FEATURES
it is closed and be present when the pipe is pressure tested.
Only on the final inspection will he or she issue the certificate of
compliance (CoC).
The building inspector is supposed to inspect the total installation
to ensure it complies with the deem-to-satisfy rules if it is not
a rational design. If it is a rational design, then the engineer is
responsible for approval.
It is important to note that the building inspector does not inspect
the water installation; he or she only has to inspect the hot-water
generation and the elements pertaining to SANS10400-XA.
The most common problems are:
• Incorrect gradients of the discharge pipes and drain pipes.
• Water pipes that fail because of a leak.
• Hot-water systems that are incorrectly designed and
incorrectly installed.
• Contractors who appoint unqualified plumbers to do the
work and then completely ignore the design drawings, with
the result of a hugely and costly failed installation.
WHAT ELEMENTS ARE INVOLVED IN THE DESIGN
APPROVALS?
The only design drawings that are relevant or required for
approval, are the drawings on the sanitary drainage system.
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In SANS10400-A, all the information required on the drainage
drawings is stipulated. The important elements are:
• The site plan
• The building’s floor plan
• The relevant elevations
• The relevant sections.
The drainage piping must be indicated on all the floors and
sections, the elevations with all the piping and piping elements
with pipe sizes must be indicated, and ventilation piping with all
the gradients in all the prescribed colours must also be indicated.
The design must only be done by a person who is termed
‘competent’ by having the technical and theoretical qualification,
experience, and understanding of all of the elements of a
drainage system.
CONCLUSION
With drainage, if it is done correctly, everything flows as it
should, but when done incorrectly, it has a negative impact that
results in major health risks. This feature only covered the basic
principles of a regular building and has not even touched on
hotels, high-rise offices, or specialist facilities. If you would like
any further information or more detail on any aspects of this
particular feature, please get in touch by sending an email to
[email protected]. PA
May 2019 Volume 25 I Number 3