Mechanical Technology March 2015

Mechanical Technology — March 2015

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Power, energy and energy management

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Optimising rooftop infrastructure

The masts, antennae, satellite dishes, security cameras and

communication transceivers on rooftops must be managed effectively,

however property owners and managers usually do not have the time or

core skills needed to manage the complexities of telecommunications’

infrastructure. Jasco Property Technology Management’s Rooftop

Solutions help property owners with these challenges.

he rooftops of multi-tenant build-

ings such as malls and office

towers are typically home to a

wide variety of different telecommu-

nications infrastructure, from masts

and antennae to satellite dishes,

security cameras and communication

transceivers.

Managing this complex landscape

to ensure optimal space utilisation,

compliance with health and safety

requirements and revenue genera-

tion can be a challenging task. Jasco

Property Technology Management’s

Rooftop Solution helps property own-

ers to address these challenges head

on by providing “a complete managed

solution and service through a single

point of contact” says Mark Swemmer,

business manager for Jasco Property

Technology Management.

“Property owners and managers

are typically not telecommunication

or technology infrastructure experts

and do not have the time or core skills

required to manage the often-complex

rooftop tenant landscape on their

buildings. Without this expertise to

understand exactly what infrastructure

is installed and for what purpose, it

becomes impossible to adequately

manage this piece of real estate.

Jasco Rooftop Solutions is one of

the products of the Jasco Property

Technology Management portfolio,

which offers a full solution to help

property owners and telecoms opera-

tors make the most of their rooftops,

increasing utilisation, ensuring compli-

ance with health and safety and pre-

venting unauthorised access, among

other benefits,” says Swemmer.

“Some of the issues with unman-

aged rooftops include unauthorised

access, lack of access control pro-

cedures, inefficient space utilisa-

tion, equipment interference and

potentially hazardous, non-compliant

installations,” he warns. “In addition,

building owners may be unaware of

what equipment is hosted on their

rooftops without a comprehensive

database of equipment, and cannot

effectively manage this space. Using

Jasco Rooftop Solutions, building own-

ers can leverage added value through

improved aesthetics, increased space

utilisation, improved standards of in-

stallation and more controlled access

for enhanced security. Furthermore,

with the addition of metered energy, it

is also possible to accurately measure

electricity consumption per piece of

equipment and charge this back to the

lessee,” he explains.

Jasco Rooftop Solutions offers

three levels of service: audit, profes-

sional advice, and active management.

Rooftop audits deliver a comprehen-

sive on-site infrastructure report to

accurately establish the quantity and

type of equipment that is located

on the property owner’s rooftop.

Professional advice can then be of-

fered to property owners with recom-

mendations based on the technical

findings of the audit report. Jasco’s

Active Management offering is a full

service solution that outsources the

entire rooftop management function,

enabling property owners to optimise

their rooftop while focusing on their

core business.

Swemmer continues: “The of-

fering includes lease management,

with lease renewal notifications and

on-going benchmarking as well as

design, review and acceptance for all

new and existing installation requests,

standardisation of authorisation and

access control procedures, and a single

point of contact between landlord and

lessees. In addition, this service offers

complete asset tracking, including

labelling, naming and numbering of

all rooftop equipment and the creation

and on-going management of a full

equipment database.”

“With Jasco Property Technology

Management, property owners can

leverage professional management and

the standardisation of rooftop stan-

dards across the entire property port-

folio, with adherence to international

best practices to ensure compliance

with health and safety regulations, as

well as the optimisation of revenue

streams. Our extensive experience

ensures that your potential revenue

streams are identified and delivers

optimal utilisation of the rooftops,”

Swemmer concludes.

in the project’s environmental authori-

sations (EAs) and approved environ-

mental management plan (EMP) and

programmes (EMPRs) are appropriately

and adequately considered by ACWA

Power Africa and its contractors during

the construction phase.”

Roods adds: “ACWA Power is achiev-

ing a monthly compliance of above 90%,

which is highly commendable consider-

ing the remote location of the site.”

Julies says that ACWA Power Africa

Holdings has a “strong commitment” to

the environment with its zero harm policy

in terms of health, safety and environ-

mental compliance on all its facilities.

“External audits are carried out on all our

facilities in compliance with World Bank

IFC guidelines and standards, ensuring

international compliance.”

During the construction phase of

Bokpoort, ACWA Power allocated

R5‑million for local community develop-

ment projects for the !Kheis Municipality.

This includes business skills develop-

ment; the provision of solar lighting

system; a water reticulation project;

and the upgrading of the high school

computer laboratory with the provision

of internet access. Julies says, “As part

of our social responsibility programme we

recently donated 100 indigenous trees to

schools and the community in the area.

In addition to this, ACWA Power has

established an aloe nursery as part of a

relocation programme for the aloes that

were removed from the project site.