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SAS Metal Ceilings and associated products are manufactured from steel and aluminium. Steel is the world's most recycled product, it has a residual value at the end of life; there are no landfill costs associated with disposal as there is a well established infrastructure for scrap steel recycling.
Ceiling tiles manufactured from steel offer many environmental credentials. Throughout the manufacturing process waste is minimised and recycled. Steel contains at least 20% recycled content as standard but is 100% recyclable at end of life.
Scrap steel is an essential part of the production process and accounts for up to 60% of the raw material used in structural steel. The scrap steel can be used in the manufacturing of any steel product; as a result there is a genuine demand for recovered steel, which allows the recycling loop to be closed.
Suspended metal ceiling tiles are classed AAA in the "Green Guide to Specification" by the BRE (Building Research Establishment) for having an A rating for recyclability, current recycled levels and the energy saved by recycling. Every tonne of steel recycled makes the following environmental saving:
- 1.5 tonnes of iron ore
- 0.5 tonnes of coal
- 40% of the water required in production
- 75% of the energy needed to make steel from virgin material
- 1.28 tonnes of solid waste
- Reduction of air emission by 86%
- Reduction of water pollution by 76%
Construction products that are manufactured off-site under factory-controlled conditions are subject to better quality-control regimes. This ensures their compliance with tolerances and other performance criteria. Factory working is safer, faster and more efficient than site working.
Most processes are fully or semi-automated with advanced computer design and manufacturing software used to further improve material and production efficiencies.
The SAS approach to design and manufacturing ensures that sustainability is consistently considered and evaluated during the manufacturing process.
Working with the project team, including client requirements, SAS are able to develop and adopt best practice for the project. This can include establishing a sustainable logistics procedure re-utilising delivery packaging.
Apertures for luminaires and other services are designed and formed during manufacturing with any wastage recycled, this in turn reduces on site wastage.
The durability and performance of a SAS metal tile compared to alternatives ensures that onsite installation damage is minimised. With a 25 year product life guarantee the costs associated with metal tiles are significantly lower than other suspended ceilings. At the end of life the product can be fully recycled.
Thermal Mass Cooling
Utilisation of a building's thermal mass cooling potential can significantly reduce internal ambient temperatures. This natural process centres on the building's thermal mass, provided by exposed concrete slabs. It is increasingly being adopted as a sustainable low energy solution and works by utilising the natural properties of concrete which has a high specific heat capacity and conductivity.
Concrete acts as a thermal sponge, passively absorbing heat from the air during the day when the ambient temperature is higher, cooling and moderating the daytime peak temperatures. This heat is then passively released from the concrete when the ambient air temperature is lower, generally at night time.
A number of studies have indicated that the amount of cooling available to the space in a naturally ventilated building with exposed thermal mass will be almost twice that of a simple low thermal mass building, with a cooling potential up to 25 W/m².
Suspended beam solutions such as SAS Acoustic Lighting Rafts (System 600) and SAS Integrated Service Modules (ISMs), leave the concrete soffit open, enabling thermal mass cooling to take place. ISMs, an alternative to traditional air conditioning methods, have the ability to supplement the passive cooling provided by thermal mass through the incorporation of active or passive Chilled Beam technology.
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