Recently, a Guiness World Record was set on the construction site of one of the largest dry and fresh goods distribution centres on the continent, the Eastport Distribution Centre (DC) for major retail group, Pick n Pay. Located nearby to the OR Tambo International Airport, the new DC is one of the major builds at Eastport Logistics Park, a new development by Fortress REIT. It measures in excess of 160 000 m2,
A new development on the ground, the Eastport Logistics Park is in a prime location, northeast of the intersection of the R21 and R25. The Park offers great vehicle accessibility, and great visibility, being situated right next to the R25 off ramp of the R21 Albertina Sisulu Freeway. According to Fortess REIT, 5 Warehouse buildings have been completed to date. The development of Building 6, the Pick ‘n Pay DC, is underway and construction of a further 7th building has commenced.
Against this backdrop, Safal Steel proudly announces that it is the sole supplier of the its well-known ColorplusⓇ roofing material, 860MT (160 000 m2) of which has been used on the roof of the DC, and a further 200MT (40 000 m2) used as wall cladding on the massive building.
The ColorplusⓇ was supplied in the colour Seaspray at AZ100 for the roof in spec TCT 0,5mm, G550 yield strength and total AZ alloy coating thickness of 27 microns. This was roll-formed on site into the Macsteel Novotexi 440Ⓡ concealed fix roofing profile.
Proudly, the project was an exemplary case of Macsteel using its remarkable process named Sky-forming, which is unique to the Macsteel Novotexi 440 concealed fix roofing process.
Dave Reid, the National Product Specialist for Novotexi 440 at Macsteel, explains: “This process of roll-forming dramatically improves the quality of the end product and has advantages on the critical path planning of the project as a whole in allowing the other trades on site to simultaneously operate from the ground, which would otherwise be blocked by conventional role-forming methods around the site”.
The technology involves housing a large shipping container off the ground to roof level, from which the roll forming was done. This meant that a world-record beating feat could be undertaken – the sky-forming of ColorplusⓇ as Novotexi440 in 280m lengths. To this end, Macsteel has broken a world record and has become the Guinness World Records™ title holder for the longest roof span covered by a single metal corrugated sheet – in the world.
Commenting on this enormous undertaking, Safal Steel Business Head Willem van Heerden says that Safal is extremely proud to be part of this first-ever achievement. It is most definitely a feather in the cap of a great working team, involving Safal Steel as the roofing substrate supplier and Macsteel as the roofing profile former, with their Novotexi 440 concealed fix material.
“What is significant about the choice of ColorplusⓇ in colour Seaspray is that this officially qualifies as a cool roof”.
Seaspray is Safal Steel’s highest solar reflective index (SRI) colour with a rating of 78. This means that nearly 85% of incoming solar infrared heat absorbed gets reflected outwards, while the total solar reflectance is 65% – the best solution for a warehousing application where you need to keep the building cool.
The ColorplusⓇ was specification AZ100, which is ideal for inland applications where the climate is not as aggressive as at the coast, or suffering heavy industrial particulate fallout.
In addition, two different versions of ColorplusⓇ were used for the 40 000 m2 of wall cladding supplied and formed into the IBR profile by Macsteel: In a matt paint system in conjunction with the standard gloss finish. The architect incorporated the two finishes to add to the bespoke aesthetic smooth finish (gloss) and a slight texture (Matt). For the cladding, the colours utilised were:Thunderstorm in gloss and matt and Slate in gloss and matt. The matt version was specifically engineered for this project as a special colour.
ColorplusⓇ, along with our legendary brand, ZincalⓇ, is made at our factory in KZN, utilising a patented world-beating coating technology, but offering distinct advantages over directly imported material of comparable quality. By supporting Safal Steel, you are supporting local and as such the entire value chain we have created in the employment and contractor market.
“Beware, however, of using cheaper imports. Check for our brand on the underside of the roof sheeting. It is clearly marked there” he concludes.
