NEWS
Light steel frame training courses make their mark
The series of CPD-accredited training courses arranged by the Southern African Light Steel Frame Building Association ( Sasfa ) have made their mark in 2016 . This is according to Sasfa director , John Barnard . " We are seeing a growing interest in these courses in line with the excellent growth in popularity of light steel frame building ( LSFB ) in South Africa ," Barnard says , adding that the South African market for LSFB is estimated to already be worth about R1 billion per annum .
Mike Hull of Hull Consulting during the SANS 517 training .
The first course deals with SANS 517 Light Steel Frame Building and is aimed at all architects , engineers , quantity surveyors , developers and other LSF practitioners , who should all have a working knowledge of the building code .
The second is a course on cold-formed steel and LSF design to SANS 10162:2 and is aimed specifically at design engineers .
SANS 517
The SANS 517 one-day course consists of an introduction to LSFB , as well as an overview of the development of this building method and industry in southern Africa . The advantages of LSFB are discussed and explained – ranging from speed of construction , enhanced insulation and the resulting energy efficiency , low mass and the corresponding logistical cost advantages , through to accuracy , ease of installation of services and durability . “ The steel frame will last several 100 years if installed correctly ,” Barnard says .
The correct terminology is dealt with , the major LSF elements described and the properties of the major materials used in LSFB are presented . Apart from the highstrength galvanised steel sheet used to manufacture the cold-formed sections for the light steel frame components ( wall frames , roof trusses or floor beams ), LSFB makes use of :
• Fibre cement cladding ( exterior );
• Gypsum board lining for walls and ceilings ( interior );
• Insulation ( thermal and acoustic );
• Vapour permeable membrane ( external walls ); and
• Fasteners ( screws , rivets and anchor bolts or screws ).
The main components of a LSF structure are described as foundations with cost saving potential compared with masonry building , the steel structure , walls , floors , ceilings , insulation and the installation of services . This is followed by spelling out the requirements for these components to comply with SANS 10400 – structural stability , weather resistance , durability , energy efficiency , acoustic insulation , fire resistance and fire rating and prevention of air infiltration and robustness .
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SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2016
AFFORDABLE
SA HOUSING