COC Inspections
The Electrical Certificate of Compliance (COC)
The electrical installation must conform to the SANS 10142/1 – SABS 0142-1 wiring code in terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85/1993. Only a qualified electrician, registered with the department of labour may issue a certificate of compliance.
The COC covers:
- The electrical installation from the point of supply to the point of consumption
- The correct wiring must be used in accordance with the regulations
- No open wiring or open connections are allowed
- All metal parts of the installation must be earthed to avoid electrical shock should fault arise.
- All equipment / materials must be SABS approved. No ‘DIY” components may be used
The COC does not cover:
- The physical appliance Examples: motors, pool pumps, ovens and hobs, geysers, light bulbs, etc. Only the wiring TO the appliance is part of the electrical installation.
- Any cosmetic items
- Any item specifically excluded from the installation
- Prepaid meters are the property of the municipality /Eskom (we may not tamper with it)
- Any item that can be unplugged from a plug
- Any maintenance related defects that occur as such defects can present at any time
The Certificate remains valid for a period of 2 years provided no alterations are made to the installation.
The Plumbing Certificate of Compliance (COC)
The plumbing installation must conform with the SANS 10252/10254 & The City of Cape Town by-laws. We issue a schedule 4 water certificate.
The COC covers:
- The geyser installation – must be installed to comply with regulations
- Piping needs to be properly saddled – especially in the roof space
- The water meter needs to register and must stop when no water is drawn
- There must be a stopcock in place
- No fitting may leak in the closed position and must be correctly fixed in position
- No stormwater may discharge into the sewerage system
- There may be no cross contamination between potable and alternate water supplies into the system
The COC does not cover:
- Water pressure / discoloration
- Underground waste pipes that are not visible
- Slow drainage / blockages, leaks on shower floors / traps and bath traps
- Shower doors / waterproofing
- Any cosmetic defects – examples: Cracked/chipped fixtures, toilet seats, loose tap handles, taps that leak when open (They may not leak when closed though), leaking/broken waste pipes
- Electrical components on geysers. Eg. Faulty element/thermostats
- Any maintenance related defects that occur as such defects can present at any time
The COC is valid for 6 months, however it becomes void if any alterations are made to the installation after issuing.
The Woodborer / Beetle Certificate of Compliance (COC)
A beetle inspection may only be carried out by a qualified inspector registered with the department of Agriculture as stated in the Act 336 of 1947. We work directly under the South African Pest control Associations rules and conduct.
We inspect for all types of wood destroying beetle organisms. However, we only concentrate of the beetle specifically listed under the beetle clause in the Offer to purchase.
It is beneficial if the client is able to provide the beetle clause as listed in the agreement before the inspection, so we are aware of what is called for and which beetle to report on.
Wendy houses, outside wooden fencing and most non-standard wooden structures are frequently excluded from the beetle clause, so make sure to check your OTP so you are aware of what is expected of you as a seller.
We inspect all accessible portions of the property only. What we cannot see we cannot inspect. Eg. We are not required to lift carpet to access wooden flooring underneath – such an example would be considered inaccessible.
The beetle certificate of compliance called for in a sale agreement is for wood destroying beetle organisms and not “pests” such as Cockroaches etc. this would be considered pest control and is different from the beetle certificate of compliance.
We do however also offer pest control as a separate service.
The beetle certificate of compliance remains valid for a period of 3 months provided the property is not changed/renovated.
The Gas Certificate of Compliance (COC)
A gas compliance inspection / repair / installation is to be done in accordance to SANS 10087-1: 2013. Only a gas installer who is qualified and registered with the department of labour may issue a gas certificate of compliance.
It is recommended that the gas line and gas appliance be inspected on annual intervals for maintenance and safety purposes. However, this does not nullify the validity of the certificate of compliance. It does not “expire” per say, provided the installation or appliance has not been changed or altered in any way.
The owner of a gas installation will require a newly dated certificate of compliance in the event of selling the property or making any changes to the installation this includes replacing the appliance.
The gas regulatory body is the LPG association.
As stated in the abovementioned code
Gas cylinders for an outside installation are required to conform as follows:
- A 1-meter distance away from a window or door
- A 2-meter distance away from a drain, gully or manhole
- A 5-meter distance away from an electrical point or aircon
- Distance longer than 5 meters requires 2x emergency valves.
- Must be a 3-meter distance away from opening directly above container – can change to 1.5-meters if roof installed
- Sleeve required through wall or other
- Distance from electric fence with roof to be 1.5-meters
- Pex pipe must be sleeved and identified
- Must have signage
Gas cylinders for an inside installation are required to conform as follows:
- The gas bottle may not be placed below a hob
- There is to be adequate ventilation in room/cupboard
- There may be no plugs below hob or in cupboard with the gas cylinder
- No orange hose may pass through cupboard
- There must be a distance of 200mm from power points from edge of hob/stove
- Must have signage
The Electrified Fence Certificate of Compliance (COC)
An electrified fence installation and the equipment used is to conform with the requirements of the electrical machinery regulations Act: SANS 10222-3 and SANS 60335-2-76
An electrified fence may only be signed off and a certificate of compliance issued by an accredited installer registered with the department of labour.
The electrified fence certificate of compliance is valid for a period of 2 years, provided no alterations have been made to the installation.
The electric fence installers regulatory body is SAEFIA (South African Electrified Fencing Installers Association)