| Part | Title | Critical Requirements | |------|-------|------------------------| | | General principles & administration | Approval by local authority; plans must be drawn by a registered professional (SACAP). | | B | Structural design | Wind, live, and dead loads; geotechnical investigation required for complex sites. | | C | Dimensions | Minimum room sizes, ceiling heights (2.4m habitable rooms), ventilation openings. | | D | Public safety | Balustrade heights (min 1.0m for dwellings, 1.1m for public), stair tread/riser ratios. | | K | Walls | Lateral support, damp-proof courses, cavity wall requirements in high-rainfall areas. | | L | Roofs | Pitched roof truss design, waterproofing, flashing, rainwater disposal. | | N | Glazing | Safety glass in doors, low-level windows (<900mm from floor), wind load resistance. | | O | Fire protection | Compartmentation, escape routes (max travel distances), fire-rated doors, smoke detection. | | T | Thermal & acoustic insulation | Minimum R-values for roofs/walls; sound insulation between dwelling units (DT = 52dB). | | V | Drainage & sanitation | Gradients, trap sizes, vent pipes, septic tank or municipal connection. | | X | Site & stormwater management | Cut/fill slopes, retaining walls, stormwater runoff disposal (not onto neighbours). |
The construction industry in South Africa is regulated by several government departments, including the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Public Works, and the National Department of Housing. These departments, along with other stakeholders, have developed a comprehensive framework of building construction standards to ensure that buildings meet the country's unique needs and challenges. | Part | Title | Critical Requirements |
: No person may erect a building without prior written approval from a local authority. | | D | Public safety | Balustrade heights (min 1
"Nice job, young man," Koos said, handing Thabo a bottle of water. "No cracks in the walls. And the electricity bill is half of what the old building used." | | N | Glazing | Safety glass