One of South Africas most energy efficient and innovative buildings is using precision actuators and controls from SE Controls to ensure the natural ventilation and smoke control system operates effectively at the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) new head office in Pretoria.
Designed by architects Boogertman & Partners, the DEA is the first government building in South Africa to be awarded a 6 Star Green rating from the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA).
The three-storey head office provides more than 27,000 m² of floor space and uses solar shading, water recycling and extensive photo-voltaic arrays in the north car park and on the roof, which provide more than 10% of the buildings annual energy load. An energy efficient mixed mode natural ventilation system is also installed to manage indoor air quality and temperature, which provides a comfortable working environment for staff.
The buildings internal space is separated into several self-contained pods each of which is naturally ventilated by atrium vents and automatically opening windows. The vents and windows are operated by 104 SE Controls SECO N 24 40 600mm stroke length chain actuators and controlled by 20 OS2 Type 21 control panels.
In addition, SE Controls Africa also supplied PIR sensors for each automatically opening window to avoid the risk of finger entrapment during operation.