Sunday, February 26, 2012

New Building Material - Pyrosafe

Pyrosafe 
Fire protection for Commercial Buildings and Industrial Enterprises
http://www.pyrosafebyantex.com/

This product has been introduced to us as an entire new product when it comes to fire safety.
The range of 'Pyrosafe' products vary from flame resistant knitted fabrics, fire extinguishers, cable wraps and smoke extractions but this new product introduces an internally plasticised acrylic based thixotropic coating.



This is available as a solvent based product "Pyrosafe SB" or a water based product "Pyrosafe WB". Pyrosafe when exposed to elevated temperatures expands to form an insulating char.
Typical application are:
  • Fire proofing of structural steel - fire rating of 60 minutes
  • Fire protection of timber - "0" flame spread rated Class 1 in accordance with SABS 0177 part 3
  • Fire proofing of plastic pipes and electrical cable installations in areas not subject to moisture or industrial chemicals
This is some of many factors making it a good product, so visit the website provided above and share your thoughts.



Saturday, February 25, 2012

Energy efficiency in Buildings - Roofs

From this year we are looking into 'Energy efficiency' in buildings and how to apply it. Being what it is, some people still battles with that idea. As a plans examiner I have to narrow down the possible 'ifs' and the “not’s”...
To put this in perspective, the minimum requirements and that also applies the 'deem-to-satisfy' rule.

So my question would be: “What is the minimum requirement to insulate a roof?”
I have people still up to date specifying 'asbestos roof sheets' although this material has been substituted by various products which one is fibre-cement roofing.

Coming back to insulating roof spaces, we have learnt that a R-value of 3,7 must be achieved throughout the roof design to prevent solar heat gain within the building. This can only be achieved by a combination of two products namely 'Think Pink Aerolite & Reflective foil also known as Sisalation".

These products can be found on the following links: http://www.isover.co.za & http://www.sisalation.com
For those specifying the product, make sure its the correct one as you take responsibility for what you specify.
See below pictures taken when installation took place.

Think pink aerolite being installed above the ceiling boards.

Sisalation being installed to the underside of the rafters.