Plumbing Africa May 2019 | Page 46

44 PROJECT 1 1 and 2: The lightweight steel frame structure perfectly suited an in-wall system. In-wall concealed traps for the wash hand basins were used to obtain a clean architectural finish compared to the traditional rubber P trap or bottle trap. The sanitaryware from Duravit was carefully selected to complement the low-flow cisterns and taps and, at the same time, to maintain a high aesthetic value as envisaged by AECOM architects. The taps to the wash-hand basins and showers are fitted with Grohe thermostatic mixing valves to provide premixed water in order to prevent the wastage of hot water. The temperatures were set to 38 degrees Celsius in male ablution showers and 40 degrees Celsius in female ablution showers. Helix 4000/5000 water meters were installed as primary meters for the building supply, with smaller meter sizes for submeters. The meters are connected to the BMS for monitoring and early leak-detection warning. This was also targeted at the required Green Star rating. GREEN STAR RATING The N4 Kroondal fuel station aims to achieve a 4-Star Green Star rating from the Green Building Council of South Africa, making it the first service station in South Africa to achieve such a prestigious accreditation. The ‘as built’ Green Star rating that the project is targeting, encompasses locally sourced materials, community facilities, indigenous planting, the recycling of construction waste, a structure that can be disassembled and reused to ensure reduced embodied energy and resource depletion through the concrete mix, and low VOC interior finishes, among others. 2 SEWER TREATMENT PLANT Full details of the on-site sewer treatment plant are available on request from AECOM. The plant is complete, including unit treatment processes, chemical dosing equipment, sludge treatment and handling, associated pumps, pipework, valves, and electrical and other ancillary equipment for the treatment of wastewater to specified standards. SYSTEM’S IMPACT ON EFFICIENCY Water- and energy-efficient designs and outcomes are in line with Green Star targeted credits. The estimated water savings are between 30 and 35% due to the recycling of sewer water for reuse and the minor contribution from rainwater harvesting for gardening or other uses. The back-up water storage eliminates the risk of water interruptions and in turn, prevents business interruptions. The selected energy-efficient pumps could, in general, save up to 30% on energy consumption. PA Unique elements of the project • • • • First fuel service station to be built with a lightweight steel structure Potentially the first Green Star-rated fuel service station Complete water-efficient design that is integrated with the BMS for monitoring Reuses black water in the building, reducing pressure on municipal supply. All grey and black water on site is filtered and reused in the toilets and urinals. The building is fully controlled and monitored via a BMS, while live energy- and water-use data is displayed in the shop area. May 2019 Volume 25 I Number 3 www.plumbingafrica.co.za