Southern African Light Steel Frame Building Industry Status quo, et quo vadis II 21 February 2007

Background: : The Institute, Mittal, Mitek and IZASA arranged a countrywide series of seminars on light steel trusses. Overseas speaker. Well attended : The Institute and Mittal paid a visit to the Australian LSFB industry. Contact was also made with the US and UK LSFB associations : The Institute kept the topic on its development agenda, but due to lack of funding could not do much else but to keep in touch with SA companies investigating LSFB : The primary steel producers increased their financial contribution to the Institute, which made it possible to direct some funding at development of this industry. Two industry meetings were held, and the need for a SA building code, as well as an industry association, was identified. A development programme was started in June 2006, and SASFA was launched in October 06.

Mission : To develop and grow the Southern African and export markets for Light Steel Frame Building. Vision : SASFA strives to realise the following LSFB is established as a high quality, energy efficient, cost effective and preferred method of building in Southern Africa, for low rise residential and non-residential buildings. Light steel frames constitute a significant export industry. Core Strategy : Quality. Quality. Quality. Goal : To capture 10% of all new low rise building projects in South Africa, including additions and alterations, by 2011.

SASFA membership Membership is available in 7 categories: Major material suppliers Other material and equipment suppliers Profilers & manufacturers of LSFB systems Merchants, service centres and distributors Professional members Building industry members. Associate membership, and Individual members. SASFA membership numbers are growing. To date ALL the major material suppliers have enrolled as founder members (Mittal, Everite, BPB, Lafarge, OCSA & Brits Nonwoven) Manufacturers representing 61% of profiling capacity have already joined a growing number of companies are registering in the other categories. two companies from outside RSA are also planning to join. Can mention that NASH (Australia), CSIR (Boutek), Standard Bank, HDGA and IZASA have joined as Associate Members. If you have an interest in LSFB, join SASFA now!

Industry potential When the goal of 10% share of the low rise building market has been achieved, some 2.0 million sq m (floor area) of LSFB will be built per year in the RSA. This will require: tons of high strength galvanised steel sheet 2.0 million sq m of exterior cladding 4.7 million sq m of internal lining (excluding ceilings) 3.4 million sq m of insulation, and 162 million fasteners. Based on 2006 prices, it will generate in excess of R550 million / year of additional RSA business for the major material suppliers, excluding any exports.

Industry capacity By the end of March 2007 there will be 19 profiling machines in RSA, run by 15 profilers. They will have a combined capacity of 31 million linear m / year or t of steel, enough for 1.8 million sq m floor area of LSFB. 60% of current capacity is for trusses only, and 40% for complete building systems. Capacity is spread throughout the country : 40% in KZN, 10% in the Cape and 50% in Gauteng Market demand Guarded information! Projects confirmed, or under negotiation: KZN (500 houses), Mpumalanga (170), Botswana (400), KZN (65), Mozambique (60), Eastern Cape (120), Northern Province (50), Western Cape (school), KZN (college), Cape (250 houses, golf course estate)… Conservative estimate for 2007 : 3000 LSF houses.

Progress with major tasks: SANS 517 – National Standard for Light Steel Frame Building Australian and British Codes, Agrement Standards. Structural and foundation sections are completed, non-structural progressing well. Training programme for artisans Aimed at steel frame erection teams Australian training material, ‘trainer of trainers’, aim April 07. Quality checklist for building inspectors Member Accreditation scheme Drafted, getting legal input Four levels : System design & documentation, Manufacturing and assembly, Erection and Building completion. Publicity – media, conferences and Website (

Other plans for 2007 Awareness raising seminars, 4, 8 and 9 May (Dbn, Jhb, CT and Windhoek) Architects, engineers, developers, builders, building authorities, financial institutions. Overseas speaker. Education seminars for engineers, July (Jhb, Dbn & CT) to specialise in LWS design. I wish to acknowledge the valuable input by the members of the Steering and Technical Committees. They devote their time, without remuneration, to the interests of the industry. Thank you!