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DESIGN: DEAR MR PLUMBER
“I believe engineers, plumbers and the industry must
work together and create a common interest forum
where both are required to develop technology
and support each other and don’t work behind each
other’s backs.”
you having to do anything in terms of design, unless your
contract requires you to do so.
This ‘note’ on a drawing is usually used by persons who
are not competent designers and who are doing work
for which they are not qualified. For a rational design
you must be professionally registered in terms of the
Engineering act, but some people ‘get away with not
being registered’.
The ‘deem-to-satisfy-rule-design’ was developed specifically
so that you don’t need an engineer for the design of the
services of a house. However, whether the design is a
rational design or a deem-to-satisfy-rule-design you cannot
just get away with a ‘note’ stating that ‘The drainage system
must comply with SANS 10400-P or ‘The water system must
comply with SANS 10252-1’ and leave it to the plumber to
know what to do.
You, the designer, must take out of the above-mentioned
documents, or other relevant documents, what is relevant
April 2020 Volume 26 I Number 02
for the specific project, and not throw the whole book
at the plumber. You, the designer, must provide all the
documentation in detail, with detailed drawings and
specific specifications and references.
Quality control is a greatly neglected element in design
and construction and some people have checklists for
design and also for the construction, but if it is not applied
then it is basically useless.
My last thought for you to ponder, is that it seems that
plumbers and engineers seem to drift further and further
apart and create their own domains. I believe engineers,
plumbers and the industry must work together and create
a common interest forum where both are required to
develop technology and support each other and don’t work
behind each other’s backs.
Vollie Brink is one of the
industry’s longest-serving
wet services engineers.
He continues to serve on
SABS committees and
has been involved in the
Green Building Council’s
Green Star rating system.
Brink continues to consult
for various organisations
while enjoying a well-
earned retirement.
The economy is difficult, and it seems it is getting more
difficult: Should we not take hands and work together for
the benefit for all? PA
www.plumbingafrica.co.za