Frequently asked questions

SANS 10400 stands for South African National Standards and is the Code of Practice which details how the National Building Regulations should be applied. Each section stipulates the deemed to satisfy requirements for the applicable area. For example Part T will stipulate the deemed to satisfy requirements for Fire Protection.

There are 23 sections in total. These are: • Part A - General Principles & Requirements, • Part B - Structural Design, • Part C - Dimensions, • Part D - Public Safety, • Part E - Demolition Work, • Part F - Site Operations, • Part G - Excavations, • Part H - Foundations, • Part J - Floors, • Part K - Walls, • Part L - Roofs, • Part M - Stairways, • Part N - Glazing, • Part O - Lighting and Ventilation, • Part P - Drainage, • Part Q - Non-water-borne Sanitary Disposal, • Part R - Stormwater Disposal, • Part S - Facilities for Disabled Persons, • Part T - Fire Protection, • Part U - Refuse Disposal, • Part V - Space Heating, • Part W - Fire Installation, • Part X & XA - Energy Usage.

SANS 10400 specifically is not mentioned in the National Building Regulations, the NBR makes mention of Standards and SANS 10400 is included in those.

This is the part of the SANS 10400 requirements that deals with energy usage in buildings. We need to decrease energy usage in the South Africa so in 2011, this new part was added to the existing SANS 10400 document.

It covers Hot water supply, Energy Usage, Design Assumptions and Building envelope requirements.

No the new Energy Performance Certificate for buildings is a requirement of the National Energy Act 34 of 2008.

This is a certificate which gives a commercial, entertainment, educational and community buildings a rating based on the amount of energy it consumes per square meter. It is a legal requirement to obtain one and display it

This is a current requirement but building owners have been given until December 2022 to ensure that these certificates are obtained and displayed prominently

Privately owned buildings of more than 2000 square meters.

An Approved Inspection Authority will carry out assessment and inspection and issue the certificate.

R5 million and / or up to 5 years imprisonment.