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: 

Supervise a foam firefighting operation 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
260130  Supervise a foam firefighting operation 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Fire and Rescue 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 11 - Services Cleaning, Domestic, Hiring, Property and Rescue Services 
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
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 
The petrochemical and related industries use, transport and store vast quantities of flammable liquids that require specialized firefighting techniques utilizing firefighting foam. There is a need for specialized training and certification in the use and limitations of firefighting foam. This unit standard is for personnel that are expected to respond to and supervise incidents that require the application of firefighting foams. This unit standard will contribute to the full development of a learner within the safety in society environment and more specifically within the firefighting discipline by providing recognition, further mobility and transportability within the field.

A person credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Supervise the setting up of foam firefighting equipment.
  • Develop pre-incident plans for facilities that require foam suppression.
  • Inspect and test foam firefighting equipment and systems. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that a learner is already competent in:
  • Communication at NQF Level 4.
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 4. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Supervise the setting up of foam firefighting equipment. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Foam firefighting equipment includes:
  • Eductors, around the pump proportioners, apparatus mounted and fixed system proportioners, balanced pressure proportioners, handline nozzles, master streamnozzles, medium and high expansion generators, aircraft firefighting vehicle turrets. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Foam making equipment is assessed for compatibility with operating procedures and manufacturer specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Methods of assembling low, medium and high expansion foam manufacturing equipment are compared in terms of the need to provide supervision to the assembly operation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Fixed foam protection systems are explained in terms of their features and operational limitations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Problems relating to foam generation are analysed to determine corrective action to be taken in the event of malfunction. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    A foam firefighting exercise is supervised to ensure effective and efficient operations. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Develop a pre-incident plan for facilities that require foam suppression. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Facilities include but are not limited to:
  • Refineries, tank farms, marine and aviation industries, pipelines and installations. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A survey of a facility is conducted in order to collect relevant information. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A site plan is drawn indicating the high risk area warranting foam protection. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The existing protection equipment is evaluated against the industry norms and standards. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    A pre-incident plan is compiled and communicated to role-players in accordance with organizational policies. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    A pre-incident plan is tested to determine its effectiveness in various scenarios. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Test may be conducted by means of practical exercises, simulations and table-top exercises.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Inspect and test foam firefighting equipment and systems. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Foam firefighting equipment and systems include but are not limited to portable, mobile and fixed foam protection systems, aircraft firefighting turrets, around the pump proportioners. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Maintenance and servicing requirements for foam firefighting systems are determined in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Foam firefighting systems are inspected and discrepancies with required to standards are identified in accordance with workplace procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The foam and water requirements are calculated for a particular risk to determine minimum quantities needed for the situation. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Particular risk refers to but is not limited to refineries, incidents involving aircraft, wild land, mines, storage tanks, spills and pipelines.
  • Foam calculations must be in accordance with NFPA 11 and must include calculations for spills, large diameter tanks, rim seal fires, bund fires and aircraft incidents.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Foam firefighting systems are tested for compliance in terms of industry and manufacturers norms and standards. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    A report that provides recommendations to improve existing systems is compiled and submitted to key role-players. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Key roleplayers refer to but are not limited to supervisors, health and safety representatives, technicians and owners of installations.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The area to be foamed is analysed and the quantity of foam and related resources required are determined in accordance with manufacturer specifications. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Related resources refer to but is not limited to:
  • Equipment, staffing and water supplies.
     
    		•


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Any 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 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 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 
  • The fire tetrahedron.
  • Methods of extinguishment.
  • Classes of fire.
  • Fire behaviour.
  • Fire Streams.
  • Foam Terminology.
  • Foam Generation.
  • Characteristics of various types of Foam and associated equipment. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Solve problems by utilising systems:
  • Demonstrating an understanding of the inter related components and systems during emergency incidents. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Supervise a team:
  • By effectively analysing emergency situations, formulating and implementing a plan and coordinating the activities of the team. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Plan and organise activities:
  • Demonstrate the ability to plan personal learning within the unit standard.
  • By planning and organising workplace activities that are not specifically planned & organised by the employer. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse and organise information:
  • The ability to recognize work group problems.
  • The ability to recognize equipment and machinery problems.
  • The ability to make tactical decisions.
  • Complete all related departmental forms. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively:
  • By effectively communicating with team members and other role players at an emergency scene. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use technology:
  • By demonstrating the ability to inspect, maintain and use equipment and machinery. 
    		•

    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
    Elective  64390   National Certificate: Emergency Services Supervision: Fire and Rescue Operations  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  LG 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.
     
    1. Goldfields Emergency Fire Services Training Academy 
    2. Josmap Training Institute 


    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.