BOBS consult with quantity surveyors and architects on National standards

| Friday March 5, 2010 00:00

The workshop was attended by quantity surveyors and architects drawn from different companies who were presented with BOBS' standards as useful tools for their day to day business in developing bills of quantities for various clients.

BOBS Director of Standards, Theko Fako said that the workshop was aimed at getting feedback and input from participants in order to facilitate the development of market driven standards. He said for BOBS to come with standards for a certain sector, stakeholder participation is very key as they will provide technical expertise that will help in the development of standards.

According to Fako, stakeholders are free to present to BOBS which products need to be standardised. 'BOBS is serving as the secretariat for the development of standards and stakeholders should be prepared to participate in the process,' he noted, adding that before standards could be adopted and put to use, the public is allowed to comment.

He highlighted that this is a crucial stage in moving forward in developing standards for adoption. For their part the Quantity Surveyors and Architects appreciated the workshop as it exposed them to the crucial role that BOBS is playing.

Some participants said they do not know enough about the existing standards. 'Standards are of no use if they are there and nobody knows about them. I don't know about standards in my area of specialisation,' said Mr. Tshoganetso Rantshilo of Architects Collaborative. He encouraged BOBS to educate more stakeholders and the public at large about standards and what purpose they serve.

Another participant from Mosienyane and Partners International, Mr. Kealeboga Shoshong wanted to know the role of BOBS in making sure that standards adopted are followed in their respective areas.

He made reference to the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) saying, 'they enforce standards adopted and strict measures are in place for defaulters.'

Sigma Design Architects Mbakiso Ketlhokile said the issue of standards is complex and 'I did not know that there are too many standards.

He said professionals should familiarise themselves with various standards and accommodate them whenever they do their work. After the questions and comments part, participants were divided into groups to discuss different issues directed at finding ways of better understanding standards and for everyone involved to buy in.

The promised to forward their suggestions to BOBS to use them for evaluation towards standards improvement and development.