SA Roofing Jan / Feb 2014 | Issue: 56

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JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2014 ISSUE: 56

SA R36 EACH INCL. / R360 PER ANNUM INCL.

On our cover

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2014

ISSUE: 56

EDITOR’S COMMENTS....................................................................................................... 2 CONTRIBUTORS..............................................................................................................4-5 NEWS....................................................................................................................................... 6 INDUSTRY OUTLOOK....................................................................................................8-9 COVER STORY.............................................................................................................. 10-14 STRUCTURAL TIMBER................................................................................................ 16-17 INDUSTRY INSIGHT.................................................................................................... 18-20 INDUSTRY INSIGHT.......................................................................................................... 22 NEWS............................................................................................................................... 24-25 CASE STUDY.................................................................................................................. 26-27 INDUSTRY INSIGHT.................................................................................................... 28-30 INSULATION....................................................................................................................... 32 COMPANY PROFILE.......................................................................................................... 34 INSULATION................................................................................................................. 36-37 INSULATION....................................................................................................................... 40 SOLAR.................................................................................................................................... 42 NEWS..................................................................................................................................... 44 NEWS............................................................................................................................... 46-47 THATCH.......................................................................................................................... 48-49 TRANSITION HOUSING........................................................................................... 50-52 PAINTS & COATINGS....................................................................................................... 54 NEWS..................................................................................................................................... 56

Trademax Publications SA Roofing Tel: 0861 SA ROOF Tel: 0861 727 663 Cell: 082 266 6976 Fax: 0866 991 346 www.trademax.co.za Postnet Suite 241 Private Bag X103 N1 City 7463

PUBLISHER: Billy Perrin billy@trademax.co.za 0861 727 663 EDITOR: Jennifer Rees editor@trademax.co.za 0861 727 663 ADVERTISING:

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Jacqui Marsh jacqui@trademax.co.za 0861 727 663 LAYOUT & DESIGN: Craig Patterson craig@trademax.co.za SUBSCRIPTIONS & DATA: Luke Perrin luke@trademax.co.za 0861 727 663

28 24 JAN / FEB 2014

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DISCLAIMER The views expressed herein are not necessarily those of Trademax Publications. Although we have done our best to ensure the accuracy of our content, neither Trademax Publications nor SA Roofing magazine will be held liable for any views expressed or information disseminated in this issue.

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EDITOR’S COMMENTS

For the love of all that is wood With a number of industry events focusing on timber at this time of the year, as well as the material’s increasing popularity in the construction industry, we though it apt to turn our attention to timber in roofing for our very first issue of the year.

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n this issue we share with our readers industry insight from the Institute of Timber Construction (ITC-SA) and the South African Wood Preservers Association (SAWPA) that addresses and clarifies the issue of using Saligna brandering for ceilings, as well as an insightful contribution from Bruce Breedt, Executive Director of the SAWPA, detailing the use of preservative treated timber in South Africa.

2014 TIMBER EVENTS CALENDAR:

We also showcase a very unique project from Lucas Quality Thatchers – a half-rugby-ball shaped eco-friendly bush cottage that bears testament not only to the convenience of a timber structure in its capacity to be erected off-site, but to the simple beauty of thatch.

We, at the SA Roofing magazine, wish all of our loyal readers and advertisers an inspiring and prosperous year ahead.

In short, this issue pays tribute to timber.

www.brinno.com

11th February 2014: HWZ International Wood conference 12th to 14th February 2014: International Thatching Society (ITS) Congress and Funfair 5th to 7th June 2014: WoodEX for Africa

Welcome to the Jan/Feb issue of the SA Roofing magazine.

Enjoy the read.

Jen

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RETAIL AND ON-SITE INSTALLATION

Tel: 011 262 4151 (office) Charles: 084 211 0403 Email: charles@frontier-electronics.co.za Philip: 083 273 0807 Email: chensouthafrica@yahoo.com.tw

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At our Builders truss division we offer the following services: • • • • • • • •

Free roof truss quotations Professional advice and friendly service Supplier of all roof coverings at competitive prices Member of the ITC (Institute for Timber Construction) ITC certificate offered with all quotes (Roof inspection A19 certificate) Precision truss manufacturing Installation of trusses and coverings 5-7 day turn-around from order to delivery*

* (order means that money has been deposited and reflects in the Builders account)

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CONTRIBUTORS

Contributors DR JOHNNY ANDERTON Dr Johnny Anderton is currently the Director of Eternally Solarcc (estab. 2007), specialising in simple, sustainable solutions in the areas of water, power and structure. A qualified medical doctor, ten years sailing around the world gave him first-hand experience on how to live in small spaces with few resources. Eternally Solar has worked closely with Eskom in water and power saving initiatives using Oxygenics water efficient showerheads. Johnny developed the EarthBagBuild system of sandbag construction and with Engen Petroleum, built the largest sandbag building in the world, a 700m² school in Burundi. Currently, Johnny is directing the ‘e-khaya fireproof shack replacement project’. He also heads up the community NGO, Envirochild, which he founded in 2006. When time permits, he’s to be found on his bike, training for the Argus cycle race.

JONATHAN SKEEN Jonathan is the Consulting & Operations Manager at Emergent Energy and has five years of experience in renewable energy technologies, industrial energy efficiency, green buildings, and the analysis of local and international renewable energy markets. He has worked on a wide range of renewable energy, Green Star, and SANS 10400 XA projects, and was recently the project manager of the REN21 Renewables 2013 Global Status Report. Jonathan is a UCT graduate in electro-mechanical engineering with an M.Sc. in Technology Policy and Management from the University of Edinburgh.

FRED WAGENAAR Fred is the Executive Officer of the ITC-SA and has been involved in the construction industry for the past 34 years. He is passionate about the built environment and is committed to promoting excellence in design, workmanship and material in the roofing industry. Fred is a proponent of drinking red wine, is unable to resist the calling of the open road, and loves chasing the sunset on his Harley.

LYNDSAY COTTON Lyndsay entered the construction industry in 1989 and has many years’ experience in both the civil and commercial spheres of this industry. He is well versed in residential construction and especially roofing, as he erected many of the roof structures in the over 300 luxury houses and upmarket units in residential clusters he constructed. Holding a BSc (QS) degree, a Diploma in Project Management, Lyndsay is the current chairman, and serves on the board, of the ITC-SA. Although work always takes a priority, his passion is exploring Africa on his KTM990 Adventure.

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JAN / FEB 2014

Bruce is the Executive Director of SAWPA (The South African Wood Preservers Association), an industry body that promotes wood preservation and the use of preservative treated timber .

He studied at the University of the Northwest Province, where he qualified as a civil technology teacher, an occupation he held from January 1990 until December 1995. Following a brief period in the private sector, he joined the SABS Timber Department in Groenkloof in November 1996, where he held positions as timber standards writer and project coordinator for fibre technology in the Standards division until October 2004 and then took positions as principal auditor and technical specialist in forestry and timber products in the certification division.

CONTRIBUTORS

BRUCE BREEDT

During his time at the SABS, Bruce also represented South Africa on various ISO technical Committees. He is still involved on all the SABS Technical committees related to timber products and currently holds the position of chairman for SABS TC 218 – Timber Preservation.

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Metal Cladding and Roofing Association launched In launching the Southern African Metal Cladding and Roofing Association (SAMCRA) in Johannesburg on the 30th October 2013, SAMCRA Chairman, Johann van der Westhuizen, said that in an industry which uses, inter alia, 650 000 tons of metal and colour coated coil per annum, the need for an industry association had become essential.

Celebrating the launch of SAMCRA are (left to right) Paolo Trinchero (SAISC CEO), Johann van der Westhuizen (SAMCRA Chairman) and Dennis White (SAMCRA Director).

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AMCRA will be a sub-association of the Southern African Institute of Steel Construction (SAISC) with its EXCO reporting to the SAISC Council.

training for all with particular focus on artisans, the implementation of a programme to certify roofing contractors and a programme to have ‘roofer’ recognised as a trade.

“It should be borne in mind that much of our industry involves installing roofs on buildings, including housing across the economic spectrum. It was therefore incumbent on the industry players to ensure that standards, both from a product and ethical perspective, were effectively policed.

Dennis White, SAMCRA’s inaugural director working full-time for the association, says it is clear that the main beneficiaries of SAMCRA will be the end-user. “Our customers deserve this and it’s time it happened,” he said.

“Unfortunately, this has been difficult, as the relevant technical committees are reluctant to engage with individuals and we have realised that a formal structure was required to ensure that there are comprehensive, appropriate and widely accepted SANS standards for metal roof and side cladding as well as metal tiles,” van der Westhuizen said.

He added that it is most advantageous that SAMCRA is a subsidiary of the SAISC. “The SAISC is a very professional organisation with an excellent reputation among all the relevant standards and specifying authorities and is recognised both locally and abroad for its contributions to the construction industry. Being part of such an organisation enables us right from inception to focus on what has to be done to achieve our goals,” he said.

Central to these goals will be the establishment of an accredited testing facility to verify the performance of product, the creation of a successful campaign to have all metal cladding products sold in South Africa branded with the relevant product information, providing information to specifiers, building inspectors and other decision makers and to facilitate

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White added that everyone acquainted with construction in Southern Africa will agree that the extensive metal roofing industry, which plays such an important role in the environmental performance of buildings, is in urgent need of an overhaul. “The substitution of specified materials with inferior products, particularly in the emerging sector, is rife, with price considerations prevailing over structural performance and durability. The formation of SAMCRA is, in essence, aimed at restoring credibility to this dynamic and important industry,” he said.

On the membership issue, White says that the intention is to include anyone with a stake in the industry, from the manufacturers of coated coil, metal cladding and tiles and related products to the professions and anyone with an interest in the industry like the NHBRC, relevant government departments, developers, financial institutions and insurance companies.

Founder members of SAMCRA include ArcelorMittal SA, BlueScope Steel, BSI Steel, Clotan Steel, Global Roofing Solutions, Heunis Steel, Macsteel Roofing, Pro Roof Steel Merchants and Safintra.

JAN / FEB 2014

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I N D U STRY O UTLOO K

Being African will be fundamental to the growth of South Africa’s steel construction industry Paolo Trinchero, who recently took over from Dr Hennie de Clercq as CEO of the Southern African Institute of Steel Construction (SAISC), says he would like to see the Southern African steel construction industry grow by at least by 5% per year for the next 10 years. “This will require improving relationships with our African counterparts and being proactive in looking for opportunities in the relevant existing and emerging sectors in South Africa and the sub-Saharan region,” he says.

AFRICA Trinchero says he agrees with Donald Gips, US ambassador to South Africa, who said that the rising prosperity in Africa will open new markets for (American) goods and create jobs in both regions and that more and more people are of the opinion that 21st century will be the African Century.

“Africa has the potential to be the ‘continent of the future’ and for this institute to do its job properly we will increasingly have to live up to our name – The Southern African Institute of Steel Construction – and ensure that we work together with our African – and especially sub-Saharan – counterparts to promote the skills and capabilities of the region.”

Promoting Local Business Trinchero says that reaching our full regional potential will depend largely on combatting unnecessary importation of goods and services that could be locally sourced with equal or better quality at equal or lower prices. “To this end, SAISC recently launched a campaign, which expresses the real destruction of importing fabricated structural steel where there is no need to. The simple facts are that for every 1000 tons of structural steel imported, 100 decent jobs are lost to ordinary South Africans and, given the ‘multiplier effect,’ the negative economic consequences for the country are astronomical,” he says.

Trinchero says that that one of the primary motivations for the recent launch of SAISC subsidiary, the Power Line Association of Southern Africa (POLASA) was to help protect businesses in this massive industry. “Formal structures enable better lobbying, standards monitoring and competitiveness, and we believe that POLASA will help protect thousands of jobs in the industry, which are often lost to foreign companies, whose skills are certainly no better than the local experts',” he says.

He adds that while the SAISC will continue to invest in promoting local businesses, it should not be construed that the institute believes in giving local companies the business at any cost. “We don’t believe in hand-outs. Our industry must remain globally competitive and continue to produce excellence at competitive prices. In this regard we have applied for funding to do a comprehensive benchmarking exercise with our international counterparts and, while I am convinced it will show that our industry is generally as good as it gets globally,

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the results should be interesting and helpful in assessing what needs to be done to maintain and improve our competiveness in the future,” Trinchero says.

THE NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN “Competitiveness and overall efficiency in our industry will be crucial if we are to play our part in the envisioned growth of the National Development Plan (NDP), which sets the goal of 5.9 million new jobs created in South Africa by 2020 and a further 5 million by 2030.”

“To achieve this, the NDP expects that 2.65 million of these jobs will be in the sectors that most affect our industry – infrastructure and mining – and we need to ensure that our industry gets – and is geared for – as large a slice as possible of this work by engaging with government and working with them to unlock the projects that will have the greatest positive impact on all players in our industry,” Trinchero says.

IMPORTANT SECTORS FOR INDUSTRY GROWTH According to Trinchero, among the most important areas for steel construction growth are the various components of the energy sector. “Energy in all its facets will be an important focus area for our industry. In the renewable energy realm, substantial quantities of steel are being used in the current solar and wind energy rollouts; Medupi and Kusile, despite their challenges, have shown that South African fabricators can build very large and complex projects and there is much talk of ‘Coal 3’ which, given the opportunity, will enable South African engineers and contractors to show what they really can do.

Trinchero adds that while there has also been much talk of the development of nuclear power stations with many international players expressing their interest, oil and gas developments will possibly be the most significant game changer for the steel construction industry in the next 5 to 10 years. “Our most important task will be to help ensure that as much as possible of the work on these developing projects is given to local companies that have proven to be competitive.”

JAN / FEB 2014

On the question of construction technology, Trinchero says that steel framed multi-storey buildings, Light Steel Frame Building (LSFB) and steel bridges will play an important role in steel construction achieving the envisioned growth. “All are technologies of the future,” he says. ”Firstly, steel-framed multi-storey buildings have been a focus of the institute for some time and 2014 should be a watershed year for new projects and developments. Secondly, while a good proportion of pedestrian bridges are being built in steel, there is much room for improvement insofar as road bridges are concerned. Somehow engineers have not quite grasped how much less disruption there is to traffic with steel bridges, which can be almost completely fabricated off-site and then erected very quickly. Imagine how much time, money and road rage could be saved and averted if the only delay one had on a highway expansion was a weekend to erect the steel bridge?”

In terms of LSFB, the growth in South Africa of this construction method since the formation of SAISC subsidiary SASFA (Southern African Light Steel Frame Building Association) in 2006 has been nothing short of phenomenal. Blue-chip companies that have recently used this method for their buildings include MacDonald’s, Deloitte, Audi and Delta Motors.”

He adds that LSFB is an ideal method in times like these when energy costs are high. Firstly, construction time is significantly faster, secondly, much less transport is required to get the materials to site and thirdly, over the lifetime of an LSF building, there are very significant energy savings.

“This is a method whose time has come in Southern Africa and we will continue to vigorously promote it,” Trinchero says.

TRANSFORMATION IN THE STEEL CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY Trinchero says it is important that the SAISC plays a leading role in assisting its members with transformation. “We envisage creating employment or mentoring opportunities for young graduates to be exposed to the technology of our industry to prepare them for the future,” he says.

“I believe we have the passion, the people and world class companies in our industry to realise our goals moving forward. We need to roll up our sleeves and put in the hard yards to do so. I encourage our members to work with us, to challenge us, keep us on our toes and to remember that in this industry it is not frowned upon to work hard, have fun and show a profit,” he concluded.

Paolo Trinchero.

I N D U STRY O UTLOO K

CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGIES

COV E R STO RY

The effect of climate change on concrete tile and metal roof coverings in the domestic environment In his book, ‘Four Degrees of Global Warming,’ Peter Christoff writes that the international community agreed only four years ago in December 2009 that, in order to avoid the worst impacts of human-induced climate change, global warming must be limited to not more than two degrees.

By Lyndsay Cotton, General Manager of LCP Roofing and Chairman of the ITC-SA.

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he scientists all agreed, however, that current national emissions targets are ambitious and that an average global warming of four degrees Celsius by or before 2100 is catastrophically more than likely.

Climate change is defined as the shift of weather conditions over time. Our average temperature throughout the world has steadily increased over recent decades, resulting in more unpredictable and extreme weather as compared to one or two generations back. Some places are getting hotter, others colder. Previously drier zones are getting wetter and others are drying out.

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Southern Africa is experiencing these effects of global warming and resultant climate change, including more frequent extreme weather events, heat waves, drought and heavy rainfall.

Additionally, many of the good building practices and norms employed by previous generations have been ignored and forgotten in a society where price, speed of construction, lack of skills and punitive interim interest rates dictate acceptable standards. These seemingly unrelated issues are resulting in more and more roof systems failing either partially or in their entirety.

JAN / FEB 2014

COV E R STO RY

COV E R STO RY CONCRETE ROOF TILING PRACTICE The practice of mechanical fixing has been largely ignored in inland areas. With the advent of SANS10400XA in the built environment, specifiers are increasingly looking at various methods to meet energy usage requirements and generally, one of these in domestic housing in South Africa, is to increase eaves’ overhangs to the maximum. This, unfortunately, exacerbates the issue, and the likelihood of tiles lifting or blowing off the roof increases ten-fold. It is always a good idea to mechanically fix tiles with 2.8mm diameter galvanized nails of the appropriate length and at a minimum of two to three rows on all eaves and at least one row on all verges. Coastal areas will necessitate the inclusion of storm clips as well.

Use of an under tile membrane in all instances, and not only where minimum pitch dictates, should be a fundamental part of a tiled roof system. Tests have proven that the membrane plays an important part in preventing excessive pressure buildup inside the roof during high wind conditions and especially when gusting. Although modern under tile membranes serve little purpose in terms of energy efficiency, they do, however, also perform a vital function in protection against water penetration during extreme rainy conditions. Although more expensive, the use of thermally efficient membranes will serve both the purpose of prevention of pressure build-ups and serve energy efficiency requirements.

METAL SHEETING Whilst concrete or clay roof tiles have always enjoyed a timeless acceptance, the acceptance of metal sheeting as a domestic roof covering in South Africa has undergone a more seasonal popularity.

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Unfortunately, and especially during times of wane, good sheeting practices have fallen by the wayside and skills are lost.

SOME IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS: TERRAIN CATEGORIES SHOULD BE CAREFULLY ASSESSED

Category one is defined as exposed smooth terrain with virtually no obstructions and in which the height of any obstruction is less than 1.5m. This category would include sea and lake shores, treeless plains with little other than short grass.

Category two is defined inter-alia as undeveloped outskirts of towns and suburbs, with few trees, hillside or other exposed areas. Newly developed estates would fall into this category.

Category three will generally include closely spaced obstructions having the size of domestic houses and also wooded areas and suburbs which are fully or substantially developed.

Category four will be terrain with numerous large, tall and closely-spaced obstructions and will include large city centres and forests.

Whilst most popular manufacturers and suppliers specify a minimum standard for their fixings or fixing spacings, the caveat is that they allow or design for a category three or even four in their minimum design standards and this is often either not known by or ignored by the system specifier.

JAN / FEB 2014

LCP Roofing • • • • • • •

Is an "A" graded Fabricator and Erector Is a SANS 1900 (SATAS) Quality approved truss plant Has two state-of-the-art Computer Numerically Controlled Saws Uses imported Tri-Press technology in its plant Is able to plan and design for additional loads imposed by solar panels and geysers Can accommodate both "in roof" and "on roof" solar geyser installations Our designers are not only able to design; they have erected roofs as well. They are intimately aware of every aspect of roof design and construction.

• We transport our trusses in a professional manner admin@lcproofing.co.za quote@lcproofing.co.za

082 441 5026/technology 0861 LCPROOF Leaders in roof truss

www.lcproofing.co.za

COV E R STO RY

A terrain category two roof, for example, should have a factor of 0.8 applied to all purlin spacings and a factor of 0.65 applied to terrain category one roofs.

Lack of sufficient purlins or inadequate spacings and the fixing of the purlin itself to the underlying structure is probably one of the single most common reasons for upliftment of sheeting systems.

ROOF HEIGHTS, LOCATIONS AND ELEVATIONS

Buildings over 10m in height should have purlin spacing reduced by an additional 20% over and above the aforementioned. Furthermore, it is deemed good practice in many other countries to add an additional purlin (in between the standard spaced runs) over the last two trusses at all eave gables.

CONCEALED FIX PROFILES

Concealed fix profiles, although primarily designated for the industrial market, are very popular in residential applications, but they come with their own challenges. The 700mm wide profile is widely used in inland applications and yet it is often forgotten that this profile is ideally intended for low and medium wind conditions – not exactly the right choice in newly developed and very exposed locations.

OVERHANGS

Overhangs are considered to be a weak point in any roof and should be kept to the minimum and, where unavoidable, overhangs greater than 500mm should be positively fixed. This will also include all leanto roofs, canopies, walkways, gate entrances, etc. Strong wind resistant soffits should ideally be installed under all overhang areas.

FIXINGS

The popularity of light gauge steel structures or purlins is growing and, once again, the specifier and consumer need to be aware that traditional fixings and fasteners, such as standard tek screws, are not suitable in these applications. The chance of separation between the sheet and purlin is a very real possibility in high wind load conditions.

Kare Industrial, a regular contributor in this publication can be contacted for expert advice in this regard.

The importance of the correct choice of fixing solely, if not for any other reason than to prevent separation, cannot be stressed enough.

HOLDING DOWN STRAPS

Little cognizance is taken by the homebuilder of the SANS10400-K requirements for roof wire or straps. A minimum of two strands of 2.4mm galvanised wire to be built in a minimum of 340mm into brickwork for tiled roofs. For sheeted roofs this requirement extends to a minimum of 1.2mm x 30mm hoop iron strapping built in a minimum of 600mm deep into brick walls. In both instances, sufficient tail should extend above the wall plate level to completely wrap over the truss. In no instance should the positioning be further than 200mm from the centreline of the roof truss. A prudent homebuilder should request a truss layout plan well before completing his brickwork.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Marley Roofing, Safintra

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: (c) 082 441 5026 | 0861 LCPROOF (e) lyndsay@lcproofing.co.za (w) www.lcproofing.co.za

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JAN / FEB 2014

STR U CTU R A L TI M B E R

Simplified construction with International Truss Systems ITS takes great care and pride in providing quality and prompt service levels to its client base.

A

ccording to Mannie Piyackis, Managing Director at ITS, its focus and aim is always to assist in the growth of its clients, which, in turn, will help International Truss Systems become a stronger operator in timber engineering and the preferred system supplier within the market place. He says, “Our philosophy is to measure our clients in the use of our products and software on a regular basis, so we can tune our business approach to clients’ requirements through a mixture of client focused meetings, specific company consultancy days and, of course, individual or combined training courses.”

DESIGN ENGINEERING

Polynesian truss.

The design office of International Truss Systems provides engineering expertise, advice and design engineering consultancy on the provision of technical and detailed drawing layouts for roof trusses, Tri-Joist® and timber frame. With many years of experience backed up by the close workmanship with the Lignum Lab and other industry bodies, International Truss Systems is at the forefront of innovation of connector plate technology. Key points of interest include: • Dedicated design staff available for design, engineering and advice for RoofCon, Trusscon & Quotecon and Tri-Joist® • Full calculations and fabrication details can be provided • Quick responses to all design and quotation work • All quotes provided free of charge

RoofCon software.

SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT Continues Piyackis, “All of our core software solutions are continually developed and are comprehensively backed up by dedicated development teams. This provides annual product enhancements, bug-fixes and structured upgrades, which are provided in CD-ROM format or can be downloaded from the customersecure website login. Any investment in software, whether small or large, requires comfort that the application will be perpetual and developed to the needs and requirements of your business. Here at International Truss Systems, we have systems in place that track support calls and software feature enhancements so they can be assessed, developed and added to the next product cycle release.”

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Timber roof trusses.

JAN / FEB 2014

• Dedicated development staff with extensive industry knowledge • Flexible approach to customer specific requirements • Structured approach to product development • Tailored solutions that save time and money

TRAINING AND CONSULTANCY All ITS solutions are offered with comprehensive consultancy and training programmes to ensure that the return on investment in software is realised as quickly as possible. With state-of-the-art training rooms, dedicated professional trainers from the industry and the ability to provide tailored company-specific courses, ITS ensures that techniques learned during training are fully utilised in the most efficient manner to improve productivity. Commencing with skills assessment, ITS ascertains the user’s current level and capabilities to identify areas for improvement during the training, ensuring maximum learning capacity at all times.

JAN / FEB 2014

Structured courses then allow our staff to get to know the individuals, the company and how they all work to ensure the best implementation of the software.

STR U CTU R A L TI M B E R

Bespoke development is also a service offered to suit the requirements of individual customers or the market as a whole. Detailed specifications are created prior to client approval, followed by key stages of the development cycle to final delivery and installation of the completed solution. Time is spent by specialist development team members in understanding the required end need so that both International Truss Systems and the client are clear and focused on achieving the correct end result. Key points of interest include:

This approach to training allows the users to advance their skills with day-to-day business activities. Key points of interest include: • Long-term business partnerships grow your business and ours • Consultancy provision reinforces the investments made • Dedicated support teams provide quick and accurate responses • Support via website, TeamViewer® • User group meetings provide valuable feedback to future software development • Client specific courses upon request to suit all needs • Weekly scheduled industry led courses

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: (t) 011 397 4441 (e) admin@rooftruss.co.za (w) www.rooftruss.co.za

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I N D U STRY I N S I G HT

Understanding the role of roof insulation through energy modelling Insulation plays a major role in a building’s thermal performance. By slowing the transfer of heat from interior to exterior, or exterior to interior, insulation allows the internal temperature of a building to remain more constant over the course of days, weeks, and seasons.

By Jonathan Skeen, Consulting and Operations Manager at Emergent Energy

I

n a hot climate, for example, a well-insulated house that is naturally ventilated and cooled during the evening – when ambient temperatures are lower – can sustain a lower average interior temperature during the hotter daytime, for a longer period of time.

USING ENERGY MODELS TO UNDERSTAND INSULATION

The roof of this house has 25mm clay roofing tiles over 95mm of mineral wool insulation, and 5mm of felt ceiling board. It has cavity brick walls with mineral wool insulation in the cavities, with 4mm, single-glazed, clear windows. As a result, the building is well insulated by South African Standards, being compliant with the requirements of part XA (covering energy use in buildings) of the SANS 10400 National Building Regulations. Figure 2 demonstrates the effect of this insulation on interior temperatures during a hot week in summer.

This effect of insulation can be understood and predicted using energy modelling software tools. Energy modelling software allows an architect to understand the likely impacts of their design decisions – such as the addition of extra roof insulation – by simulating the thermal performance of the building under measured local weather conditions.

The model shown in Figure 1 represents a house in Johannesburg. By simulating the internal conditions of the building every ten minutes, over a full year, we can start to develop a detailed understanding of how the design is likely to behave during the different seasons, as well as under more short term conditions, such as an abnormally hot week or day in summer, or a cold week or cold day in winter. This, in turn, allows us to predict the likely energy consumption of the house for space heating and cooling – giving us an indication of how much money the owner or tenant is likely to spend on electricity.

Figure 2: Interior and exterior temperatures of an uncooled house in Johannesburg, during a hot week in summer.

From the figure, it is apparent that the average interior temperature of the house is approximately 0.2°C cooler than the average exterior temperature during this hot week in summer. More importantly, however, the interior temperature is around 0.5-1.0°C cooler than the exterior during the hottest times of the day, when the discomfort of the inhabitants is likely to be at its highest. The inverse of this effect will be observed in winter, when insulation prevents heat from escaping from the interior to the exterior.

OPTIMISING ROOF INSULATION

Figure 1:Test model of a residence in Johannesburg.

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To understand the impact of roofing insulation, and to optimise roofing construction in terms of comfort, cost, and electricity consumption, we can simulate the house with varying insulation thicknesses. Here, we take a look at the same house during winter, and observe the effects of insulation on required interior heating, and associated electricity consumption.

JAN / FEB 2014

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PORT ELIZABETH (041) 451 1447

I N D U STRY I N S I G HT

Figure 3: Effect of insulation thickness of heating load during a cold week in winter (house in Johannesburg).

Figure 4: Comparative interior temperature of an uncooled house in Johannesburg, with dark and light roofing, during a hot week in summer.

Figure 3 demonstrates that a house with a minimally insulated roof (that is, with roof tiles and a 5mm ceiling board), will require around 17% more heating during a cold week in winter than the same house with an added 20mm layer of roofing insulation, comprised of mineral wool. If the insulation is increased to 120mm the reduction in the heating requirement increases to roughly 25% – translating into significant equivalent savings in electricity consumption.

This effect can have a large impact in hot climates, but can also have the undesired reverse effect in winter, when daytime heat gain through the roof is actually advantageous in keeping interior spaces warm. In this case, the use of a light roof will result in roughly 8% more electricity being used annually for heating in winter, although this may well be acceptable in light of the benefits obtained in summer.

Interestingly, increases to insulation thickness over 120mm yield negligible increases in the thermal efficiency of the house (and by extension, savings in electricity used for heating). It is apparent, therefore, that a given roof will have an optimal insulation thickness, beyond which additional insulation has little effect. This optimal thickness is likely to vary based on the roof construction, the local climate, and the type of heating and cooling systems applied.

DESIGNING BETTER ROOFS

WHAT ELSE CAN BE DONE? THE EFFECT OF LIGHT AND DARK ROOFS Insulation is not the only aspect of roof design that can impact on the thermal efficiency and comfort levels of a house. A comparative simulation of a house with insulated pitched roofs and no ceilings demonstrates the effect of light versus dark roof finishes.

In conclusion, roofs should always be insulated, with the use of ceilings also having a notable impact on both comfort levels and energy consumption for heating and cooling. White roofs help to keep interior spaces cooler in summer, while dark roofs absorb more heat, with positive effects, in winter. Finding the right balance in terms of insulation and roof colour can make a big impact, and energy modelling provides a means of assessing these impacts and weighing them against associated investment.

Emergent Energy provides rational design and energy modelling services to architects, engineers and property owners, with a focus on SANS 10400 XA accreditation and Green Star projects. For more information contact us at info@emergy.co.za.

As shown in Figure 4, the average interior temperature of the house with a light coloured roof will be, on average, just under a degree cooler than the same house with a dark roof.

CALL 0861 727 663 TO BOOK YOUR SA ROOFING ADVERTS FOR 2014

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JAN / FEB 2014

I N D U STRY I N S I G HT

The use of Saligna brandering for ceilings Both the Institute for Timber Construction South Africa (ITC-SA) and the South African Wood Preservers Association (SAWPA) have recently received requests to clarify to use of Saligna brandering in ceiling installation. We believe that this may mostly be due to some contractors that are able to access the material, and who believe that this will provide them with a pricing benefit in a very competitive market.

T

he best way to define the requirements applicable when considering the use of Saligna brandering, is by direct reference to the applicable South African Norms and Standards (SANS) material and treatment specification that will need to be considered prior to procurement and use.

In conclusion, Saligna may be used in the installation of a ceiling, but only if and where compliance with the above can be confirmed.

In SANS 10400 Part A the requirements for the use of preservative treated timber to be used in the erection of a building are specified. Firstly, the material must be deemed suitable for the application, and secondly, all timber used in the erection of a building shall be treated against termite and wood borer attack and fungal decay in accordance with the requirements of SANS 10005. Lastly, the products shall bear the product certification mark of a South African National Assessment Services (SANAS) accredited body (SABS or SATAS) to confirm compliance.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

BRUCE BREEDT Tel No: +27 11 974 1061 Fax No: +27 86 610 1413

This requirement is repeated in SANS 10400 Part L, and which is specific to roofs. In the case of Saligna, specific reference is made to SANS 1707 Parts 1 and 2, which deal with Eucalyptus and refers inter alia to this being applied in brandering and battens. Both SANS 10400 (A13 (b)) and SANS 1707 refer to SANS 10005 which is the National Standard (code of practice) for the preservative treatment of timber.

FRED WAGENAAR Tel No: +27 11 974 1061 Fax No: +27 11 392 6155

-ØA ÎåÌÏAÎY ÌÄ YkÌ£ që SERVICES INCLUDE: • • • • • • • •

Thatch roof design, advice and consultation Building contractor liaison Free quotations Structural design by in-house professional structural engineers Materials sourcing and supply Professionally supervised carpenter and thatching teams Low-cost thatched roof insurance After-sales service, maintenance and extended guarantee

CONTACT: (t) 021 919 8397 (e) info@lqt.co.za (w) www.lucasqualitythatchers.co.za

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JAN / FEB 2014

LIGHT GAUGE STEEL The low mass per m2 (between 2-10kg) of this roofing system ensures both savings on the supporting structure as well as on transportation and erection costs whilst also being vermin proof and non-combustible.

Large sections of the roof can simply be pre-assembled on the ground and hoisted into position on the walls – making this one of the most viable systems with a large range of applications up to a clear span of 40m.

Supported through a substantial network of licensed truss suppliers, Ultra-Span is equally ideal for all local and export applications where it can be pre-assembled or site assembled.

The non-combustible solution.

MiTek Park,754 16th Road, Randjespark, Ext. 34, Halfway House,1685. Midrand (Head Office) Tel: + 27(0) 11 237 8700 Cape Town Tel: 021 905 0244 • Durban Tel: 031 700 6332 • Port Elizabeth Tel: 041 581 7525 email: marketing@mitek.co.za • www.mii.com/southafrica *MiTek

Industries South Africa (Pty)Ltd, a division of the worldwide MiTek Group.

creating the advantage

MiTek roof structure for Jubilee Mall

N E WS

®

This large commercial project of some 4600m² was successfully supplied and installed by Giant Engineering cc utilizing the Ultra-Span® LGS technology.

Completed roof structure.

T

his MiTek licensed supplier, with many years of experience in all types of roof structures, converted the roof design from laminated timber to Ultra-Span, thereby saving the client at least 10% on the roof structure alone. This excludes additional savings due to the omission of concrete pillars no longer being required with the LGS roof system.

The whole project of some 4600m² with about 350 trusses, which were assembled at a rate of 1 minute and 12 seconds per truss, was quite spectacular in the words of Edward Curry from Giant Engineering.

The final roof erection was also completed in record time at just 14 days, with most delays being caused by having to wait for actual building work to catch up.

The speed at which the whole project could be completed utilizing the Ultra-Span system allowed for further savings.

Internal view of mall.

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JAN / FEB 2014

N E WS

Roof structure during erection.

As per Edward Curry, “the only pity is that this large roof structure is hardly visible from the outside due to the surrounding parapet walls.�

As with many other MiTek roof truss suppliers, Giant Engineering were certainly impressed with the Ultra-Span roof system and its ease of application and implementation, and are looking forward to the next project where they can implement Ultra-Span structures as a viable alternative to timber structures in large commercial projects.

MiTek Industries South Africa (Pty) Ltd Tel: +27-11 237 8700 E-mail: marketing@mitek.co.za Website: www.mitek.co.za

Roof structure during erection.

Panoramic view of roof structure in progress.

JAN / FEB 2014

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C A S E STU DY

Hounslow East Underground Station American white oak selected for the structural struts supporting the roof due to its ‘water/rot resistance, structural performance’ and the potential to create interesting structural forms

T

he redevelopment of Hounslow East was tendered in July 2000 and completed in 2002. The project represented a unique opportunity for a virtually new station within the existing infrastructure. The scheme required the excavation of the existing embankment to provide a new ticket hall with ancillary accommodation, interchange passageway and stairs to each platform. Step free access for passengers with restricted mobility is achieved through lift provision to each platform.

From the outset, timber was the preferred structural material for the copper clad, being eminently appropriate for the suburban setting. American white oak was the chosen timber for the structural struts supporting the roof due to its ‘water /rot resistance, structural performance’ and the potential to create interesting structural forms, which were also important considerations.

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The roofs of both buildings are barrel shaped in section with identical radii, the larger ticket hall roof giving an appropriate scale at street level while curving up to provide a platform canopy.

Through the discussion of various preliminary designs, the preferred aesthetic solution involved a ‘skin’ of constant thickness using a diagrid of structural elements. There were various ways to achieve this, but a ‘lamella’ structure was investigated and preferred over other options for a variety of reasons, including cost, its relatively simple construction method and uncluttered appearance.

JAN / FEB 2014

The architect worked with engineer, Buro Happold and with Cowley Structural Timberworks to develop a two-way spanning diagrid roof – a roof formed of relatively short elements, spanning in two directions. These make a rectangular grid with a leg projecting from each corner of the square. An internal timber ‘tree’ of white oak struts emanating from a steel ‘trunk’ supports the roof in the centre, at the edges it rests on the external walls. White oak was ideal for this particular purpose as it is a hard and heavy timber with medium bending and crushing strength.

Since the timber structures were to be exposed internally, the connections had to be visually acceptable, as well as effective.

Bolting is the traditional method of fixing, but this would have looked inappropriate on such a relatively small structure.

Instead, a special connector was used. This consists of a long, bolt through a drilled hole in the cross member into the end of the next lamella in a line and the joint tightened up at an access hole in the side of the lamella.

Crucial to the connections' success is a coupling embedded within the transverse beams. Normally there are two of these bolts in each end, but where the forces demanded it, this number could be increased to three. The offset angle, which was needed to allow the deck to lie flat, was achieved by offsetting slightly from the vertical the two connectors in the ends of the lamellas. Steel stanchions support the edges of the roof, and the cantilevers over the platform are supported on triangulated timber struts that sit on specially shaped steel stanchion tops.

Acanthus LW Architects is an established practice of architects, historic building consultants and landscape architects. Based in West London, it is part of the Acanthus network of independent practices with a dozen offices throughout the UK.

PROJECT DETAILS PROJECT: Hounslow East Underground Station ARCHITECTS: Acanthus LW Architects TIMBER: American White Oak PHOTOGRAPHY: Acanthus LW Architects

ABOUT AHEC The American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) is the leading international trade association for the US hardwood industry, representing committed exporting US hardwood companies and all the major US hardwood production trade associations. AHEC runs a worldwide programme to promote American hardwoods in over 50 export markets, concentrating on providing architects, specifiers, designers and end-users with technical information on the range of species, products and sources of supply. In addition, AHEC also produces a full range of technical publications.

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I N D U STRY I N S I G HT

Use of preservative treated timber in South Africa Bruce Breedt, Executive Director of the South African Wood Preservers Association (SAWPA), discusses the use of primary preservative treated timber in structures and the reasons why it must be used in specific areas and applications.

By Bruce Breedt, Executive Director of the South African Wood Preservers Association (SAWPA)

P

rimary preservative treated timber refers to industrial impregnation (pressure) methods to prevent against fungal decay (rot) and wood borer and termite attack, and not the surface application of brush-on preservatives or protectants/sealers.

REGULATIONS: There are two regulations applicable to preservative treatment of timber, the first being VC 9092, The Compulsory Specification for the Preservative Treatment of Timber, which regulates the manufacture and sale of preservative treated timber in South Africa and, in short, requires all preservative treatment plants to be approved by the NRCS (National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications), third party certified by the SABS or SATAS, and all treated timber produced and/or sold within the borders of South Africa to be manufactured, comply with, and be certified and marked in accordance with the SANS 10005, The preservative treatment of timber, and the

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applicable SANS product standard. In the case of sawn stress graded structural timber, this would be SANS 1288, Preservative treated timber, the standard that specifies only the preservative treatment requirements for all timber or wood products that do not fall within the scope of the SANS 457-2, SANS 457-3, SANS 753 and SANS 754, which are the standards specifically dealing with softwood and hardwood building, agricultural and utility poles.

The second regulation controls the use of preservative treated timber, specifically when used in a structure or building, and is specified in regulation A 13 (1)(b) of SANS 10400-A, The application of the National Building Regulation – Part A: General principles and requirements. A 13 (1)(b) states, “All timber used in the erection of a building shall be treated against termite and wood borer attack and fungal decay in accordance with the requirements of SANS 10005 and shall bear the product certification mark of a body certified by the South African National Accreditation System.”

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I N D U STRY I N S I G HT

SANS 10005: To fully understand the intent or meaning of the words “all timber” one needs to refer to SANS 10005, and specifically, clause 12, which deals with the use of preservative-treated timber in specific areas in South Africa and says “To qualify as being adequate for its purpose, structural timber of the two main species, i.e. Gymnospermae (Softwood) and Angiospermae (Hardwood) used in a permanent building in the areas given in 12.2 and 12.3 shall be preservative treated in accordance with 12.4.”

In the case of Gymnospermae (softwood species) all sawn timber (including planed and profiled timber) and poles or logs (round or partly round) of the softwood species shall be treated in accordance with 12.4 when used in the coastal municipal areas or towns (coastal) in South Africa, as follows: Amahlathi, Berg Rivier, Bitou, Breede Valley, Breede River/ Winelands, Buffalo City, Cape Agulhas, Cederberg, City of Cape Town, Drakenstein, eNdondakusuka, eThekwini Metropolitan (Durban), Ezingoleni, George, Great Kei, Hibiscus, Hlabisa, Impendle, Jozini, Kamiesberg, King Sabata Dalindyebo, Knysna, Kouga, Kou-Kamma, KwaDukuza, Langeberg, Makana, Maphumulo, Matzikama, Mbonambi, Mbhashe, Mbizana, Mkhambathini, Mnquma, Mooi Mpofana, Mossel Bay, Mthonjaneni, Mtubatuba, Mzunduzi, Nama Khoi, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan (Port Elizabeth), Ndlamble, Ndwedwe, Nkonkobe, Ngqushwa, Ntambanana, Nyandeni, Overstrand, Port St Johns, Qaukeni, Richmond, Richtersveldt, Saldanha Bay, Stellenbosch, Sunday’s River Valley, Swartland, Swellendam, The Big 5 False Bay, Theewaterskloof, Ubuhlebezwe, Umdoni, uMngeni, uMhlathuze, Umhlabuyalingana, uMlalazi, uMshwati, uMuziwabantu, Umvoti, Umzumbe, Vulamehlo, Witzenberg.

These coastal areas are prevalent to the spread of hylotrupes bajulus (European house/Italian/longhorn beetle) and cryptotermes brevis (West Indian dry wood termite) that favours and attacks softwood species. It’s important to note that cryptotermes brevis is not a subterranean termite, as it colonizes inside the timber on which it feeds.

The main determining factor is that if the timber contains large proportions of permeable (treatable) sapwood, then it must be treated. Timber containing only heartwood (impermeable inner core) cannot be properly treated even when using pressure processes. A typical example of hardwood timber used in roofing that must be treated, but in almost all cases is not, is the use of eucalyptus (saligna/grandis) branding and battens. Eucalyptus brandering and battens are mostly used cut wet of saw and therefore can be successfully treated using borates applied by a dip or pressure-diffusion process.

Hardwoods, such as eucalyptus, that contain sapwood are at sure risk of being attacked by lyctus brunneus (powder post beetle) that will, if not treated, attack and destroy the sapwood portions.

Sub clause 12.4, in turn, specifies that the preservative treatment of timber shall comply with the provisions of SANS 457-2, SANS 457-3, SANS 753, SANS 754 or SANS 1288, as relevant.

HAZARD CLASSES:

For Angiospermae (Hardwood species) all sawn timber, planed timber, and poles or logs (round or partly round) of the hardwood species shall be treated in accordance with 12.4 when used within the borders of South Africa, except for the following predominantly heartwood-containing items: 1. laminated timber 2. block and strip flooring 3. ceiling boards 4. panelling 5. mouldings and joinery 6. garden furniture 7. outdoor decking boards 8. non-sapwood-containing, kiln-dried and planed, sawn boards processed from eucalyptus species

JAN / FEB 2014

All the SANS standards specify different hazard classes (H classes) to which timber shall be treated based on the end-use application, exposure and risk, as well as the minimum required preservative retention per m³. The H classes must be indicated on the marking required by the VC 9092 and SANS standards.

H2 – Dry interior above ground H3 – Exterior above ground H4 – Exterior in-ground H5 – Fresh water & heavy wet soil contact H6 – Marine In the case of roofing timber, at least H2 treated timber shall be used when covered, and where fully exposed to weathering, H3 must be used, e.g. gazebo, or deck timber, not in contact with the ground.

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I N D U STRY I N S I G HT PRODUCT USE AND SAFETY INFORMATION: • Preservative treated timber should preferably be used in its originally treated lengths, but due to impracticalities, this is not always possible and therefore it is important to note that when pressure treated timber is machined, e.g. cross-cut, that untreated areas may be exposed. Such exposed ends must be remedially treated by liberally applying a suitable and registered remedial/supplemental brush-on preservative. This practice is not acceptable for cut ends exposed to H4 ground contact and higher. In these cases, cut ends shall never be planted/exposed into the ground.

lyctus brunneaus.

• Wear personal protective equipment when handling and machining treated timber, i.e. gloves, eye protection and dust masks or respirators.

• Do not allow treated wood off-cuts to accumulate – dispose of it at a registered waste or landfill site.

• Do not burn treated wood off-cuts, i.e do not use as fire wood or for cooking food.

For more information on wood preservation in South Africa, please contact SAWPA at 011 974 1061 or sawpa@global.co.za or visit www.sawpa.co.za or www.sawpa.org.za.

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Hylotrupes adult and larvae.

JAN / FEB 2014

thermoset, does not melt, drip or spread flame

environmentally friendly & recyclable

high compressive strength

moisture and wind resistant

aesthetically pleasing

the right choice for intelligent organs

reduces energy usage in a building

superior long term R-value

TM

CAPE TOWN: Tel: +27 (0)21 981 8814 • Fax: +27 (0)21 981 6322 • E-mail: carol@rigifoam.com • Units B18/19 Kruis Road, Brackenrite Business Park, Brackenfell.

PORT ELIZABETH: Tel: +27 (0)41 453 0277 • Fax: 086 532 5702 • E-mail: ronnie@rigifoam.com • 4 Bedford Road, Neave Industrial.

KWA-ZULU NATAL: Tel: +27 (0)31 700 5250 • Fax: +27 (0)31 700 4924 • E-mail: tristan@rigifoam.com • Unit G Pine Mead Industrial Park, 47 Gillitts Road, Westmead.

JOHANNESBURG: Tel: +27 (0)11 421 0313 • Fax: +27 (0)11 421 0410 • E-mail: duncan@rigifoam.com • 3 Detroit Street, Apex, Benoni.

H O M E

•

B U I L D I N G

•

R E F R I G E R A T I O N

www.rigifoam.co.za

•

I N D U S T R I A L

I N S U L ATI O N

Introducing TIASA WHO IS TIASA? TIASA is the Thermal Insulation Association of Southern Africa (TIASA) and it promotes the benefits of thermal insulation. TIASA is administered by the AAAMSA Group.

required minimum requirements of the National Building Regulations and South African National Standards compared to products that have not been tested and are non-compliant.

TRAINING TIASA CELEBRATES ITS 15TH ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR TIASA is recognized as the voice of the Insulation Industry for standards bodies, government agencies, architects, engineers, contractors and the consumer.

TIASA's success comes through active member participation in association committees. The experts serving on these committees have made TIASA an authoritative resource on the safety, performance, and application of thermal insulation products.

TIASA’S ROLE TIASA offers resources to help its members, professionals and consumers stay informed on legislative and regulatory initiatives that can impact on energy efficiency and other key issues, such as fire safety.

TIASA provides technical assistance, conducts research for its members on the development of products, does ad-hoc inspections on products available in the market place to confirm compliance, ensure correct installation practices are followed and publishes literature about the benefits and correct usage of insulation products. The Association is also actively engaged in promoting building energy efficiency in the policy making process.

The establishment of a new Occupational Qualification; Building Insulation Installer and recognised as a trade by QCTO (Quality Council for Trades and Occupations - formerly SAQA) will see the launch of a training initiative by TIASA to ensure the correct installation of insulation. Learners who successfully complete the course and join the Association will be recognised as an accredited TIASA Insulation Installer.

MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA MEMBERS HAVE TO COMPLY WITH: 1. South African National Standards – Products must be tested in accordance with the relevant SABS Standards applicable to products and have to comply with all the requirements.

2. Code of Ethics – TIASA members shall abide by the Advertising Standards Authority of South Africa’s (ASA) Code of Advertising Practice. It is the guiding document for the Code of Ethics for TIASA Membership.

3. Compliance with all statutory requirements.

For more information please contact (011) 805 5002 or visit www.tiasa.org.za

TESTING AND STANDARDS FOR INSULATION TIASA actively participates on various SABS committees, provides technical input and guidance to set standards regarding the thermal, acoustic and fire safety performance of materials used in the building industry.

HEALTH & SAFETY TIASA has successfully introduced a TIASA Fire Performance Register to ensure members' products are tested and classified in terms of SANS 428 to comply with the Fire Safety requirements of the National Building Regulations (SANS 10400-T). An updated register is available on the TIASA website.

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE...

QUALITY INSULATION VS. CHEAP KNOCKOFF

QUALITY TIASA recently introduced the TIASA Product Compliance Certificate (PCC) for thermal insulation products. The TIASA PCC for thermal insulation products will assist users to differentiate between products conforming to the legally

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TIASA Member product.

Non-member product.

JAN / FEB 2014

Insulation The invisible energy saver

By adding just 1% to your total building cost, you can install state of the art insulation.

The result: • comfortable surroundings • saving money on energy costs • supporting a sustainable environment CORPORATE MEMBERS

Administered by

Administered by

Contact our members for products and services that meet the requirements of quality, performance and safety as set by the Therma Insulation Association of Southern Africa (TIASA).

For a comprehensive list of Insulation Contractors, Distributors Manufacturers, Suppliers & Specialists please visit: www.tiasa.org.za Office: (011) 805 5002.

CO M PA N Y PRO F I LE

Alucushion Thermal Insulations Alucushion Thermal Insulations specialises in the supply of aluminium foil laminate roof insulation materials – of which Alucushion® FR (Fire Retardant grade) is its flagship.

A

lucushion was formed in 1985 with the development and introduction of Alucushion Thermal Roof Insulation – originally from Europe. After stringent testing for its application in the local market, a specification was drawn up which more than satisfied the insulation requirements of buildings situated in the sun-belt regions of the world. The product has been locally manufactured since inception, and is now produced on its 3rd generation manufacturing facility using newly developed processes and technology. This constant drive for innovation and upgrading of the product has ensured that Alucushion® has remained the leader in bubble form laminate aluminium roof insulation in South Africa for nearly three decades.

Alucushion® FR consists of a polyethylene bubble foil (a double layer of low density polyethylene with sealed bubbles of air trapped between them) laminated on both sides with aluminium foil, or alternatively on one side with aluminium foil and on the other side with a white polyethylene, the white finish being effective in adding aesthetic appeal.

The thousands of individually sealed air bubbles created during the manufacture of Alucushion® FR form a column of immobilised dry air, effectively countering heat loss through both convection and conduction. Add to this the low emissivity and high reflectivity of the aluminium foil on the product, and its advantages as a heat transfer barrier become obvious.

Alucushion® can also be produced to certain colour specifications within the volume limitations, and has the following value added benefits: • Strong, light and flexible with excellent tear resistance • Heat stabilized for durability and effective in a temperature range from -20°C to 80°C • Non-toxic, inert and vermin proof • Waterproof – no membrane necessary under roof tiles or sheeting • Aesthetically pleasing finish with good light reflectance • Can be combined with bulk fibre insulation to increase the thermal and acoustic value • Exceptional comfort-to-cost ratio Alucushion Thermal Insulations (Pty) Ltd is a member of TIASA (Thermal Insulation Association of South Africa) and the Green Building Council of South Africa, and has branches and depots in Pretoria, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Durban.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: (t) 012 800 3606 (e) sales@alucushion.co.za (w) www.alucushion.co.za

Alucushion® was the first Bubblefoil® roof insulation in South Africa to be produced with a fire retardant additive to meet the stringent requirements of the SANS 428 fire regulations (Fire Performance Classification of Thermal Insulated Building Envelope Systems).

Alucushion® is used in industrial steel roofing in an over-purlin application, and across the rafters in domestic or wooden truss applications.

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JAN / FEB 2014

BUBBLEFOIL

速

Specify with confidence and choose the ORIGINAL Established and produced in South Africa since 1985.

The first bubble form laminate aluminium roof insulation tested to SANS 428 Fire Regulations with an FR (Fire Retardant) additive.

The most specified Bubblefoil速 insulation in South Africa and the market leader for nearly 3 decades.

Alucushion Thermal Insulations (Pty) Ltd Head Office: Tel (012) 800 3606 Fax (012) 800 3835 E-mail: sales@alucushion.co.za www.alucushion.co.za

I N S U L ATI O N

Starlite® Insulation Eco-friendly, energy efficient roof and ceiling insulation

S

tarlite® consists of flexible rolls of insulation manufactured from high quality non-combustible glass mineral fibre using an inert thermosetting binder to form a product which is lightweight, strong, resilient, safe and highly thermally efficient.

Starlite® is supplied as a plain blanket for ceiling applications, or faced with a variety of scrim reinforced facings in aluminium foil or white coated aluminium foil for industrial and steel roof applications. Starlite® is used for thermal and acoustic applications in roofs, walls and ceilings of all types of buildings and has a working temperature of up to 230°C. Standard width: 1 200mm Standard thicknesses available: 50mm, 75mm, 100mm, 135mm Length available: Various

FEATURES • Completely non-combustible, Starlite® is one of the very few insulation materials in South Africa to achieve an A1 fire rating according to the new SANS 428 fire regulations.

• An eco-friendly ‘green’ product, Starlite® is free of CFCs, HCFCs and is not produced with any blowing agents, ensuring it has zero Ozone Depleting Potential (ODP).

• Highly thermally efficient, Starlite® has a Thermal Conductivity (K-Value) of 0.039 W/m.K. • With excellent acoustic properties, Starlite® has a Noise Reduction Co-efficient (NRC-Value) of 0.70 at 50mm thickness.

• Starlite® is chemically inert and will not cause or accelerate corrosion of steel, stainless steel, aluminium or copper, due to its specific inorganic and mineral composition.

• Starlite® is non-hygroscopic and will not breed or promote fungi, mould or bacteria, nor sustain vermin.

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• Starlite® helps prevent condensation and is suitable for high humidity applications.

• Starlite® will provide long-term energy savings, is maintenance free, and will not readily age, providing exceptional product life.

• Starlite® offers one of the best comfort-to-cost ratios on the market.

THERMAL VALUES DENSITY Kg/m³

THICKNESS mm

THERMAL RESISTANCE m²K/W (R-value)

12kg/m³

50mm

1.28m²K/W

12kg/m³

75mm

1.92m²K/W

12kg/m³

100mm

2.56m²K/W

12kg/m³

135mm

3.46m²K/W

FIRE PERFORMANCE Starlite® was the first faced fibre roof insulation material in South Africa to attain an A1 fire rating according to SANS 428 (Fire Performance classification of thermal insulated building envelope systems) as part of SANS 10400 of the National Building Regulations.

• Combustibility – Class A (Non-combustible) • Surface Fire Properties – Class 1 (No Flame Spread) • Use of Materials – Class 1 (No limitations, suitable for all occupancy classes of buildings) • Material Application – H&V (Horizontal and Vertical)

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I N S U L ATI O N

INSTALLATION APPLICATION For domestic or retrofit applications, the Starlite® blanket is simply laid directly over the ceilings between the roof trusses. For industrial over-purlin applications the faced Starlite® is manufactured to the required length within the standard limitations and laid over-purlin directly below the roof sheet.

Galvanised or PVC coated straining wire is positioned at 300mm centres and the flaps along the longitudinal edges pulled up and stapled then folded back and stapled again.

Full installation guideline available upon request.

CEILINGS SPECIFICATION 50mm, 75mm, 100mm or 135mm thick Starlite® Fibre Ceiling Insulation of 12kg/m³ density in 1 200mm widths laid directly over the ceiling between trusses ensure a snug fit including all necessary cutting, strictly according to the manufacturer’s specifications.

INDUSTRIAL SPECIFICATION 50mm, 75mm, 100mm or 135mm thick Starlite® Aluminium Foil or White Coated Aluminium faced fibre roof insulation of 12kg/m³ nominal density in suitable lengths and 1200mm widths laid over-purlin directly below the roof sheet on and including 1.6 gauge galvanized or white PVC coated steel straining wire at 300mm centres with all longitudinal flap joints securely stapled including all cutting and waste strictly according to the manufacturer's specifications.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: (t) 012 800 3606 (e) info@roofinsulation.co.za (w) www.roofinsulation.co.za

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#

10

reasons why Starlite

®

is South Africas no.1 choice of insulation

• Completely non-combustible, Starlite® is one of the very few insulation materials in South Africa to achieve an A1 fire rating according to the new SANS 428 fire regulations.

• Eco friendly “green” product, Starlite® is free of CFC’s, HCFC’s and is not produced with any blowing agents ensuring it has zero Ozone Depleting Potential (ODP).

• Highly thermally efficient, Starlite® has a Thermal Conductivity (K-Value) of 0.039 W/m.K. • Excellent acoustic properties, Starlite® has a Noise Reduction Co-efficient (NRC-Value) of 0.70 at 50mm thickness.

• Starlite® is chemically inert and will not cause or accelerate corrosion of steel,

stainless steel, aluminium or copper due to its specific inorganic and mineral composition.

• Starlite® is non-hygroscopic and will not breed or promote fungi, mould or bacteria nor sustain vermin.

• Starlite® helps prevent condensation and is suitable for high humidity applications.

• Starlite® will provide long term energy savings, is maintenance free, and will not readily age providing exceptional product life.

• Starlite® offers one of the best comfort-to-cost ratios on the market.

• Starlite® is suitable for thermal applications in roofs, walls and ceilings of all types of buildings and has a working temperature of up to 230°C.

Head Office: Tel: 012-800 3606 Fax: 012-800 3835 E-mail: info@roofinsulation.co.za

www.roofinsulation.co.za

Energy Saving • Rigid foam boards • Rigid fibre boards • Ceiling boards • Flexible fibre • Faced fibre • Ceiling insulation

• Roof insulation • Aluminium profiles • Cladding insulation • Insulated panels • Wall & floor insulation • Mineral fibre

Thermal • Acoustic • Consulting

The Thermal Insulation Specialists Head Office: Tel (012) 800 3606 Fax (012) 800 3835 E-mail: info@roofinsulation.co.za

www.roofinsulation.co.za

I N S U L ATI O N

Retrofit and energy efficiency – a showcase of success Award-winning insulation gains respect

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ward-winning cellulose fibre insulation, well-respected in green building circles, has enjoyed increasing usage in the commercial retrofit and new housing development markets.

The product, Eco-Insulation, is manufactured from recycled cellulose derived from newsprint waste streams. It is an SABS mark holder, was one of the first recipients of a Product Performance Certificate (PPC) issued by the Thermal Insulation Association of South Africa in line with the SANS 10400 XA standard and received the Energy Efficiency Company of the Year Excellence award by the Southern African Energy Efficiency Association (SAEE) a few years back.

“It is the perfect retrofit option, due to its unique method of installation and low impact on other building site activities.

This has made the company very accessible to housing developments where the company takes its ‘energy efficient, on time and on budget’ maxim very seriously,” says EcoInsulation's Richard Ellis.

a flat roof over the famous restaurant also received the EcoInsulation treatment – quickly and efficiently.

What is important about both these installations is the adaptable, non-disruptive and safe nature of the process. The installer's teams work alongside the roofing contractor to get the job done. The material is eco- and people-friendly. Where the client is a home owner requiring a retrofit, there is no disruption to the household during installation. In addition, the coverage is 100%, which is not always easy for other products and methods of installation that cannot access every nook and cranny of the roof.

100% coverage is essential in order to obtain on-specification insulation performance with no hot spots or heat leaks in the roof.

Outstanding retrofit projects by the company include two very interesting national landmarks: Cape Town's Castle of Good Hope and the Steenberg Hotel and Spa complex – among the oldest buildings in South Africa dating back to the late 1600s.

In the case of the Castle, Eco-Insulation was pumped into place during the scheduled replacement of the entire roof over the admin block inside the Castle. An earlier generation nonperforming insulation was removed by Eco-Insulation's team, using the requisite personal protection equipment, and new cellulose insulation pumped into place. At the Steenberg Hotel,

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86% Solar reflectivity Keeps heat out of buildings Reduces roof maintenance Non-hazardous Easy to apply

Radiant Heat Barrier Coating

CONTACT US: MeeA Parkins 079 890 9488 info@spectrumec.com www.spectrumec.com

REFLECTIVITY & EMISSIVITY OF CERASHIELD C

These two diagrammes show a typical scenario for a painted and a plain galvanised roof on an average day in Johannesburg with a max temperature of 25 C between October and March. The figures shown are based on actual, independent tests.

By drastically reducing the temperature of the roof surface, less heat is available to be transferred through the roof into the building.

Although exact results will vary, depending on such factors as the building's ventilation, orientation, existing insulation, roof and ceiling height, activities within, windows and the number of occupants, a reduction in temperature is assured with the application of CeraShield.

SOLAR

Schletter South Africa trains a wealth of new solar system installers Schletter South Africa has trained in excess of 70 installers to mount rooftop solar photovoltaic panels, and Basil Read is among the chief independent installers that have had their fitters trained at Schletter SA.

“Installer training is absolutely crucial to ensuring the success of any solar project,” says Bernard Suchland, managing director at Schletter South Africa. “Installing the solar panel structures is one of the most important steps of the full solution, even though it only typically accounts for about 20% of the total cost, because should the mountings fail then the entire system fails. That is not the case when an inverter or a panel fails, for example.”

Installers are taught the essentials and details of installing panels, right from planning and conceptualising the final system through to actually fitting it to the rooftop. In the courses they are also trained to use an online tool that facilitates the gathering of information and ensuring all necessary detail is captured.

Schletter South Africa has critical insight that aids the installers based on that information, such as the tensile strength to employ in brackets and bolts, depending on geographic location. This technology also verifies planned installations for third-party installers of its systems before they go ahead.

Information they require ranges from the geographic or GPS location of the site to the height of the building, ambient wind conditions throughout the year, proximity to the ocean, and proximity to urban areas.

“The factors they must consider will determine the final fitting solution that is necessary to secure the panels to a rooftop,” says Suchland. “Because ambient conditions play an enormous role in alleviating risk to property and life and ensuring the capital expenditure of the project is secured.”

Solar panels can act as wings when fitted so wind has an enormous impact on the solution. Low-grade steel, such as that typically found in hardware-sourced bolts and brackets, is

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not suitable. The mounting bolts and brackets must consist of high-grade steel typically available from Germany and other countries, but not frequently available on South African retail shelves.

Steel is manufactured to a tensile strength and hardness, called the RC rating. Low RC rated steel is not good enough to withstand the enormous forces that wind places on solar panels at height.

“The actual type of roof, be it IBR (Inverted Box Rib), corrugated iron or tile, is one of the least important factors when fitting solar panels, although new customers often believe it is the only requirement,” says Suchland. “The standard imported brackets and bolts that we train the installers to use are derived from a lot of IP that we have developed through decades of experience and accommodate any of the roof types we find in South Africa. In fact, almost 80% of roofs in South Africa will use one of four standard brackets.”

He adds that mounting brackets that are preassembled to a large degree at ground level also decrease the risk to installers when they are operating at altitude. The less time they spend exposed to altitude and the fewer tools they require reduce their exposure to risk of injury and liability.

“There are more solar projects being implemented every day in South Africa because the public has been exposed to the benefits of these solutions and the costs have decreased markedly in the past decade,” says Suchland. “However, customers need to be aware of the important considerations when considering such a solution, importantly the quality of the installation by a trained professional.”

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In retrospect It was another difficult year for most of us, especially in the Western Cape and Natal, where we experienced abnormal weather conditions, which made work difficult. TASA has also had a challenging year, but it appears that 2014 will be a better year.

AN EXTRACT FROM THE MASTER BUILDERS' REPORT STATES: “It has not been plain sailing for building contractors, as the recovery from the slowdown following the world financial crisis has been characterised by a very moderate rise in building activity and profitability. Now, more than ever, it is critical for key role-players and government departments to engage on issues that affect the growth and development of the industry.”

(This was the message from the immediate past president of the Master Builders South Africa (MBSA), Danie Hattingh, at the opening of organisation's recently held annual congress.)

INTERNATIONAL THATCHING SOCIETY CONGRESS & FUN FAIR

As the world opens up, not only for South Africa, but also due to technology, one realises how much is happening and developed worldwide in the thatching trade. Even if we cannot learn that much from each other, we are inspired and motivated by new ideas and a shared passion for thatch.

With our involvement with the ITS over the last few years, we found that there is no conflict of interest or any threat to the business interests of South African thatchers. We can only gain from the knowledge and friendship of our international colleagues.

All TASA members and associated members are invited to attend the ITS activities in Stellenbosch from 12 to 14 February 2014 at Stellenbosch Lodge, Stellenbosch.

This exceptional opportunity is planned with great anticipation and excitement – not only to benefit and make it worthwhile for our overseas counterparts, but also for our members and co-thatching contractors in South Africa.

The seven member states of the ITS (Japan, Great Britain, Sweden, Holland, Denmark, Germany and South Africa) have diverse and interesting construction methods. For the Thatching Fair on February 14, 2014 TASA, among others, would like to initiate a competition in which the overseas members will have to build a thatched roof with South African building materials and according to our building methods. In contrast, the South Africans will have to build a thatched roof with overseas building materials and with their construction methods.

We would like to appeal to our members to endeavour to attend this event and join in the fun. The workers of TASA members, who will also attend this event, will be involved in the proceedings for the whole three days and accommodation is available for them.

WHY ITS 2014 AND HOW WILL THE THATCHING INDUSTRY BENEFIT FROM IT? Since 2011, the Thatchers Association of South Africa’s management had sporadic contact with international thatching societies. International contact was one of the goals we set for ourselves when TASA was founded. This resulted in TASA being a founding member of the ITS and that led to a visit of eight South African Thatchers to the ITS Fair in Germany during 2012. Numerous European and Japanese thatchers visited South African thatchers during the last three years.

TASA sees South African thatchers as among the best in the world and the creativity and unique designs of South African Thatchers are recognized worldwide.

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2012 Delegation from Japan.

PROGRAM 6-7 February: International guests arrive in Cape Town 7-11 February: Tourist Program 12 February: South African guests join the international group

Fun Fair and Demonstrations

Spitbraai dinner for everybody 13 February: ITS meeting/Ladies program at a Spa 14 February: Site visits – Thatching projects around Cape Town 15 February: TASA Annual General Meeting Any South African member that would like to join the Tourist Program is welcome.

TASA’S ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2014 We would like to point out to our members that next year's Annual General Meeting will be held in Stellenbosch at the Stellenbosch Lodge on Saturday, February 15.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: (c) 083 283 8429 (e) admin@sa-thatchers.co.za (w) www.sa-thatchers.co.za

JAN / FEB 2014

Thatching Specialists Conference Centres, Lodges, Houses, Lapas Thatch Maintenance & Drainage Systems Thatch Fire Protection Building & Other Roofing Types Available Eastern Cape based, Large Contracts NATIONWIDE

Theunissen Thatching, a founder member of the Thatchers Association of South Africa, is a well established company. We specialise in all aspects of thatching and wooden structures.

Kosie Theunissen tel: 021 883 8383 cell: 082 854 5949 | tthatch@adept.co.za

SPECIALIZING IN ALL ASPECTS OF THATCHING

CALL 0861 727 663 TO BOOK YOUR SA ROOFING ADVERTS FOR 2014

T: 043 738 5044 | C: 082 780 5725 Email: info@cintsathatching.co.za www.cintsathatching.co.za

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Saint-Gobain products provide solutions for Paarman Foods factory The Paarman factory, located in Constantia in Cape Town has recently undergone a major renovation using Saint-Gobain Gyproc’s innovative products to meet the needs of the plant.

THE CHALLENGE

THE SOLUTION

Managing Director of Paarman Foods, Graham Paarman, explained that his brief to the professional team appointed to manage the renovations of the factory, was the need for his office to be accessible to his production staff. This translated into the management offices being re-located to the middle of the factory, which then posed the challenge of minimizing and controlling noise levels, ensuring that the noise emitted by a working factory be blocked out of the office environment. “I did not want to be isolated from my team, which in my opinion is one of the biggest mistakes made in business these days, where the management team operates away from the core of the operation,” explained Paarman.

To suspend the offices above the factory floor, using structural steel slung like a bridge with a gantry walkway within the girder. The design further makes provision to add more offices on in the future.

In addition, the renovation had to take place while the factory remained in operation, and given the space constraints a creative solution had to be considered.

46

The appointed architect and acoustician consulted SaintGobain catalogues and the company’s specification and technical departments in researching products that would provide solutions to meet the client’s brief. Gyproc SoundBloc 70AS/F60S57 performance boards were competitively tendered and installed. In addition, acoustic silicone sound sealants ‘O’ rubber rings were fitted around all door applications to prohibit the transfer of sound. Added to this, 8.7mm acoustic glass (two sheets of glass with plastic in between) and 2.9m high safety glass was incorporated into the application.

JAN / FEB 2014

The renovation process was closely monitored by an on-site safety officer, as safety is key at Paarman’s Foods. Strict working guidelines and conditions were enforced and the project was successfully completed with minimal disturbance to the daily running of the factory, as much of the work was done after hours, which also limited compromising the safety of Paarman Food employees.

WHY SAINT-GOBAIN PRODUCTS WERE SPECIFIED FOR THIS PROJECT Architect, Oliver Dods explained that the Paarman administration offices did not function well acoustically. Given the buyers spend much of their time on the phone, a quiet working environment was necessary, and this requirement extended to that of the Managing Director’s office. “When various products were considered, we wanted to incorporate a thin lightweight (123mm) wall with high decibel (dB) ratings, and use products that would assist in meeting the client’s requirements to provide for a quiet working environment and Gyproc products offered us these benefits and more,” explained Dods.

“The project was very unique and with the use of a good professional team and the use of quality innovative products the renovation has provided a vastly more productive working environment, which met my brief and our requirements,” explains Paarman.

N E WS

The combination of the Gyproc SoundBloc performance board system and the use of glass have resulted in a quiet office environment, while positioned in the centre of a noisy factory. “When compared to my previous office, which was located on the factory level constructed using drywall partitioning with no acoustic benefits, making it extremely difficult to work, given the consistent level of noise, the new office is heaven,” says Paarman.

TH ATC H

African Cottage The brief was to construct an eco-friendly cottage that would blend into the African bush and although the architect designed just such a plan, which looked good on paper, could this ‘half a rugby ball’ be constructed in thatch?

T

he challenge lay not only in the curved structure, but also in the fact that this structure had to be transported across the country and into the African bush.

Structural Engineer and Technical Director at Lucas Quality Thatchers, Abrie Visagie knew he had to come up with a way to construct and design this roof in a fashion that could be premanufactured in-house, in Cape Town, shipped up-country into the bush and be assembled and thatched on site.

Precise shop drawings had to be drawn up, as this curved pole structure had to be capable of giving enough support without further rafters or supports, therefore being an ‘open structure’ on the inside, and still carry the weight of the thatch.

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TH ATC H Calculations were made that would describe the exact arch that needed to be manufactured. Specialized brackets that would hold all the pole sections together and yet remain invisible also had to be designed. Finally, the first section or ‘rib’ was constructed and load tested in the factory in Brackenfell. In the same fashion, each unique rib was put together until all were complete. The complete structure was then numbered and ready for loading.

Many kilometres later, thatchers, materials and Abrie arrived on site. The local animal kingdom was just as curious to see this new dwelling.

After five days the structure was assembled and complete.

The ‘puzzle’ had come together and the ‘rib-cage’ was complete, windows and all. A wooden mezzanine floor was fitted for additional living space. The structure was then thatched with a fire blanket and finished off with a cement capping.

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TR A N S ITI O N H O U S I N G

Roofing for all Many low-cost housing technologies have been developed over the years, most of which offer alternatives to standard masonry wall construction. Roofing these structures is often achieved by utilising standard materials and techniques, such as wooden rafters or trusses, and zinc sheeting. There is a need for alternative roofing technologies that address some of the shortcomings of the ‘business as usual’ approach.

By Dr. John Anderton, Director of Eternally Solar cc.

T

he e-khaya fireproof shack replacement project has tackled the challenge of how to provide a roof for a lowcost structure that incorporates all the characteristics required – rainproof, thermally and acoustically insulating, structurally sound and attractive. However, it goes much further in that the unique design imparts properties that could have a radical influence on how in-situ upgrades of informal settlements and townships could be privately financed.

It consists of a self-supporting arch, an architectural form that has been in use for over 2000 years. Such structures are inherently stable, and need not be complex or expensive to build.

THE E-KHAYA ROOF IS • Low cost • Easy and quick to build • Uses freely available materials, some from recycled sources • Structurally strong – load bearing • Self-supporting • Space-saving • Insulating – thermally and acoustically • Fireproof • Potentially income-generating

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A bridge in Venice – simple, elegant and robust.

JAN / FEB 2014

Above and below: The re-usable building frame and forms, sandbag walls and lightweight, fireproof insulating layer-forming roof and over walls.

TR A N S ITI O N H O U S I N G

Recycled granular polystyrene or other lightweight material, such as vermiculite, is mixed with sand and cement to make a lightweight mortar. Together with a fibreglass reinforcing mesh, this is used to mould the roof over simple forms that are a part of the re-usable building frame or jig that is used to guide the construction of the e-khaya sandbag walls. The supporting frame and forms are removed after a few days and re-deployed.

The retail cost of materials for a 14m² roof is less than R1 000 and may be dramatically reduced in larger projects or if recycled waste polystyrene is used. Tests on sandbag wall and roof sections using a lightweight mortar layer have proven the fire-resistant and insulating properties. There was no temperature change whatsoever after sixty minutes of an intense blaze on the opposite side of sample wall and roof sections. And in the community-built e-khaya at Blue Downs in Cape Town, the cool interior is a welcome relief from a scorching Cape summer day.

The self-supporting arch creates additional internal volume. By increasing the wall height to 2.4m, sufficient extra space is created to allow for sleeping lofts. One of these can accommodate two adults or four children, so a homeless family of six could be housed in 20m² of living space, on a 14m² footprint.

Storage Sleeping for 4 children Sleeping for 2 adults The sandwiching of a relatively thick, lightweight core between two high tensile thin skins results in excellent panel stiffness.

The arched shape contributes to the overall structural strength of the roof, whose elements are continuous with the upper side of the wall. A monocoque structure is thus obtained which, given its modest 14m² footprint, results in an e-khaya module that is very robust, despite the sandbag walls being just 150mm thick and there being absolutely no structural timber or steel in the walls or roof. Further engineering tests are under way to determine the ultimate strength of the e-khaya walls and roof.

Roof construction is as rapid as the sandbag walls. The frame and forms are erected in about an hour, and the sandbags for the walls can be placed and the roof moulded the same day.

The interior wall surface is plastered a few days later after frame removal. Very little skill is required to construct the roof: simply lay down the mesh on the forms and pour the lightweight mortar followed by the thin plaster screed.

Waterproofing is achieved through appropriate cement plaster additives and topcoat application.

JAN / FEB 2014

Cooking and washing Living 20m² of living space on a 14m² footprint.

Interior of module with 2.1m wall height.

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TR A N S ITI O N H O U S I N G

The strength of the roof has proven to be more than sufficient to support a water tank and simple solar hot water system totalling 200kg. Guttering can be formed using the roof mortar itself or added later as with conventional systems. Rainwater harvesting is then an additional sustainable solution alongside solar heated water and photovoltaic panels for lighting and cell phone charging, the panels being easily secured to prevent theft.

This completely offsets the 48 monthly capital and interest repayments of R400 (R15 000 at 12% interest over four years) required to finance the home. Thereafter, the homeowner can continue to rent out the roof space to generate an income: from zero-asset shack-dwelling status, to owning a durable, safe and comfortable home and an ongoing rental income in just four years, as well as having gained valuable construction skills through participating in the build.

Suddenly government housing subsidies are no longer a prerequisite to owning a township home, the funds being better utilised to micro-finance homes and businesses. Research is ongoing to determine the feasibility of adding a second storey as additional living area.

200kg of water tank and pipes.

But how could this roof truly transform informal settlements in South Africa and elsewhere?

One of the biggest obstacles blocking development of microbusinesses in townships is not the lack of skills, enthusiasm or even funding. It is the lack of space. And yet viewed from the air, there are clearly acres of potential space if only the roofs could be utilised at a realistic cost. What enormous potential exists in this resource to help solve the housing crisis and simultaneously to foster township entrepreneurs.

Research is ongoing to develop two-storey e-khayas.

Acres of potential space!

The space created by the load bearing roof could be used for a variety of different purposes, whether solely for the homeowner, or developed and rented out as a trader’s stall, workshop, secure storage area, location for a photovoltaic array to power an internet cafe, vegetable garden, etc.

Assume for a moment that sufficient capital is made available for a shack dweller to build an e-khaya. Assume that the e-khaya module costs R10 000 to build and the development of the roof as a rentable space is a further R5 000. A realistic monthly commercial rental for the secure roof space is R400.

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In some rural areas of South Africa and further afield, there may be no access to waste polystyrene, but by using lightweight organic filler material as a substitute, non-weight-bearing roofs can be built using the same techniques. Income generation through rental is still possible through the construction of low cost, multi-module, single-level homes, availability of land usually being less of an issue.

Research is ongoing to fully explore the potential of this exciting, patented methodology of low-cost roof construction, and will be of interest to engineering faculties of academic institutions across Southern Africa.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Dr Johnny Anderton (c) 072 102 7677 (e) info@e-khaya.com

JAN / FEB 2014

Global value and sustainability by using wood The FOURTH WOOD-CONFERENCE present unique opportunity for exchange of ideas, information and inspiration on the topic of wood, in its various states and applications, as a viable and natural building material.

Get inspired - join the FOURTH WOOD-CONFERENCE Please diarise our upcoming activity. It will take place on the 11th February 2014 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).

The conference would focus on sustainability and its global process.

For more information and applications, please contact: +27 (0) 76 401 91 20 z.davids@hwzinternational.com RSVP by 24 January 2014

www.hwzinternational.com

HWZ International SA (Pty) Ltd 4 Sedgemoor Road Camps Bay 8005 / Cape Town South Africa

PA I NT S & COATI N G S

SAPMA calls for government action to ‘name and shame’ leaded paint producers The South African Paint Manufacturing Association (SAPMA) has urged the government to start prosecuting unscrupulous paint producers who are still including hazardous lead levels in their paints.

A

t a Lead in the Workplace workshop in Pretoria organised by the Department of Labour, Deryck Spence, executive director of SAPMA, said it was time to ‘name and shame’ offenders.

“This can only happen if the government stops merely threatening to take action against the culprits and actually makes an example of them and prosecutes them. SAPMA has done everything in its power to warn lead-using producers – whether SAPMA members or not – but we now require the strong arm of the government to name and shame manufacturers who still ignore anti-lead legislation,” Spence told the workshop.

“SAPMA members would welcome such prosecutions, because it would be in accordance with our ethical views and strategies, since the major brands, having already eliminated lead in the decorative market, are diligently working towards the total elimination of lead in the manufacture of paint, including industrial products like road-marking paints,” he added.

At the Pretoria workshop, speakers who included Prof. Angela Mathee, director of the Medical Research Council’s Environmental Health Research Unit, again warned that negligible improvement had been made in reducing lead levels in enamel paints despite legislation and the attempts of SAPMA to eliminate the source.

Prof. Mathee stated that it was the intention of the Government to further reduce the level of lead in paint in accordance with GAELIP (Global Alliance for the Elimination of Lead in Paint) from 600ppm to 90ppm and that ‘stuck on’ lead warning labelling would be in future be banned and that lead warnings instead would have to form part of the paint container’s actual wording and design.

Spence, in response, stated that although SAPMA endorsed all the speakers’ integrity in highlighting the problem and sources of lead, the facts regarding lead in paint should be placed in perspective. “It should be remembered that 80% of decorative paint is water-based and contains no lead. Lead pigments are traditionally used to obtain the rich colours in oil-based enamels such as reds yellow, greens, etc. As the majority of enamel sold is white, this reduces the lead factor even further since ‘coloured’ enamels represent only about 4% of decorative sales,” he told the workshop.

Spence also stated that although SAPMA membership represented about 90% of the product manufactured in South Africa, membership in numerical numbers was 110 manufacturers out of a market estimated to be in excess of 300.

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Deryck Spence, executive director of SAPMA.

Prof Angela Mathee, director of the Medical Research Council’s Environmental Health Research Unit.

“SAPMA membership is voluntary and accordingly, many manufacturers do not take up membership because of our strict Codes of Ethics and Conduct – which include the elimination of lead in decorative paints available to the public.

Consequently, since the alternatives to lead pigments are significantly more costly than leaded pigments, unscrupulous manufacturers continue to use leaded pigments to gain a competitive edge over companies using the more expensive alternatives.”

Spence also said there was major confusion within the government legislation which, although restricting the use of lead in the ‘retail’ sector, allowed lead pigments to be used in the Industrial market on the premise that the public could not buy them.

“Leaded enamels can be sold in small containers providing they are labelled that it contained lead. This has led to an anomaly in that enamels containing lead are used in the manufacture of children’s playground equipment, because the manufacture was termed ‘industrial.’ But it nevertheless presents a major threat to children who use the equipment. We believe current Legislation should be revised to eliminate such anomalies."

“SAPMA will continue to support the battle against lead in paint – but we now need the Government to fulfil its role as custodians of the Legislation,” Spence added.

He was subsequently approached by officials of the Department of Health and assured of their cooperation in this matter.

JAN / FEB 2014

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New CEO for Rutherford as Bob Cameron-Smith bows out Rutherford, a wholly owned subsidiary of JSE-listed Hudaco Trading (Pty) Ltd., has announced that Martin Peterson will take over the reins as its new Chief Executive Officer from February 2014, upon the retirement of the company’s current CEO, Bob CameronSmith, who has been with the Group for the past 41 years.

Bob Cameron-Smith (left) and Martin Peterson (right)

P

eterson, a Chartered Accountant, was appointed from Filter & Hose Solutions, another Hudaco Group company. He was part of the management team that originally owned Filter & Hose Solutions and was very involved in the sale of this business to Hudaco in 2010.

“Taking over the leadership of such a mature and wellentrenched business is exciting and challenging,” Peterson says. “With four different product ranges, four markets and four sales forces, Rutherford is certainly not a one-dimensional business. The power tool business operates in a particularly stimulating market, because of the tough competition in this arena. It’s necessary to pay close attention to range, pricing and route to market, as it’s very much a moving target.”

“However, each of the four divisions is headed up by directors who are experts in their own right and these assets, together with the depth of skills across the entire business, will provide an excellent platform for building future growth.”

Cameron-Smith comments that Peterson’s excellent commercial background and open mind, combined with the strengths of the existing business, are a definite recipe for future success as the company continues to consolidate its position as a leading supplier.

Cameron-Smith moved over from another part of the Hudaco Group to Rutherford 21 years ago, when the company was primarily focused on marketing Makita power tools and woodworking machinery. Under his leadership, Rutherford restructured in 1998 by incorporating three of the Group’s trading businesses, Mercury Marine, VI Instruments, and FTS Industries and rationalising non-core product ranges.

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“We made it a focus of the business to build these brands and our efforts have paid off, because today Mercury is number two in the local market and Makita is one of the leading power tool brands – very possibly the second or third biggest privately owned Makita distributor in the world. Rutherford’s fourth division, F.T.S. Industries, has become the largest importer and distributor of blind rivets and riveting tools to all sectors of Southern African industry and VI Instruments, trading in hightech instrumentation for the construction and mining industries, has earned the distinction of being the market leader in compaction measurements for road construction.”

Today Rutherford employs 205 people across its Johannesburg head office and warehouse, and major distribution centres in Durban and Cape Town, as well as a sales office in Port Elizabeth.

100 YEARS In 2012 Rutherford celebrated 100 years of service to the Southern African industrial arena.

The company holds three key ISO accreditations: ISO 90012008 for quality, ISO 14001-2004 for environment and OHSAS ISO 18001-2007 for occupational safety and these standards are continually updated to incorporate the latest amendments.

Rutherford has occupied the same headquarters in Germiston for decades, with 5 500m2 of warehousing and 1 600m2 of office space. Full technical support and back-up services are offered from this site, as well as the other centres.

JAN / FEB 2014

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