Our clients are often unsure about the extent of the plumbing certificate of compliance that has become law in the Cape on the transfer of ownership. As part of our ongoing service to present and passed clients, we would like to present you with the following summary from Techno electrical to what this entails.
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE OF WATER INSTALLATION ON TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE WATER BY-LAW SECTION 14(2) AND SANS 10252 AND SANS 10254
WHAT IS THE INTENT OF THE BY-LAW
- Water is a scarce resource and our water resources must be managed responsibly. The City loses approximately 79 000 million liters of potable water per year in the distribution system and this is a means of controlling water wastage from private homes.
- Protecting the buyer from latent defect claims and high water bills due to leakages.
- Health and safety, very important. Not allowing a cross connection between storm water and sewer. The greatest contribution to health in the last 100 years has actually been closed sewer systems and the quest to separate the spreading of such related diseases.
Many hot water cylinders are being installed as aftermarket items and the installation is not always to specification.
- Water meter accuracy is essential, as new owners will be burdened with a backlog of faulty readings when they acquire the property and the buyer needs to know that all is clear when taking the property over.
- Leaks – Latent defects again and a loss of water which contributes to our water crisis.
- This also provides an opportunity to gradually eliminate the increasing number of storm-water connections into our sewers that is putting capacity pressures on our sewerage network and treatment capacity. It is important to note that these are illegal connections that people make after the approval of the plans and inspection of the completed buildings. Some of them are historical but, we need to address the challenge.
WHAT A PLUMBER IS EXPECTED TO CHECK
- The Hot Water Cylinder is plumbed correctly, PRV of the correct value, vacuum breakers correctly installed, emergency overflow installed with a metallic pipe, all overflows to be plumbed to the outside and discharge to atmosphere.
- The water meter registers when a tap is open and stops completely when all taps are closed. If there is movement on the meter with all taps closed, this points to a leak somewhere on the property.
- None of the terminal water fittings leak and they are correctly fixed in position.
- No storm water is discharged into the sewerage system.
- There is no cross connection between the potable supply and any grey water system which may be installed.
- The water pipes in the plumbing installation are properly saddled.
Information obtained from Techno electrical and lighting specialists, Durbanville
Tel: 021 976 7117