The proposed new regulation that all properties sold in Cape Town must be issued with a certificate of compliance by a registered plumber is considered a "breakthrough for the property market".

Rael Levitt, chief executive of Auction Alliance, said: "It is a sign of a well-controlled municipal environment that they do look after these critical issues."

The Cape Argus reported last week that the City of Cape Town's amended water bylaw, which will soon go to the council for approval, contains a new clause which will oblige property sellers to obtain a clearance certificate confirming that all water and sanitation installations on the property conform to national building regulations, and bylaws pertaining to water and wastewater.

Currently, sellers require a certificate of electrical compliance and a beetle certificate, and they are responsible for the rectification of any problems identified during inspection.

Once passed, the new water bylaw will mean that property transfers in the city may only take place once problems identified with a property's plumbing have been rectified.

The certificate of compliance will guarantee that a property has no water leaks, that there is no discharge of stormwater into sewer systems, and that the water meter is functional and the sewer system intact.

The amendment was suggested during the public participation process by Peter Silbernagl, of consulting engineering firm PD Naidoo and Associates.

Both Silbernagl and Levitt said the provision was a first for South Africa, and that it would benefit property buyers and the people of Cape Town.

Silbernagl said the amount of stormwater people discharged into sewer systems caused major flooding of sewer pump stations, treatment works and overflows.

Non-compliant plumbing posed public health risks, while many ageing water meters no longer worked properly and in other cases people purposely bypassed meters.

"As a buyer, you don't buy a property for its problems," said Silbernagl, adding that if built properly, a property's plumbing "should be in order".

"Over time it (the new requirement) will save the citizens of Cape Town vast amounts of money," he predicted. Levitt said there needed to be far more comprehensive reports to protect South African buyers.

In the UK and most American states, properties were also inspected for their structural integrity, he said, adding that the plumbing certificate meant the city was "getting one step closer" to a position where a property was fully assessed to protect the buyer.

"I am fully supportive (of the measure) and delighted to see it," he said.

Cape Argus


info taken from - www.iolproperty.co.za/roller/news/entry/cape_town_s_water_bylaw

During some of our site visits we often come across extremely dangerous installations where so called "plumbers" without much knowledge of the systems they are installing or maintaining are convincing clients that they can do the job. We often receive phone calls from "plumbers" who are asking us questions over the phone on how to install a specific unit for his client, we end up answering- surely if you are a plumber and have taken the work on you should be able to complete the job. Insurance companies are becoming more aware of these fly by nighters who are operating without any qualifications, knowledge or consideration to the time and effort required to become a competent knowledgeable plumber.  Many insurance companies are now requesting that any plumber who completes or attends to work for the insured is firstly qualified and registered with a plumbing board. Many might ask why? Well the answer is fairly simple. The board regulates and acts as a third party, checking that the plumber requesting to become registered has the following-

 

·         Qualified

·         Has the relevant insurance

·         Can read and write

 

Once the PIRB has done the relevant research they will issue the plumber with a registration card which he is to carry on himself at all times. The PIRB is out there to benefit both the plumber and client, ensuring that the client is receiving a service from a qualified plumber who has the relevant insurance. All our plumbers are registered to write certificates of compliance which are issued by the PIRB and registered on their website. Don't forget the age old saying goed koop is duur koop. Get the professionals to get the job done right the first time.

 

 

The following information has been extracted directly from the PIRB website:

 

Registered Plumber:

Persons applied for this category of registration has passed the relevant plumber trade test as specified in the Manpower training act section 28 or 13 and/or have obtained a plumbing qualification in terms of the Skills Development Act. Persons applied for this category of registration has write and pass the PIRB's Licensed Plumber and is required to have the relevant insurance in place. Only Licensed Plumbers have the right to purchase and issue Plumbing Certificates of Compliance. 

 

 

 

Objectives of the P.I.R.B

• To effectively administer a live and updated plumbing registration system in South Africa
• To promote and encourage the upliftment of the training and skills development at all levels in the plumbing sector, in terms of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).
• To promote, monitor and maintain expertise and competencies among industry professionals
• To work with the community to address concerns and resolve complaints about work carried out by plumbers
• To monitor compliance to technical standards of plumbing work through professional industry plumbing inspectors and there by assisting authorized local and central government bodies with the enforcement of plumbing compliance.
• To promote plumbing practices that protect the environment, the health and safety of consumers; and the integrity and sustainability of the water supply, waste water, hot water heating and solar water heating systems; through the application and enforcement of South African National Standards and Codes of Practice.
• To actively promote and support a consistent and effective regulatory environment throughout South Africa
• To regularly consult and liaise with the plumbing industry and with authorized bodies related to the industry, in an open forum free of any political or commercial agenda for the discussion of matters affecting the plumbing industry and the role of plumbing for the safety and well being of the whole community and protecting the integrity and sustainability of the water supply and waste water systems