SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Join and install refrigerant piping 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
116229  Join and install refrigerant piping 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Air-conditioning Refrigeration and Ventilation 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology Manufacturing and Assembly 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 2  NQF Level 02  9 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard replaces: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
9389  Join and install refrigerant piping  Level 3  NQF Level 03  9   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
To join and install refrigerant piping and accessories in accordance with a sketch, a drawing or standard instructions to form a system that is leak proof, will convey refrigerant and ensure proper oil return to the compressor. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Use of tools and identification of material, equipment, components and accessories used in air-conditioning and refrigeration. 

UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
Piping:
Soft copper piping between 3mm (?") and 20mm (¾") diameter. Hard drawn copper piping between 6mm (¼") and 53mm (2?") diameter. Steel or aluminium piping up to 15mm (½") diameter, as used for domestic, commercial and industrial refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment (excluding systems using ammonia as a refrigerant).
Jointing methods:
Copper to copper joints including swaged joints. Copper to brass, copper to aluminum and copper to steel. Flared connections. Flanged connections. Compression fittings. Threaded connections.
Test pressures.
As specified in SANS 10147 

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
Prepare to install refrigerant piping. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The works order for the installation is obtained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The location of the jobsite is determined. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
A list of the piping, fittings and accessories required is prepared. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
All piping, fittings, and accessories are selected correctly. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
All tools required are selected and checked for suitability and safety. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
All tools, piping, fittings, and accessories are loaded correctly onto the truck. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
All tools and equipment are handled correctly. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
The consequences of not preparing oneself for the work are listed and explained. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
Plan the installation of refrigerant piping. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
Permission to commence work is obtained (if required). 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
Work site is checked for safety. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
Installation of plant components is checked and verified against drawings and/or work instructions. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
A work plan is prepared. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
The consequences of bad planning are listed and explained. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
Prepare to install refrigerant piping. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
All tools required are prepared for use. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
Pipe runs are set out correctly. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
Piping is measured off and cut correctly according to the drawing supplied and/or in accordance with work site requirements. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
Metal shavings, dirt and moisture are prevented from entering the pipes. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
Form brazed joints. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
Copper to copper brazed joints are made correctly. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
Copper to brass brazed joints are made correctly. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
Joints involving steel are made. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
Internal surfaces are inherently free of scale upon completion of the brazing process. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
Filler material has penetrated the entire joint. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
The consequences of not using nitrogen when brazing are listed and explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
The consequences of using the wrong filler material are listed and explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
The advantages and disadvantages of the various brazed jointing methods are listed and explained. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
Form non-brazed joints. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
Flared joints are formed correctly. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
Flanged joints are formed correctly. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
Compression joints are formed correctly. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
Threaded joints are formed correctly. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
The advantages and disadvantages of the various non-brazed jointing methods are listed and explained. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
Install piping and accessories. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
All pipes and accessories are installed according to the drawing supplied 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
All pipes are supported and anchored to prevent sagging and/or vibration 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
All pipes are protected against abrasion where they pass through openings, touch one another or other pieces of equipment. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
All pipes carrying vapour slope correctly and sufficiently to ensure proper oil return. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
Vertical risers carrying vapour are downsized if indicated on the drawing 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
Oil traps are inserted in strict accordance with the drawing. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
The consequences of oil trapping in the system are listed and explained 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 7 
Test installation for leaks. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
Leak testing tools and equipment are checked for safety and suitability. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
Installation is pressurised to correct pressure. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
Pressurising procedure is carried out correctly. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
Installation is leak tested. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
All leaks are found. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
The consequences of leaks in the system are explained. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 8 
Clear site and hand over the installation. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
All excess materials are removed. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
All tools are removed. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
Installation is handed over to commissioning team. 


UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
Any person wishing to be assessed against this unit standard may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution accredited by the relevant ETQA, who may appoint a moderator to be present at the assessment.
The assessor must have knowledge and experience of air-conditioning or refrigeration. 

UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Identification of piping used for refrigeration installations.
  • Work planning,
  • Pipe jointing and installation procedures.
  • Requirements for a system suitable for correct operation. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems
  • Selecting correct tools and materials
  • Recognising inferior piping layout. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage myself and my activities
  • Planning the work to be carried out 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information
  • Reading and interpreting work drawings or sketches 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically
  • Appropriate use of tools
  • Selecting the correct materials 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems
  • Understanding the hazards associated with the use of brazing equipment 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    This unit standard replaces unit standard 9389, "Join and install piping", Level 3, 9 credits.

    Work to be carried out on a typical refrigeration installation, either indoors or outdoors.
    Where all types of jointing methods or all pipe sizes are not included in the installation the assessor may require the learner to carry out additional work in order to assess him on all the requirements for this unit standard. It is assumed that the main components of the installation are already installed.

    All questions are answered and all work is done within a reasonable time and without injury to persons or damage to plant, equipment, tools or work site.

    This Unit Standard was previously on level 3 (Unit Standard 3.07). 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  48959   National Certificate: Air-conditioning, Refrigeration and Ventilation  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2009-03-12  Was MERSETA until Last Date for Achievement 
    Core  65449   National Certificate: Air-conditioning, Refrigeration and Ventilation  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MERSETA 
    Core  49056   National Certificate: Domestic Appliance Repair  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  EWSETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.