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: 

Operate support plant compressed air systems 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
13726  Operate support plant compressed air systems 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Power Plant Operations 
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 3  NQF Level 03  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
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

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 unit standard is for a person who operates support plant compressed air systems. A person credited with this unit standard can safely prepare the plant for service; monitor startup conditions; monitor plant running conditions; service plant and or equipment; stabilise transient conditions and isolate shutdown plant. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
1. The person has the ability to listen, question, observe and describe accurately and align with the senders needs.
2. The person understands and respects peoples values and beliefs, as well as those of the organisation and can manage their actions in line with it.
3. The person understands their own development requirements.
4. The person knows the concepts, theory and terms of the specified technical field covering maths, engineering science, electrical trade theory and power plant theory at N2 level.
5. The person understands the company`s vision and manage their actions in line with it.
6. The person understands the overall energy conversion process.
7. The person has the ability to recognise, analyse problems, evaluate options and decide on the most appropriate action. 

UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
This unit standard includes the following process plant systems without any exemptions:

1. Instrumentation and supply (SAR)
2. Service and supply (SAT)
3. Compressed air radiation (SAP) 

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
Prepare plant for service and monitor start up conditions. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Legitimacy of instruction to prepare plant for service is confirmed according to administrative requirements. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Plant is prepared for service according to relevant procedures. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Plant status is communicated according to administrative requirements. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
4. Support plant compressed air system startup conditions are monitored according to monitoring requirements. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
5. Priorities for self and own job are set according to planned activities. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
6. Regulatory requirements relevant to the operation of the support plant compressed air system and work related environment are adhered to according to organisation safety standards. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
7. Personal protective equipment required is used as stipulated by the organisation safety standards. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
8. Safety hazards are communicated according to organisation safety standards and administrative requirements. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
Monitor and sustain plant and or equipment operability during normal running conditions. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Out of normal conditions are identified and acted upon according to relevant operating procedures. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Monitored conditions are communicated according to administrative requirements. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Out of normal conditions communicated are followed up according to specific requirements. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
4. Housekeeping standards in the direct working environment are maintained according to specific policies. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
5. Plant lubricated according to technical specifications and operating procedures. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
6. Work orders performed according to preventative maintenance procedures. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
7. Plant monitoring performed according procedural requirements. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
8. Regulatory requirements relevant to the operation of support plant compressed air system and work related
environment are adhered to, according to organisation safety standards. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9 
9. Personal protective equipment required is used as stipulated by the organisation safety standards. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 10 
10. Safety hazards are communicated according to organisation safety standards and administrative requirements. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
Stabilise transient conditions. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Transient conditions are recognised and acknowledged by comparing current conditions with required conditions. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Transient conditions analysed in the current situation, actions planned and implemented according to procedural requirements. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Transient conditions and actions implemented are communicated according to administrative requirements. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
4. Regulatory requirements relevant to the operation of support plant compressed air system and work related
environment are adhered to according to organisation safety standards. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
5. Personal protective equipment required are used as stipulated by the organisation safety standards. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
6. Safety hazards are communicated according to organisation safety standards and administrative requirements. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
Isolate shutdown plant. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Legitimacy of instruction to isolate plant is confirmed according to administrative requirements. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Support plant compressed air system is mechanically isolated according to standard isolation procedure. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Isolated plant and or equipment status communicated according to administrative procedures. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
4. Priorities for self and own job are set according to planned activities. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
5. Regulatory requirements relevant to the isolation of support plant compressed air system and work related
environment are adhered to, according to organisation safety standards. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
6. Personal protective equipment required are used as stipulated by the organisation safety standards. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
7. Safety hazards are communicated according to organisation safety standards and administrative requirements. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of support plant compressed air systems. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Mechanical theory is understood regarding components application and interrelation. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Valves/flow control devices, pipe works and supporting structures, compressors, pressure vessel, pneumatics, filters and strainers.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Control and instrumentation theory is understood regarding components application and interrelation. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Pressure measurement, temperature measurement, pressure control, integrated control/process, protection, relaying/logics.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Electrical theory is understood regarding component application and interrelation. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Motors, power supplies, switch gear.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
4. Operating philosophies are known and understood pertaining to plant operating procedures. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Normal procedure, alarm cards, incidents, administrative procedures, periodic tests, interpretation of pipe
and instrumentation, logic diagrams.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
5. System specifications are understood pertaining to relevant documentation. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Operating parameter, plant configuration and integration, design base, legislation.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
6. Chemical control processes are known and understood. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Corrosion.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
7. Safety requirements knowledge demonstrated in accordance with set policies. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Personal protective equipment, housekeeping, operating experience, hazard relating to specific systems.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
8. Methods of communication defined relating to organisational requirements. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Technical report writing (log writing), communication media, communication processes, reporting structures.
 


UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
Accreditation: Evaluation of documentation and registration thereof according to SAQA requirements


Moderation: Standard generating group Nuclear Power Plant Operations 

UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
1. The person understands the impact that their actions have on the energy conversion process.
2. The person understands how to set priorities for their job requirements and obtain necessary tools/equipment to execute the job.
3. The person is aware of and concerned about the impact that their actions have on the environment.
4. The person knows and understands the theory of application of mechanical plant components and it`s interrelation to the plant.
5. The person understands electrical and instrumentation components within their plant area.
6. The person is aware of and understands the regulatory requirements relevant to their plant area.
7. The person understands the danger of chemicals used in their direct working environment.
8. The person understands the lessons learned from trend/incidents related their specific plant.
9. The person understands the direct impact of decisions and actions and anticipate effects on plant and people in the direct working environment.
10. The person knows and understands what is happening in and across situations with people, plant and materials.
11. The person has the knowledge to operate interrelated plant and safety equipment safely and efficiently. 

UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
N/A 

UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
N/A 


Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
Identifying & solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made. 

UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
Working effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organization, and community. 

UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
Organising and managing oneself and one`s activities responsibly and effectively. 

UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
Collecting, analysing, organizing and critically evaluating information. 

UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
Communicating effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion. 

UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
Using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others. 

UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
Demonstrating an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognizing that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation. 

UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
Contributing to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of the society at large, by making it the underlying intention of any programme of learning to make an individual aware of the importance of:
a. reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively;
b. participating as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities;
c. being culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts;
d. exploring education and career opportunities;
e. developing entrepreneurial opportunities. 

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 
The following references to assessment tools to be made through out this unit standard:
1. Instrumentation and supply (SAR)
2. Service and supply (SAT)
3. Compressed air radiation (SAP)

Terminology used in this unit standard is consistent with the following:
  • Electricity Supply Industry in South Africa
  • International Counsil for Nuclear Safety
  • Occupational Health and Safety Standards (NOSA)

    A candidate will be regarded not yet competent should the safety of people, plant and materials be jeopardised during any stage of the assessment on any criteria of this unit standard. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  23733   National Certificate: Nuclear Power Plant Operation  Level 4  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L4  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  EWSETA 
    Elective  23677   National Certificate: Power Plant Auxiliary Systems Operation  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2009-02-18  Was EWSETA until Last Date for Achievement 
    Elective  61549   National Certificate: Power Plant Auxiliary Systems Operations  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.
     
    1. MPUMELELO TRAINING 


    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.