Occupational Certificate: Fire Alarm Designer

Purpose

The purpose of this part-qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Fire Alarm Designer.

A qualified learner will be able to design a range of fire detection and gas extinguishing systems compliant to South African National Standards (pages 3-4) to protect life, environment, and property. The learner will do this by utilising the knowledge they have gained during the training.

A qualified learner will be able to design a range of fire detection and gas extinguishing systems as per SANS requirements.

Rationale

The Special Class Electrician (Fire Alarm Technician) Occupation forms part of the 2018 list of Occupations in High Demand that have been identified by the Department of Higher Education and Training, has been listed as a trade occupation as per Government Gazette 35625, published on 31 August 2012, and identified as a trade occupation in terms of Section 26B of the Skills Development Act, 1998 (Act No. 97 of 1998). It is for these policies that the QCTO prioritised the development of the Special Class Electrician.

The Occupational Curriculum Code 672107-001-00-04 Fire Alarm Designer is an electrical qualification ideally suited for a Fire Alarm qualification. It has been developed in compliance with the relevant parts of the above South African standards and regulations listed on pages 3-4. The qualification is a response to address a need to have qualified, competent, industry practitioners in South Africa that can maintain fire detection and alarm systems as well as meeting the criteria required to register with the SA industry Regulators.

The range of typical learners that will enter this part-qualification are people who wish to gain access to employment opportunities in the fire detection industry as well as those who are currently working in the industry without a National Qualification Framework (NQF) registered qualification. It is aimed at learners from formal schooling who aspire to become fire alarm installers or employees who are currently employed in the fire alarm industry performing fire detection related activities.

Qualified learners will have a range of foundational competencies relating to fire detection systems, health and safety, electro technical knowledge, installation practices and further skills in workplace processes. Learners who do not want to become fire alarm installers but require skills and competencies to perform other fire alarm system services have been catered for in the form of part-qualifications.

Previously, industry developed fire alarm training programmes according to different standards and under different bodies, ranging from SAQA registered skills programs to Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) recognition of non-registered industry training. This qualification aims to establish common standards at entry level to access funding for people who previously did not have the means to achieve accreditation to allow for applications for employment opportunities.

Learners who complete this part-qualification will be recognised as competent fire alarm practitioners employable within various public as well as in the private sectors and in becoming self-employed.

Qualified learners will enable progression in their careers by learning programmes that are aligned to NQF Level 5 qualifications in selected specialised routes or career pathways in the context of fire alarm services. These specialised qualifications will enable them to operate either as installers, maintainers, commissioners, designers or beyond.

The completion and attainment of this part-qualifications will benefit learners in terms of employability within various public as well as in the private sectors as they will be in possession of the required skills as legislated in The South African National Standard 10400 (consisting of various parts A to W) which is the application of the NBR (National Building Regulations) Act 103 of 1977. The successful learner will be classified as "competent" as defined in SANS 10400-A: 2016 to carry out this work. The employment of qualified competent learners by the industry will benefit both the communities and the South African economy at large.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL for access to a qualification

Learners will gain access to the qualification/part-qualification through RPL for Access as provided for in the QCTO RPL Policy. RPL for access is conducted by accredited education institution, skills development provider or workplace accredited to offer that specific qualification/part qualification.

RPL for exemption of modules

Learners who have acquired competencies of the modules of a qualification or part-qualification will be credited for modules through RPL.

RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment

Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result.

Entry Requirements

An NQF Level 4 qualification with Mathematics and Science.

This part-qualification consists of the following compulsory Knowledge, Practical Skill and Work Experience Modules

Knowledge Modules

• 672107-001-00-KM-05, System Design Related to the Fire Detection Industry, Level 5, 10 Credits.

Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 10

Practical Skill Modules

• 672107-001-00-PM-05, Identify and Apply System Design for Fire Detection Systems, Level 5, 10 Credits.

Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 10

• 672107-001-00- WM-04, Processes and Procedures used for System Design Practices in the Fire Detection Industry, Level 5, 12 Credits.

Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 12

1. Perform with an informed understanding of system design as related to fire detection and alarm systems in compliance with regulations, relevant standards, by-laws and legalities.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Describe and demonstrate principles of fire detection and alarm systems in relation to regulations, relevant standards and by-laws.
• Describe the legal responsibilities of the fire system designer.
• Demonstrate and explain system categories, zoning, device placement, travel distance and sound levels.

Integrated Assessment

Formative Assessment

The skills development provider will use the curriculum to guide them on the stipulated internal assessment criteria and weighting. They will also apply the scope of practical skills and applied knowledge as stipulated by the internal assessment criteria. The formative assessment together with work experience leads to entrance in the integrated external summative assessment.

Summative Assessment

An external integrated summative assessment, conducted through the relevant QCTO Assessment Quality Partner is required for the issuing of this part-qualification. The external integrated summative assessment will focus on the exit level outcomes and associated assessment criteria. Collectively, phase assessments in terms of knowledge and practical skills should be conducted.