As we embark on hosting the world’s leading conference on environmental sustainability, COP17, South Africa has some serious work ahead as carbon emissions have increased by almost 30% in the last six years (440 metric tons in 2004 to 552 metric tons in 2010). Vexiflex is committed to green design, environmental sustainability and is a member of the Green Building Council of South Africa.
Government has also taken a stand against SA’s high rate of carbon emissions and the SA Bureau of Standards (SABS) has published a set of minimum standards for environmental sustainability in both new and refurbished buildings.
This will be achieved though providing design and construction standards for the minimum requirements for aspects such as glazing, insulation, shading, orientation and building services, including air-conditioning, hot water and lighting. The standard gives a few options for proving compliance, which will need to be substantiated with any building plan that is submitted to a municipality for plan approval.
The standard refers in many areas to the SANS 204 guidelines, which have been available in draft format since 2008. Brian Wilkinson, CEO of the Green Building Council of SA (GBCSA), says that the organisation fully supports the new standard and has been using SANS 204 as a minimum energy requirement for projects wishing to seek a Green Star SA certification – as well as using it for the basis of the reference building used in the energy modelling required in Green Star SA. Leon van den Berg, the senior contracts manager of Vexiflex, will be attending the Professional Green Star Course in February 2012.
Government has also taken a stand against SA’s high rate of carbon emissions and the SA Bureau of Standards (SABS) has published a set of minimum standards for environmental sustainability in both new and refurbished buildings.This will be achieved though providing design and construction standards for the minimum requirements for aspects such as glazing, insulation, shading, orientation and building services, including air-conditioning, hot water and lighting. The standard gives a few options for proving compliance, which will need to be substantiated with any building plan that is submitted to a municipality for plan approval.
The standard refers in many areas to the SANS 204 guidelines, which have been available in draft format since 2008. Brian Wilkinson, CEO of the Green Building Council of SA (GBCSA), says that the organisation fully supports the new standard and has been using SANS 204 as a minimum energy requirement for projects wishing to seek a Green Star SA certification – as well as using it for the basis of the reference building used in the energy modelling required in Green Star SA. Leon van den Berg, the senior contracts manager of Vexiflex, will be attending the Professional Green Star Course in February 2012.
This course provides a comprehensive overview of sustainability and green building taking participants through the GBCSA’s Green Star SA rating system for buildings, which is a tool for the objective measurement of the environmental performance of design and construction phases of new buildings and major refurbishments. The course provides insight into all major aspects of green building design and offers practical examples of applying Green Star SA tools to building projects. It emphasizes the necessity of an integrated approach from the consulting team in order to achieve the rating pursued.
All projects that are currently being designed but have not yet been submitted for municipal approval must understand and apply the SANS 10400 part XA standards. Copies of both pieces of SANS legislation can be bought online from the SABS. A bonus for doing so is that accredited persons can apply to the SA Revenue Service for a tax refund in terms of the National Energy Act, 2008,
There are Regulations on the Allowance for Energy Efficiency Savings (Government Gazette no. 34596). Interested parties need to register with the SA National Energy Development Institute and then appoint a measurement and verification professional to compile a report on the energy efficiency savings that they have achieved.
Even with this legislation, SA is still nearly 40 years behind countries like Germany, which introduced similar standards in 1975. At Vexiflex it is our priority to fulfill our responsible role in this process and support both our clients and country in reducing our carbon footprint.
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All projects that are currently being designed but have not yet been submitted for municipal approval must understand and apply the SANS 10400 part XA standards. Copies of both pieces of SANS legislation can be bought online from the SABS. A bonus for doing so is that accredited persons can apply to the SA Revenue Service for a tax refund in terms of the National Energy Act, 2008,
There are Regulations on the Allowance for Energy Efficiency Savings (Government Gazette no. 34596). Interested parties need to register with the SA National Energy Development Institute and then appoint a measurement and verification professional to compile a report on the energy efficiency savings that they have achieved.
Even with this legislation, SA is still nearly 40 years behind countries like Germany, which introduced similar standards in 1975. At Vexiflex it is our priority to fulfill our responsible role in this process and support both our clients and country in reducing our carbon footprint.
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