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

Read, interpret and use construction drawings and specifications 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
262864  Read, interpret and use construction drawings and specifications 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Civil Engineering Construction 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 12 - Physical Planning and Construction Physical Planning, Design and Management 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 4  NQF Level 04  10 
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 replaces: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
14426  Read, interpret and use construction drawings and specifications  Level 4  NQF Level 04  10   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
Learners who are assessed as competent against this unit standard will be able to read and interpret construction drawings and specifications. These competencies complement the other core supervisory competencies and contribute to the development of a professional community of Civil Engineering Construction Supervisors.

The qualifying learner will be capable of:
  • Demonstrating the role of drawings and specifications.
  • Explaining drawings and symbols used on a construction project.
  • Safeguarding, storing and issuing construction drawings.
  • Applying information from drawings in construction activities. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Communication at NQF Level 3.
  • Mathematical literacy at NQF Level 3. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Analyse the purpose of drawings and specifications in a construction project. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The legal and functional purpose of drawings and specifications is analysed in terms of the contract documentation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The interrelationship between all the contract/project documentation is analysed in terms of the impact on the construction project. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Contract/project documentation includes, but is not limited to:
  • Drawings, specifications, the Bill of Quantities and general conditions of contract.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Purposes of drawings are explained in terms of standard industry practice. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Concept drawings, Tender drawings, construction drawings, approved building drawings and as built drawings.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Purposes of specifications are explained in terms of standard industry practice. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Specifications includes, but are not limited to:
  • Materials standards and availability, finishes, windows and doors, roofing, glazing, reinforcing and geotechnical.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain drawings and symbols used on a construction project. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Drawings are identified in terms of type and application for a construction process. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Drawings include, but are not limited to:
  • Plans, sections, elevations and work sketches.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Key functions of the drawing are explained in terms of the completed project. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Key users of the drawing are identified in terms of work responsibilities. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Specifications and notes are explained in terms of work requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Symbols and abbreviations are interpreted in terms of their functions and meanings. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The layout is interpreted in terms of the different views shown. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    The purpose of each view is explained in terms of the outcomes for the completed project. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Safeguard, store and issue construction drawings. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The purpose of drawing and revision numbers is explained in terms of utilisation of the correct drawing. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Consequences of using the wrong drawing is explained in terms of the consequences for the completed project. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Drawings are stored in a secure place in accordance with organizational procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Latest amendments of drawings are issued to the relevant people in accordance with organizational procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    A drawing register is maintained in accordance with organisational procedures. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Apply information from drawings in construction activities. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Drawings are oriented in terms of site landmarks and the North indicator. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Information for setting out on site is extracted from the drawings according to construction site procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Scales are interpreted and measurements converted in terms of the required dimensions and site requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Information supplied in the notes section is interpreted in terms of the design and purpose. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Materials for the construction project are identified in terms of organizational ordering procedures. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against the qualification must be registered as an assessor with the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this qualification must be accredited as a provider with the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or by an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA, according to the ETQA's policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation.
  • Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described in the associated unit standards.
  • Anyone wishing to be assessed against this qualification may apply to be assessed by any assessment agency, assessor or provider institution that is accredited by the relevant ETQA. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The qualifying learner will be able to understand and explain relevant aspects of the following:
  • Application and key functions of drawings.
  • Safeguarding, storage and issue of drawings.
  • Application of information from drawings in construction activities.
  • Interpretation of specifications.
  • Role of drawings and specifications in a contract document. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems related to interpreting and reading drawings in which responses display that critical thinking is used for responsible decision making. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a construction team to interpret and estimate the required resources and materials for a construction project. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively in interpreting drawings to set up a construction site within the given time frame and budget. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information from drawings, specifications and notes to orientate and set up a construction site and complete the project. 

    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 
    This unit standard replaces unit standard 14426, "Read, interpret and use construction drawings and specifications", Level 4, 10 credits. 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  58780   Further Education and Training Certificate: Quantity Surveying  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  CETA 
    Core  65949   Further Education and Training Certificate: Supervision of Construction Processes  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. ALLINA FRANCIS (SA) 
    2. Big Tree Group 
    3. Bright Storm Projects 
    4. Certified Training Solutions (Pty) Ltd 
    5. Eastcape Training Centre 
    6. Eskilz College (Pty) Ltd 
    7. National African Federated Building Industry 
    8. Powerpro Technologies and Training Facility (PTY) LTD 
    9. Pro Skills Development (Pty) Ltd 
    10. SEDA Construction Incubator Trust 
    11. Sonani Training and Communications 
    12. South African Value Education (Pty) Ltd 
    13. Thabomeleng 
    14. Tjeka Training Matters Pty Ltd 
    15. Training Force (Pty) Ltd 
    16. Zama Training & Development cc 


    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.