• Insulation Products - South Africa

  • PO Box 38653, Booysens, Johannesburg, South Africa, 2016

  • 95 Second Street , Booysens Reserve , Johannesburg

  • Tel 27-11-835 2127 

  • Fax : 27-11-496 1263     

  • E-mail :  mail@insulpro.co.za

SANS 204-energy efficiency in buildings         TIASA CLIMATIC ZONES for Insulation

If thermal ceiling insulation and high-performance window systems were introduced today into all new residential and commercial buildings, an estimated 3500 MW in electricity could be saved by 2020.

This is almost twice the electricity currently produced by our only nuclear power plant, Koeberg (1800 MW).
This is the main point underlying the recent publication of SANS 204, Energy efficiency in buildings: a huge reduction in energy consumption, equivalent to a new nuclear power plant.


This can be achieved by introducing sensible and practical measures that save energy when new buildings are designed and built accordingly. And by ultimately making the three parts of this standard mandatory, the government will slowly but surely begin to achieve savings in energy and savings in the costs of providing that energy.

The Regulator (NRCS) has published legislation regarding energy efficiency in new buildings (NBR-XA)

Here’s what you need to know for your home

South Africa’s mounting energy crisis means that we all need to think of innovative ways to save electricity in our homes and of products that can help you reduce our current electricity usage.
The application of this new regulation is good news for the environment and will help you save electricity.
The National Building Regulation (NBR) has been updated to include Part X which addresses environmental sustainability and Part XA which establishes requirements for energy efficiency in new buildings.
The National Standard SANS 10400 (building code) is made up of various parts. Parts A to W are deemed to satisfy rules which, if adhered to, will ensure compliance to the National Building Regulations.
Each part covers different aspects of the construction and finishing of buildings. These are the minimum standards that ensure the health and occupational safety of the occupants in these buildings.
Buildings typically account for 40% of all energy consumed in South Africa and yet their potential to save energy is huge.

 

Thermal insulation must be included in the design of all new buildings. This, in combination with energy saving techniques, makes it possible to save up to 78% of a building’s energy consumption for space heating, cooling and hot water services.

 

 

 

Correctly insulating the building envelope in combination with energy saving techniques can control energy losses and reduce energy consumption by up to 78%

 

 

There are three ways of complying with the energy regulation.
Option 1:
Comply with the SANS 10400-XA requirements
Otherwise described as “Deemed to Satisfy”
Option 2:
Rational design
•This option requires input of a relevant professional
•Thermal performance of building needs to be calculated
•Performance should be equal to or better than SANS 10400-XA
Option 3:
Comparison with a compliant theoretical building
•Notional building should be designed to “Deemed to Satisfy” standards
•Thermal performance calculations software used must be approved by Agrément SA
•An important consideration when building is to determine the relevant climatic zone. Each of the climatic zones has a different R-value requirement for certain walls and ceilings.

 

•Insulation R-value should be indicated on the packaging.
•All material has an R-value which is the ability of a product to resist the transfer of heat. Thermal insulation provides a high resistance to the flow of heat from the warm surface to the cold surface in your home, helping you maintain a comfortable living environment, keeping your house cool in summer and warm in winter.

Requirements to comply with SANS 10400-XA “Deemed to Satisfy”

•Building envelope requirements (SANS 10400-XA)
•Orientation (Guideline)
•Compact in plan with most glass on the northern side
•Living spaces on northern side
•Longer axis of dwelling to be east-west
•Roof overhang to shield northern windows in midday summer sun
Floors
•If under floor heating is installed the floor slab must be insulated with insulation with a minimum R-value of 1.00
Fenestration
(Windows/Glass doors/Skylights)

 

 

 

•Buildings with up to 15% fenestration area per storey
•Buildings with fenestration area per storey exceeding 15% shall comply with the requirements for fenestration in SANS 204
•Air leakage should comply with SANS 613
External Walls
• Light weight (Non brick/Non concrete) walls must achieve a minimum R-value:
• Of 2.2 for climatic zones 1 & 6
• Of 1.9 for climatic zones 2, 3, 4 & 5
• Masonry walls (Brick/Concrete) must achieve a minimum R-value of 0.35
• Double skin brick with no cavity, plastered internally and either plastered externally or finished with face bricks
• Single brick/block with a minimum thickness of 140mm plastered internally and externally

• Hot water supply requirements (SANS 10400-XA)

 

 

Geysers
• A minimum of 50% of the annual average heating requirement for hot water must be provided by means other than electric resistance heating (Geyser) or fossil fuels
• See options below but not only limited to these:
–Solar Heating
–Heat pumps
–Geothermal Heat
–Renewable Combustible Fuel
–Heat recovery from alternative systems and processes

• All exposed hot water pipes ≤ 80mm diameter must be insulated with a minimum R-value of 1.00

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