Timber iQ December 2018 - January 2019 // Issue: 41 | Page 34

FEATURES
In keeping ahead, roof truss designers are urged to think out of the box when designing roofs and should make use of alternative technologies.
Continued from page 30
manufacturers, is certified by the South African Technical
Auditing Service (SATAS). “Like SABS, SATAS will conduct
monthly audits to ensure quality is maintained via a
stringent inspection and testing process,” explains Botha.
He adds, “Preservative treating is also inspected by the
treatment manufacturers like Lonza to fortify correct and
approved treating practices that adhere to the SANS codes.
The NRCS will also do inspections to prevent illegal
treatment plants from damaging the industry. System
providers will supply truss plants with engineering software
to ensure legal rational truss designs and provide the truss
plants with metal connectors needed for a given designed
roofing system. System providers will also have an inhouse
engineer to check that certain class designs are correct to
start manufacturing.”
Botha highlights that all erected roofs must be signed off
by an accredited inspector or engineer who will approve the
roof via an A19 Completion Certificate only if all building
codes have been adhered to and if the roof has been
erected correctly. The house owner requires this
certification to obtain his or her occupancy certificate.
NOT WITHOUT ITS CHALLENGES
Despite its well-established industry standards and best
practise, the roofing sector is not immune to its own specific
challenges. Botha elaborates that only registered
manufacturers and fabricators are being audited, resulting
in the current illegal market boom.
“It’s impossible to enforce standards in rural areas as
handmade and illegal roofs go up by the thousands and
nothing is being done to prevent this. The politics in the
roofing industry is at a breaking point because of different
opinions from all role players.
32 DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019 //
However, despite this, many stakeholders are trying
to educate all industries, including ourselves,”
Botha expresses.
He continues, “The roofing and construction industry has
come from a very conservative background, and therefore it
was very difficult for Biligom to include a new structural
timber technology into the market. After a lot of sweat and
educating architects, engineers, quantity surveyors and
governmental institutions, it must be said that we are now
picking the fruits.”
TRENDS TO LOOK OUT FOR
Botha notes that while hurdles remain, the timber roof
industry is seeing several enlightening trends take shape.
He notes that larger 900mm c/c truss spacings on concrete
tile roofs is a major trend in certain locations in the country
by making use of 38 x 38 battens. This is a huge cost saver
on any roof, which is increasingly being used on low and
medium cost housing projects.
“With the first Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) structures
already built in the Western Cape, we foresee that CLT
projects will become a standardised trend in architectural
designs for large building projects in the future as it has
already proved itself as a steel and concrete replacement in
high-rise buildings in the EU, US and Canada. Testing of a
stronger Biligom CLT is in the process,” notes Botha.
Botha believes that due to South Africa’s crumbling
economy, we will start seeing smarter, greener and more
cost-effective roof designs. “More eco-friendly projects –
both private and governmental – are planned for the future,
therefore sustainable roofing products will need to be used
as architects will receive green credits if specified. It’s tough
out there for truss plants if buildings are not being
constructed and therefore the smarter, educated and
open-minded truss plant owners will reap the rewards.”
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