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MiTek’s Ultra-span Light Gauge Steel Truss System was used for the Mediclinic Stellenbosch building in Cape Town.
in southern Africa happened over a broader
front – accordingly we are now making use
of light steel frame across the board,
ranging from residential to office and
commercial. In some sectors we believe
that we have grown beyond the
Australian market.”
Amidst escalating construction and
energy costs, the need for an effective and
financially attractive alternative building
method is paramount in the grand global
method of things. Enter light steel frame
building, an exciting and feasible
construction medium utilised for a growing
number of building types.
A closer look
From small residential and other low-rise
structures to façade walls of large multi-
storey office and commercial buildings,
light steel frame building is garnering
greater attention. “Light steel framing is
being used for a wide range of building
types including low-rise residential
building, student accommodation and
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JAN - FEB 2019
CLADDING // CONCRETE // INSULATION // STEEL // THATCH // TIMBER // TRANSLUCENT // WATERPROOFING // COMPONENTS
hotels, to office and commercial buildings,
schools, hospitals and clinics, churches,
community halls and more,” notes Barnard.
There are a number of reasons why light
steel framing for roof structures is showing
healthy growth, highlights Barnard. The
speed of construction, accuracy, excellent
thermal properties, logistical cost
advantages and design flexibility is what
makes this building method an appealing
choice, he says, adding that it provides well
insulated buildings and complies with
building codes standards of best practise.
SANS 517 Light Steel Frame Building is
the building code for low rise light steel
frame buildings. It fully complies with the
requirements of SANS 10400. As far as
energy efficiency is concerned, SANS 517
complies with SANS 10400 XA, as well as the
more stringent SANS 204.
Barnard notes the superior functionality
of light steel frame building is a prized
attribute. “It is lighter than timber and
hence offers logistical advantages as well as
ease of handling on site. Mechanical
properties are guaranteed and will not
change with time. Sections are straight and
not prone to warping or insect attack. It
also facilitates fast construction,” he
points out.
Barnard continues, “Cold-formed
sections are optimised, resulting in low
mass of roof structures. The zinc coating of
the galvanised steel sheet used to
manufacture the light steel frame sections
provides protection against corrosion for
the design life of the building.”
Coming into its own
While the availability of light steel framing
for roof structures has improved, the design
skills of South African light steel frame truss
designers has simultaneously refined
rapidly. “South African designers are
excelling in the use of light steel framing for
curtain walls for multi-storey commercial
and office buildings. The sector is also well
regulated – a certified structural engineer
must sign off all light steel frame buildings,”
says Barnard.
www.saroofing.co.za