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: 

Test a train equipped with a vacuum and/or air brake system 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
263025  Test a train equipped with a vacuum and/or air brake system 
ORIGINATOR
Task Team - Maintenance 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology Engineering and Related Design 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  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 
The person credited with this unit standard is able to conduct a brake test on a train equipped with a vacuum and/or air brake system to facilitate the safe movement on rail in accordance with company specific procedures and operational requirements.

The qualifying learner is capable of:
  • Identifying and explaining the purpose and function of the brake equipment on a train.
  • Setting up and test a vacuum and/or air brake system on a train.
  • Describing, identifying and understanding the purpose, working and failure of the related brake valves/system in accordance with manufacturer's specifications.
  • Diagnosing brake faults and performing repairs.
  • Qualifying and returning the locomotive or train set to service. 
    		•

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

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
  • The testing of a train may occur in different yard layouts/mainline/siding/shed/workshop (might or might not include high voltage overhead traction).
  • A train may include but is not limited to all types and models of motor coaches, plain trailer (PT), wagons and locomotives in service. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Identify and explain the purpose and function of the brake equipment on a train. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Brake equipment may include but is not limited to a vacuum and/or air brake system. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The purpose of the brake equipment on a train fitted with a brake system is identified and explained in accordance with manufacturer's specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The function of the brake equipment on a train fitted with a brake system is identified and explained in accordance with manufacturer's specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The stages of the brake tests are explained in terms of testing procedures. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Set up and test a vacuum and/or air brake system on a train. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A train's brake system is set up for the operation of the train in accordance with manufacturer's specifications. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The air campaign plan may include but is not limited to legal prescripts, environmental issues and occupational health and safety.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A train's brake system is tested for the operation of the train in accordance with manufacturer's specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Possible fault conditions are explained in terms of their impact on the braking system and safety. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Corrective actions for each identified fault condition are explained in accordance with manufacturer's specifications. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Describe related brake valves/systems. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    The description includes identification, purpose, working and failure. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The brake valve system components are identified in accordance with manufacturer's specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The purpose of the brake valve system is described in accordance with manufacturer's specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The working and failure of the brake valve system is described in accordance with manufacturer's specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The function of the brake valve system is described in accordance with manufacturer's specifications. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Diagnose brake faults and perform repairs. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Train is isolated according to worksite and safety requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Train components are tested in order to establish serviceability. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Minor deviations are identified and repaired according to procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Major deviations identified are communicated to authorised individuals in accordance with worksite specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Actions to be taken to restore the service are explained in accordance with regulatory and safety procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Potential repairs and maintenance problems are explained with examples pertaining to their impact on the operations schedule. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Implications of not adhering to the sequence of activities and operations as prescribed are explained with examples of their impact on health, safety, environment and production. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Qualify and return the locomotive or train set to service. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Qualifying brake tests are conducted according to specific worksite procedures in order to meet operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Serviceability of the train is confirmed and certified according to specific worksite procedures in order to meet operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The required safety equipment is removed and stored according worksite specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Train is made available for operations according worksite specific requirements. 


    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 
  • Safety rules and regulations related to the vacuum and/or air brake systems.
  • Diagnostic fault finding techniques.
  • Functions of the visual indicators on vacuum and/or air brake systems.
  • Brake system characteristics related to the vacuum and/or air brake systems of a train. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems pertaining to possible fault conditions on a vacuum and/or air brake system. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities in such a way as to have all the required equipment to test a vacuum and/or air brake system in order to allow the train to operate safely. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information pertaining to the setting up and testing of vacuum and/or air brake systems on a train. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology in order to interpret and determine whether the vacuum and/or air brake system is operating or not operating within normal parameters. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems where the failure to test a vacuum and/or air brake system can have a negative effect on the safe operation of the train. 

    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  66049   Further Education Training Certificate: Diesel Electric and Electric Fitting  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 


    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.