| 1)
INTRODUCTION
Face
the facts
- Historically South African building design has paid
little attention to energy efficiency and thermal insulation.
- Eskom has publicly stated that energy
demand is going to outstrip supply over the next 5-7 years
and as a result load shedding and power outages must be expected
and the cost of electricity will continue to rise above the
rate of inflation. Recent press articles report the 2008 Eskom
electricity increases to be pegged
at either 14,2% or 18,7%!!
Lead article in the BUSINESS TIMES on 25 November 2007 –
“ Although it is the country’s worst greenhouse
gas emitter, Eskom’s hands are tied as it is forced
to use coal to meet SA’s soaring demand for energy.”………..”
with the government to spend more than R800 billion on its
own infrastructure expansion, demand for electricity is expected
to escalate - which promoted Eskom to propose tariff
increases of between 18-20% A YEAR over the next 5 years.”
-
Climate change and global warming
are now accepted phenomena and extremes of weather are here
to stay.
Against
this background new buildings have to
incorporate design methodologies and materials that conserve
energy and provide comfort without the need to use excessive
amounts of energy to heat and cool.
2)
EXAMPLES OF FULLY THERMALLY INSULATED BUILDINGS – THE
WAY OF THE FUTURE?
Below
are two relatively small buildings that have embraced the
concept of full thermal insulation using ABP’s expanded
polystyrene building systems.
PROJECT
1 - FACTORY WORKSHOP, ISANDO, JOHANNESBURG
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TUFS
- thermal under floor system
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Polyblock
walling system |
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TASS
- thermal acoustic slab system |
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The
structure of this building was completed in a couple of weeks
using unskilled labour ‘off the street’.
PROJECT
2 - FOSTER CARE HOME, HONEYDEW
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TUFS,
under floor insulation system and Polyblock walling
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Internal
plastering of the Polyblock walls and TASS slab
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Polyblock
walls and TASS first floor slab |
External
plastering with Polyplast, expanded polystyrene plaster
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This
double storey foster care home is unique
in that it has fully adopted the thermally insulating concept
of an ‘igloo’ and used expanded polystyrene under
floor (TUFS), in the walls (Polyblock) and for both the first
floor and roof slabs (TASS).
The ceilings and internal and external walls are plastered
with Polyplast which takes on the colour of the plaster sand
used.
Internally the walls and ceilings will be painted but externally
left the natural colour of the plaster. This will leave the
exterior virtually maintenance free with a distinctly African
feel.
A remarkable example of GREEN
BUILDING.
3)
GREEN BUILDING EXHIBITION AND CONVENTION - CSIR PRETORIA
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ABP
Building Products’ stand at the Green Building
Expo. |
The
growing interest and awareness of GREEN
BUILDING was evident in the over 1,000 delegates
that attended this 2 day conference and the number of additional
members of the general public that came to the 3 day exhibition.
Some comments extracted from the presentations:
“In the USA buildings consume
39%, transport 32% and industry 29% of energy produced”
“World energy consumption will rise by 62% by 2030”
“The Green Building movement in the US is aiming for
a factor of 10 reduction in building energy consumption from
300Kwh/m² to 30Kwh/m². This is already being achieved
in Germany.”
“Global warming is the most serious
problem mankind has faced”!!!!!
“Construction consumes 50% of all resources globally”
“The construction industry has a disproportionate responsibility
(to help arrest climate change and resource depletion) because
of its enormous impact”
“Focus is moving away from up front (lowest) cost to
life cycle costing”
“The Green Building Council in the USA has introduced
a ‘green’ building rating system. Building ratings
are being linked to local tax reductions, lower running and
maintenance costs and ultimately to higher rental income –
making good business sense”
The
million dollar question is does the South African construction
industry have the; awareness, concern and desire to change
towards greener and more energy efficient design, materials
and practices??
PROJECT
OF INTEREST - VILLA INCOGNITO UNDERBERG
TASS
– Thermal Acoustic Slab System
was used for the roof slab for this Sarah Calburn designed
house in the Drakensberg.
Reasons for the choice of TASS:
- The lightweight components
made the transport and installation logistics in this remote
location easier.
- Thermal insulation to help
insulate against the extreme temperatures.
- Structural capability giving
support not only to the roof garden that was built on the
slab but also the capability of withstanding the additional
snow loadings that needed to be incorporated in the design.
For
further information on the above please contact us CRAIG@ABPTASS.CO.ZA
BUILDING
COMFORT BY DESIGN
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