THERE ARE 750 PAGES OF DETAILED CONTENT WRITTEN FOR SAHITA’S FULLY COMPREHENSIVE SOUTH AFRICAN ONLINE BUILDING AND HOME INSPECTOR TRAINING COURSE.
THE 2022 SAHITA COURSE IS ALIGNED WITH THE CURRICULUM APPROVED BY THE QCTO FOR THE SOUTH AFRICAN BUILDING INSPECTOR QUALIFICATION (OCCUPATIONAL CERTIFICATE: 335913000). THE QCTO CURRICULUM COVERS THE FOLLOWING:
Building inspector – Class I – This is to be a stand-alone qualification at NQF5 level. The SAHITA course content covers all of this curriculum and is suitable for general building and home inspector training – focusing entirely on South African building regulations and national standards and on building methods widely used in South Africa.
Building inspector – Class II – This will be a part-qualification (at NQF6 level) towards the qualification Building Inspector Class III (NQF7). The Class II curriculum focuses on building plans and the specialist knowledge needed for building plan approval by local government. The 2022 SAHITA course content covers aspects of this Class II curriculum.
Building Inspector – Class III – This qualification at NQF7 level focuses on compliance and law enforcement issues for municipal building control officers.
SAHITA online building and home inspector training is the most comprehensive South African inspector training available.
HERE IS A SUMMARY OF SAHITA’S 2022 INSPECTOR TRAINING COURSE
MODULE 1 – BUILDING INSPECTOR BASICS
The scope of the new national Building Inspector qualification
The attributes of a good building inspector – integrity and a passion for knowledge.
The importance of technical knowledge
The importance of inspection systems
How to compile a good inspection report
MODULE 2 – REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT FOR PROPERTY & BUILDING
The regulatory environment for home ownership in South Africa
The principles behind the National Building Regulations
The role of local government in enforcing compliance
The role of the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC)
The role of the professional home inspector (existing buildings)
The role of the Government in providing housing for poor South Africans
MODULE 3 – BUILDING INSURANCE & RISK ASSESSMENT INSPECTIONS
Building risk and building risk assessment
The basics of property insurance
Why compliance with building regulations is important for property insurers
Summary of property insurance risks
Responsibilities of the insurer and the property owner
Repudiation and averaging of claims
MODULE 4 – UNDERSTANDING SANS 10400-PART A
Understanding the National Building Regulations
The scope of SANS 10400
Role of the local authority
Category 1 buildings
Prescriptive regulations A1 to A25
Demolition regulations E1 to E4
Refuse disposal regulations U1 to U4
MODULE 5 – PLANS, DIMENSIONS & TOLERANCES
Why building plans are necessary and what plans consist of
How to read a plan
The concept of “minimum dimensions” for South African houses
Why “tolerances” are allowed in the construction process
MODULE 6 – PROBLEM SOILS –
GEOTECHNICAL
The concepts of site topography, hydrogeology and geotechnical soil analysis.
Why some soils are termed “problem soils”
The impact of ground movement on structures
The requirements for site classification
Why a geotechnical investigation is critical for appropriate design of foundations
MODULE 7 – ESTABLISHMENT & MANAGEMENT OF A CONSTRUCTION SITE
The role of the land surveyor – SANS 10400-A: Pointing out of beacons and contours
Setting out the structure for levels, squareness and plumbness
Planning and managing the building site
Safety on the building site – Construction Regulations 2014
MODULE 8 – EXCAVATIONS, FILL, FOUNDATIONS & SLABS
Rules for excavating foundations
Compaction of fill
Types of foundations
Placing of steelwork – as per engineer’s design
Damp proofing of concrete slabs
MODULE 9 – STRUCTURAL DESIGN & BUILDING WITH CONCRETE
What concrete is and how concrete behaves
Concrete reinforcement
Concrete terminology.
Structural concrete (SANS 2001-CC1:2012)
Concrete minor works (SANS 2001-CC2:2007).
Screeds and topping
MODULE 10 – MASONRY WALLS & PLASTERING
Building with bricks and blocks
Wall openings – doors, windows and lintels
Plastering walls
Movement joints for walls
MODULE 11 – TIMBER ROOF STRUCTURES
The National Building Regulations regarding roofs and SANS 10400-L
The elements of timber roof structures
The importance of bracing roof trusses
Geyser support structures in and on the roof
Ceiling assembly
MODULE 12 – ROOF WATERPROOFING AND COVERINGS
The National Building Regulations regarding roofs and SANS 10400-L
The relationship between roof pitch and roof coverings
Type of roof coverings
Roof waterproofing
Roof drainage
MODULE 13 – FLAT CONCRETE ROOFS & BALCONIES
The National Building Regulations regarding roofs and SANS 10400-L
Expansion joints in concrete roofs (decks)
Drainage issues on concrete roofs
Roof waterproofing
Waterproofing balconies and parapet walls
Board and sheeted “flat” roofs
MODULE 14 – THATCHED ROOFS
The National Standards for thatched roofs – SANS 10407
Glossary of thatching terms
Elements of a thatched roof
Fire and lightning protection for thatched roofs
Thatched roof maintenance and inspection
MODULE 15 – INSPECTING THE ROOF
Ladder and roof safety guidelines
What to inspect on a roof
What to inspect inside a roof cavity
MODULE 16 – INSPECTING THE GROUNDS
The importance of stormwater management and how to inspect this aspect.
The importance of proper grading of the plot.
What the inspector should watch out for with flower beds, planters and trees.
Fences, walls and retaining walls – including electrified fencing.
Paving and driveways
Swimming pools, spas, ponds and water features
Lapas and braais
MODULE 17 – STAIRWAYS, BALUSTRADES AND RAMPS
Safety requirements for changes in floor levels in a building.
Requirements for staircases
Requirements for balustrades and handrails
Requirements for ramps and driveways
Inspecting stairways and ramps
MODULE 18 – OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS
Window and door terminology and how to inspect windows and doors.
Glazing (glass) regulations and safety issues relating to homes.
Inspection guidelines for windows, doors and glazing
Ventilation and lighting of building interiors – regulations and standards.
The importance of a fire door where a garage is joined to a dwelling unit.
Garage doors and driveway gates – how to inspect these and safety issues
MODULE 19 – FLOORS AND CEILINGS
The different types of ceiling which a South African home inspector may encounter.
Common problems with ceilings.
The different types of floors which a South African home inspector may encounter.
Common problems with floors
MODULE 20 – ENERGY USAGE IN BUILDINGS
The regulations regarding energy usage for South African buildings – SANS 10400-XA.
The role of the local authority in ensuring compliance.
Climatic zones and measuring energy usage.
Impact of building design and orientation on energy usage.
Thermal insulation for floors, walls, fenestration and roofs.
Hot water heating and energy usage.
MODULE 21 – WATER SUPPLY & SANITARY WARE
Building regulations concerning water supply and water drainage systems.
How clean water is supplied to a building: Water supply pipes and fittings – what the building inspector needs to know and check for.
Inspection guidelines for water supply systems
Inspection guidelines for sanitary ware
MODULE 22 – DRAINAGE SYSTEMS
South African building regulations concerning wastewater drainage systems.
Drain pipes and fittings – what the building inspector needs to know and check for.
How wastewater is removed from a building:
The mechanics of a drain – air pressure, water seals and gradient.
On-site waste systems – conservancy tanks, septic tanks and soakaways
Drainage pipes and fittings – what the building inspector should check for.
Inspection guidelines for plumbing and drains.
MODULE 23 – ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS
The home inspector’s limited but important role in checking electrical installations in existing buildings.
The basics of electrical installations
What the inspector should look out for in the different areas of the house and garden
MODULE 24 – HOT WATER HEATERS
Understanding laws and national standards governing hot water heater installations
How electric hot water geysers work and should be installed
How solar powered geysers work and should be installed
How heat pumps work and should be installed
MODULE 25 – SURVEY: NATIONAL BUILDING REGULATIONS AND SANS 10400
Sections of the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act which are important to building inspectors
Parts A to XA of the National Building Regulations and, where applicable, the corresponding section of SANS 10400.
Other relevant national standards as they apply to each part of the NBR and SANS 10400
MODULE 26 – GUIDELINES FOR INSPECTING EXISTING BUILDINGS
Building inspectors vs home inspectors – the differences
Specialists and generalists
Guidelines for inspecting the interior of a building
Snag inspections
MODULE 27 – MAINTENANCE INSPECTIONS
Principles of maintenance
Sectional Title Schemes Management Act
Guidelines for maintenance inspections
MODULE 28 – NEW BUILDING PROGRESS INSPECTIONS
Milestones for new building progress inspections
Guidelines for inspecting new building work
MODULE 29 – COLLECTING & MANAGING BUILDING INSPECTION DATA
Collecting data for decision making
Design the system with the desired result in mind
Fundamentals of good inspection software
Storage and retrieval of data
MODULE 30 – BUILDING INSPECTION AS A BUSINESS OR CAREER
Opportunities and challenges in building a building or home inspection business