The Cement & Concrete Institute (C&CI) and the National Home Builders’ Registration Council (NHBRC) have concluded a Memorandum of Understanding to formalise collaboration between the two parties.

The scope of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU includes:
• Research collaboration between the C&CI and the NHBRC;
• The training of the NHBRC staff, nominees or seconded persons;
• The provision of the resources needed for the research, testing and training to be undertaken in terms of the MOU.

The MOU, signed by the C&CI MD, Bryan Perrie; and the NHBRC acting CEO, Dr Jeffrey Mahachi, formalises C&CI collaboration with the NHBRC – mainly focused on concrete training – which the C&CI started providing in May last year.

The C&CI assistance form part of a joint initiative by the NHBRC and the Department of Human Settlements to improve construction quality standards in Government-subsidised housing through the provision of concrete training to the NHBRC human settlements quality controllers. The lectures – provided free of charge by the C&CI – form part of a one-day refresher course conducted by the NHBRC on behalf of the Department of Human Settlements nationally. The training provided by the C&CI is based on the concrete sections of the NHBRC’s ‘Home Building Manual’.

The C&CI has also developed a special five-day training course primarily for NHBRC building inspectors, based on the C&CI’s School of Concrete Technology’s SCT30 ‘Concrete Technology’ course. These courses are presented at the C&CI premises in Midrand.

Speaking at the MOU signing formalities at the NHBRC’s Bryanston office, the NHBRC’s Dr Mahachi said concrete quality was often blamed for declining building standards in Government-subsidised housing whereas the lack of training of builders and quality controllers should in reality be blamed. He welcomed the C&CI’s collaboration in assisting the NHBRC to ensure that essential quality standards would be met in such mass housing in future.

Perrie, the C&CI MD, said training of builders and building inspectors was of vital importance because, unlike other building materials and components employed for housing, concrete was manufactured on site which meant that quality inspectors should be fully competent to recognise and apply the necessary minimum standards.