CIF, NSI highlight criticality of adherence to standards
Despite current tough economic times, the Construction Industries Federation of Namibia (CIF) and the Namibian Standards Institution (NSI) are both advising that standards are to be adhered to.
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An efficient use of scarce financial resources both in the public and private sector demands an awareness and application of building standards and adherence to specifications for respective projects. Most importantly, it would ensure correct processes and the use of certified material by an accredited certification body, which will increase the safety and longevity of structures.
Bärbel Kirchner, consulting general manager of the CIF says: “We are still experiencing tough times. Yet we have inspirational development goals. It would be important to ensure that any private or public expenditure is done within the parameters of acceptable quality. This would require that codes and standards are adhered to and are indeed exceeded.”
For an effective and objective measure of quality in the development of building and civil structures, Namibia uses building codes and standards. The codes provide a clear guideline on the expected minimum, and standards also provide a scope of acceptability and unacceptability in terms of building processes, equipment and the building material being used. It protects all parties engaged with a project if they understand what the tolerances are; i.e. what would be regarded as acceptable and not acceptable.
Advice
Despite current tough economic times, the Construction Industries Federation of Namibia (CIF) and the Namibian Standards Institution (NSI) are both advising that standards are to be adhered to. As per the signed MoU between the two institutions, it aims to raise awareness of the benefits of using respective standards for the construction industry and material suppliers, as well as raise awareness of how building codes and standards are being interpreted.
Accordingly, the CIF hosted three information sharing workshops and training to raise awareness of standards and regulations in general, and specifically, in the building and construction sector. These took place in Windhoek, Ongwediva and Swakopmund on 25 April, 15 June and 22 June 2018, respectively.
Not delivering on the minimum pre-determined requirements, can lead to additional costs and delays on projects if work has to be redone or repaired. If the adherence to specifications is not sufficiently monitored, it can lead to increased maintenance costs or indeed the future collapse of a structure resulting in financial losses, possibly injury or deaths.
This can have legal implications and it is important for all contractors to take note that although Namibia has no local standards and regulations for all products, contractors are still bound by the requirements of any standards specified in the agreement for a building or construction project.
During the training it was also highlighted that the standards with regard to the use of certified building material, is very important.
It is advised that building materials need to show proof of certification by a recognised or certified certification body, like the NSI, other internationally recognised certification bodies. Certification is only possible if a product complies with national or internationally recognised standards.
Chie Wasserfall, chief executive officer of the NSI says: “Most of the building materials used in Namibia are imported. It is therefore critical that these products are certified by an accredited or recognised institution. Currently the NSI verifies imported cement to ensure they meet the product requirements.
“If a manufacturer claims that a certain product meets the locally determined standards and regulation, it is important that the certification is displayed on the product packaging or labelling and a documented certificate is provided in English.”
Compliance
Adherence to codes and specifications in standards not only secure acceptable minimum quality. The inclusion of standards in tender briefing documents can also have an impact on the costing of projects and will ensure a level playing field.
Panashe Daringo, vice-president of the CIF and chair of the CIF Building Committee conducted the training on behalf of the CIF. He said: “It is to everyone’s benefit if the project is guided by predetermined standards. All tender briefing documents should stipulate respective standards that would determine the specifications. It ensures that bidding is done on a level playing field and that the project team will have clarity of what needs to get done.
“Although we must recognise that standards determine only the minimum requirement. Standards will also then become enforceable once stipulated in the tender documentation.”
He explained how standards are generally structured, and how best they could be read and interpreted, and how standards also had respective cross-references to other standards. He added “It would benefit contractors if their internal processes would match and monitor adherence to respective standards. This would lead to continuous improvement of quality management, which had numerous benefits.”
Information
Immanuel Owoseb, standards development and training officer who conducted the training on behalf of the NSI, encouraged participants to obtain standards from the NSI. He said: “The NSI has access to a number of regional and international standards that are specified in tender documentation. These are offered at a 10% discount to members of the CIF. It is a positive investment to acquire your own set of watermarked standards.”
He further informed members that the Standards Development Department has recently established a training unit on popular management system standards such as Quality Management System Occupational Health and Safety and Environmental Management Systems.
Closing the training sessions, Kirchner of the CIF said: “We must ensure that we achieve acceptable standards on all our projects. This would not only limit the abandonment and non-completion of projects due to poor workmanship but will also protect every party involved. Not only the client, the architect or engineer, or quantity surveyor but indeed also the contractor. Knowledge is power. Our contractors also need to be protected by standards and related tolerances of what are acceptable or not.
“It is so important, that we want to encourage that training on standards become a requirement before commencement of any project paid by public funds. We need to include a provisional sum for all relevant training in tender documents.”
An efficient use of scarce financial resources both in the public and private sector demands an awareness and application of building standards and adherence to specifications for respective projects. Most importantly, it would ensure correct processes and the use of certified material by an accredited certification body, which will increase the safety and longevity of structures.
Bärbel Kirchner, consulting general manager of the CIF says: “We are still experiencing tough times. Yet we have inspirational development goals. It would be important to ensure that any private or public expenditure is done within the parameters of acceptable quality. This would require that codes and standards are adhered to and are indeed exceeded.”
For an effective and objective measure of quality in the development of building and civil structures, Namibia uses building codes and standards. The codes provide a clear guideline on the expected minimum, and standards also provide a scope of acceptability and unacceptability in terms of building processes, equipment and the building material being used. It protects all parties engaged with a project if they understand what the tolerances are; i.e. what would be regarded as acceptable and not acceptable.
Advice
Despite current tough economic times, the Construction Industries Federation of Namibia (CIF) and the Namibian Standards Institution (NSI) are both advising that standards are to be adhered to. As per the signed MoU between the two institutions, it aims to raise awareness of the benefits of using respective standards for the construction industry and material suppliers, as well as raise awareness of how building codes and standards are being interpreted.
Accordingly, the CIF hosted three information sharing workshops and training to raise awareness of standards and regulations in general, and specifically, in the building and construction sector. These took place in Windhoek, Ongwediva and Swakopmund on 25 April, 15 June and 22 June 2018, respectively.
Not delivering on the minimum pre-determined requirements, can lead to additional costs and delays on projects if work has to be redone or repaired. If the adherence to specifications is not sufficiently monitored, it can lead to increased maintenance costs or indeed the future collapse of a structure resulting in financial losses, possibly injury or deaths.
This can have legal implications and it is important for all contractors to take note that although Namibia has no local standards and regulations for all products, contractors are still bound by the requirements of any standards specified in the agreement for a building or construction project.
During the training it was also highlighted that the standards with regard to the use of certified building material, is very important.
It is advised that building materials need to show proof of certification by a recognised or certified certification body, like the NSI, other internationally recognised certification bodies. Certification is only possible if a product complies with national or internationally recognised standards.
Chie Wasserfall, chief executive officer of the NSI says: “Most of the building materials used in Namibia are imported. It is therefore critical that these products are certified by an accredited or recognised institution. Currently the NSI verifies imported cement to ensure they meet the product requirements.
“If a manufacturer claims that a certain product meets the locally determined standards and regulation, it is important that the certification is displayed on the product packaging or labelling and a documented certificate is provided in English.”
Compliance
Adherence to codes and specifications in standards not only secure acceptable minimum quality. The inclusion of standards in tender briefing documents can also have an impact on the costing of projects and will ensure a level playing field.
Panashe Daringo, vice-president of the CIF and chair of the CIF Building Committee conducted the training on behalf of the CIF. He said: “It is to everyone’s benefit if the project is guided by predetermined standards. All tender briefing documents should stipulate respective standards that would determine the specifications. It ensures that bidding is done on a level playing field and that the project team will have clarity of what needs to get done.
“Although we must recognise that standards determine only the minimum requirement. Standards will also then become enforceable once stipulated in the tender documentation.”
He explained how standards are generally structured, and how best they could be read and interpreted, and how standards also had respective cross-references to other standards. He added “It would benefit contractors if their internal processes would match and monitor adherence to respective standards. This would lead to continuous improvement of quality management, which had numerous benefits.”
Information
Immanuel Owoseb, standards development and training officer who conducted the training on behalf of the NSI, encouraged participants to obtain standards from the NSI. He said: “The NSI has access to a number of regional and international standards that are specified in tender documentation. These are offered at a 10% discount to members of the CIF. It is a positive investment to acquire your own set of watermarked standards.”
He further informed members that the Standards Development Department has recently established a training unit on popular management system standards such as Quality Management System Occupational Health and Safety and Environmental Management Systems.
Closing the training sessions, Kirchner of the CIF said: “We must ensure that we achieve acceptable standards on all our projects. This would not only limit the abandonment and non-completion of projects due to poor workmanship but will also protect every party involved. Not only the client, the architect or engineer, or quantity surveyor but indeed also the contractor. Knowledge is power. Our contractors also need to be protected by standards and related tolerances of what are acceptable or not.
“It is so important, that we want to encourage that training on standards become a requirement before commencement of any project paid by public funds. We need to include a provisional sum for all relevant training in tender documents.”
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