S A B S
Associations in Carolina

In the past few years, significant changes in global trade flow have enhanced the role of quality and standards in economic development. These global trade flows have resulted in subdued demand for South African exports to traditional trading partners, including the European Union and the United States of America. This creates the opportunity for South Africa to shift its focus to emerging economies while maintaining its drive towards improving trade within the African continent. The SABS provides the platform for quality services and products which is the key differentiator in an increasingly competitive environment. Developing standards to advance the socio-economic well-being of South Africa in the global economy. Delivering relevant conformity assessment services that facilitate access to markets for South African industry, thereby improving its competitiveness in the global trade environment. The SABS, with its rich history in standardisation, will continue to play a significant role in ensuring that industry is kept abreast of the pace of the dramatic transition of the world economy through standards development and quality assurance services, thereby providing industry with the quality edge. SABS is a statutory body that was established in terms of the Standards Act, 1945 (Act No. The SABS is geared towards increasing the competitiveness and market agility of its customers. The building has been designed to achieve a Green Star rating from the South African Green Building Council. At the time of planning for the new laboratory complex, there was no Green Star rating tool for laboratories in South Africa. Thus, the design ideology is rooted in local content while complying with international laboratory design norms and green building performance criteria. Innovative engineering aspects resulted due to the Green Star rating approach. Within the new lab, mechanical, electrical, fire, data and all specialised water and waste reticulation networks share the same space beneath each floor slab. To ensure access, all services are exposed, thereby reducing the maintenance factor considerably. Perforated kinetic steel louvers have been used to shade unwanted eastern and western sunlight whilst harvesting and filtering natural daylight deep into the building. Occupants of the building have the freedom to manually adjust the louvers for optimum reflection of sunlight depending on the season, angle of the sun, and time of day. The heating, ventilation and air conditioning system is also optimised to reduce energy use. Office spaces are set to ventilate passively, while strict building climate is governed by the optimised air conditioning system. Courtyards play an essential role in introducing natural light and ventilation. The benefits of the courtyards also relate to productivity, circulation and integration. As far as possible all materials were sourced from local manufacturers as close as possible to the site. For example, terrazzo tiles produced by a local manufacturer for the lobbies and main corridors contain ten percent recycled glass. The new SABS Laboratories not only obtained the Green Star rating but it is also an example of a state-of-the-art testing facility on African soil.