The guidelines are set to make a significant impact on the way the local construction sector operates.
“More than 15 years after the original guidelines were released, we embarked on a process of putting together a new manual to address current challenges in the sector, said the council’s special projects advisor Jeffrey Mahachi.
“The development of the manual involved various stakeholders across the South African construction sector and we are highly satisfied with the final document,” he added.
The guidelines were made in conjunction with the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS).
Mahachi added that revisions to the guidelines had been a long time coming and the new manual would address a number of issues that had become concerns for the council and the industry as a whole.
“Our mandate is to assure quality homes and the new guidelines address issues such as the standard of building materials, the rules governing new building technologies, training and development, and many others.”
Sadhvir Bissoon, a representative of SABS said the manual was an important first step in establishing and implementing national standards to ensure effective quality assurance in the building industry.
“One of the things the manual will help us to do is get into international markets and lock out sub-standard products from the South African market,” Bissoon said.
Other key issues the guidelines address included the industry standards for material, energy efficiency, new technology for inspection of houses and soil classification.
Details: www.nhbrc.org.za; 011 317 0048.
