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: 

Perform specialised fault-finding and repairs to plumbing systems 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
244494  Perform specialised fault-finding and repairs to plumbing systems 
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 4  NQF Level 04  12 
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 will enable plumbers and related role-players to improve professionalism and enhance the quality and effectiveness of services by being able to perform specialised fault finding and repairs to plumbing systems.

A person credited with this unit standard is able to:
  • Plan and prepare to perform specialised fault finding and repairs to plumbing systems.
  • Understand and describe diagnostic, correction and upgrading principles.
  • Apply specialised maintenance and repair techniques to hot and cold water plumbing systems.
  • Apply specialised maintenance and repair techniques to above ground soil and waste water piping systems.
  • Apply specialised maintenance and repair techniques to below ground drainage systems.

    This unit standard will contribute to the development of the learner within the context of the plumbing discipline. Learners who have achieved this unit standard will increase their opportunities for further development and employability within the plumbing environment. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that the learner has the following knowledge and skills:
  • Communication at NQF Level 3.
  • Mathematical literacy at NQF Level 3. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
  • Diagnostics include but are not limited to: diagnostic principles; logical steps; and equipment; the use of pressure gauges to trace pressure drops, blockages, undersized piping, and control valve settings; the use of thermometers to trace electrical control failure, and cross feeds; leak detection principles, equipment, and services.
  • Correction and Upgrading includes but is not limited to: quantifying terminal supply pressure/flow capabilities of present system; understanding the function and limitation/requirements of new retrofit products and apply system design principles; converting/correcting unbalanced hot water installations; and fitting preventative equipment (filters, strainers, softeners, check valves, back flow preventors, and flow controllers).
  • Faults in hot and cold water systems include: leaks, flow problems, temperature, pressure, electrical (elements), unbalanced hot and cold water supply to geyser, malfunctioning pressure regulating valves.
  • Inspection of Drainage systems includes but is not limited to the use of CCTV cameras, sonar equipment.
  • Clearing blocked drains includes but is not limited to: the use of plungers, rodding equipment, and worms, pressure drain-clearing equipment.
  • Existing services and built-in items that are to be identified and protected include but are not limited to: other plumbing pipes and fittings, fire protection systems, electrical cables, ducts and units, air-conditioning installations, communication ducts or cables, fixtures and fittings.
  • Industry standards include but are not limited to: water service regulations, building regulations, health and safety regulations, local authority bylaws, specialist equipment user guides. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Plan and prepare to perform specialised fault finding and repairs to plumbing systems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Tools, equipment and materials are selected in readiness to perform specialised fault finding and repairs to plumbing systems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The work area is set out in accordance with control positions and levels indicated in drawings or instructions received from the client. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Existing services and built-in items are identified and protected against damage. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Equipment and protective clothing is selected and prepared in accordance with legislative requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Tools and equipment are maintained in accordance with manufacturers specifications and scheduled maintenance activities. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Minimum levels of material quantities are maintained in accordance with the requirements of the task at hand. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Minimum quantities of plumbing materials are maintained in accordance with the requirements of the task at hand. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Understand and describe diagnostic, correction and upgrading principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Diagnostic fault finding principles are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Specialist fault finding equipment is described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Diagnostic fault finding techniques are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Correction and upgrading principles are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Periodic preventative maintenance principles are understood. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Apply specialised maintenance and repair techniques to hot and cold water plumbing systems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Cold water systems are inspected and faults are identified. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Faults in cold water systems are corrected using appropriate technique. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Hot water systems are inspected and faults are identified. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Faults in hot water systems are corrected using appropriate techniques. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Repairs carried out are tested for functionality. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Apply specialised maintenance and repair techniques to above ground soil and waste water piping systems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Soil and waste water piping systems are inspected and faults identified. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Faults and their cause are identified and reported to the client. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Faults in soil and waste water systems are corrected using appropriate techniques. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Soil and waste water piping systems are tested according to client requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Apply specialised maintenance and repair techniques to below ground drainage systems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Below ground drainage systems are inspected and faults identified. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Faults and their cause are identified and reported to the client. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Faults in below ground drainage systems systems are corrected using appropriate techniques. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Below ground drainage systems are tested according to specifications. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • The assessment will be governed by the policies and guidelines of the relevant Education and Training Quality Assuror (ETQA) that has jurisdiction over this field of learning.
  • The assessor will (at the very least) be accredited and have a relevant qualification and be a subject matter expert in this learning area and at least have 3 years experience in the skills specific area.
  • The learner can be assessed against this unit standard to obtain credits or as part of an integrated assessment for a qualification:

    > Internal moderation.
    > External moderation.
    > An assessor, accredited by the relevant ETQA, will assess the learner's competency.
    > Assessment procedures will be supplied by the ETQA in alignment with SAQA requirements.
    > All assessment activities must be fair, so that all candidates have equal opportunities. Activities must be free of gender, ethnic or other bias.
    > Assessment and moderation procedures, activities and tools must be transparent, affordable and support development within the field, sub-field and NQF.
    > Questions and answers to determine theoretical knowledge are expected.
    > Assessment of a portfolio of evidence.
    > Direct observation in simulated and/or controlled work conditions. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Names, functions and locations of:
  • Safety equipment and protective clothing requirements to be used when conducting specialist fault finding repairs to plumbing systems.

    Purpose of processes and procedures of:
  • Using appropriate techniques in providing specialised plumbing services.
  • The application of basic plumbing principles in the context of specialist fault finding and repairs.

    Attributes, properties, characteristics related to:
  • Types of blockage clearing methods, related equipment and application.
  • Tools, equipment and materials used in specialist fault finding and repair of plumbing systems and manufacturers specifications for maintenance of tools and equipment and storage of materials.

    Regulations, legislation, agreements, policies:
  • National Building Regulations, SANS Codes of Practice and relevant local by-laws.
  • Water Services Act.
  • Occupational Health and Safety Act.
  • Manufacturers specifications.
  • Proprietary systems.

    Theory-rules, laws, principles:
  • Principles and application of specialised equipments such as CCTV cameras, worms, plungers, visual and electronic detectors. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identifying and solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made when:
  • Recognising, locating, and identifying causes of problems.
  • Making appropriate recommendations to correct problems.
  • Obtaining information from the client in instances where instructions or information on drawings is insufficient.
  • Identifying and pro-actively correcting issues of non-availability of resources and materials i.e labour, plant and materials. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Working effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, and community during:
  • Working in unison with co-workers and clients.
  • Communicating and receiving advice from client. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively when:
  • Identifying and correcting problems timeously.
  • Performing activities in accordance with manufacturer's specifications and industry standards.
  • Selecting plumbing tools and equipment in accordance with the requirements of the task.
  • Ensuring tools, equipment and plumbing materials are securely stored.
  • Maintaining minimum quantities of plumbing materials in accordance with task requirements.
  • Safety equipment and clothing is selected and prepared in accordance with legislative requirements. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information to better understand and explain:
  • Carrying out written and/or verbal site instructions correctly and efficiently.
  • Correctly interpreting information contained in drawings.
  • Setting out work areas from provided control positions and levels in accordance with instructions and drawings.
  • Complying with the instructions issued by the Client. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicating effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion when:
  • Issuing clear verbal instructions to team members.
  • Actively listening to feedback received from team members.
  • Reporting problem situations and appropriate solutions to client. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others when:
  • By applying the appropriate systems and techniques for specialised testing and repair work. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrating an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation when:
  • The applicability of specific equipment and techniques to certain materials and systems. 
    		•

    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:

    Notes to Assessors:

    Assessors should keep the following general principles in mind when designing and conducting assessments against this unit standard:
  • Focus the assessment activities on gathering evidence in terms of the main outcome expressed in the title to ensure assessment is integrated rather than fragmented. Remember we want to declare the person competent in terms of the title. Where assessment at title level is unmanageable, then focus assessment around each specific outcome, or groups of specific outcomes. Do not focus the assessment activities on each assessment criterion. Rather make sure the assessment activities focus on outcomes and are sufficient to enable evidence to be gathered around all the assessment criteria.
  • At this level some errors are to be expected. Assessors must use professional judgement in evaluating competence.
  • Make sure evidence is gathered across the range as expressed under the title. Specific range statements under individual outcomes or assessment criteria are illustrations, from which learning programme developers can select. Assessment activities should be as close to the real performance as possible, and where simulations or role-plays are used, there should be supporting evidence to show the candidate is able to perform in the real situation.
  • The task of the assessor is to gather sufficient evidence, of the prescribed type and quality, as specified in this unit standard, that the candidate can achieve the outcomes again and again.
  • All assessments should be conducted in line with the following well-documented principles: assessment should be appropriate, fair, manageable, integrated into work or learning, valid, and consistent. Evidence should be authentic, sufficient, and current.
  • Assessment of this standard can be carried out through continuous assessment throughout the course of study and specific performances assessed. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  58782   Further Education and Training Certificate: Plumbing  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  CETA 


    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. Africa International Training Facilities T/A AITF (BREDELL) (TP) 
    2. AFRICA SKILLS VILLAGE 
    3. BOLAND COLLEGE (Paarl) 
    4. Capricorn FET College - Central Office 
    5. CLEAN HEAT ENERGY SAVING SOLUTIONS (PTY) LTD 
    6. Double ST Training and Skills Development 
    7. Eastcape Training Centre 
    8. EDUCATORY ELECTRO SERVICES 
    9. In Touch Community Development & Project Managers 
    10. Leps Training Consultants 
    11. Madzahisi College 
    12. Mahumani Empowerment Servives Centre 
    13. Mavco Engineering 
    14. Moraba Training and Civil Construction (Pty) Ltd 
    15. MPUMALANGA REGIONAL TRAINING TRUST 
    16. MTL Training and Projects 
    17. Novi General Services 
    18. PCD College cc 
    19. Primeserv Corporate Solutions (Pty) Ltd 
    20. Protech Training (Pty) Ltd 
    21. Sakhisizwe Development Training 
    22. Schoolboy Training Centre 
    23. Thabomeleng 
    24. Tjeka Training Matters Pty Ltd 
    25. Tovani Traiding 299 
    26. TSK Projects(PTY)LTD 
    27. Umfolozi FET College 
    28. West Coast TVET College 


    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.