SANS 10400 defines competent persons
Clear guidance and direction are provided within the context of the National Standard, SANS 10400, in the form of definitions – in particular competent persons.
A competent person is defined in SANS 10400-A:2016 3.7 as:
“person who is qualified by virtue of his education, training, experience and contextual knowledge to make a determination regarding the performance of a building or part thereof in relation to a functional regulation or to undertake such duties as may be assigned to him in terms of the National Building Regulations
NOTE This is a generic definition, to be used where no other definition is given, or no references are made to other standards. Other parts of SANS 10400 contain definitions of a more specific nature relevant to their disciplines. (SABS, 2016, p. 8)
A competent person is further defined in SANS 10400-T:2020 3.23 as:
“person who is qualified by virtue of his education, training, experience and contextual knowledge to make a determination regarding the performance of a building or part thereof in relation to a functional regulation or to undertake such duties as may be assigned to him in terms of the National Building Regulations
NOTE This is a generic definition, to be used where no other definition is given, or no references are made to other standards. Other parts of SANS 10400 contain definitions of a more specific nature relevant to their disciplines.” (SABS, 2020, pp. 10-11)
Again, a competent person is confirmed in SANS 10139:2012 as:
“person with the necessary training and experience, and with access to the requisite tools, equipment and information, and capable of carrying out a defined task” (SABS, 2012, p. 7)
Not only does SANS 10400 and SANS 10139 define what a competent person is, but it also provides us with the Standards and Codes of Practice to implement when the various activities (designing, installing, commissioning, servicing) of our industry are engaged.
It is essential that only competent persons perform the work on systems to ensure that there is minimal loss to life and property.