Application of National Building Regulations
I find that certain people still don ’ t understand how to read , use , and apply the National Building Regulations — it is the cause of much misunderstanding and even conflict . Some government departments even require the architect to take on engineering work for which they are not educated , trained , or competent .
Design : Dear Mr Plumber
21
By
Vollie Brink
The main reason is also because the National Building Regulations do not have a clear , unambiguous definition of who is competent and for what , and there is no register of competent persons and their competencies .
There is no clear ‘ boundary ’ between the deem-tosatisfy rules and the need for a rational design — this is the cause of much aggravation , conflict , and unnecessary costs .
My only hope is that the new Building Regulations Act will address these problems and create an environment that is well defined for everybody to understand .
Coming back to SANS10400-P , it is a document that was misinterpreted and misused . The rational design concept was allowed to be misused by people who are not competent by any means . This has put people ’ s health and safety as well as the investment of developers at great risk .
Perhaps it would help to better understand the divide between deem-to-satisfy and requirement for rational design if we look at what the deem-to-satisfy does and does not allow .
The SANS10400-P allows that the deem-to-satisfy rules be applied to housing and offices only . There are no deem-to-satisfy rules for any other buildings such as hospitals or shopping centres .
The question is , what are the ‘ restrictions ’ of the deemto-satisfy rules ? 1 . No bends are allowed under a floor in ground in a building . 2 . No change of direction under a floor in ground in a building . 3 . No change of gradient under a floor in ground in a building .
4 . No connections under a floor in ground in a building .
5 . No manholes and no inspection chambers in a building .
6 . Wastewater and soil water must be separate systems under a floor in ground in a building .
The above-mentioned are implicated in the deemto-satisfy rules and are essential design criteria . It must be observed , affects a rational design , and must be carefully considered and solved by a competent experienced and registered engineer / technologist by means of appropriate engineering solutions . ‘ Registered ’ means in terms of the Engineering Profession Act , 2000 ( Act No . 46 of 2000 ) and not registered by a club .
A rational design does not mean the designer may just ignore these criteria because it is called a rational design . No , the design must be relevant , fit-for-purpose , safe , and comply with the performance requirements as stated in P2 .
One of the most important design requirements is to always make sure to prevent back flow into the building . From flooding the building through showers , baths and floor drains , this is a great health risk . Another great health risk is to have a manhole or inspection chamber inside a building or even inside the parking space . This can be overcome by clever rational design .
Some very good advice to you is , never undertake work for which you are not educated , trained , experienced , and registered . This is stipulated in ECSA ’ s Code of conduct .
I hope everyone in the building industry and all professionals will follow this code of conduct , because then we will have less problems and failures . PA
Vollie Brink
Vollie Brink is one of the industry ’ s longest serving wet service engineers . He continues to serve on SABS committees and has been involved in the Green Building Council Star rating system . Brink continues to consult for various organisations while enjoying a wellearned retirement .
“ What are the ‘ restrictions ’ of the deem-to- satisfy rules ?”
www . plumbingafrica . co . za March 2017 Volume 23 I Number 1