The newsletter provides updates on initiatives of interest to SAFHE members, including DHET's call to action to address skills shortages related to strategic infrastructure projects including healthcare facilities. It also discusses the National Core Standards for healthcare facilities and invites feedback. Recent SANS committee activities are highlighted, including work on energy efficiency standards and developing energy performance certificates. The newsletter also summarizes a green building conference in Cape Town and a meeting of the ECSA Presidents' Forum which discussed new engineering fee guidelines.

1. NEWSLETTER 2 September 2013
Dear SAFHE members,
Following a successful conference hosted by the Southern Regional branch earlier this year,
SAFHE and its members have been actively involved in a number of important industry
initiatives. Some that are of interest are highlighted in this newsletter. Most urgently we have
been provided valuable but limited opportunity to provide feedback regarding:
 DHET’s call-to action – meeting the demand for scarce skills, and
 National Core Standards.
It may also interest you to read:
 Participation by a representative in various SANS committees,
 Cape Town hosts a green building in healthcare conference,
 ECSA Presidents’ Forum Meeting
In the next edition of this newsletter look forward to further details on:
 2nd
UVGI summit provisionally set for 22-23 October 2013, and
 Durban to host UIA-PHG (International Union of Architects – Public Health Group) in
2014
Thanks to Ken Wardle and SilverWolf Media the website has been rejuvenated and has lots
of new content and news. Check it out at www.safhe.co.za , enjoy and most importantly
please submit your interesting and relevant articles to share.
Regards
Peta de Jager
DHET’s call to action
The Department of Higher Education and Training has issued a general call to action to all
universities, universities of technology, comprehensive universities and colleges as well as all
employers and TU’s across the scope of all the sector education and training authorities as
well as quality councils and professional bodies to help build the Strategic Integrated Projects
(SIP) skills.
SOUTH AFRICAN FEDERATION OF HOSPITAL ENGINEERING
SUID AFRIKAANSE FEDERASIE VAN HOSPITAALINGENIEURSWESE
This is of relevance to SAFHE as SIP 12 pertains to the revitalisation of public hospitals and other health
facilities. Specific cadres of management, professionals, associate professionals, service and clerical workers,
trades, plant and machine operators and elementary and non-trade production workers have been identified and
classified as critically, significantly or [minimally] scarce.
According to DHET the challenge is now to respond to the SIPs demand for competent and expert practitioners
in the full development pathway – not limited to the classroom setting. Should you be interested in finding out
more or nominating occupational team members please e-mail pdejager@csir.co.za urgently for further
information.

2. NEWSLETTER 2 September 2013
National Core Standards
SOUTH AFRICAN FEDERATION OF HOSPITAL ENGINEERING
SUID AFRIKAANSE FEDERASIE VAN HOSPITAALINGENIEURSWESE
The National Health Act, 61 of 2003 emphasises the need to foster good quality health services by developing
structures to monitor the compliance of health establishments and agencies with health care standards.
Accordingly an Office of Standards Compliance and Inspectorate body have been established. These are
mandated to advise the Minister on Health Standards, revise or set standards, monitor compliance, report non-
compliance and advise on strategies to improve quality. The Office has established a set of National Core
Standards which are intended to:
 Develop a common definition of quality care which should be found at all health establishments in South
Africa;
 Establish a benchmarks against which health establishments can be assessed, gaps identified and
strengths appraised; and
 Provide for a national certification of health establishments with mandatory standards.

Domain 7: Facilities and Infrastructure is of special significance to SAFHE (although other domains may
contain infrastructure and engineering related concerns). Domain 7 addresses buildings and grounds; machinery
and utilities; safety and security; hygiene and cleanliness; waste management; linen and laundry; and food
services.
The Core Standards can be accessed online at
http://www.doh.gov.za/docs/notices/2013/NCS_for_Health_FINAL.pdf SAFHE members are invited to provide
feedback on the current Core Standards and suggestions for consideration in the next version of standards.
Respond in writing by e-mail rlockie@csir.co.za before 12 September 2013.
SANS committees – healthcare watch
SAFHE member Tobias van Reenen has involved himself in various SANS committees and has submitted the
following report on recent developments:
SANS 204: Energy Efficiency in Buildings
Services Committee: Work being concluded on interpretation and application of XA2 50% hot water rule. XA2
demands that 50% of annual hot water consumed be generated by means other than direct electric heating. The
intention of the rule is to save a minimum of 50% of the water heating energy. Unfortunately the wording of the
ruling allows for significantly lower savings to be accepted by solar water heating and heat pump installations. It
is proposed that the voluntary SANS 204 standard pilot a more stringent requirement of demanding that 50% of
the energy required in generating the consumed hot water volume be from means other than direct electric
heating. The issue of the viability of induction geysers has also been raised for review.
SANS 1544: Working Group
Energy Performance Certificates: This committee has established to finalise the drafting of the standard for
energy performance certificates. The measurement defined by this standard includes energy consumption data
collected from one year of operation of a building but excluding its first year of operation. The energy
consumption data included building as well as operational energy and this annual value is then benchmarked
against the guidance values from SANS 10400-XA. It is noted that the SANS 10400-XA does not define energy
consumption guidelines data for healthcare buildings and the committee would welcome the submission of
broad based energy consumption data for evaluation and inclusion.
SANS 10400-O: Working Group
This committee was established to address a number of concerns regarding the lighting and ventilation
requirements contained therein. Of particular concern to healthcare buildings is the methodology adopted by and
contents of Table 2.

3. NEWSLETTER 2 September 2013
SANS committees continued
SOUTH AFRICAN FEDERATION OF HOSPITAL ENGINEERING
SUID AFRIKAANSE FEDERASIE VAN HOSPITAALINGENIEURSWESE
SANS 10400-O: Working Group
This committee was established to address a number of concerns regarding the lighting and ventilation
requirements contained therein. Of particular concern to healthcare buildings is the methodology adopted by and
contents of Table 2.
Other work groups to be established: Fire protection requirements in healthcare buildings.
Green building in health facilities
SAFHE member Michael Tladi recently convened GREEN BUILDING DESIGN FOR HEALTH FACILITIES
CONFERENCE at the One & Only in Cape Town. Experts in health facilities and local government focussed on
how to make hospitals more energy efficient, manage infection control and utilize alternative energy supplies.
150 delegates attended the event, mainly from the Western Cape. The organiser, an infectiously enthusiastic
young engineer indicated that he plans to arrange this as an annual event. The event was sponsored by
Samsung. View a video clip on Concrete TV at http://www.concrete.tv/categories/events/665-what-is-green-
design-for-the-health-sector
ECSA Presidents’ Forum Meeting
Ken Wardle, representing SAFHE went through the proposed ECSA Guideline of fees and noted the following.
The Guidelines of Services have not changed from the Previous Guidelines. However the fee calculation was
changed. Previously the fee for Electrical and Mechanical works was based upon a chart with a proposed Fee
based upon a value of Works up until 2012. That is, for a R 10m project recommended fee for Electrical and
Mechanical in Building Projects was between R 6,3 m – R 12,85m.
Primary fee R 662,000.00 ( or 10,5 % for the first R 6,300,000.00).Secondary Fee of 8% for the difference
between (R 10,000,000.00 and R 6,300,000.00)= R 3,700.000.00. So 8% of R 3,700,000.00 = R 296,000.00.
The total fee for R 10m project would be R 662,000.00 + R 296,000.00 = R 958,000.00 or average of 9,58 %.
The new calculation is based upon redefined categories (Category F). So for R10m Project recommended fee
scale is now 11% or an increase of +- 10% increase in fee. For R 1m old Fee scale between R 512,000.00 and
R 1,280.000.00 the primary fee would be R 64,000.00 ( or 12,5 % for the first R 512,000.00). The secondary Fee
of 12.5% for the difference between (R 512,000.00 and R 1,000,000.00) = R 488,000.00. So 12.5% of R
488,000.00 = R 61,000.00.00. So total fee for R 1m project would be R 64,000.00 + R 61,000.00 = R
125,000.00.00 or average of 12.5 %. On the new scale recommended fee would be 14% or an increase of
11.5% increase on fee. For Electrical and Mechanical works for Hospitals would apply recommending a fee
between 11 - 14% compared to 2012 scale of 9.58% for a Project Value of R 10.m.
As the cost of Works decreases or increases the percentage fee should be adjusted up or down.
In conclusion it was confirmed that the proposed 2014 Fee Guideline is little more complicated than up to 2012
but it is workable and has recommended a increased percentage on the fee of +- 10%. As fees are a negotiation
process between the Client and the Engineer the Guideline is not binding. SAFHE therefore posed no objection
to the Proposed 2014 New Fee Guideline. For further info see www.safhe.co.za