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: 

Evaluate compressed air performance efficiency 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
263935  Evaluate compressed air performance efficiency 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Engineering 
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 6  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6  7 
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 persons in the Engineering, Construction and Energy Sectors.
This unit standard will contribute to the full development of the learner within the engineering, construction and energy environment by providing recognition, further mobility and transportability within the field of Physical Planning and Construction. The skills, knowledge and understanding demonstrated within this unit standard are essential for social and economic transformation and upliftment within the engineering, construction and energy environment.

A person credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Describe the fundamentals of compressed air systems.
  • Identify energy conservation opportunities and measures.
  • Analyse the demand profile.
  • Analyse an electrical load inventory.
  • Analyse a thermal load inventory.
  • Identify and select instrumentation for energy audits.
  • Analyse data.
  • Assess costs and benefits. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Communication at NQF Level 5.
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 5.
  • A working knowledge of energy use in buildings.
  • A working knowledge of electricity. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Describe the fundamentals of compressed air systems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Compressed air systems are described in terms of their components. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Components include but are not limited to:
  • Compressors: Positive displacement or dynamic.
  • Controls: Constant speed unloading control, stop-start control and dual control.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Compression fundamentals are explained in terms of ideal gas laws, adiabatic and isothermal compression, free air basis and theoretical power requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Units used in compression fundamental equations are identified and explained in terms of their application. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Units include but is not limited to:
  • Ideal gas laws; Initial and final pressures, initial and final volumes, initial and final temperature, and initial and final flow rates.
  • Free air basis; Equivalent free air flow rate, equivalent free air volume, measured pressure, measured flow rate, measured volume, measured temperature, standard air temperature and standard air pressure.
  • Theoretical power requirement; Ideal compression power, inlet pressure, equivalent free air flow rate, number of compression stages and discharge pressure.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Units used in compression fundamental equations are applied in an appropriate context. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Identify energy conservation opportunities and measures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Energy conservation opportunities are identified in terms of potential energy savings. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Energy conservation opportunities include but are not limited to:
  • Air usage management, air leakage, operating pressure, inlet air temperature and inlet air pressure.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Energy conservation measures are identified in terms of air leaks. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Air leak tests include:
  • Testing for air leaks for a compressor with Load/Unload Control and for a compressor with Modular Control.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Leakage test data is recorded and the savings quantified in terms of potential energy cost savings. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Energy conservation measures are identified in terms of reducing the intake air temperature and/or increasing the intake air pressure. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Energy conservation measure data is recorded and the savings quantified in terms of potential energy cost savings. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Analyse the demand profile. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The demand profile is obtained using the most appropriate measuring technique available. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The demand profile is processed in terms of tabular and graphical format. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The demand profile is interpreted in terms of abrupt changes, the top three peak demands, repeated patterns, flat sections, dips during peak periods and maximum demand level. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The demand profile is assessed in terms of possible opportunities for savings. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Analyse an electrical load inventory. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    An electrical load inventory is compiled in accordance with industry accepted methods. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The electrical load inventory calculations are carried out and tabulated in terms of the peak demand and energy values. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The electrical load inventory data is graphically represented in terms of the distribution of demand and energy consumption. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The electrical load inventory is reconciled with the utility bills in terms of the peak demand and energy. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Analyse a thermal load inventory. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A thermal energy flow diagram is prepared in accordance with industry accepted methods. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Thermal energy flows are identified and described in terms of energy flow types. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Energy flow types include:
  • Conduction, airflow-sensible, airflow - latent, pipe heat loss, tank heat loss, refrigeration system output heat, steam leaks and vents.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The thermal energy flow estimations and calculations are carried out and tabulated in terms of the energy use. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The thermal energy load inventory data are quantified and represented in terms of the energy balance. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
    Identify and select instrumentation for energy audits. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Measurement for energy auditing is understood in terms of accuracy and precision. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Spot and recording measurements are compared in terms of representative data. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Instrumentation for power measurement is identified, selected and used in terms of the best option. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Instrumentation for energy-auditing purposes are identified, selected and used in terms of the application. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Instrumentation includes but is not limited to:

    Combustion analysers, light meters, temperature measurements, humidity measurements, airflow measurements, tachometers, data loggers, and hour counters.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 7 
    Analyse data. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Energy density is calculated by correlating the energy consumption for heating, to weather in terms of the "Degree Days" method. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Energy density is calculated by correlating the energy consumption for cooling, to weather in terms of the "Degree Days" method. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Energy density is calculated by correlating the energy consumption to weather in terms of the "Temperature Bins" method. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Energy consumption is correlated using M&T in terms of HDD`s and CDD`s, occupancy and other relevant factors. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 8 
    Assess costs and benefits. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Energy savings initiatives are analysed in terms of costs and benefits. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Savings are calculated in terms of energy savings, demand savings, block size savings, thermal fuel savings and indirect fuel savings. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Costs are calculated in terms of all capital expenditure to implement energy saving measures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Greenhouse gas reductions are calculated in terms of energy savings. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Efficient use of energy.
  • Energy efficient lights, appliances and equipment.
  • Implementation of technology for energy savings. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify potential barriers and practical problems and solve them to enable the energy audit to be carried out. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Understand and manage the energy audit process. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Describe how energy management opportunities can be carried out. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Identify, design and implement technology solutions for energy efficiency. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Understand the global impact of the efficient use of energy in terms emission mitigation. 

    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:

    Specified requirements include legal and legislative specific requirements and are contained in one or more of the following documents.
  • OSH Act.
  • SANS standards and codes.
  • The South African Building Regulations.
  • IES Lighting Standards.
  • ASHRAE Standards.
  • User manuals supplied by manufacturers.
  • Specifications, agreements, policies and procedures of the relevant organisation.
  • Good Practise in South Africa. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  63209   National Certificate: Energy Regulation  Level 5  NQF Level 05  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.