social enterprise that applies innovative solutions and unique approaches to urbanisation challenges. Started in October 2013 as an after-school, it now has 45 children and plans to eventually accommodate 200 learners. Melanie Smuts, CEO and Founder of Streetlight Schools, says: ‘I started Streetlight Schools to demonstrate that we have all the

resources available to create a high-quality, innovative education system in some of our most under-served communities. This is achieved by being bold and innovative about how we think about what we need in education, from curriculum to facilities,’ she explains. ‘Green building certification came about because we were already incorporating many principles of sustainability in the school’s interior; and it allowed us to include many more initiatives into the design, such as improving the indoor environmental quality to foster better learning. Importantly, the school will be a living laboratory that allows learners to be introduced to environmental concepts at an early stage in their lives.’

Design philosophy The location of the school at ground floor level, adjacent to an open-air courtyard, provides both passive and active surveillance for a safer learning environment in one of the city’s most underprivileged

First day at school for pupils.

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Green Education Green Building

Computer centre

neighbourhoods. The goal was to develop an interactive learning environment by creating spaces that would enhance the Streetlight school curriculum with an adaptive low-cost built form merged with the requirements of a high technology learning model. The result is a multi-functional learning centre that implements green construction practices as far as possible. Fieldworks Design Group has worked closely with Streetlight Schools from the start – from designing the spatial master plan and detail to building the first computer lab, and handling graphic design and signage. Albert Smuts, project architect, says: ‘Being involved from an early stage was key to creating a space radical enough to host a learning model as progressive as this one. It enabled us to deliver a product that was both cost effective and architecturally interesting. One of our design philosophies is low material, high technology solutions, meaning that the energy spent on a project should always be focussed on finding innovative ways of using readily available, environmentally-friendly or recycled materials in a way that minimises wastage.’

Collaboration and contribution To date, the entire spend on the 1 200m2 project stands at close to R1.5 million, made possible through donations of funds and materials, and the proactive collaboration of consultants in providing pro bono professional services. Solid Green Consulting, also involved in the project from an early stage, contributed expertise to getting the school Green Star SA rated, leveraging its network of suppliers for donations of materials, and donating financially. Warren Gray, a Partner at Solid Green, says that his company intends to continue its involvement in the initiative as the model is replicated and rolled out. ‘Jeppe Park Primary is the first school in South Africa to apply for a Green Star SA rating,’ he says. ‘Because of this vision, the innovative

educational model, and that the school will be a living laboratory for green education and construction in the same space, people have willingly donated materials and professional expertise.’ Sustainability in practice Several innovative measures employed because of the extremely low budget contributed towards the Green Star SA rating, and significant savings were achieved by ensuring that the design was inherently materials-efficient. This included using dry-wall offcuts, recycled wooden pallets and reclaimed wooden flooring in the library construction; bricks and rubble from the demolition of existing internal structures to build a new entrance ramp and stairs; reusing broken and half bricks as paving; and using reclaimed corrugated sheeting as ceilings in the bathroom stalls. The new OSB boards in the atrium construction were placed to minimise offcut waste to almost 0%, and timber support beams fitted at standard length to reduce wastage to almost zero. Thanks to Jeppe being an active recycling hub, most of the materials were sourced within 200m of the site. Additionally, one third of the construction team that contributed to the build lives and works within the surrounding area. Sustainability services provided by Solid Green relate primarily to indoor environmental quality, including lighting comfort (daylighting enhanced by efficient artificial lighting design), thermal comfort and acoustics. The team also compiled an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) and Waste Management Plan (WMP) for the construction phase, confirming the reuse or recycling of 70% of construction and demolition waste. Energy reductions are achieved by using lowenergy fittings and Energy Star equipment, supported by metering of sources, and water reduction through low flow fittings and metering of all major water fittings. In addition to indoor planting and a courtyard with recycled palette planters, the school grows vegetables to supplement children’s lunches. ‘It’s been a great learning experience in terms of what we’ve achieved with few resources on tight budgets. We’re looking forward to being involved with future Streetlight Schools in South Africa,’ Gray concludes.

Solid Green Consulting T +27 (0)11 447 2797 W www.solidgreen.co.za issue 18 www.tobuild.co.za

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Green Building Solar energy

A word on solar geysers

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Photo by Press Dynamic

The purpose of a solar geyser is to collect energy from the sun in the most efficient way and minimise electrical backup with the associated costs. While investing in or specifying a solar water heating system is a very important decision and investment, many consumers – and even specifiers – need guidance on the type of system, capacity and brand. These words of advice from the manufacturer of Solar Ray geysers will surely be useful. A solar water heating system consists essentially of a collector system (flat plate or evacuated tubes) and a water storage tank. The hot water tank in a solar water heater is the most critical part of the system and generally consists of an inner tank and an outer wrap. The inner tank contains the heated water and is insulated to retain heat. The outer envelope protects the insulation material and provides a foundation for mechanical fitment to the roof.

insulation at the back and sides, with glass on top and can lose heat. Generally, during the summer months there’s very little difference in performance between the two. In winter, with cold days and lower light levels, the evacuated tubes perform better.

• E vacuated tubes capture sunlight better as they have a greater surface area exposed to sun at any time. • I f one tube becomes damaged, only that tube needs to be replaced. Depending on the type of tube used, there is no need to shut down the entire system and no leakage occurs. • The vacuum tubes are very resistant to damage resulting from adverse weather conditions.

Key factors in selecting a solar water geyser

Flat plate collectors

The quality of the inner tank Stainless steel is commonly used in the manufacture of household items, water tanks and many other industrial applications due to its longevity. With solar water heating systems, various grades of stainless steel are often used to manufacture the inner tanks. The best quality inner tanks are manufactured from Type 444 stainless steel thanks to the corrosion-resistance properties of this grade of stainless steel at elevated temperatures. The corrosion-resistance of stainless steel means that tanks have a far greater lifespan. Choice of collector Options are a flat-plate or an evacuated tube solar water heater system, which can be a personal choice but often comes down to efficiency. With evacuated tubes, the vacuum inside is an almost perfect insulator. A flat plate panel has

• F lat plate solar collectors can be used in most climates, but are best suited to warmer, sunnier, southern climates where freezing and solar angles are less likely to impact on the solar heating. • W hen a portion of a collector fails, the entire solar water heater system is shut down. It is preferable to select a system that is manufactured from high-quality materials. Avoid cheap units and choose a locally-manufactured system that provides backup and support. Units with longer warranties usually have a slightly higher price tag, but so often – as with everything else – the least expensive option you purchase is the most expensive option in the long run.

Evacuated tube collectors

Press Dynamic (Pty) Ltd T +27 (0)11 065 6500 W solarpowergeyser.co.za

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Green Building Water

Seeding the debate on a precious resource The 2016 African Utilities Week – an impressive convention, technical and trade expo – recently took place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. The event was well attended by delegates from all sectors of government and industry in South Africa, as well as from Africa and five other continents. Water as a resource under pressure, its international status as a human right, its consumption, harvesting and distribution, all formed a major theme of the convention both at keynote speaker level and in the trade expo. ‘South Africa is a water-scarce country with a highly variable climate and one of the lowest run-offs in the world. It shares its rivers with neighbouring countries and is dependent on Lesotho to keep the water supply to the economic powerhouse of the region, Gauteng, flowing. The drivers of the South African economy – agriculture, mining and infrastructure – are all water-intensive operations. Water is therefore a key influencer of South Africa’s economic outlook. Over the past two decades, the South African government focused its time and resources on addressing the water and sanitation backlog. While it made significant progress in this regard, infrastructure has not been maintained properly and is now causing serious problems, particularly at a municipal level,’ says Dr Nicole Kranz, Country Coordinator South Africa: International Water Stewardship Programme, GIZ, SA.

Nexus A keynote Speaker, Dhesigen Naidoo of the Water Research Commission SA, was one of the speakers to address the ‘energy-water-food nexus’. He refers to the recently published World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2016, which positions all three elements of the nexus into the high-risk category – that of high impact and high likelihood – the greatest of these being a water crisis. The water crisis risk ranks only slightly lower than ‘failure of climate change mitigation and adaption’. He argues that the three elements form part of a three-pronged challenge to humanity and that they are all interrelated – hence creating a nexus.

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Naidoo’s view is that the way government and citizens behave now is critical to whether South Africa will be facing a significant deficit in water supply, food and energy consumption patterns. Another factor is the degree of innovation that is applied to the problems. Should we continue as usual and follow ‘linear supply strategies’, mankind will fall into the ‘low resource security’ category with highly-adverse consequences. ‘Our strategies and interventions must be sufficiently converged to achieve a multiplier effect that concomitantly guarantees water, energy and food security. Such strategies and interventions must be further characterised by low carbon budgets in a sustainable development paradigm. What we do today will be felt exponentially by the next generation and their successors,’ he says.

Getting real about water ‘I must state that in a rapidly transforming world, nexus issues are too important to be handled by disjointed decision making, which often fail to look at the whole picture. Therefore, it is important that response options to development challenges are established through a continuous process of inter-sector dialogue. This will help decision makers anticipate, plan and manage interventions collectively and to rethink policies and strategies to deal effectively with a range of complex interactions that are interlinked and interdependent,’ says Paul T Yillia, consultant at (the UN)Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA). Aurelia van Eeden, a specialist consultant, postulated that water should be viewed as a business to give it an economic value. She argued that the South African Government’s Integrated Water Resources Management, which falls under the

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Water Green Building Department of Water and Sanitation, fails to recognise the economic value of water and so denies the resource the potential benefit of participation by the private sector. Another casualty of policy is often the rights of ordinary people. These frequently come off second best in the first-come-first- served situation predicated by the government issuing permits to draw the resource. She also pointed to a disconnect between policy at a national government level and services at municipal level under the Water Services Act of 1997. But is there another, better model that could improve rights of access to potable water and empower the communities most disaffected by the status quo? As a direct analogy, she compares the government’s independent power producer model, which has directly enabled private companies to participate in the renewable energy sector. In turn, this programme has resulted in economic opportunities for the poor, especially rural communities. Without taking away people’s basic human right to access to water, but actually enhancing it, the involvement of the private sector could boost the infrastructure and improve access to the resource. Indeed, community development has benefitted to the tune of close to R1.2 billion as a result of the IPP programme, she says.

Opportunities for co-generation: Conduit hydro-power Connecting the dots between water and energy is often the task of scientists and engineers. South Africans once again prove they do not have to take a back seat, it seems, according to an innovation by municipal engineers of the City of Tswane. Adriaan Kurtz, a design and planning engineer from the City of Tswane presented an elegant locally-developed renewable energy solution. The

energy cost of distributing potable water from several reservoirs in the metropole can be offset by harvesting kinetic energy from flowing water that is piped from higher ground in the area operated by Rand Water. By passing incoming water at the point of collection over an in-line turbine, sufficient electricity is garnered to power the reservoir and incidentally reduces the need for pressure relief systems. Kurtz explains that the City of Tshwane is in a fortunate position in that there are a number of conduit hydropower opportunities, due to its geographic location relative to the main water sources. In essence, three different kinds of installations are in use by the City of Tswane: Type 1: Installation is seen as a commercially viable hydro power installation that augments the city’s electricity system. Type 2: Application in the supply of electricity for consumption on the reservoir/pressure reducing station (PRS) sites. Type 3: Installation is an inline turbine installed into valve chambers or at specific locations in bulk pipelines. This application supplies energy to control systems, security systems, monitoring systems and telemetry. ‘The concept is functioning as predicted in our hypothesis and the analysis of the data is evident that the turbine is feasible, sustainable and reliable. Importantly, the power generation from the water distribution system should preferably be done from a secondary supply in the water distribution system and not in the main water supply line to limit interruptions because of hydro power activities,’ says Kurtz ‘The output that was generated has a relatively low efficiency. However, this did not matter as the demand of energy needed was less than the supply generated,’ he concludes.

References

Aurelia van Eeden

Adriaan Kurtz

World Economic Forum http://www3.weforum.org/docs/Media/ TheGlobalRisksReport2016.pdf City of Tswane www.tshwane.gov.za African Utility Week www.african-utility-week.com

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Renewable energy Green Building

Developer walks the talk With seven solar farms successfully generating renewable energy at its buildings across South Africa, Growthpoint Properties is embarking on its largest rooftop solar installations yet. The largest South African primary listed REIT (real estate investment trust), is undertaking two large solar installations on the rooftops of its Northgate Mall and Brooklyn Mall in Johannesburg and Pretoria, respectively. Each with a capacity of nearly 1.2MWp. [ED: The unit of measurement, MWp refers to megawatt peak, the maximum output available from a solar/PV panel.] Werner van Antwerpen, Head of Sustainability Growthpoint Properties, reports: ‘Growthpoint has already passed the halfway mark in achieving its goal to install rooftop solar farms capable of generating an impressive 6MWp. Or, in other words, enough solar energy to power nearly 2 500 average South African homes.’ Harnessing energy from the abundant South African sunshine, Growthpoint has already completed the installation of photovoltaic solar panels with the capacity to generate over 3.2MWp at seven of its office, retail and industrial properties. These solar farms are at its landmark assets across the country, including Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront, Constantia Village, Bayside Mall and Airport Industria. Its InfoTech building in Pretoria, Waterfall Mall in Rustenburg, and Lincoln on the Lake office building in Umhlanga also benefit from solar power generating installations. The company has a further four projects underway, expected to generate some 2.7MWp of renewable energy. Besides its Northgate and Brooklyn Mall installations, it is also establishing solar farms at Kolonnade Shopping Centre in Pretoria and its office property at 33 Bree and De Waterkant in Cape Town. And this is only the beginning for Growthpoint. It has identified over 70 buildings across its portfolio for possible future solar PV installations. Commenting on his company’s rooftop solar farms, Rudolf Pienaar, Growthpoint Divisional Director: Office Sector, says: ‘Our solar farms are one way Growthpoint is creating a more sustainable built

Photo by Growthpoint

Major SA REIT undertakes its largest solar power projects to date, and furthers its COP21 commitment to boost its renewable energy generation.

Airport Industria, Cape Town

environment for South Africa. It also delivers on our ambitious commitment to sustainability, energy efficiency and green building made on Buildings Day at COP21 in Paris last December.’ Pienaar adds: ‘Growthpoint is committed to increasing solar energy generation, making all our 185 office buildings energy and water efficient, and ensuring all our long-term office investments and new developments are certified green buildings. We’re already putting our commitment into action.’ For some time now it has been Growthpoint’s goal to only develop office buildings that will achieve at least a 4-Star Green Star SA rating from the GBCSA. Now it has broadened its focus to include green performance of all office buildings in its significant portfolio. By 2020, Growthpoint has committed to all its office investments being above the GBCSA Energy and Water Performance Rating Tool benchmark. It has also set a goal for all long-term office investments to achieve at least a 4-Star Green Star SA GBCSA Existing Building Performance certification.

Growthpoint Properties Limited Rudolf Pienaar, Office Division Director T +27 (0)11 944 6282 Werner van Antwerpen, Head of Sustainability Growthpoint Properties T + 27 (0)11 944 6598 issue 18 www.tobuild.co.za

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Editor’s Visits Out & About

To Build’s Roving Editor To Build visits Decorex, Cape Town Firmly entrenched as South Africa’s premier décor and design show, Decorex Cape Town saw design devotees converge in droves on the CCITC where they were treated to a stellar line-up of creative inspiration and a variety of ground-breaking interactive installations, in line with this year’s show theme: ‘Take It Home, Make It Home’. The show truly represented a comprehensive display of the wealth of top-drawer talent on offer in the Mother City. inception 23 years ago – uses Decorex as its annual showcase for the colour trends of the forthcoming season. Additionally, Caesarstone, co-headline sponsor, launched its all new and exciting stand, themed Collaborations. The stand featured several prominent collaborations the brand has initiated with top design brands. The show also boasted a number of firsts, including The Considered Home, an exclusively curated space produced in association with GoodWood Co, which showcased all the elements that make up the nowtrending look for interiors. Meanwhile, with concept and colours drawn from the rhythm and beauty of the Mother Continent, the African-inspired Trend Pods, showcased the design genius of its awarded decorators, Nicky Tyers of Lion & Tyers, and Dorothy van’t Riet of DVR Design & Décor Consultants.  184

Photos by Decorex

In addition to the comprehensive showcase of the latest products and services from the décor and design fraternities, Decorex Cape Town also laid on a number of unique platforms to give visitors a taste of the very latest décor, design and lifestyle trends. Among these was the Designer Spotlight showcase, which this year was awarded to Adriaan Lochner in association with Home Fabrics. The well-established Salt River-based designer put his trademark ‘transitional-eclectic’ design style to work in an elegant, timeless installation decorated in the very latest materials and wallpapers from leading fabric house, Home Fabrics. Another crowd-puller, the Plascon stand was where Capetonian visitors got their first look at the much-anticipated Plascon 2016 Colour Forecast. The paint giant – that has sponsored the show since its

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Out & About Editor’s Visits They both used their allocated spaces to display their own unique interpretations of a theme that is reassuringly close to home. New to Decorex Cape Town this year, and a highlight for industry professionals, was InStudio – day of design talks on interior trends, commercial design and creative business. The presenters included Cathy O’Clery, Lauren Shantall, Leon Roodt,

Nadia van der Mescht and Quinton Abrahams. The best overall stand at Decorex Cape Town 2016 was by Neolith.

Decorex SA E decorexsa@ThebeReed.co.za W www.decorex.co.za

Energy Efficiency Forum Cape Town’s Energy Efficiency Forum has been helping commercial buildings and operations with practical ‘know-how’ since it was launched in 2009 by the City in partnership with Eskom and the South African Property Owner’s Association. The forum is co-funded by Old Mutual, and supported by several other organisations. To Build was there.

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Photo by Gareth Griffiths

At the March meeting of Cape Town’s Energy Efficiency Form, the Executive Mayor of the City of Cape Town, among other speakers, gave a keynote address, and there was a ‘mini marketplace’ where delegates could meet solar photovoltaic (PV) service providers during the breaks. ‘Our Energy2040 goals model a more resilient, lower carbon, resource-efficient and equitable future for Cape Town. Businesses and major property owners have a pivotal role to play in helping us achieve our goal of an overall reduction of 37% in carbon emissions – 21% of which can be achieved through energy efficiency alone,’ said Mayor Patricia de Lille ‘The City has set ambitious targets and I am determined to push the boundaries and learn from other leading cities how to implement effective energy security programmes. We have to do more with less. ‘Our 2040 energy modelling shows that a 16% reduction in energy consumed per economic unit is absolutely possible (both in terms of transport fuels and electricity). So my call to the commercial sector is to work with us, work more efficiently, and aim to use 16% less energy by 2040. I want to encourage you not to go off the grid but to use photovoltaic (PV) panels to become energy producers,’ she adds. ‘The commercial sector has already done very well in terms of energy efficiency and I commend you all for your efforts so far. You have helped to keep our

electricity use below 2007 levels for many years now, and helped make Cape Town the city with the lowest electricity use per capita,’ Mayor Patricia de Lille concluded. At the Forum meeting, the City also launched its policy and consumer/trade guidelines on Safe and Legal Installations of Rooftop Photovoltaic Systems for commercial and residential buildings in Cape Town.

Cape Town Energy Efficiency Forum W www.capetown.gov.za/EnergyEfficiencyForum

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STUDENT PROJECTS

Global Student Challenge

Photo by Gareth Griffiths Imaging

Team Prestige Worldwide plus lecturers – James Myburgh, Alain Alexander and Mark Massyn (standing), and Prof Kathy Michell, Courtney Meyer and Brendan Ardagh (standing).

Game for Hong Kong Over six-week period, students acting as a board of directors for a virtual construction company in a simulated environment, recently competed an intensive competition to reach the final of this year’s Global Student Challenge, run by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). Students of the Quantity Surveying stream of the University of Cape Town Department of Construction Economics and Management won fourth place in the group of six front runners, and are eligible to attend the finals being held from July 9 to 15, 2016, in Hong Kong during the CIOB Conference. The UCT students formed a virtual company, Prestige Worldwide, that participated in the initial round online using the MERIT3 game developed by Loughborough University where players take decisions on staffing levels, estimating and bidding, managing cash flow and capital, and seeking investment opportunities. The team consists of three Honours in Quantity Surveying students in their fourth year: Alain Alexander, Brendan Ardagh, Peter Myburgh and one

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third-year (Construction Economics and Management) student, Courtney Meyer. Team supervisor, Mark Massyn, a senior lecturer at the Department says: ‘I believe that for the students it provides the opportunity to understand the challenges faced by construction organisations and, for industry, demonstrates that the professions do not have to be concerned as the students leaving university, and in particular UCT, have the competencies required to manage projects.’ He adds that this is a very strong team academically in the UCT context and wishes them well in the final week of the Challenge, where he will accompany them. ‘They are also a very motivated group who individually paid their own entry fees of GBP700 to enter the Challenge, since a group sponsor could not be found.’

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Global Student Challenge STUDENT PROJECTS

Alain Alexander tells To Build: ‘We went into the game with little to no experience of what to expect. However, that did not stop us from putting all our effort into ensuring that we made our presence known. With every submission we adapted a strategy. When we found out that we had made it into the finals we were over the moon as this was reassurance that UCT had a place in the global construction community.’ He adds: ‘During the game we realised how the various courses we completed during our undergraduate and our Honours year actually fitted together. Attending the Global Student Challenge finals in Hong Kong will not only be an amazing experience but will provide us with an opportunity to network with influential individuals within the global industry. Mark Massyn has been with us every step of the way, providing encouraging words and advice throughout the game.’ Alain was responsible for the estimating and bidding aspects of the virtual company.

Meanwhile, James Myburgh, who handled finance on the virtual company, had this to say: ‘The CIOB Challenge has given us a great opportunity to experience the corporate and competitive nature of the industry by applying all our theoretical knowledge in a practical environment. It has been, and will continue to be, a great learning experience and we look forward to competing in the finals in Hong Kong along with all the new and exciting challenges it has to offer.’

Brendan Ardagh agrees: ‘So far, the competition has been fantastic because it has helped us to connect the dots between our academic learning and applying commercial bids situations under extreme pressure, even in a virtual environment.’ Brendan handled the aspects of construction management for Prestige Worldwide.

His virtual company colleague, Courtney Meyer, handled project overheads. As the only woman in the group, she has the final word: ‘Going to Hong Kong to compete in the GSC Final is an opportunity to open myself up to the world of construction and appreciate how the Hong Kong construction industry operates. It is an incredible opportunity to get exposure to the global construction industry by meeting and learning from top industry leaders and fellow student competitors. The competition has taught me a lot about team strategy and overall company management. I really look forward to competing for first place at the final.’

Chartered Institute of Building – Global Student Challenge W http://gsc.ciob.org W www.cons.uct.ac.za/cons/undergrad/surveying_ honours issue 18 www.tobuild.co.za

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NOTES Plan, Design, Build, Interior & Exterior Décor

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advertisers’ index issue18 July 2016-October 2016 3A Composites GMB Architecture...........20,21 AMA Architects....................................................36 AMS..........................................................................156 Antley Lighting....................................................99 Atlas Plastics........................................................7 Avance.....................................................................40 Aveng Manu Infraset.......................................168 Bitgroup.................................................................15 Bloembuild Expo...............................................189 Bluescope Steel SA.......................................9,123 Boomgate Systems (Pty)Ltd............................16 Cape Construction Expo...............................185 Centurion Systems................................... 114,115 Ceramic Wholesalers..................................78,79 Chemplus..............................................................147 Cobra Watertech................................................77 Copper Tubing Africa (Pty) Ltd....................162 Corobrik..............................................................142 De Leeuw Group...................................................68 Decorex..................................................................48 Den Braven Sealants (Pty) Ltd......................134,135.136,137 Eagle Lighting....................................................103 Federated Mutual employers Fund Company.....................................................61 Flex Building Systems.................................42,43 Fourways Airconditioning.....................172,173 FS Systems (Pty) Ltd.................................. 118,119 Fusion Guarantees..........................................185 Geberit SA...................................................... 11, 188 Granite Projects...............................................98 Grohe Dawn........................................................180 Ian Fuller Agencies.........................................150 Institute for Timber Construction South Africa.......................154 Knauf AMF GmbH Co KG..................................86,87

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Mapei......................................................................132 Marcus Evans.....................................................182 Marley Pipe Systems SA......................................3 Maxiflex Door Systems SA (Pty) Ltd..........170 Midcomp....................................................................1 Mitek Industries.........................................108,109 National Ceramic Industries.....................82,83 Pelican Systems..................................................84 Press Dynamik....................................................177 Prism Architects................................................34 Redisa.................................................................54,55 Safehouse SA........................................................89 Safintra Roofing..............................................192 Saint Gobain Isover.........................................149 Saint Gobain Weber............................................95 Seats Ahead (Pty) Ltd.......................................159 Sika SA......................................................................32 Solent Trading....................................................50 South African Wood Preserves Association................................................152,153 Specialised Exhibitions....................................88 Spunchem.................................................................5 Steel Windows 2000..........................................130 Stihl...........................................................65,105,145 Stop Water.......................................................... 111 Style Décor..........................................................63 Suzuki......................................................................27 The Association of Architectural Aluminium Manufacturers.......................28,29 The Paving Warehouse....................................140 The South African Association for Energy Efficiency.................................182 Tiber Construction...........................................46 Tile Africa............................................................127 Uretek Geo Systems.................................164,165 Vaal Sanitaryware.............................................74 Viega..........................................................80,81,92,93 World Wide Industrial Systems Engineers..........................................58

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energy Green Building

Manage your consumption, South Africa The Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA) recently urged the country to focus on electricity demand-side management rather than purely supply management, to foster a total energy debate.

Photo by GBCSA

Brian Wilkinson.

energy. The country now has 167 Green Star SA certified projects. Research recently announced by the World Green Building Council (World GBC) reveals that South Africa is the country with the highest proportion of green building projects currently being undertaken. ‘At this pace, South Africa is set to be the world leader in green building in the next three years,’ Wilkinson adds. Besides gaining momentum in commercial property, green building is also expanding into new arenas.

Individual homes and municipal level The GBCSA’s Chief Executive Officer, Brian Wilkinson, observes: ‘Decreasing the demand for power should be a major theme in South Africa’s total energy narrative. At the GBCSA, we acknowledge it is terribly important to have an energy supply-side debate around electricity generation. However, demand-side management that emphasises reducing consumption is an opportunity that is being completely underemphasised. After all, the more electricity we save, the more we ease supply constraints.’ In its simplest form, demand management starts with saving energy at home by switching off lights, turning down geysers, turning off pool pumps, and using renewable energy resources. But it also extends well beyond this to using green building technology. Green building is already playing a major role in reducing electricity demand. The average green building is proven to save 30% of energy consumption. ‘This illustrates the substantial impact demand management plays in the total energy debate,’ notes Wilkinson.

Significant headway South Africa’s green building movement is making significant headway in reducing the demand for

GBCSA recently announced it will play a bigger part in creating greener homes using the EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) residential green building certification scheme. Less than 18 months since the GBCSA launched the tool, it expects around 5 000 homes to be registered for certification. At the COP21 Climate Change Summit in Paris late last year, the GBCSA made an ambitious commitment to drive residential green building certifications, targeting 10 000 residential certifications by 2020. In addition, the council aims to introduce a Net Zero/Positive building certification scheme by 2020. The Net Zero/ Positive building certification will cover energy and carbon emissions, and possibly also water and waste. The association is also working with the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) to train officials at municipalities across the country. ‘In this way, the green building conversation can be raised at an early stage of land use and building approval,’ Wilkinson concludes.

Green Building Council of South Africa T +27 (0) 21 486 7919 W www.gbcsa.org.za issue 18 www.tobuild.co.za

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