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

Demonstrate an understanding of explosives 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
257282  Demonstrate an understanding of explosives 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Bomb Disposal and Explosives Control 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security Safety in Society 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  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
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
117469  Identify and explain explosives  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  9   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard is for learners within the bomb disposal, explosives, pyrotechnics, demolitions and blasting environment who need to have an embedded understanding of explosives in general. Learners will further be able to use these competencies during later learning. The competencies achieved by the learners in this Unit Standard will lead to a safer society for South African citizens.

Learners credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Describe explosives.
  • Describe improvised explosives. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that the learner has the following knowledge and skills:
  • Communication at NQF Level 4.
  • Physical Science at NQF Level 4.
  • The Unit Standard "Demonstrate an understanding of the dynamics in the field of explosives" at NQF Level 5. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
  • The term "improvised explosives" should be understood to also include homemade explosives in the context of this unit standard.
  • The term "characteristics" should be understood to also include behaviour of explosives. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Describe explosives. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
  • Explosives include both high and low explosives. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Types of explosives are identified according to categories. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • In the case of high explosives categories refers but is not limited to primary high and secondary high explosives.
  • In the case of low explosives categories refers but is not limited to propellants, pyrotechnics and powders.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Explosives are explained in terms of their characteristics. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • In the case of high explosives characteristics refers but is not limited to velocity of detonation and shelf life.
  • In the case of low explosives characteristics refers but is not limited to burning time, deflagration, effects and shelf life.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Explosives are assessed in terms of their functions and applications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The handling methods of explosives are described according to material safety data sheets. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Explosives are described in terms of their elementary composition. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Composition refers but is not limited to the chemical compositions mixture.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Describe improvised explosives. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Chemical mixtures and compositions used in improvised explosives are described in terms of their functional effect. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Functional effect refers but is not limited to detonation and deflagration.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Substances and articles are assessed to determine whether they can be applied as possible improvised explosives. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    A description is given of hazards associated with sensitivity and stability of improvised explosives. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    An explanation is given of improvised explosives in terms of their possible uses and applications. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • An individual wishing to be assessed (including through RPL) against this Unit Standard may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution accredited by the relevant ETQA, or an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this Unit Standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this Unit Standard or assessing this Unit Standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Explosives Act.
  • Occupational Health and Safety Act.
  • Commercial explosives.
  • Military explosives.
  • Types of high explosives:
    > Boosters.
    > Detonating cord.
    > Blasting cartridges.
    > Detonators.
  • Types of low explosives:
    > Black powder.
    > Smokeless propellant.
    > Safety fuse.
    > Igniter cord.
    > Fireworks.
  • Periodic table. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information to better understand and explain:
  • Explosives.
  • Improvised explosives. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others when:
  • Describing explosives.
  • Describing improvised explosives. 
    		•

    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 117469, "Identify and explain explosives", Level 5, 9 credits. 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Fundamental  63229   National Diploma: Bomb Disposal  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SAS SETA 


    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.