Electric Fence Installation And Compliance Explained
There are many laws, bylaws, and regulations we need to abide by in our everyday lives. Almost everything in South Africa is regulated in one form or another, such as building in restricted or semi-restricted areas, or generating your own electricity. These laws are meant to protect the citizens of the country and to ensure they can enjoy a quality of life that is deemed appropriate by the government and is consistent with generally accepted global standards. Electric fence installation and use is no different.
When you are installing or repairing electrified fences, you probably know the dangers involved. You are working with high voltages and even though electrified fences are generally not designed to be lethal, it is always possible for something to go wrong during installation or routine maintenance, which is why it is important to ensure that you are compliant with the legislation and safety standards that were created to protect you. If you don’t know what you are doing, or if you aren’t sure of what you are doing (or how to do it safely), it’s better to entrust an expert with the job. In this article, we will explore some of the relevant legislation you need to be aware of in South Africa, as well as what you can do to ensure you stay safe and compliant.
What Does South African Law Say About Electric Fence Installation?
The most important legislation to be aware of is the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1983 (Act no 85 of 1983), especially the clause under the “Electric Fences” section. Under this legislation, all installations that occurred after October 2012 (the year in which the legislation took effect) have to adhere to SANS 10222-3 (or equivalent) specifications and a certificate of compliance for any such installation needs to be issued by a registered Electric Fence System Installer (EFSI).
This means that you cannot simply string together some wire, hook it up to a power supply, and hope for the best. Even if the installation of your brand-new electric fence went smoothly, there still needs to be a guarantee that it meets the specifications mentioned above in order to ensure that no harm is caused unnecessarily (including to potential criminals who attempt to break into your property). Your goal is to create a deterrent for criminals or a non-lethal barrier for animals, not to create a death trap (a process that is made exceptionally easy if you stick to the regulations).
How Nemtek Can Help You Achieve Compliance
Physical safety and security are the two biggest concerns when it comes to electric fence installation. When you choose products or installers, you would want to know that you are choosing them from a company that takes the abovementioned requirements very seriously. While balancing safety requirements with your security needs can be a difficult balancing act, it is much easier with the help of Nemtek.
Nemtek has taken great care to ensure that all our products and installation procedures adhere to the strictest guidelines as set out by the legislation mentioned earlier. We even offer training courses to both official Nemtek installers and anyone with an eye on becoming an installer of electrified fencing. That’s how much we care about you and your safety.
Contact us for more information.