Building inspector registration category to protect public, boost sector professionalism

A registration category for building inspectors, aimed at protecting the public from substandard building practices as well as boosting the professionalism of the sector, will be launched by the South African Council of Project and Construction Management Professionals (SACPCMP) in October 2019.

The launch of the registration category follows months of industry-related research pertaining to building inspectors' scope of work, responsibilities, risks and more. This research was undertaken by the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC), and under the recommendation of the Council for the Built Environment (CBE), the SACPCMP was put forth as the most preferable council authority to manage the registration of building inspectors within the country.

"The flooding that was seen in KwaZulu-Natal earlier this year, which resulted in massive infrastructure damage, is one of many examples citing the need for regulation of this sector. Building inspectors who lack the relevant expertise and knowledge are a serious risk to construction and building safety," said SACPCMP Registrar, Butcher Matutle.

"Over the past 12 months or so, working closely with a number of built environment professionals - including representatives of government, academia and the public sector - we established a task team to develop this registration category.

"Through this, we envisage the provision of a standard scope of service to ensure that all stakeholders have clear indicators in terms of the requirements and expectations pertaining to building inspectors. Furthermore, we hope that registration will provide a foundation for the professionalisation of building inspectors within South Africa and help to further the legitimisation of this occupational practice."

Roadshows across South Africa

During the month of September, the SACPCMP undertook a series of roadshows in major centres across the country to assist building inspectors to understand the registration requirements and benefits. Following this, in October 2019, the council will launch the registration category via an online process. Two registration categories will be available to building inspectors - certified building inspector (CBInsp) and professional building inspector (PrBInsp).

"If you are a building inspector working in or with national, provincial or local government departments or the NHBRC to perform regulated inspections, you will need to register," said Matutle. "Also, if you are a building inspector working in or with a private institution, appointed directly to inspect construction to ensure compliance to specification, you too will need to register."

He explained that the key benefits to the public would not only include the provision of a clear understanding of what could be expected in terms of building inspectors' performance but also the reduction of risks in service provision.

Protecting the public

"The public will have gratification in the knowledge that there are specific standards set for persons who are registered as building inspectors," added Matutle. "Furthermore, if you are a building inspector, this professional registration will provide you with improved standards within your industry and the professional endorsement of ethical conduct within the sector. We envisage that this move will provide building inspectors with an enhanced reputation for credibility, efficiency and authority within the overall construction management family of professions and the wider built environment management professions in general."

Registration will commence in October 2019. The SACPCMP Registration of Building Inspectors Roadshow, offering information pertaining to the registration requirements, kicked off in Gauteng at the SACPCMP offices from 10 September 2019.

Following this, the council presented roadshow events in Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Durban, Bloemfontein, Nelspruit, Rustenburg, Polokwane and Umtata. The roadshow dates and venues were advertised via the SACPCMP's social media platforms and Web site www.sacpcmp.or.za.

Booking of attendance was essential via: http://events.mm3.co.za/Event/?Id=7c993570-4f4d-4b53-9523-b253f1731827

Should additional roadshow venues and dates be required due to public request and demand, the SACPCMP will look to accommodate these within the upcoming months.