20 DESIGN : DEAR MR PLUMBER
The challenges of a design engineer
By
Vollie Brink
The bulk of the work of the plumber is basically centered around the installation of sanitary drainage and potable water systems for buildings , which range from small to large . So where does the design engineer come in ?
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 wellearned retirement .
This is not news to you as you work with it on a daily basis and you know the scope of your work and it feels as if you do not need to learn anything new anymore .
However , whether you are young or old , I can assure you that you will learn new things until the end of your time , and you must make sure that you do learn and open your mind to learn . This is why so many institutions have instituted the CPD courses .
We now also have mentors , who are extremely important to guide you and assist you to plan your career and prepare you for your final examination and test in order to become a registered plumber .
In the ‘ olden days ’ this preparation period took five years , but it has now been reduced to much less so you can become , so-called ‘ qualified ’, in a much shorter time .
The aim of this learnership is to produce a competent plumber , who , in the end , is capable of carrying out a plumbing installation – the water and sanitation of a building – which complies with all the legal requirements and standards and is safe and complies with health requirements and is correct and cost-effective and an investment for the owner and the development of the country .
It is estimated that an engineer provides work for around 40 people , but a plumber also provides work for many other people , in and related to the industry .
We all need each other to form a great team .
The engineers are also necessary members of this ‘ team ’ and their training spans over a considerably longer period , which cannot be less than seven years .
A young person once asked me if I could perhaps ‘ show ’ him how to calculate the hot and cold-water pipe sizes of a multi-storey building . He had obviously got the job but did not have the competence .
The engineer ’ s ethic code of conduct does not allow you as engineer to accept engineering work for which you are not competent . The worst practice is now that persons who are not engineers and some who are not even technically qualified , sign as the ‘ competent person ’ in form 2 of SANS10400-A for rational design – which is an offence . Does this mean the plumber must be competent and registered but the ‘ engineer ’ is not an engineer ?
The bulk of the work of the engineer is the design element of all the water systems and sanitation systems . Again , this is not news to you . However , I do not think as the practical person of the team , responsible for the practical work , that you really have a close understanding of the actual work of the design engineer , so I will share this with you :
The challenges of a design engineer : The challenges are numerous , but I will mention some .
• The National Building Regulations ( NBR ) SANS 10400 : The interpretation of the NBR and how it is applied is a challenge . The Building Control Officer and his / her office and officers and even Chief Fire Officer are extremely important persons in the hierarchy and their interpretation is extremely important to promote development or not .
The Review Board was a very valuable tool to iron out disputes and differences of interpretation to the satisfaction of all parties .
In many cases it was necessary to get a common interpretation and correct technical outcome and to find common ground and if you were not satisfied then you could go to a higher legal level which was fair .
But this Review Board was disbanded , and it left a huge gap in the system and this needs urgent rectification .
• The absence of a Review Board In place of the Review Board there could perhaps be an ‘ advisory group of specialists ’ who are available to
www . plumbingafrica . co . za @ plumbingonline @ plumbingonline @ PlumbingAfricaOnline November 2020 Volume 26 I Number 09