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

Operate pumps 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
246442  Operate pumps 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Water Sector 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 12 - Physical Planning and Construction Civil Engineering Construction 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 2  NQF Level 02  5 
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
12133  Operate pumps  Level 2  NQF Level 02  5   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The qualifying learner achieving this unit standard will be able to explain the working principles of pumps and operate and maintain pumps used in the water sector. In acquiring this competence the qualifying learner will lay a good foundation for future learning and action, and better understand the broader context of own work. Achieving this unit standard will enhance the employability of the qualifying learner in the water sector and other related sectors. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
It is assumed that learners are already competent in the following:
  • Communication at NQF Level 1.
  • Mathematical literacy NQF Level 1. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
  • Types of Pumps: Diaphragm, centrifugal, reciprocating, screw cylinder/piston, and turbo.
  • Maintain pumps: Cleaning filters, packing glands, lubrication.
  • Drive-units for pumps: Water, hand, wind, solar, electric, and mechanical.
  • Components of pumps: Impeller, diaphragm, piston, casing, filter, packing, nipples, shafts, universal joints/couplings, bleed-off points, gaskets, gauges.
  • Elements of pumps: Drive end, non-drive end, suction, delivery, operating stages.
  • Indications of malfunctions: Excessive vibration, excessive noise, gland water (too much or too little) water leaks, temperature, burning smell, and non-delivery of water. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain working principles of pumps. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Types of pumps are identified and explained in terms of the principles of their operation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Pump types are explained with examples in terms of their uses. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The elements of pumps are identified and named for operational purposes. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Elements refer to the shaft, impeller, and bearings.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate knowledge of a pumping system. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Pumping systems refers but is not limited to:
  • Water source, pipelines, pumps, valves, meters, strainers and reservoirs. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Pumping system features are identified and explained in terms of their functions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Pre-start inspection is carried out in accordance with work policies and procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The reasons for carrying out on-and-off procedures to operate a pumping system are explained in accordance with work policies and procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Pump is operated in accordance with organisational safety practices. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The pumping system is monitored to determine its efficiency. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Indications of malfunctions are identified to take corrective action. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Indications of malfunctions refer but are not limited to:
  • Overheating, pressure loss, reduced current and noise.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Maintain pumps. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Principles of servicing pumps are described in terms of code of practice. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Cleaning of filters is demonstrated through simulations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Packing of glands is described with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Lubrication procedures are applied in terms of work policies and procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Operational problems are identified and described to determine corrective action. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Maintain drive units of pumps. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Drive-units of pumps are identified and explained in terms of their advantages and disadvantages, uses and limitations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Drive-units are maintained in terms of work policies and procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Safety precautions are taken during pumping to prevent injury and environmental hazards. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the ETQA policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation.
  • Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments at exit points of the qualification, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise.
  • Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described both in individual unit standards as well as the integrated competence described in the qualification. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Learners should have a knowledge and understanding of:
  • Lubricating and refuelling diesel drive-unit.
  • Bleeding diesel fuel lines.
  • Importance of safety precautions when working with or near electricity.
  • Importance of servicing pumps and drive-units.
  • The variations of pumps within types.
  • The difference between positive displacement pumps and centrifugal pumps.
  • The principles of submersible pumps. 
    		•

    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 pumps systems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made to provide basic maintenance. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team and group when operating pumps in accordance with working principles. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Plan, organise and manage oneself and one`s activities responsibly and effectively in preparation for pumps operation and maintenance. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information relating to malfunctioning of pumps. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the form of oral and/or written presentation by using the correct reporting channels. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation by identifying the different types of pumps and their interrelatedness. 

    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 12133, "Operate pumps", Level 2, 5 credits.

    Integrated Assessment:

    When conducting assessments, assessors must ensure that they are familiar with the full text of the unit standards being assessed. Assessors must ensure that the assessment covers the specific outcomes, critical cross-field outcomes and essential embedded knowledge by developing assessment activities and tools, which are appropriate to the contexts in which the learners are working.

    These activities and tools may include self-assessment, peer assessment, formative and summative assessment. It may be more effective and efficient to assess a number of unit standards together in an integrated way, thus reducing the overall number of assessments and ensuring that commonalities that exist between a number of unit standards are captured in a way that makes sense for assessment.

    Assessment Option:

    Learners could be assessed using the following methods:
  • Oral or written questions.
  • Observations.
  • Simulation. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  58951   National Certificate: Water and Wastewater Treatment Process Operations  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  EWSETA 
    Elective  79666   National Certificate: Metal and Engineering Manufacturing Processes  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MERSETA 


    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. ATTI NELSPRUIT (PTY) LTD 
    2. CHILUTSI TRADING ENTERPRISE 
    3. ERGO MAPHELONG INSTITUTE (PTY) LTD 
    4. HAZYVIEW WATER SKILLS ACADEMY 
    5. SEANEGO INTERGRATED NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT 
    6. URSIVOX (PTY) LTD 


    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.