Estate Fibre Installation Rules in South Africa (Permissions, Drilling & Conduits)

Short answer: You must get municipal wayleave approval and estate/owner consent before any digging. In Cape Town, road crossings are HDD by default; sidewalk/verge ducts require ≥500 mm cover to the top of duct; micro-trenching is subject to permit conditions and placement constraints (≥300 mm behind kerb; within ~400 mm of the boundary where feasible). Use SANS-compliant conduits, maintain manufacturer bend radii, and coordinate with your ISP/FNO and HOA..

Why this matters: Fixed internet adoption: 49.0% in Cape Town metro (2024); Western Cape 44.9%; South Africa 17.4% (GHS 2024) .Source. Compliant installations reduce reinstatement costs, speed approvals, and ensure long-term network stability.

Table of Contents

What Permissions Do I Need for Estate Fibre?

You need municipal wayleave approval, the estate or landlord’s written consent, and a Permit-to-Work before any digging. Approvals include route drawings, method and traffic plans, and may include deposits and coordination conditions. Do not break ground until the wayleave and permit are issued and on-site. Keep copies visible for inspections.

Required Permissions Checklist

Permission Type	Details Required	Timeline
Estate/HOA Consent	Written authorization from property management	1-2 weeks
Municipal Wayleave	Route plan, cross-sections, utility scans, method statement	4-8 weeks
Permit-to-Work	Final construction authorization after wayleave approval	1-2 weeks

Key Documentation Needed

• Route drawings with detailed path planning
• Method statements explaining installation approach
• Traffic management plans for road work
• Utility scan reports showing existing services
• Contractor details with CIDB certification
• ECSA-registered professional supervision details

Important: Wayleave approvals have validity windows. If they lapse, you must re-apply. Some municipalities offer digital portals – check fees and timelines in advance.

How Deep Must Ducts Be and Where May I Trench?

Depths and methods are municipality-specific. In Cape Town, road crossings are HDD; verges/sidewalk ducts require at least 500 mm cover to the top of duct. Micro-trenching, where permitted, typically targets ~300 mm trench depth with at least 200 mm cover. Avoid longitudinal ducts in roadways unless expressly approved in your wayleave.

Installation Methods by Location

Location	Method	Depth Requirements	Special Notes
Road Crossings	HDD (Horizontal Directional Drilling)	As per HDD design	Default method in Cape Town
Verges/Sidewalks	Open trenching	At least 500 mm cover to duct top	Standard residential installation
Micro-trenching	Specialized cutting	300 mm depth, at least 200 mm cover	Sidewalks/verges only, not roads

Estate-Friendly Design Rules

Where to install:

• Longitudinal services in verges/sidewalks only
• No longitudinal services in the roadway; install in verges unless expressly permitted in the wayleave.
• Follow the telecom corridor shown on your approved cross-sections (per wayleave conditions).

Micro-trenching specifications:

• Keep within 400mm of boundary
• Maintain ≥300mm distance behind kerb
• Only allowed with explicit written permission for roads

What Conduit Types and Specifications Are Required?

Use conduits compliant with SANS 61386-24 for buried applications. Label and cap ducts, install draw wire, and record duct class and supplier certificates. For approved open-trench road crossings, Cape Town commonly requires an additional spare HDPE ~160 mm duct for future use. Follow municipal tracer-tape and danger-tape rules.

Technical Specifications

Requirement	Specification	Compliance Standard
Conduit Standard	SANS 61386-24	Buried applications
Material	HDPE with appropriate crush resistance	Depth and loading dependent
Bend Radius	≥15-20× cable OD during installation	Cable datasheet requirements
Post-Install Radius	≥10× cable OD	Minimum for operation

Installation Best Practices

Essential requirements:

• Label ducts end-to-end for identification
• Cap all ends to prevent contamination
• Install draw wire for future cable pulls
• Use sweeping bends – avoid tight corners
• Add tracer wire where specified by municipality
• Install danger tape at prescribed depth

Documentation needed:

• Supplier Certificates of Conformity (CoC)
• Duct class specifications
• Test certificates for crush resistance

Safe Drilling and Handling Practices

Use licensed crews, locate all utilities, and maintain safe fibre bend radii—15–20× cable OD during pulls and at least 10× after installation, or the datasheet if stricter. Sign and cordon the work zone, schedule outside peaks, photograph reinstatement, and retain as-built and test records for municipal close-out.

Safety Checklist

Pre-drilling requirements:

• [ ] Licensed contractor engaged
• [ ] All utilities located and marked
• [ ] Method statement confirms entry/exit pits
• [ ] Drill path and service separation verified
• [ ] Work zone cordoned and signed

During installation:

• [ ] Maintain pedestrian access
• [ ] Schedule outside peak hours
• [ ] Keep work area tidy and safe
• [ ] Respect cable bend radius limits
• [ ] Document progress with photos

Post-installation:

• [ ] Reinstate surfaces within required timeframes (typically 10 days)
• [ ] Provide as-built drawings
• [ ] Submit test results and photos
• [ ] Request final sign-off

How to Schedule Installation Appointments

Book only after approvals are issued. Align dates with the estate/HOA, your ISP/FNO, and the municipality’s permit window. Confirm site access, a responsible person on-site to sign records, and cleared work areas. Reconfirm the appointment the day before and ensure power is available for the CPE (Customer Premises Equipment) install.

Pre-Installation Coordination

Key stakeholders to coordinate:

• Estate/HOA management – Access and timing approval
• ISP/FNO technical team – Equipment and installation crew
• Municipal permits office – Permit validity window
• Property owner/tenant – Site access and presence

Day-Before Checklist

• [ ] Approvals printed and available on-site
• [ ] Permit-to-Work valid and current
• [ ] Utilities located and marked clearly
• [ ] Traffic plan briefed to all crew
• [ ] Property access confirmed and arranged
• [ ] Contact details available for all parties
• [ ] Power supply confirmed for CPE installation
• [ ] Pets secured and obstacles moved

Timeline: Standard FTTH drop and CPE installation takes 2-4 hours on-site, excluding major civil works.

Step-by-Step Wayleave Application Process

Step 1: Pre-Planning (1-2 weeks)

Route survey:

• Walk the proposed route
• Identify verge alignments and obstacles
• Note driveways, trees, bus stops, hydrants
• Conduct utility scans (GPR/test holes) where required

Step 2: Documentation Preparation (1-2 weeks)

Required drawings:

• General layout and long-sections
• Typical cross-sections for all installation types
• HDD/micro-trench detail drawings
• Traffic management plans

Supporting documents:

• Method statement with safety procedures
• Reinstatement specifications and timelines
• Contractor CIDB certification
• ECSA professional engineer details

Step 3: Submission and Payment (1 week)

Application process:

• Submit to municipal wayleave portal/office
• Pay application fees and deposits
• Include all technical drawings and documents
• Provide contractor and professional details

Step 4: Approval and Permits (4-6 weeks)

Upon approval:

• Receive wayleave approval with conditions
• Note validity windows and restrictions
• Obtain Permit-to-Work for construction
• Schedule mandatory start-up meeting

Step 5: Construction Phase (Variable)

During construction:

• Display required site information boards
• Build according to approved method statement
• Maintain specified depths and cover requirements
• Follow reinstatement procedures and timeframes

Step 6: Close-Out (1-2 weeks)

Final requirements:

• Provide accurate as-built drawings
• Submit test results and completion photos
• Request final municipal sign-off
• Apply for deposit release (if applicable)

Access Chamber and Handhole Spacing

Spacing depends on blowing/pulling limits, cable counts, and bends. Plan handholes based on pull/blow limits and bends; 80–150 m is a common design range, and CoCT notes a minimum permissible spacing of 45 m c/c after all operators

Positioning Guidelines

Strategic placement:

• Avoid driveways and intersections
• Stay clear of universal access points
• Use SANS-compliant brick or GRP chambers
• Engrave covers with operator name
• Position boundary boxes within 200mm of fence/wall

Frequently Asked Questions {#faqs}

Permissions and Approvals

Q: Do I need HOA or landlord permission? A: Yes. Estates and rental properties require written consent in addition to municipal wayleave. Your ISP/FNO can provide standard consent templates.

Q: How long does the wayleave process take? A: Typically 4-8 weeks from submission to approval, depending on municipality and application complexity.

Q: What happens if my wayleave expires? A: You must re-apply for a new wayleave. Validity windows vary by municipality, typically 6-12 months.

Installation and Technical

Q: Can I install my own conduit in the garden? A: Yes if it meets SANS 61386-24 standards, has gentle bends, and your ISP approves the route. Leave pull rope and label both ends.

Q: What depth is required for conduits? A: Minimum 600mm in soft soil areas, ≥500mm cover to duct top in Cape Town verges/sidewalks. Always follow your specific wayleave specifications.

Q: How long does installation take? A: Standard FTTH drop and CPE installation: 2-4 hours on-site. Larger estate civil works take longer due to approvals and reinstatement requirements.

Scheduling and Costs

Q: What happens if I miss my appointment? A: Contact your ISP immediately to reschedule. Some providers charge missed-appointment fees to cover crew costs.

Q: What if damage occurs during works? A: Report immediately to contractor/ISP. They must repair any municipal or private damage and provide reinstatement certificates.

Q: Are there ongoing maintenance requirements? A: Conduct periodic inspections of visible infrastructure. Report any damage to cables or access chambers immediately. CoCT notes a minimum permissible spacing of 45 m centre-to-centre after all operators have installed.