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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
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
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.
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NHBRC RUNS ON SAP
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.
Preparing for roof tiling