Occupational Certificate: Fire Alarm Installer

Purpose

The purpose of this part-qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Fire Alarm Installer in a safe and knowledgeable manner.

Once qualified Fire Alarm Installer performs a variety of tasks associated with the installation of fire detection systems 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 install South African standards compliant fire detection systems in a safe and competent manner to reduce the loss of life and property.

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 Fire Alarm Installer 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 National Standards and regulations listed on pages 3-4. The part-qualification is a response to address a need to have qualified, competent, industry practitioners in South Africa that can design, install, maintain, and commission 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 qualifications 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.

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

Knowledge Modules

• 672107-001-00-KM-01, Health and Safety Related to the Fire Detection Industry, Level 4, 1 Credit.
• 672107-001-00-KM-02, Electro-technical Related to the Fire Detection Industry, Level 4, 8 Credits.
• 672107-001-00-KM-03, Business Communication Related to the Fire Detection Industry, Level 4, 1 Credit.
• 672107-001-00-KM-04, Installation Related to the Fire Detection Industry, Level 5, 10 Credits.

Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 20

Practical Skill Modules

• 672107-001-00-PM-01, Identify and Apply Safety Regulations and Practices to be used in the Fire Detection Industry, Level 4, 1 Credit.
• 672107-001-00-PM-02, Identify and Apply Electro-technical Methods in the Fire Detection Industry, Level 4, 8 Credits.
• 672107-001-00-PM-03, Identify and Apply Business Communications and Practices by Identifying, Using and Describing Communication, Etiquette and Documentation used in the Fire Detection Environment, Level 4, 1 Credit.
• 672107-001-00-PM-04, Identify and Apply Regulations, Tools, Practices, Components to be used in Installation in the Fire Detection Industry, Level 5, 10 Credits.

Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 20

Work Experience Modules

• 672107-001-00- WM-01, Practice Processes and Procedures for Health and Safety Requirements Related to the Fire Detection Environment, Level 4, 1 Credit.
• 672107-001-00- WM-02, Processes and Procedures for Installing Fire Detection Systems and other Associated Equipment, Level 5, 13 Credits.
• 672107-001-00- WM-03, Processes and Procedures for Communication, Etiquette and Documentation in the Fire Detection Industry, Level 4, 1 Credit.

Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 15

1. Conduct fire detection and alarm systems installations, with an informed understanding and fundamental knowledge of health & safety, electromechanical disciplines, business communications and installation techniques as they relate to fire detection and alarm systems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Conduct fire life safety surveys, submit reports to include working safely at heights and cover the correct usage of tools and equipment in topics.
• Explain and demonstrate inspection and use of safety equipment.
• Demonstrate and explain the principles and fundamentals of electro-technical theory.
• Describe principles of building construction and building legislation as they relate to fire detection and alarm system fire safety including working at heights.
• Explain and demonstrate safety precautionary measures to prevent injuries relating to low voltage electrical and electronic installations.
• Explain, demonstrate, and apply the use, care, and inspection of installation equipment.
• Demonstrate the importance of correct record keeping.
• Demonstrate the methods used for the installation of fire cables.
• Demonstrate the various cable containment and support systems.
• Demonstrate terminations of cables.
• Explain and demonstrate the procedures for mounting of fire equipment.
• Explain principles of emergency illumination and the control of building utilities.
• Identify, describe, and demonstrate types and operation of fire detectors, audible/visual alarms and control equipment.

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 within 10 working days.