Architect and Builder Magazine South Africa May/June 2014 | Page 34

The Client requested
an open plan office
building that promoted
interaction, thus
increasing operational
effectiveness

only that on the one side of the atrium, had its shaft intake dampers commanded open
with all other floors having them motorised closed to draw the air / smoke away from the
atrium towards the back of the building. This fire signal also set the change over from
normal AC to smoke extract mode and started the dedicated smoke extract fans.
• Special calculations were undertaken to determine the structural stability of the “pods”
that extended into the atrium and for the façade Veerendal structure to be of untreated
steel.
• Pumps with their specific fire water storage tanks were provided for each of the
hydrant and sprinkler services. Each system was given one electric motor driven pump
(on emergency power) and one diesel engine pump. These pumps and tanks were

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No.1 Silo