NRCS: BUILDING RESILIENCE IN CHANGING TIMES

“Highlights from the 12th Annual Building Control Officer’s Convention”

In the ever-evolving landscape of construction and development, staying ahead of the curve is essential. The National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) recently hosted the prestigious 12th Annual Building Control Officer’s Convention, jointly organised with the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality at Durban International Convention Centre (DICC) in KwaZuluNatal Province on 15 November 2023.

As the construction industry continues to evolve, this convention served as a crucial platform for building control officers, regulators, and industry stakeholders alike to come together, share insights, and explore innovative solutions for ensuring the highest standards of safety and compliance in the built environment.

The convention also addressed current challenges within the industry such as the effect of the environment, climate changes and new phenomenon such as construction mafias delaying construction projects in various parts of the country.

Delegates further discussed among others, progress on reviewing the new NBR&BS Act, building resilience through collaboration to improve the quality and standard of services, and implementation of a web-based building plan software portal to overcome the limitations imposed by pandemics to mention just a few.

The convention kicked off with a compelling keynote address delivered by Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Nomalungelo Gina who made an impassioned plea to local authorities and stakeholders to ensure that adherence to building regulations is made a top priority to save lives and stimulate the South African economy.

“The Built Industry suffered massive loss over the past years due to many challenges such as the effect of climate change, delays in completion of construction projects owing to limitations imposed by the global Covid-19 pandemic as well as the new construction mafias that demand a percentage of work before construction projects can commence, and it is in forums like this where new ideas should emerge and ensure that it recovers in order to stimulate economic growth and create jobs. Adherence to these building regulations should therefore be made a top priority to maintain structural credibility and avoid past mistakes,” added Deputy Minister Gina.

The Deputy Minister was accompanied by Executive Mayor of eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality Cllr Mxolisi Kaunda and NRCS Acting Chief Executive Office Mr Duncan Mutengwe.

"Building Resilience in Changing Times"

Held under the theme - Building Resilience in Changing Times, the convention brought together professionals from across the industry, BCOs from various municipalities and addressed by speakers from different organisations including the South African Council for Architectural Profession (SACAP), World Bank, ethekwini Municipality and the University of Cape Town, among others. This engagement served as a dynamic platform for experts to share insights, discuss emerging trends, and collectively navigate the challenges posed by the rapidly changing environment.

The theme set the tone for discussions aimed at addressing challenges in the construction sector. With a focus on collaboration and innovation, the event aimed to equip building control officers with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the evolving landscape of building regulations.

Echoing the Deputy Minister’s sentiments, Executive Mayor of eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality Cllr Mxolisi Kaunda said that the importance of adhering to regulations cannot be over emphasised in times where the effects of climate change are there for all to see. “We have seen buildings collapsing in our city, people losing lives due to non-adherence to regulations, and I therefore urge all stakeholders to work together to ensure that we save lives and protect the infrastructure,” concluded Kaunda.

Key Takeaways:

A series of engaging panel discussions delved into various aspects of building resilience. Inadequacies and the amount of time it has taken national government to review the Act are some of the issues raised at the Convention.

While addressing the convention, the NRCS ACEO Duncan Mutengwe said that the NRCS continuously engages with the relevant stakeholders to highlight changes published in SANS (South African National Standard 10400) as the short-term mechanism to address some of the issues identified in the application of the National Building Regulations at the Local Authority level.

On matters around the reviewing of the Act, Mr Mutengwe indicated that NRCS continues to interact with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) regarding the re-writing of the Act however the interactions have focused in the main, to ensure full compliance with the constitutional framework and post-1996 transversal national legislation.

“Let me also emphasise the importance of all Municipalities to adhere to the Act to ensure uniform implementation. The perception that the NBR&BSA is a hindrance to development will lead to the demise of more building sector players, as well as the loss of jobs, skills and expertise”, Mutengwe retorted.

Some of the solutions proposed at the convention among others include, investing in modern technologies in buildings, cutting red tape with regard to issuing of building plans and permits, finding new innovative ways to adapt to the ever-changing environment to mention just a few.

Adapting to Technological Advances:

The construction industry is undergoing a technological revolution, and the convention emphasised the importance of incorporating new technologies into building control processes. From advanced building materials to cuttingedge inspection tools, participants explored ways to leverage technology for more efficient and accurate regulatory practices.

Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement:

Building control officers play a pivotal role in upholding safety and quality standards. The convention delved into strategies for effective regulatory compliance and enforcement, emphasising the need for clear communication between regulatory bodies, builders, and other stakeholders to streamline processes and ensure adherence to standards.

Climate Resilience in Construction:

With the increasing frequency and severity of climate events, building control officers discussed strategies to make structures more resilient to extreme weather conditions. This included designing buildings with better insulation, robust foundations, and incorporating climate-responsive architectural elements.

Networking Opportunities:

The convention provided an ideal platform for networking and collaboration. Building control officers, regulatory bodies, architects, and industry suppliers exchanged ideas, formed partnerships, and discussed potential solutions to shared challenges. The exchange of experiences and expertise fostered a sense of community and strengthened the collective commitment to building resilience.

In conclusion, the 12th Annual Building Control Officer’s Convention, was a resounding success, bringing together professionals committed to navigating the complexities of a rapidly changing construction landscape.

As the industry continues to evolve, the insights gained from the convention will undoubtedly shape the future of building control, fostering resilience, sustainability, and innovation. The event demonstrated the industry's ability to adapt to change and reaffirmed the importance of collaboration in building a robust and resilient future.