SANS 151 is a South African national standard for fixed electric storage water heaters. The standard covers general aspects, construction requirements, performance requirements, inspection, testing methods, markings and instructions, and provides information in its annexes for materials for construction, test procedures, energy labelling and calculations, quality verification and notes to the purchaser. In essence, it covers most of the aspects to consider for hot water storage units and references various other standards for the aspects not covered, such as mechanical testing. (SABS, 2017).

Since coming into effect, the water heating industry has consistently raised concerns about the structure of the VC and national standard itself. A research on the VC9006 “A study on the impact of VC9006 and the lack of compliance” was undertaken and completed in 2019. Its objective was to gain a more detailed understanding and indeed the validity of concerns raised by industry and the lack of compliance that was being experienced. The report, was well received by industry and government and has led to a review of the VC which is proposing certain amendments – these are going through a consultation process and will be published in due course. However, the report raised and noted concerns with the SANS151 which were not addressed as it was not part of the scope of the study. This assignment aims to close the circle by undertaking a detailed review of the SANS151 to ascertain its appropriateness, benchmark it against international practice, and investigate the validity of concerns raised by industry.

 https://www.savingenergy.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/CRSES2018_06_Summary-report-for-public-viewing_Final.pdf