Alexander Forbes’ green building invests in Turnstar vehicle barriers and drop arm barriers
Alexander Forbes’ new eight-storey office building in 115 West Street, Sandton, is one of South Africa’s largest and most technologically advanced green buildings. Recently awarded a four-star Green Star rating from South Africa’s Green Building Council, this iconic green building is designed to accommodate approximately 2 500 people.
As one of South Africa’s largest diversified financial services businesses, Alexander Forbes focuses on the financial sustainability of people. This is echoed by the company’s commitment to the responsible investment code by aligning the long-term nature of the business with the long-term imperative of environmental sustainability, along with the practical economic benefits of green building.
The building was awarded the Best Overall Development as well as the award in the Corporate Office Developments Category at the SAPOA Innovative Excellence in Property Development Awards for 2013.
Property owners Zenprop strive to ensure efficiencies are achieved through implementing best design and construction practices across the entire development process. The objective of the design was to deliver a contemporary building with convenient lifestyle offerings. Accessibility to the premises was required to encourage unhindered traffic flow, while concurrently ensuring security levels. The choice of vehicle barriers and drop arm barriers was shared by Zenprop and Alexander Forbes.
Turnstar has built a solid reputation in the market for aesthetically pleasing, yet completely functional products that ensure maximised productivity and security. Access to the parking and office building is therefore controlled through a mixture of Turnstar Traffic Master automatic vehicle barriers and Drop arm pedestrian barriers respectively.
With over 2 000 employees and a multitude of visitors entering the parking area at Alexander Forbes’ flagship offices, a vehicle barrier that could handle high volumes of traffic was required. The four Traffic Master vehicle barriers installed at various points on the periphery of 115 West Street, are the ideal solution where medium levels of security combine with high levels of vehicular traffic.
Traffic Master automatic boomgate vehicle barrier
The Traffic Master automatic vehicle barriers have 4 metre barrier arms and are designed to handle constant use in even the most inclement weather conditions. The decision to utilise 3Cr12 stainless steel instead of mild steel for all its vehicle barrier cabinets is on based on Turnstar’s extensive experience in the market. Tests prove that 3Cr12 stainless steel is a superior alternative to coated mild steel in outdoor applications. Atmospheric corrosion testing has found improvement of up to 250 times longer lifecycles in cabinets manufactured in 3Cr12.
Drop arm barrier
The four waist high drop arm barriers installed at the main entrance to the building were manufactured in 304 grade brushed stainless steel and the barrier arm is constructed from stainless steel with a polycarbonate skirt, to mirror the subtle upmarket ambience of these corporate headquarters. The Turnstar drop arm barriers have a heavy-duty electromechanical Xtralife® mechanism that has been designed by professional engineers to ensure optimal functionality over extended operational periods. To ensure the safety of all employees and visitors passing through the drop arm barrier, a standalone optical sensor has been incorporated into the system.
Aesthetics, functionality and efficiency form the backbone of the Alexander Forbes building and any installed components were required to blend seamlessly with the company’s image of environmental stewardship. The incorporation of Turnstar’s vehicle barriers and drop arm barriers in this trendsetting building is testament to the company’s emphasis on quality and reliability.