SANS10400-Building Regulations South Africa SANS10400 are the Building regulations in South Africa, and both international and national standards, are fundamental to successful building and construction projects, both big and small.
Engineers Design Buildings for a Purpose Engineers around the world will design a structure based on the brief given to them by a developer. The basis for any good design is to have a structure that is “fit for the purpose” for which it is intended. Most international building codes, …
Read More »Planning and Building By-Law Definitions
By-Law Definitions for Planning, Building and Zoning These definitions are mainly, but not exclusively, extracted from the Greater Metropolitan Area of Cape Town’s By-Laws Planning and Zoning definitions and explanations. They do and can relate to terms and phrases used nationally by other Municipalities and planning departments. We will be …
Read More »Home Building Definitions
Definitions that are used in the Home Building Industry Words and definitions that are used in the home building industry are sometimes a little difficult to understand what is meant. Here we have a list of some terms that are used with an explanation of what it is the person …
Read More »Fenestration Calculations
Fenestration and Glazing Guidelines, Procedures and Calculations. The guidelines featured in the pdf below give an idea to anyone wanting to calculate the Fenestration Compliance Procedures in terms of Sans 10400-XA:2011 and SANS 204:2011, what is required and what is involved. There is a step-by-step guide to area (nett floor) …
Read More »Thatch Roofs and Lightning
Regulations for Lightning Conductors on Thatch Roofs Thatch roofs are most susceptible to be set alight by lightning than any other roof type. For the protection of the public and property the South African National Standard 62305-3 was introduced in 2011. SANS 62305-3: Protection against Lightning (published in 2011) is …
Read More »Waterproofing Roofs
Proven Ways of Waterproofing Roofs Waterproofing roofs is perhaps the most important factor when it comes to roof construction. The National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act states that roofs must be designed and constructed safely so that they are not damaged by wind or any other natural force. The …
Read More »Cool Roofs
Cool Roofs Reduce Energy Bills by up to 70 percent On site research proves that it is possible to save as much as 70 percent on energy with a “cool roof”. This is because cool roofs reduce roof temperatures by reflecting heat and sunlight away from the building. This is …
Read More »Green Roofs
Green Roofs are Energy Efficient and Environmentally Friendly One of the most exciting emerging roof technologies that is gaining popularity worldwide is the green roof, an energy efficient concept that is guaranteed to keep your home cool when the weather is hot, and warm when temperatures plummet. And it doesn’t …
Read More »Anchor Roof Structure
Ensure Your Roof Structure is Secure The roof of a house is ultimately what keeps us protected from the elements. This is why roofs need to be waterproof and able to prevent water from accumulating on the surface. But it is just as important for any roof to be able …
Read More »Roofs-Part L
Building Regulations as They Apply to Roofs-Part L When the South African National Building Regulations were updated by the Department of Trade and Industry in May 2008, the General Requirement relating to Roofs was changed to incorporate certain safety elements. For example, instead of simply having to “resist any forces” …
Read More »Walls
Walls Support the Roof and other Loads-Part K The fundamental structure of a house is formed by its external walls, which must support the roof and take any other load that is built above. The section of the National Building Regulations that deals with walls is SANS 10400-K and it …
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