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: 

Demonstrate the use of initiating systems 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
257284  Demonstrate the use of initiating systems 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Bomb Disposal and Explosives Control 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security Safety in Society 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  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 learners within the bomb disposal, explosives, pyrotechnics, demolitions and blasting environment who need to have a practical understanding of initiating systems for explosive devices. It will supply learners with the elementary knowledge needed to plan to initiate an explosive charge. Learners will also understand the importance of manufacturer's specifications and legal prescripts when handling initiating systems. The competencies achieved by the learner in this Unit Standard will lead to a safer society for South African citizens.

A learner credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Describe initiating systems.
  • Explain the functions of initiating systems.
  • Compile a drawing of initiating systems.
  • Set up initiating systems. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that the learner has the following knowledge and skills:
  • Mathematics at NQF Level 4.
  • Communication at NQF Level 4.
  • The Unit standard "Demonstrate knowledge of blasting accessories" at NQF Level 5. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Electric initiating systems may include electronic initiating systems. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Describe initiating systems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A description is given of the types of initiating systems according to their properties. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Types may refer to but are not limited to: mechanical initiating systems, electrical initiating systems and non-electrical systems.
  • Properties refer to but are not limited to: resistance, voltage output and burning speed.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A description is given of equipment used in initiating systems according to their purposes. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Equipment refers to but is not limited to shot exploders and blasting cables.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    A description is given of initiating systems according to their uses and applications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    A description is given of initiating systems in terms of their limitations and advantages. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain the functions of initiating systems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A description is given of initiating systems in a blasting operation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    An explanation is given of the placement of initiating systems for safe initiation of an explosive train. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Initiating systems are handled in line with safety and manufacturer's specifications. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Safety refers to but is not limited to safety prescripts as contained in Material Safety Data Sheets.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Initiating systems are handled in line with legal prescripts. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Legal prescripts refers to but are not limited to legal prescripts as contained in the Explosives Acts 15 of 2003 and the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 (as amended).
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Compile a drawing of an initiating system. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    The drawing must include illustrations of relays, detonators, equipment and safety fuses. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Individual initiating systems are illustrated in a schematic drawing. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The placement of initiating systems in an explosive train is illustrated in a schematic drawing. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Electric and non-electric systems are differentiated within the schematic drawing of the explosive train. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Set up initiating systems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    An initiating system is set up according to given specifications. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    An initiating system refers to an electric and non-electric initiating system.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The electric initiating system is tested for continuity. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Faults within the initiating system are identified so that rectifications can be made. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • An individual wishing to be assessed (including through RPL) against this Unit Standard may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution accredited by the relevant ETQA, or an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this Unit Standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this Unit Standard or assessing this Unit Standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    N/A 

    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:
  • Setting up initiating systems. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively when:
  • Compiling a drawing of initiating systems.
  • Setting up initiating systems. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information to better understand and explain:
  • Initiating systems.
  • Explaining the functions of initiating systems. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others when:
  • Explaining the functions of initiating systems.
  • Compiling a drawing of initiating 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 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  63229   National Diploma: Bomb Disposal  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SAS SETA 
    Elective  90652   National Certificate: Ammunition Fitting  Not Applicable  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SAS SETA 


    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.