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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Understand and describe basic plumbing principles 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
119075  Understand and describe basic plumbing principles 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Building Construction 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 12 - Physical Planning and Construction Building Construction 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 2  NQF Level 02  8 
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 does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This learner will be able to perform plumbing functions listed in this unit standard under supervision.

The qualifying learner is capable of:
  • Understanding and describing basic plumbing principles, interpreting and describing elements of basic plumbing drawings as well as identifying and describing the use of plumbing tools, components and materials.

    These learning outcomes form part of the Elective learning in the "National Certificate in Construction".

    This unit standard will contribute to the development of more professional construction workers.

    The skills, knowledge and understanding demonstrated within this unit standard are essential for social and economic transformation and upliftment within the construction environment. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The following knowledge, skills attitude and/or equivalent:
  • ABET Level 4 or NQF Level 1 English literacy and numeracy. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
  • Plumbing principles includes but is not limited to: Water cycle, basic principles of pressure, flow and pipelines, water conservation, pressure flow and gravity, reasons for different pipe sizes, the effect of pipe size on flow, the effect of roughness and condition of pipe on water flow.
  • Basic pollution principles include but are not limited to: Back flow, cross flow and contamination of potable water.
  • Basic plumbing drawings includes but is not limited to: Information applicable to house drains, water and waste reticulation of simple drawings, mains and sewer connections.
  • Plumbing tools and equipment includes but is not limited to: Plumbers tools, pipe threading machine, stock and dies, pipe vices, pipe cutters, gas pliers, gas burners, spanners, files, rasps, soldering iron, tape measure, plumbline, spirit level, trowels, floats, hand and mechanical compaction equipment, builders square, hack saw, drills, waste basin spanner as well as hand rammers and vibratory compaction equipment.
  • Plumbing pipe work and related fittings includes but is not limited to: Hot and cold supply systems - copper (capillary and compression fitting), galvanised iron and associated malleable iron fittings, high density polyethylene (HDPE) (cold water), pressure reduction valves, vacuum breakers, pressure control and expansion relief valves as well as water supply and compression fittings. Above ground soil, waste and vent pipe systems - uPVC, HDPE and cast iron pipes and fittings. Below ground sewer pipe systems - uPVC, vitreous clay and associated fittings.
  • Sanitary fixtures include but are not limited to: Toilet bowls, cisterns, basins, bidets, baths, wash troughs and showers. Sanitary ware fittings include but are not limited to taps, shower roses, mixers and other related fittings.
  • Ancillary plumbing materials includes but is not limited to: Cotton waste, pipe cleaners, lubricants, PTFE tape, solder, flux, holderbats, pipe clips, brackets, solvents and gas bottles. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Understand and describe basic plumbing techniques. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Basic water flow principles are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Basic pressure principles are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Water quality principles are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Basic corrosion of plumbing materials is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Basic pollution prevention principles are described. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Interpret and describe elements of basic plumbing drawings. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    ISO metric systems are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Plumbing details and legends are interpreted. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Basic plumbing drawing elements are identified. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Identify and describe the uses of plumbing tools, components and materials. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Plumbing tools and equipment are identified and their uses are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Plumbing pipe work and related fittings are identified and their uses are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Plumbing sanitary ware fixtures and fittings are identified and their uses are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Ancillary plumbing materials and consumables are identified and their uses are described. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the CETA - ETQA for this unit standard or a similar unit standard at a higher NQF Level.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the CETA-ETQA.
  • CETA-ETQA or other ETQA's who have a Memorandum of Understanding in place with CETA-ETQA would be responsible for moderation of learner achievements of learners who meet the requirements of this qualification. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • The purpose of local government plumbing bylaws and regulations.
  • The role of the building and drainage inspectorate.
  • The purpose of standardised specifications and codes of practice in determining the quality of the works.
  • Basic water flow principles.
  • Basic pressure and water quality principles.
  • Basic corrosion of plumbing materials.
  • Basic pollution prevention principles.
  • Elements of basic plumbing drawings.
  • The uses of plumbing, tools, components, materials and consumables. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Employ self management:

    Assessment Criteria:
  • Plumbing details and legends are interpreted. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Manage information:

    Assessment Criteria:
  • Water quality principles are described. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Demonstrate scientific and technological competence:

    Specific Outcome:
  • Interpret and describe elements of basic plumbing drawings.

    Assessment Criteria:
  • Ancillary plumbing materials and consumables are identified and their uses are described. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Understand Contextual world-systems:

    Assessment Criteria:
  • Basic pollution prevention principles are described. 
    		•

    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 
    Supplementary Information:

    Acts, Regulations, Specifications and Standards applicable to this unit standard:
  • Occupational Health and Safety Act 1993.
  • GNR 1010 of 18 July 2003: Construction Regulations 2003.
  • National Environmental Management Act (No.107 of 1998).
  • South African Bureau of Standards.
  • National Building Regulations. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  49411   General Education and Training Certificate: Construction  Level 1  NQF Level 01  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  CETA 
    Elective  61689   National Certificate: Community Water, Health and Sanitation Promotion  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  EWSETA 
    Elective  49410   National Certificate: Construction  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  CETA 
    Elective  96402   National Certificate: Hot Water System Installation  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 


    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.
     
    1. Academy for Construction Skills (Pty) Ltd (ACS) 
    2. BIG GATE RESOURCES 
    3. CLEAN HEAT ENERGY SAVING SOLUTIONS (PTY) LTD 
    4. Leps Training Consultants 
    5. MTL Training and Projects 
    6. Orbit FET College - Central Office 
    7. PCD College cc 
    8. Pro Skills Development (Pty) Ltd 


    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.