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

Identify and apply insulation methods and materials for piping and flat surfaces as applicable to air-conditioning and refrigeration systems 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
116707  Identify and apply insulation methods and materials for piping and flat surfaces as applicable to air-conditioning and refrigeration systems 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Air-conditioning Refrigeration and Ventilation 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology Manufacturing and Assembly 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 3  NQF Level 03 
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 replaces: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
9538  Identify and apply insulation methods and materials for piping and flat surfaces as applicable to air-conditioning and refrigeration systems  Level 3  NQF Level 03   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
People credited with this unit standard have proven the ability to:
  • Identify the various types of insulation materials used in air-conditioning and refrigeration applications as well as the various methods of applications.
  • Explain the properties of the various insulation materials.
  • Explain the importance of and reasons for providing vapour barrier.
  • Apply insulation material and suitable vapour barrier material to piping and flat surfaces. 

  • LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Ability to use basic hand tools used in the refrigeration and air-conditioning trade as required for applying insulation and vapour barrier material. 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Insulation material:
  • Fibreglass, polystyrene, polyurethane, rubber, non-drip tape, mineral fibres, polyethylene foam, phenolic foams and insulated panels
    Vapour barrier material:
  • Polyethylene, aluminium, chromadek, galvanised sheet metal, stainless steel, plastic laminated foil, coated felt, plaster and rubber based paint.
    Forms of insulating material
  • Rigid and flexible insulation, fibrous, cellular, particulate, sheet, blocks, half-sections.
    Applications
  • Pipes, fittings, tanks, vessels, equipment, ducts and walls. 

  • Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Identify insulation methods and materials used for piping and flat surfaces. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The purpose of using insulation and vapour barriers on surfaces to be insulated is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The various forms of insulation materials are identified and discussed, and their advantages and limitations explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The various types of vapour barrier material are identified and discussed and their advantages and limitations explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The importance of preventing moisture from entering insulation material is discussed 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain properties and applications of different materials. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Thermal, mechanical and acoustical properties of insulation material are discussed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The properties and effectiveness of insulation and vapour barrier materials are discussed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The importance of using economically optimum insulation thicknesses is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The influence of environmental conditions on the surface finish of insulated components is explained and specific finishes for particular applications discussed. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Plan application of insulation and vapour barrier. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Required amount and type of material is ordered and deliveries arranged to meet time schedules. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The correct application method of insulation and vapour barrier material for various applications is selected and the method of securement described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The correct tools and equipment for the job are selected. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Apply insulation and vapour barrier material to piping and flat surfaces. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The implication of damaging the vapour barrier material is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Insulation and vapour barrier material is applied in accordance with specified instructions by the suppliers and company procedures 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The insulated areas are finished off in line with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Where applicable in refrigerated rooms, heater tape is installed in line with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The jointing methods of prefabricated insulating panels are discussed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The consequences of incorrect selection and application of insulation and vapour barrier material are listed and explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Completion of the work is reported in accordance with company regulations. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Any person wishing to be assessed against this unit standard may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution accredited by the relevant ETQA, who may appoint a moderator to be present at the assessment.
  • The assessor must have knowledge and experience of air-conditioning or refrigeration. 

  • UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Names, application, properties and function of various insulation and vapour barrier materials.
  • Consequences of incorrect selection and application of insulation and vapour barrier material.
  • Influence of insulation on operating costs of system. 

  • UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems
  • Select correct insulation and vapour barrier materials andmethods for particular application 

  • UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organize and manage myself and my activities responsibly and effectively
  • Selecting required type and quantity for specific installation 

  • UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively
  • Present oral or written report on conclusion of installation 

  • UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically
  • By understanding the processes involved 

  • UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems
  • Understanding the impact of incorrect selection and application of insulation and vapour barrier material on product and people 

  • UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    Learner and societal development
  • Understanding the heat and moisture flow through structures and its prevention and/or limitation 

  • 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 is replacing unit standard 9538 - 'Identify and apply insulation methods and materials for piping and flat surfaces as applicable to air-conditioning and refrigeration systems' - Level 3.

    Supplementary information:
    Specific requirements are contained in one or more of the following documents:
  • Manufacturer's instructions regarding the installation of insulation and vapour barrier material.
  • Company procedures and guidelines regarding installation and reporting of completion of work. 

  • QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  65489   National Certificate: Air-Conditioning, Refrigeration and Ventilation  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered" 
    2023-06-30  MERSETA 
    Elective  48963   National Certificate: Air-Conditioning, Refrigeration and Ventilation  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered" 
    2009-03-12  Was MERSETA until Last Date for Achievement 


    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.