1) Choosing a roofing designer, fabricator, and erector requires asking pertinent questions of candidates to ensure they have the proper qualifications and certifications. 2) Fabricators and erectors of certain high-risk roof systems must hold certificates of competence from the Institute for Timber Construction in the appropriate category. 3) Failure to verify that all parties are properly certified could lead to roof failure causing injury or death, aesthetic issues like sagging, and denial of occupancy permits or insurance claims.

1. C
hoosing a roofing designer, fabricator and erector may
seem as simple as picking up a phone, asking for a few
quotes and, in true South African fashion, the buyer
will accept the cheapest quote and a whole host of promises
at face value.
The specifier or end user should ask a number of pertinent
questions when requesting a design and fabrication of a
monoplaner prefabricated roof system. Although to a lesser
degree for residential roofs, the following is especially relevant
for any ‘public building’, class of occupancy other than H3 or
H4, as defined in SANS 10400-A of the National Building
Regulations.
• Does the fabricator hold a current Certificate of
Competence as issued by the Institute for Timber
Construction (ITC-SA) in the appropriate category?
There are presently four categories and only fabricators
in category A (high risk) may fabricate roof structures for
public buildings, laminated timber structures, spans larger
than 10m, scissor trusses > 5m, attics, dormers,
piggyback trusses, complex industrial and commercial
buildings and complex hip systems.
IndustryInsight
Caveat lector –
let the reader beware
All too often we are presented with the legal term ‘caveat emptor’ – let
the buyer beware – but this is more than often too late and the wrong
choice has already been made.
By Lyndsay Cotton, General Manager of LCP Roofing and Chairman of the ITC-SA.
NOV / dec 2013

2. • Does the erector hold a category A certificate as issued
by the ITC-SA if erecting the abovementioned class of
buildings? He must be able to produce his certificate of
competence.
• Can the fabricator prove that his system (software
supplier) has verified and checked his design if it falls into
category A?
• Can the fabricator prove, through an approved quality
system, i.e. SANS1900, that he has verified the
dimensional accuracy of his incoming timber? It is the
writer’s experience that more and more timber in South
Africa does not conform and the potential of failure
cannot be excluded. The fabricator will not be able to
hide behind product liability insurance if he cannot prove
that he has used material that conforms to standards.
• Does the fabricator belong to and only purchase nail
plates through one of the accredited system suppliers in
South Africa, i.e. Alpine Systems, Multinail, MiTek
Industries or International Truss Systems and as tested
and approved by the CSIR? There are other vendors of
‘pirate’ nail plates who have entered the market in South
Africa and their fit-for-purpose applications have yet to
be conclusively proved through an accredited and pre-
defined testing process as recommended by Timber
Engineering Advisory Committee of the ITC-SA and the
CSIR. They are able to produce ‘so-called’ SABS test
certificates, but these are not in accordance with the
procedures as laid down by the ITC-SA.
• Can the fabricator prove that his bracing design and the
application is strictly in accordance with Volume 2 as
published by the ITC-SA?
• Can the fabricator prove that all timber used is
structurally graded? The use of non-structural timber or
XXX (‘black cross’) timber is specifically prohibited.
• Can the fabricator prove that he has used the correct
loading for the roof cover envisaged? Generic, ‘one fits
all’ loadings on quote templates are not acceptable.
• Do quotations and site documentation comply strictly in
accordance with the requirements of the ITC-SA?
• Does the fabricator subscribe to an externally audited
quality system such as SANS1900 and is he audited by
either SATAS or the SABS?
• Are trusses stored, handled and transported in
accordance with SANS 10243? Large and complex timber
roof structures should only be transported in a manner
so as not to damage or weaken the joints. Any reputable
fabricator will transport his product on fit-for-purpose
and specially designed truss trailer.
• Does the accredited inspector or engineer inspecting the
roof have a complete erection drawing at hand and can he
verify through this that the timber structure has been
erected according to the design intent? Needless to say,
even if it is a registered engineer, is he fully with au fait
with the erectors and bracing manual and is he accredited
with or an engineer member of the ITC-SA?
IndustryInsight
NOV / dec 2013

3. IndustryInsight
NOV / dec 2013
Failure to be able to answer positively to all
of the questions above could lead to the
following:
• Failure of the roof structure which could lead to serious injury or death which
could result in the building owner being held liable to negligent and criminal
charges.
• Sagging roofs, eaves or gables which will detract from the aesthetics of the
building.
• Non issue of an occupation certificate as the building inspectorate nationally is
being educated and briefed on these aspects.
• Possible repudiation of any form of insurance claims regarding roof structures
as any competent insurer will, when investigating any claim, confirm if all
industry related requirements and norms are being complied with.