PROJECT
45
Prioritising work schedules is always complex in a plumbing
project as the building was still under construction and each
floor could only be completed once it was built. Having two
projects under way simultaneously – and for the same client
– made scheduling relatively easy, explains Leon Tobias,
MD of wet services contractor Jazzman Plumbing. In fact,
the contractor had only just completed the nearby Katherine
Towers and so was already virtually on site. The current
projects commenced while Jazzman was still wrapping up
Katherine Towers, and the team could be quickly redeployed
between sites. Subsequently they switched as needed
between the two Commerce Crescent sites. Only for the last
two months has Jazzman been on site permanently.
“These are relatively small jobs for which we designed the
wet services from the architect’s drawings, on a design-and-
supply basis. There are straightforward boxes with ducts
and core, with toilets and basins all one on top of the other.
The initial groundworks consisted of sewer and water mains
running underground towards the duct. We place it in the
duct and then play the waiting game for the next floor to be
built. As the building rises, we move the pipework up the
duct to each new level, the internal plumbing piped out to
the various areas, and take it all up to the roof where you
have the tanks, pumps and heat pumps,” Tobias explains.
Product choices
Jazzman Plumbing contributed to the choices of sanitary and
brassware, which specified the same products as it uses on
most of its projects, such as Katherine Towers and the Sasol
Head Office, which is also nearby. The choice of products –
Geberit for the rainwater system; Duravit for sanitaryware;
Hansgrohe for taps; and SA Heat Pump Engineers for the
heat pumps – were based on an overall experience with the
brands, that are reliable and available. “If you go through
all the buildings we’ve done, you will find we stick to these
same brands, because we much prefer the products to the
alternatives; the design is nice, and we have a good working
relationship with them.
“We work with them to ensure we give the best quality for
the client, while making it fit into our budget. I’ve been in
this business now for 30 years and is there’s one thing I’ve
learned throughout that time is never to cut corners.
Work taking place on installing pipes in the ceiling cavity.
PROJECT DETAILS
PROJECT DETAILS
LIST OF PROFESSIONALS NAME OF COMPANY PRODUCT
SUPPLIERS PRODUCT
Owner Alchemy Properties Geberit Rainwater
Developer Alchemy Properties Duravit Sanitaryware
Architect/Designer Paragon Hansgrohe Taps
Project Manager Alchemy Properties SA Heat Pump
Engineers Heat Pumps
Consulting
Engineer
Contractors
Electrical Alchemy Properties
Mechanical Alchemy Properties
Wet Services Jazzman Plumbers
Civil Engineers Sotiralis (Pretoria)
Main building Aztec Properties
HVAC&R Corporate Technical
Services (CTS)
Wet Services Jazzman Plumbers
Electrical Ernest Electrical
I’d rather not get the job if I have to compromise on quality
of material or workmanship,” says Tobias.
A feature common to all the brands chosen is that their
products all contribute either to water saving or energy
efficiency, says Tobias. “These include the devices on the end
of the tap system; the toilet system comes down from a 15ℓ
to a 9ℓ and ultimately a 7ℓ water system; the toilets work
hand-in-hand with the cisterns and are made to take less
water; and the reason we use the heat pump is its greater
efficiency which we prefer to a solar-based heating system. I
like something that is efficient – and solar is sporadic.
Copper pipes are viable alternatives to plastic,
notwithstanding their risk of theft.
October 2019 Volume 25 I Number 8
“We did the design to be water-efficient, energy-efficient –
and still save the client money,” adds Tobias. PA
www.plumbingafrica.co.za