Perceptions on the use of light steel frame construction methods for primary schools

Abstract

Abstract In 2012, the Gauteng Department of Education and the Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development jointly embarked on a construction innovation journey. Due to pressed delivery time, the two institutions deviated from the normal building methods to using light steel frame building for a more rapid construction period to deliver school infrastructure. This method came highly recommended, but after delivering the schools, the building method was never heard of again. The Gauteng Department of Education and the Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development are jointly responsible for delivering educational buildings, as the client department and the implementing agent respectively. To date, the institutions have not adopted and implemented this method as an alternative building method. This study aims to understand the factors that influenced the discontinuation of this building technology. The study examines the impact of innovation in the construction industry as a whole before focusing on light steel frame building as an alternative building technology. It covers both the benefits and the challenges of using this building technology. Further, the South African regulations and green aspects with regard to the technology are studied. Questionnaires were sent out to the two departments to establish perceptions of construction professionals in both organisations that could have contributed to the decision not to adopt the technology. The key findings were that the technology is perceived to be a threat to the established contractors and suppliers to the traditional building sector. The survey findings indicate a level of resistance within the South African construction industry to accommodate innovative initiatives despite their potential and demonstrated benefits. It was therefore concluded that the client department together with the implementing agent department should revisit this building method as specifications for building primary schools for South Africa.