Public Safety
Even at Home Public Safety is Paramount-Part D
All home owners have a responsibility to people who visit their homes, or members of the public who are able to access their homes.
According to the National Building Regulations we must be concerned specifically with:
- changes in level,
- pedestrian entrances to parking area in all buildings,
- ramps and driveways,
- swimming pools.
Change in Level
If people can access a level other than ground level on your property, you need to be absolutely certain that they are not likely to fall off. Areas of special concern include balconies, flat roofs and in fact anywhere that is more than one metre above another level.
The most common form of protection in these circumstances will be balustrades, parapet walls, and some sort of handrail.
Pedestrian Entrances
Here the main concern is that people walking to their cars, bikes or whatever form of vehicle they are driving or being transported in can do so safely.
This is generally more of a problem for public buildings rather than private homes. However if there is any possible danger that someone might unintentionally walk in the path of a moving vehicle, make sure there is some sort of warning sign and lighting at night.
Ramps
The building regulations state that any ramp or driveway must be designed in such a way that it is “safe when used and is fit for the purpose for which it is intended”.
Concern here is more for semi-public buildings or places where groups of people are accommodated. However the guidelines suggested in the SANS are relevant for properties where there are two or more dwellings, as well as for other buildings where people live or stay:
- ramps and driveways used by cars and similar vehicles should have a gradient of no more than 1:25 within a distance of 5 m from street boundaries the driveway crosses,
- those used by pedestrians may be considerably steeper than this: a maximum gradient of 1:8 is permitted,
- if ramps and driveways are going to be used by pedestrians and vehicles, there should be a walkway that is at least 1,2 m wide, with a kerb that is at least 150 mm high.
The diagram below shows how this works for ramps and driveways.
Swimming Pools
While the building regulations simply state that property owners must control access to their swimming pools, most local authorities have much stricter rules and regulations. Remember it is ultimately the local authority that will decide whether you must fence the pool.
And if you don’t comply with the local authority requirements and don’t control access, the regulations warn that you will be guilty of an offence. This is not the type of warning that is often seen in the national building regulations – so take it seriously!
SANS 10400 suggests several possible control mechanisms. For instance, you may install or build a fence or wall:
- around the swimming pool and ensure there is a self-closing gate,
- around the house and the pool and make sure that there is a self-closing gate at the entrance – and no other openings,
- around the pool and the house, but in a way that leaves results in the front wall (and therefore the front door) of the house open to any area that is not walled or fenced,
There are also guidelines for protecting children from the potential hazards of swimming pools in SANS 10134: The safeness of private swimming pools. SANS 1390: Steel fencing for private swimming pools details SABS requirements for pool fencing and self-closing gates.
The SANS guidelines may be followed, providing they are in keeping with your local authority requirements.
>
>
Demolition Work
I just lost my 3 year old son. Due to drowning in a pond. Is their laws to have to have it fenced.
The regulations governing pool fencing can be found in local bylaws (i.e. not in the building regulations). However, pool fencing in SA should be manufactured to SABS specifications (though I am not sure that this is enforced) and it should be at least 1,2 m high with gaps that are no more than 100 mm. There should also not be any parts of the fence that allow people to climb over it (cross pieces for instance). also all games should be self-closing/self-locking.
Good morning,
Could you please confirm weather a 1.2m high wire mesh fence around the property will be compliant with the required Pool Protection ? My feeling is that it is not.
Will appreciate your comments
Thank you
I wish I could advise you but I honestly don’t know. Perhaps you should contact companies that install electric gates; they might be able to advise. My gut feeling is that they are liable and not you. Can you afford a lawyer?
While this is public safety, it doesn’t relate directly to the NBR. Normally there would be marks on the glass so people can see the glass, and there may be other regs in the local authority bylaws. Contact them for more info.
Good day
What are the requirements that need to be adhered to regarding a entrance to a building that is operated with sliding doors to ensure safety for people enter the building when walking?
Regards
Clarice
I rented a flat in complex, as I was driving out with 3m trailer attached to long base Toyota hilux, the van went through but halfway the sensor of the electric gate could not pick up the trailer because as explained by company dealing with motor gate , the trailer is higher than the sensor placed on the gate that’s why it was closing after the van has passed. The only way to allow the passing is for manually overriding the beam sensor to allow both the van and trailer . The complex security saw the incident and when I ask why they did not stop us and help us to pass because he knew I had to block d beam so the gate remains open but he said its my responsibility and now I’m held liable to damage on the gate , what are the regulations with regard to electric gate , I did not have I any information regarding the mechanics of the gate , there is no sign or notice regarding the auto close time and size of the trailer the beam can sense. How can I fight this ? How is it my responsibility to know how to override the gate when I’m just moving in ?
Lourens the bylaws are different in different areas. Generally if the pool is not accessible from the road they don’t worry too much. Check with the local authority. Alternatively, you may need to fence it yourself.
Ratios for parking at retail stores are not covered by SANS 10400!
This is totally illegal Jacques – here’s a link that gives the ours as allowed by law. You’ll need to scroll down. Local authority should be forced to stop them
Barend this is not a building regulations issue. I suggest you contact an attorney. Alternatively you could contact someone with knowledge of the general health and safety regulations.
I was injured by the Gautrain access gates slamming me. Bombela confirmed that I did use the gates correctly. They also confirmed that they knew about the problem yet preferred not to do anything to it. Similarly there are a number of areas where international building regulations are ignored. Trying to claim my expenses they simply indicated that their disclaimer protects them from any claim even in case of gross negligence. As I have if you cannot disclaim your safety responsibility. I was also advised that this no longer is gross negligence, as they knew about the condition it now becomes intent. Contacting the department of transport I was simply referred back to Bombela. This means they are free to expose more than 65000 people daily to unsafe conditions without any recourse for their action. Surely this cannot be true. What options do you have to take them on. Fortunately my expenses were limited, but hat happens if someone does get seriously injured or even killed because of negligence on their side.
Hi Penny,
The building next door to us is an office block busy during the day. They have been renovating it for months now during the evenings, sometimes working until midnight! We live in a complex that borders it directly. Are they allowed to do this? Who can we get to help, the police only stop them for one evening at a time.
Hi Shakirah, The 3m from your house does not apply. What does apply is to not compromise the house foundations if you want your pool to be right next to the house. In this case ask the pool contractors to give you an engineers report.
Hi Penny, we are planning on building a small garden pool approx 6X6 in metres, I have read on this website that if the pool is within the 3m ruling to barrier then a plan is not required. However what is the ruling for the distance between house foundation and pool? I don’t just want to assume that the 3m rule applies. Thanking you in advance for your response. Shakirah
I don’t think so Selwyn. You don’t even need plans for swimming pools in Jhb any more. But there are safety elements in terms of access.
Dear penny
Do I need a plan to build a koi pond. Intended size is 3m x 1,5m and 90cm deep. Thanks
This does not sound right to me. You should call your local council planning department and ask an inspector to have a look at the installation and give you advice.
Concerned about private swimming pool in Emfuleni area are Owners compelled to fence the pool or install a net or pool cover. I am renting a property and baby is 1 year and 4 months. Lourens
Did the ratio for parkings at retail stores change according to SANS 10400?
Dear all,
we moved into a building where the geysers are installed in a rise ands secured by a door that has a knob lock – that a cild can turn. Thus a child can get access and would fit between the geyser and can fall 4 floors – this cannot be compliant?
Jurgens if you read the information on this website you will see that the National Building Regulations do not govern electrical issues.
What is the regulations for gate motor instalations eletrical must it have a isolator switch. Regards Jurgens
Albertus, all retaining walls require plans.
Afternoon
In the case of a landscape retaining wall, which is slightly higher than a meter. What is the regulation I will have to adhere to? Will dense planting, to create a barrier, be sufficient?
Regards