A well-attended workshop was held recently in Knysna to present light steel frame building ( LSFB ) as a possible solution for the replacement of houses destroyed during the recent spate of fires .
EVENTS
Rebuilding # KnysnaFires with LSFB
A well-attended workshop was held recently in Knysna to present light steel frame building ( LSFB ) as a possible solution for the replacement of houses destroyed during the recent spate of fires .
IMAGE COURTESY OF SASFA
LSFB structure erected in the back of the venue to serve as an illustration .
The Southern African Light Steel Frame Building Association ( SASFA ) event was sponsored by ArcelorMittal , Marley Building Systems and Saint- Gobain . Proceedings began with a presentation on the LSF manufacturing and building processes by John Barnard , director SASFA . He also discussed the wide range of advantages that LSFB offers . Of specific interest to the Knysna market is the speed of construction .
Benefits of LSFB include the very low water use on site , the incombustibility of the steel frame and the cladding and lining materials and the logistical advantage stemming from the low mass of the LSF materials . All the major banks accept light steel frame building in principle , as does the National Home Builders Registration Council ( NHBRC ).
The rapid development of the LSFB industry in South Africa during the past 10 years was illustrated using slides showing a range of successful LSF building projects , from the initial modest residential projects to office buildings and large commercial complexes .
The major material suppliers then presented their products used in LSFB .
Jan Kotze from ArcelorMittal covered high strength galvanised steel sheet used for the frames and roof structures , and Chromadek used for roofing . He pointed out that consumers must ensure that they get the product that was specified and paid for .
Annemarie Robertson discussed Marley Building System ’ s branded cladding and lining materials , namely Kalsi and Equitone ( fibre-cement board ), Siniat ( gypsum board ) and Promat for fire-resistance .
Finally , Izak Scholtz from Saint-Gobain presented their lining and insulation products , stressing the quality assurance programmes and the assistance offered to users on site , as well as the high degree of recycling of materials used in the manufacture of their products .
The presentations gave the audience a lot to think about , and it led to a series of questions and lively discussion . The workshop was concluded by the announcement that the foundations for the first LSF house in Knysna would be cast within two days and that the 200m ² double storey house would be completed within three months .
10
NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017
AFFORDABLE
SA HOUSING