ABP BUILDING PRODUCTS - NEWSLETTER

NOVEMBER 2007

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

TUFS - thermal under floor system


Polyblock walling system
TASS - thermal acoustic slab system
 

The structure of this building was completed in a couple of weeks using unskilled labour ‘off the street’.

PROJECT 2 - FOSTER CARE HOME, HONEYDEW

TUFS, under floor insulation system and Polyblock walling

Internal plastering of the Polyblock walls and TASS slab
Polyblock walls and TASS first floor slab
External plastering with Polyplast, expanded polystyrene plaster

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

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

 

 

ABP BUILDING PRODUCTS

DESIGN BY: WEB INK ADVERTISING                                 WEBSITE: CHAKARINET                          

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