Some Regions Are Hit Harder Than Others Although burglaries and robberies in South Africa have shown a slight decline over the past year, this only tells part of the story, as some regions are hit harder by these crimes than others. The latest crime data from the South African Police Service (SAPS) for the first…
Homeowners grapple with rising insecurity Homeowners in South Africa, especially those with rooftop solar installations, are facing a new wave of crime in 2024—solar panel theft. As the country grapples with an ongoing energy crisis, criminals are increasingly targeting these valuable systems, leaving residents vulnerable to substantial financial losses. South Africa’s crime statistics reveal a…
Ways to Boost Security South African homes and businesses must stay vigilant against the techniques criminals use to circumvent electric fences. While these fences can act as a deterrent, they are not infallible, especially if they are poorly installed or maintained. Criminals often use methods such as the “V stick,” conduit pipes, and multiple cutting…
Fire Safety – Compliance with these regulations is crucial Fire safety is a paramount consideration in building design and construction with the potential to save lives and protect property. In South Africa, the South African National Standard (SANS) 10400 Part T, titled “Fire Protection,” is the dedicated section of the building regulations that addresses fire…
Stairways – Part M – They Must Be Safe It stands to reason that stairways must be safe. If stairs are too steep, and they don’t have railings, or if screens and balustrades are not strong and secure, people may fall with disastrous consequences. What the National Building Regulations say about Stairs and Stairways “Any…
Site Safety during Demolitions-Part E The process of demolition is a critical precursor to new construction, but it requires a nuanced understanding of safety regulations outlined in Part E of the National Building Regulations. Part E serves as a guiding light, emphasizing common sense and the exercise of caution. It essentially delves into three pivotal…
The Importance of Facilities forDisabled People in our Buildings-Part S The National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act was amended and published by the Department of Trade and Industry in May 2008. Some parts of the Act were affected more than others; some changed very little. Part S, which deals with facilities for disabled people…
Can you spot the electric fence violations in this picture? We spotted this electric fence installation recently and were shocked to think that a compliance certificate might have been issued. The alternative is that the owners or administrators of the wall used an unqualified electric fence installer, in which case there would be no compliance…
By Penny Swift Author Implications of Non-Compliant Electric Fencing and Outdated Certificates of Compliance Electricity is a charged subject that often shocks those who don’t realize how important compliance is. Home Security Just look at all the illegal electrical connections looming over informal settlements. Notice people on social media asking who can do electrical jobs…
Ensure Your Balustrade System is Installed Correctly As it currently stands, the individual or professional company commissioning a balustrade sub-contractor has far more responsibility regarding their project than they realise. The Building Owner is responsible for ensuring that their project is SANS-compliant and signed off by a qualified Engineer. The Owner is therefore responsible for…
The Photograph above: By Valenciano – Self-photographed, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=29802079 Engineers Design Buildings for a Purpose Engineers around the world will design a structure based on the brief given to them by a developer. The basis for any good design is to have a structure that is “fit for purpose” for which it is…
Building Regulations Part 3: Part R to Part X & XA As there are a total of 23 parts to the SANS 10400 Building Regulations we have divided them into three sections to improve the ease of navigation, here below is Building Regulations Part 3 The order in which the different parts of the regulations…
Rapid Urban Decay in Jozi Blamed on Illegal Building The City of Johannesburg has lost control of town-planning infringements, according to an article published in The Star newspaper at the beginning of February 2013. It seems they simply can’t stop them from happening. The Accusations In the article, Ros Greeff, the City’s member of the…
Water Pipes Detector, Steel Reinforcing andElectric Cable Detector Even though instruments that detect pipes and cables have been around for a number of years, they are, I believe, underused. Detect pipes and cable detectors are indispensable tools for any contractors in the building industry from plumbers to electricians, and installers who have to drill holes…
Dozens of Residents Die When Building Collapses January 20, 2012: A badly maintained apartment block which was home to some 50 people, collapsed like a pack of cards in Beirut this week, killing at least 25 people. A teenage girl and her grandmother, an elderly man (73), and several labourers from Sudan, Egypt, Jordan and…
Good Lighting and Ventilation is Vital for Healthy Living-Part O In terms of the National Building Regulations Part O, all habitable rooms, including bathrooms, showers and toilets (and interestingly enough garages!) must have some form of lighting and ventilation that will enable people to use these rooms safely. The most important aspect is that it…