Building Control

One of the main functions of Building Control is to regulate, monitor and control the construction of buildings, ensuring compliance with the standards set out in the National Building Regulations and Building Standard Act (Act 103 of 1977) as amended and related legislation. The submission and eventual approval of building plans is a statutory requirement and therefore building control is the custodian of the law related to the erection of buildings. Building Control ensures the health and safety of people in and around buildings by examining the following:-

• Buildings are structurally sound.
• Buildings are safe, amongst other things in the event of fire
• Buildings have adequate drainage 
• Buildings have adequate ventilation systems
• Buildings have adequate toilet/ablution facilities

The Act is there to promote uniformity in the law relating to the erection of buildings in Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) and to prescribe standards and matters related thereto. Building Control thus ensures that these standards are met, by approving applications as well as inspecting work on-site, but does not include quality assessments of the building practice.
Included in the Building Control’s function are the following:

• Inspecting Building works to ensure that they meet the minimum standards as set out in the approved documents as per the code of practice as defined in the
• standards Act (Act 29 of 1993)
• Action to protect the public from dangerous and dilapidated buildings or structures
• Demolitions monitoring

The Building Process ( Approval Criteria and Process):

1. Person decides they want to undertake a building project
2. One needs to appoint a practitioner who should be registered with the South African Council for  Architectural Profession (SACAP), to draw up building plans for them 
3. Submit the Building Plans for consideration and eventual approval if it meets the requirements
4. After approval the owner to notify EMM about the intention to commence with the building work
5. Inspections should be booked 2 days in advance with the building inspector prior to any building activities being carried out and any other compulsory inspections
6. Upon completion of the building the owner must request a Certificate of occupancy

Please note: