House Building regulations new

We Help Explain The Building Regulations, Easy to understand

We simplify the complex rules and regulations for you – A beginner’s guide Understanding the intricacies (ins and outs) of building regulations (also known as Codes) can be a labyrinthine (big maze) task for homeowners and builders alike. Often viewed as an intimidating web of legalities and technicalities, these codes are fundamental in ensuring the…

owner building New House Roof going on
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DIY Dream or Risky Venture? Owner Building in South Africa

A Review Based on Personal Experience Having just finished totally updating the ever-popular title, The Complete Book of Owner Building in South Africa I am left wondering whether owner building is a good idea or not. We’ve completed the exercise three times, and not once made any money, or in fact, even got our money…

Build up the walls

SANS 10400 Part A Explained: Building Regulations Made Simple

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…

Chalk lines for foundations
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South African Building Regulations: New Updates?

Key Changes and Updates in the SANS Building Regulations? The landscape of building regulations in South Africa is ever-evolving, reflecting advances in construction technology, changes in societal needs, and a growing emphasis on safety and sustainability. For homeowners, builders, and architects, staying informed about the latest updates and changes to South African building regulations is…

house Floor
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Rock-Solid Floors: Building Regulations Made Easy (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…

The NHBRC
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5 parts of The NHBRC That Help To Protect You

1. The National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) gives protection against shoddy workmanship The National Home Builders Registration Council was established in terms of the Housing Consumers Protection Measures Act, 1998 to regulate the building industry and protect home buyers against shoddy workmanship. Motivation at the time was largely charged by fly-by-night-builders who were conning…

design solid brick home white
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The Secret to a Strong Building: Demystifying Part B

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…

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Part C The Minimum You Need To Know: Room Sizes In SA

Dimensions – Part C Every Room Must be Fit for PurposeEnsuring Adequate Space Allocation in Construction: Part C Specifications The National Building Regulations (NBR) set the framework for construction guidelines in South Africa. When it comes to the dimensions and sizes of rooms and buildings, the NBR isn’t prescriptive. However, the crucial consideration remains that…

demolition house
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Before You Demolish: Essential Rules You Need to Know (Part E)

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…

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What is The Latest Version of SANS 10400?

The latest version of SANS 10400 in South Africa is SANS 10400:2011, also known as the National Building Regulations (NBR). However, please note that regulations and standards are subject to updates and revisions, and there may have been newer versions released since then. “The National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) is revising its home-building manual…

Home-building-sans10400
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When Did Genuine SANS 10400 Come Into Effect?

The South African National Standard (SANS) 10400, also known as the Building Regulations, is a set of standards and regulations that govern the construction and maintenance of buildings in South Africa. These regulations cover various aspects of building design, construction, and safety to ensure that buildings are safe, healthy, and sustainable. The SANS 10400 regulations…

Refuse-collection-area
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The Secrets of a Safe Rubbish Bin: SANS 10400 U Explained

What is the Safety SANS 10400 U refuse area? In South Africa, the SANS 10400 refers to the National Building Regulations that provide guidelines and standards for the construction and maintenance of buildings. The SANS 10400 Part U does indeed cover refuse disposal in South Africa’s National Building Regulations. Part U specifically focuses on the…

SANS 10400 General Principles & Requirements
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Build Right From The Start: SANS 10400 Part A Explained

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…

Excavations work
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The Hidden Dangers of Excavation: A Look at Part G

Safety and Stability When Doing ExcavationsAre Top Priorities – Part G Part G of the National Building Regulations focuses on excavations and emphasizes the critical importance of safety and stability when engaging in these activities. Even in situations where the ground seems relatively level, excavations are often imperative in the construction of homes. The regulations…

Casting Concrete for foundations

Regulations for Foundations Part-H, A Focus on Safety

Foundations, Part H, of any structure, large or small, must be built to safely transmit all loads of the building to the ground. If foundations are not correctly built, walls may crack and at worst, could even collapse. While the National Building Regulations specify general requirements for foundations, it is the deemed-to-satisfy rules contained in…

Swimming Pool

Joburg Pool Rules Simplified: Can You Skip the Plans Now?

A stunning swimming pool picture aboveWould you need to submit plans for a pool like this? See the post below.Pool by Prim City of Johannesburg Relaxes Swimming Pools Plan Submissions The City of Johannesburg’s Planning Department has confirmed that they have relaxed the by-laws relating to swimming pools and plan submissions. These regulations concern the…

Home additions

Thinking Of Renovating Your Home? Here’s What You NEED To Know First!

Alterations and Additions to Your Home There are so many changes that have been made to the National Building Regulations in recent years that homeowners may be forgiven for wondering what is and what is not allowed in terms of altering and making home additions. Some of the greatest concerns relate to the new energy…

Why national building regulations for this house
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Guaranteed Quality: Understanding The Role Of National Building Codes

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…

Akhani logo

Unlocking New Possibilities: A Look At Alternate Building Technologies For Construction

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 to…

Town Planning
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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…

temporary buildings & shed
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Builder Shed Permits: What You Need To Know (Local Authority)

Temporary Buildings Must be Authorizedby the Local Authority  People often talk about  temporary buildings in terms of structures that can be erected quickly and without plans. Some people go so far as to opt for what is advertised as a “temporary building” because they think it will provide a cheap, quick, and easy solution to…