SA Affordable Housing September / October 2017 // Issue: 66 | Page 25

FEATURES
A qualified plumber should install high quality products approved by regulatory bodies.
The Certificate of Compliance (COC) is a new system by the
Plumbing Industry Registration Board (PIRB) where a
licensed plumber or plumbing company can self-certify
their work by issuing a plumbing compliance certificate,
also known as a COC, to the owner of the property. The
COC will also be issued to municipalities, local authority
and insurance companies. “This ensures that the plumber
or plumbing company is held accountable for the work they
have done,” says Herron.
The plumbing COC is issued for most plumbing work
done, including the installation, replacement or relocation
of any electric water heating systems, all individual and
separate installations on site, any plumbing work where
the total cost is more than R1 500 and for the installation,
construction or alteration for any above or below ground
sanitary drains. “The certificate of compliance should be
issued to the owner within five working days of the work
being finished,” he says.
Sputnik states that affordable housing developers
should seriously consider water saving and water
conservation such as rainwater harvesting. “There is a
need for water reuse and recycling. It could also be very
helpful for developers to also look at the use of grey water
as recycling becomes part of the development,” he says.
Similan says that the use of SABS approved quality
products can reduce costs. “These result in less
maintenance. We also apply EDGE certification standards,
which benefits the end user as it reduces water and energy
usage,” says Spies.
Additionally, developing according to high standards
ensures that clients are covered by a warranty in
unforeseen circumstances if a fitting or fixture fails.
Properly fitted plumbing and drainage can save electricity
and water and prevent damage caused by leaks and
burst pipes.
Location also has a role in fitting quality plumbing. “For
instance, if the pipe is shorter, it’s cheaper. You should
ensure that you work with trusted service providers that
can advise on the most cost effective and plumbing-wise
solutions when they do the fitting and layout,” he says.
ONLY THE BEST
“Affordable housing is no less important than high-end
housing in the most expensive areas,” says Sputnik. You
cannot base the quality of services provided on the income
of the end user.
“It is therefore critical that the dwellers in affordable
housing are not short changed and therefore assumed to
be a less important strata of society,” he says.
Spies describes owning a home as an investment
opportunity. “Similan develops communities, not just
affordable homes. We consider everything about the
design process carefully – from the layout of the estate to
the orientation of the homes and what interaction there
will be with the direct environment, through to the choice
of finishes and sanitation wear,” says Spies.
Sputnik points out one error when developing houses
for low income earners that is the perception of end-users.
“One common mistake is the assumption that affordable
housing end users are less deserving of quality work and
service. There is also the assumption that those who live in
affordable housing are not smart and therefore are
unaware about shoddy or substandard quality work or
service,” he says.
AFFORDABLE
SA HOUSING
SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2017
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