Signs that the recovery in the South African office sector is becoming increasingly fragile should alert developers to place even more emphasis on avoiding unnecessary costs during the building, expansion or maintenance of office buildings.

With South Africa’s current load shedding problems generators are no longer a luxury, they have become a necessity. Goscor Power Products’ generator portfolio comprises machines that combine quality, reliability and efficiency to ensure a rapid return on investment. Goscor generators present end-users with an affordable solution by delivering balance between high performance and low input costs.

TAL now supplies its tried-and-trusted Wall and Floor grout range in a 2 kg packaging option. This is ideal for the DIY enthusiast as it can improve the productivity and efficiency in their tiling projects.

Gauteng Piling recently strengthened and stabilised the foundations of an upmarket residence in the Irene Farm Villages security estate in Centurion. Using traditional underpinning methods, a Grundomat hammer was used to drive the pipe into the ground to secure the new underpinning foundation.

Sika is extending the packaging range of their high-performance Sika MaxTack fixing solution from the 280ml cartridge to the new 100g MiniUP sausage tube.

Zenprop, the new owners of a building at 6 Valley Crescent in Sandton, Johannesburg, required extensive demolition and renovations. The project entailed full teardown and rebuild of some sections of the building, resulting in floor slabs and roof slabs requiring reinforcement to strengthen the remaining structure.

The former University of Port Elizabeth installed a Johnson Controls Metasys building management system (BMS) in the 1970’s. In 2005, NMMU was formed through the merging of three institutions: the University of Port Elizabeth, the Port Elizabeth Technikon and Vista University.

Sika has launched MultiSeal-ZA, a self-adhesive, bituminous sealing tape, laminated on one side with aluminium foil.

With its comprehensive range of waterproofing products, Mapei South Africa offers the local construction industry internationally proven solutions for all waterproofing challenges.

Woodgard, produced by Dulux, is a simple solution that offers deep penetrating weatherproof wood treatment, as well as ultimate protection for both interior and exterior wood surfaces.

Cobra Watertech has long recommended its heat pumps as an energy efficient alternative to standard electric geysers and has now demonstrated exactly that, with an informal, comparative test of a heat pump versus geyser element revealing massive energy and cost savings.

Plascon has launched Woodcare Natural Deck Coating, an advanced water-based formulation designed to penetrate deep into the wood for maximum protection.

The Gordon Verhoef and Krause (GVK) group of companies, comprising Gordon Verhoef & Krause and GVK-Siya Zama, specialists in the construction, renovation, restoration and recycling of buildings, has recently attained its ISO 14001 environmental management accreditation, becoming one of the first, medium-sized organisations in its sector to attain this certification.

Dow Corning structural glazing sealants, distributed in South Africa by a.b.e. Construction Chemicals, were chosen by applicator, Preplan, as preferred products to be used on the facades of one of the most notable Zambian building projects in recent years; the refurbishment of Lusaka’s Society House.

When it was decided that First National Bank’s building in Cape Road, Port Elizabeth, was to become the new regional headquarters for the bank, a multimillion rand renovation and expansion project began. Atlantic Glass and Aluminium, manufacturer, supplier and repairer of glass and aluminum products, was awarded the contract to refurbish the façade of the building and Sika was selected as a key supplier. 

These days, lighthouses not only serve their core purpose of guiding sailors safely; they have also become tourist attractions for visitors to South Africa’s coastal regions. As a result part of the country’s history is shared with the world, jobs are created and funds generated contribute to the tourism industry and the economy.

The University of Stellenbosch awarded the multimillion rand renovation contract for its buildings on the Tygerberg Campus, which is home to the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, to Drake & Scull Facilities Management. The work is being executed by The Construction Co. The campus had seen only minimal repairs carried out over the past 35 years and the university recognised the need for extensive renovation.

When Megchem Engineering & Drafting Services bought the ageing Gert Sibande building in Secunda, Mpumalanga, it contracted Corrotech Coatings to tackle the rehabilitation work required on the building. Having worked with Sika previously, Corrotech Coatings invited local Sika sales representative, Jacobus Pretorius, to the site to advise on the most suitable Sika products to use.  The rehabilitation project, which ran through November 2011, involved the removal and reinstallation of 3 500m of façade joints as well as sealing the building’s main expansion joint. The Sika products used were Sikaflex AT-Façade and the Sikadur-Combiflex System. 

Advanced Industrial Technology – Ai-Tec – a company that specialises in the design, manufacture, installation and maintenance of industrial and commercial equipment, has recently completed a project for the Department of Correctional Services that involved the replacement of the existing boiler at the Nelspruit Prison. Arnold Retief, a director of Ai-Tec, says, “A new John Thompson 1.8 ton horizontal boiler, which uses steam as an efficient source of heat generation, has been installed at the prison to improve the hot water system at the establishment. This modern boiler system provides steam to the kitchen, laundry and hot water supply at the prison. With an improved steam output the boiler provides for more efficient heat generation.”