Housing in Southern Africa October 2015

NHBRC RUNS ON SAP

E quipped with a new iPad or Tablet, electronic GIS system and Oracle’s SAP system, the NHBRC inspector receives all the information available on line about the site, location, stand number, size, number of units, the owner, developers, site contact, units, plans and designs, at the touch of a button. Inspectors are required to visit sites for the mandatory number of housing inspections, which include the key building stages. Inspectors report to site offices and establish contact with the site manager, de- veloper or contractor on building progress, dates of pours, as well as a schedule of which units have been completed. The NHBRC Building Quality Index for Housing (BQIH) checklist has four key areas on the NHBRC Subsidy Home Enrolment Inspection Form. Sub-structure: this is the start of the building pro- cess, clearing the site, breaking new ground, setting out the site boundar- ies, location, trench widths, digging and, removing tree roots, prepare and fill and compact before excava- tions. If the site is water-logged, or saturated with water, has the engi- neer provided the design for water drainage. In terms of social housing, most are raft foundations as Gauteng is a highly dolomitic area. Concrete and masonry: concrete foundations must be placed as soon as possible after excavation has been completed and inspected. The concreting must be carried out

The NHBRC inspectors are around the country carrying out inspections on various housing typologies, from the smallest fully subsidised unit to an upmarket palatial residential house, and they endeavour to ensure Home Builders meet the stringent building standards.

concrete roofs, brandering, roof cov- ering, plaster mix and glazing and timber quality size. The inspection models allows for work on multiple stages but in terms of closing, it must be closed systematically. The level of complexity in terms of electricity dif- fers and is not the same as upmarket housing as the subsidy house is fitted with a distribution box. Stormwater: this covers the prox- imity of services to the structure, the fall level of sewerage pipes, as they have to go into themain line at a spe- cific angle, what provision has been made for storm water management – the water must run away from the house and aprons, rainwater, gutters and downpipes. The builder has to ensure that the water does not pond next to the perimeter of the house. The key difference between subsi- dy housing and Gapmarket is the size of the units and finishes, otherwise the units almost look similar. Any structural change or altera- tions within five years of being built, will nullify thewarranty. In exception- al cases, the NHBRC will investigate and if it was because of poor quality, the NHBRC will then assist the home owner. ■

in one continuous operation. The thickness of the concrete slabs, raft slabs, reinforced and unreinforced strip footings are all specified. Ma- sonry concrete footing and masonry in foundations are inspected before they are closed up. Concrete surface beds, construction joints, filling, infill of masonry, brick force Wire/Ties, fabric reinforcement and basement split level all form part of the sub- structure/foundation. Super Structure – includes damp proof course, inspecting if brickwork is level and plumbed, windows and doorframes have been built-in cor- rectly and chasing into the walls for conduits. Masonry panels, staircases, cavity walls, lintel design and bear- ing, precast lintels, suspended floors, roof and roof anchor, joints in slabs and intersection of walls. Practical Completion: includes the geyser installation, plumbing, chasing, pipes, wall plates, geyser, purlin, beams, rafters, roof pitch, nail plated trusses, site plated trusses, hangers and brackets, bracing, pole structures, battens and purlins, roof covering, under tilemembrane, valley lining, beam filling, metal lath, weep holes, plastering, firewalls, flashings

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Preparing for roof tiling