City Development

Wednesday, 23 January 2008 16:08

Light steel frame building may be the answer for the construction industry. The South African construction industry has been experiencing a highly productive and long-overdue metamorphic period. There has been an influx of technologies, which have proven to facilitate the speedy erection of structures without compromising on quality and safety.

In light of the present worrying concrete shortage and increased infrastructural advancements, the rapid growth of light steel frame building could not have occurred at a better time. These developments have left the steel and building industry in an overwhelming state of euphoria.

The Southern African Light Steel Frame Building Association (SASFA) is a body that acts as an emulsifier of the industry’s professional milieu. As a division of the Southern African Institute of Steel Construction (SAISC), SASFA fosters and regulates the light steel frame buildings sector’s continual evolution.

Having been used for decades in the USA, Europe and Australia, light steel frame building encompasses vital elements for effective structural erections: quality, speed, cost-effectiveness and energy conservation. SASFA CEO John Barnard says that light steel framing has several advantages over conventional building methods.

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSRI) and various other South African organisations have conducted long-term tests in a wide range of climatic zones to measure this revolutionary building method’s functionality and lifespan. Their findings were astonishing.

These attractive façades proved to be highly flexible, easily adaptable to an array of other building materials. This superior material boasts the highest strength to withstand the weight ratio of any building material. This property enables both client and builder to explore endless structural design and size possibilities.

Steel frame building materials are versatile enough to be used internally and externally. Most importantly, light steel frame building has proved to be immune to extreme weather conditions.

SASFA executive director Dr Hennie de Clerq says that the concurrent surge in market interest and the formation of this advocacy body is no coincidence. “The market is only now beginning to realise the technological potential of lightweight steel construction,” he says.

The introduction of this technology opened a gap for skills development within the industry. The increasing demand for the product exceeded the skills available. To remedy this, SASFA summoned Australian steel frame construction expert Lex Summerville to conduct a “train-the-trainer” programme in South Africa.

The 13 trainees were selected according to their previous building experience, training abilities and current roles in their respective companies.

John Barnard says that the intention was to equip trainees with the necessary knowledge for them to ultimately train their own staff.

Light steel frame building has become a very lucrative industry. In 2006, prices generated an excess of R550 million for South African businesses. This then resulted in primary steel producers being able to give back to SASFA, aiding in the further development of the industry. SASFA’s goal is ensuring that light steel frame building captures 10% of all new low-rise building projects in South Africa by 2011.

The construction industry is renowned for producing tons of rubble every year. Prior to the introduction of light steel frame building, the construction industry was contributing to the world’s negative ecological state at an alarming rate. Possessing consistent material quality, steel framing is 100% recyclable and inorganic. This material produces up to 20% less scrap and waste.

Steel possesses unique magnetic properties, making it easily identifiable as a recyclable material. Properly installed, steel frame homes have high rates of energy efficiency. In the United States, recent findings have projected that the steel frame building industry there has an overall recycling rate of 64%. An increase in the mobilisation of such recycling programs results in the reduction of landfill space usage while aiding the conservation of natural resources.

Utilising steel frames has proven to be highly beneficial for the builder. There have been significant increases in the quality of the end product. With this product, straight walls and square corners are guaranteed realities. Frustrations regarding doors and windows being correctly and fully operational have now become a thing of the past. The green positioning of this product has altered consumer perceptions. Steel has been branded as a superior quality product.

Consumers have been intoxicated by the incombustibility of steel frame structures. This product is impervious to destructive insects such as termites. An increase in strength results in safer structures. This is also coupled with slower processes and less required maintenance. The cost-effectiveness of these steel frames reduces construction prices considerably.

Lately the steel works industry has been experiencing a huge supply shortfall caused by growing demand spurts influenced by preparations for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. South Africa has now transformed from being an iron and steel exporter into an importer.

Renowned South African economist Mike Schussler warms that South Africa currently does not have the capacity to support the rapid growth within the construction industry. Planned infrastructural developments related to the FIFA World Cup are putting further pressure on the structural steel industry.

Besides capacity concerns, South Africa also faces skills deficit concerns. Broad-based BEE is not addressing this concern. If unaddressed, the economic gap between highly skilled and low level skilled will widen further. It is estimated that most 2010 projects will far exceed their allocated budgets to meet deadlines. “Transnet will be spending more than what is allocated for the World Cup. The Gautrain project alone is predicted to spend about R40 billion by completion,” says Schussler.

Although the advent of lightweight steel building in South Africa was relatively recent, its popularity and usage have grown phenomenally. Ecologically friendly, cost-efficient and immune to extreme conditions, this technology is extremely versatile and boasts speedy results without compromising on quality. In the near future, homes being assembled in about six weeks will be a known and achievable reality. With multi-directional deadlines, the construction industry is faced with the harsh reality of having to produce oversized structures within tight deadlines; lightweight steel building technology has arrived at just the right time.

Sibulele Siko

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