Common SANS 10400 Violations and How to Avoid Them

Violating SANS 10400 Can Result in Serious Consequences Building regulations are in place for a reason: to ensure the safety, health, and well-being of those who live or work in the structures we create. In South Africa, SANS 10400 is the framework governing these regulations, with the goal of maintaining high standards in construction. SANS…

National Building Regulations (SA) | Blogs | National Standards | SANS 10400

Cost-Effective Ways to Ensure SANS 10400 Compliance in Your Project

While Compliance is Vital, it Doesn’t Have to be Financially Burdensome. Compliance with building regulations is a fundamental requirement for any construction project in South Africa. Among these regulations, SANS 10400, the South African National Standard, plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety, health, and sustainability of buildings. Achieving compliance with SANS 10400 is…

SANS 10400 Part A: Exploring the Foundations of Building Regulations

SANS 10400 Part A: Unveiling the Foundations of Building Regulations Part A of SANS 10400, commonly denoted as “Part A,” sets the groundwork for the fundamental principles and requirements governing construction and development. Building regulations are the cornerstone of safe and sustainable construction practices, providing a framework to ensure that buildings meet specific standards. In…

Walls – Part K

It is vital that walls are strong, stable, waterproof and fireproof. The way that the roof is affixed to the wall is also very important.

Floors – Part J

Building Regulations that Apply to Floors-Part J The application of National Building Regulations governing floors, encapsulated in Part J of SANS 10400, represents a crucial yet expansive segment of the construction regulatory framework. While seemingly concise, considering the extensive surface area floors cover within a dwelling, these regulations have evolved over time to offer a…

Structural Design – Part B – 5 headings

All buildings must have a strong, serviceable, stable, & durable design-Part B The structural design of buildings, whether it’s for residential or commercial purposes, serves as a crucial foundation for ensuring safety, stability, and longevity. Structural design is not a mere arrangement of materials but a meticulous process that necessitates professional expertise to meet rigorous…

National Building Regulations (SA) | House building | National Standards | NHBRC | SANS10400-NBR (SA)

Requirements & General Principles Part A

Design, Planning and Supervision of All Construction Work Must Follow a Legal Process The comprehensive framework outlined in the SANS 10400, otherwise known as the Code of Practice for the Application of the National Building Regulations (NBR), serves as the backbone for ensuring compliance within the construction and building industry. Each section of this code…

Facilities for disabled persons | Building & Alterations | National Building Regulations (SA) | National Standards | SANS10400-NBR (SA)

Facilities for Disabled People – Part S

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…

Energy | Miscellaneous Posts | National Building Regulations (SA) | National Standards

Will SA’s Low Emission Energy Development Strategy for Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Succeed?

Energy! The first phase, Starting Right, is already behind schedule. It seems that the SETs and other plans may only be developed later this year. Updated Climate Plan On 24 March 2021, Cabinet approved an updated draft NDC for public comment. It has been widely criticized for not being ambitious enough and falling short of…

National Standards | Building & Alterations | Building contraventions | Municipality | Walls and fences

The PAJA: A Law to Protect Your Rights

The PAJA: The SA Law that Protects Your Rights We get questions daily about buildings blocking views, balconies overlooking neighbours’ bedrooms, building approval without neighbours’ consent, developers not putting in correct storm-water drains; complaints that the neighbours wall is on “my” property; the list goes on and on. People also want to know who they…

National Building Regulations (SA) | National Standards | NHBRC | Regulations | SANS 10400

Why National Building Regulations

We Rely on National Building Regulations Why National Building regulations is a question asked many times. Both international and national standards and Building Regulations are fundamental to successful building and construction projects, both big and small.It doesn’t matter whether you are building a garden shed out of timber, a modest family home from bricks and…

National Building Regulations (SA) | Building & Alterations | Building contraventions | National Standards | Zoning Schemes

Tshwane Town Planning Scheme-Easy & New

The Town Planning Scheme for the Tshwane Region 2008 Make the right decisions We have included these Tshwane Town Planning Scheme Regulations to assist you with accessing the correct information so that you can make the right decisions when it comes to planning any construction, building, and renovation or the purchase of property with developments in…

Alternate Building Technologies

The Assessment of Alternate Building Technologies This article from the latest issue of AKHANI, the quarterly magazine of the NHBRC, addresses the use of alternate building materials and the legal process as well as the pending changes to their manuals. It is well worth a read. Assessment of ABT (Alternate Building Technologies) Any house…

National Building Regulations (SA) | Building & Alterations | Building contraventions | House building | National Standards

Municipality, Contact Your Local Authority

How to contact your Local Authority and Municipality in your District Here is the most up-to-date National Municipality Contact list We get requests almost on a daily basis about “How do I contact my local Municipality?”, “Where is my local Authority?”, “Where do I take my plans?”, “Where can I contact the Building Inspector?” Well…

Town Planning Scheme 2011 – Johannesburg

Consolidated Johannesburg Town Planning Scheme, 2011 Download the Johannesburg Town Planning Scheme document below We have included this Johannesburg Town Planning Scheme document to assist you with accessing the the correct information so that you can make the right decisions when it comes to planning any construction, building and renovation or the purchase of property…

National Building Regulations (SA) | Building & Alterations | Municipality | National Standards | Walls and fences

Town Planning Definitions – Complete with 21 Sections

A List of 21 Town Planning Definitions and TermsUsed in Town Planning Schemes Includes Land Use and Zonings Terms The Johannesburg metropolitan area is the largest, most diverse and most cosmopolitan in South Africa, so we have based this list of Town Planning Definitions definitions from their Town Planning document, see: town-planning-scheme-jhb. These are not…

National Building Regulations Glossary – Complete

A to Z Glossary of Definitions and Terms Used in the National Building Regulations Code of Practice Every industry has terms and definitions that are specific to that industry, and the building industry is no exception. This glossary of National Building Regulations definitions forms part of the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act (Act…

National Building Regulations (SA) | Building contraventions | House building | National Standards | NHBRC

8 FAQ About the NHBRC

The NHBRC – Frequently Asked Questions and Answers (FAQ) The NHBRC used to have a page with a number of FAQ (questions and answers) that we now give you on this website. The most common questions and answers we have listed here below. We must point out to all homeowners and potential homeowners, as well…

Effective Thatch Roofs and Lightning Regulations to Keep You Safe – 3 Ways

Did you know, Regulations for Effective Lightning Conductors on Thatch Roofs Save Lives – 3 Effective ways Thatch roofs are most susceptible than any other roof type to being set alight by lightning. For the protection of the public and property the South African National Standard 62305-3 was introduced in 2011. SANS 62305-3: Protection against…

SANS 10400 Regulations

SANS 10400 Regulations Governs the Design, planning and supervision of all construction work Each section of SANS 10400 regulations, the Code of Practice for The application of the National Building Regulations (NBR) is presented with the relevant extract from the building regulations (which is the law), and is then followed by a general commentary explaining…

National Building Regulations (SA) | Downloads | National Standards | Regulations | SANS 10400

Download Regulations

After many years of allowing visitors to their website to download regulations that are “out-of-date”, the SABS changed its policy. Even though these were out of date, they contained the basic information homeowners need to know. And since most find it is too costly to pay for SANS, we directed our visitors to the old…

House building | Building & Alterations | Building Plans | Municipality | National Standards

Building House Extensions

Planning House Extensions Whether you are building a new home or planning house extensions to an existing home, you are going to need building approval from your local authority. Even if you are simply opening up a wall or partitioning a room by erecting a new internal wall, most councils will insist on working drawings….

Plumbing Problems

Burst Pipe Plumbing Problems can Result in Water Water Everywhere It was a case of water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink recently when a burst pipe began to flood our rented home. Tensions were high as water dribbled out from under the fridge. Another appliance was clearly about to give up the…

National Building Regulations (SA) | Fire | Municipality | National Standards | SANS10400-NBR (SA)

Fire Installation

National Building Regulations Part W – Fire Installation Part W of the SANS 10400 Building Regulations is intended to keep people and property safe in the event of a fire. These have to be inspected and approved by the local authority and permission needs to be granted before any water fire fighting system is connected…

National Building Regulations (SA) | Municipality | National Standards | SANS10400-NBR (SA)

Refuse Disposal

Building Regulations Part-U Refuse Disposal Part-U of the SANS 10400 Refuse disposal states that ‘Any building, excluding a dwelling house’ that has refuse generated in that building will provide ‘adequate’ storage areas for rubbish containers. Over and above this the planning and building must provide access from the street so that the containers can be…