The Association of Architectural Aluminium Manufacturers of South Africa (AAAMSA) was founded by eight companies in July 1974 to foster trade and commerce in relation to those persons associated in the manufacture and installation of architectural aluminium structures. Its main objective is to promote commercial and group interest.

The South African Glass & Glazing Association aims to develop, expand and promote glass as the glazing material of choice within the architectural arena. In order to achieve this, SAGGA undertakes to set and maintain standards, assuring end users of quality workmanship and appropriate commercial conduct.

SAGGA also seeks to assist both members and specifiers who wish to expand their skills and knowledge of the manufacture and use of glass and glazing processes. This knowledge is communicated through various publications, lectures and seminars.

Currently the AAAMSA Group administers, beside the architectural aluminium industry, the glass, ceiling and partitioning and insulation industries represented by the following Associations.

The SANS 10400-XA and SANS 204 Regulations

he South African National Standard (SANS) 10400-XA and the SANS 204 Regulations are an attempt made by government to regulate energy use and encourage energy efficiency in building. It comes as a result of severe pressure felt on the South African national electricity grid in the face of a growing demand on a supply that’s severely limited. Almost 60% of the world’s electricity is used by residential and commercial buildings, a statistic that makes the construction and building sector the single biggest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. It’s because of concerns about climate change and rising costs that energy is becoming a core focus in the way buildings are now designed. The majority of South Africa’s buildings were designed and built in a time when electricity was cheap, but constant price hikes are making them increasingly expensive to live and work in, and less affordable to their occupants.

South African National Standard (SANS)

Our government is now focusing on improving the energy efficiency of existing buildings by retrofitting and ensuring that new buildings are designed to be as energy efficient as possible. The amended South African National Building 10400–XA Regulations now require the following:

    XA1 – says that buildings should utilise energy efficiently and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with a checklist of requirements.

    XA2 – says that not more than 50% of the annual volume of domestic hot water must be heated using electricity.

    XA3 – makes it so that compliance with the XA1 Regulations can be achieved by one of three methods.