SAQA 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.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Advanced Diploma in Fire Technology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
111619  Advanced Diploma in Fire Technology 
ORIGINATOR
Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Advanced Diploma  Field 11 - Services  Consumer Services 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 07  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2019-09-03  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

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 qualification replaces: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
72406  Bachelor of Technology: Fire Technology  Level 7  Level N/A: Pre-2009 was L7  480  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The Advanced Diploma in Fire Technology comprises 120 Credits which is a vocational qualification at NQF Level 7. The purpose of the qualification is to equip the learners with the knowledge to master the art of consciousness in line of duty, apply the scientific knowledge of the fire and to safely handle the dynamics of any emergency. The six learning disciplines encompass the three legs that the qualification stands on. These are the science, technology and management involved in fire technology. The design of the qualification maintains appropriate balance of theoretical, practical (in the sciences) and experiential knowledge and skills. Further, graduates in the qualification will be able to apply financial concepts in pursue of work to meaningfully contribute to the strategic objectives of their organisation.

Rationale:
The Bachelor of Technology in Fire Technology and Master of Technology (Fire Technology) is currently being offered. The emergency services industry depends on the qualifications for the supply of its manpower - from fire fighters to fire managers - therefore looks for the needed integrated knowledge. The Advanced Diploma in Fire Technology and the Postgraduate Diploma in Fire Technology will offer the needed vertical articulation from the Diploma in Fire Technology.

The Advanced Diploma is designed for personnel working in the emergency service environment and prospective fire fighters. Theses emergency workers deal with variety of incidents raging from pedestrian vehicle incidents to complex chemical incidents that pose unreasonable risk to life and health. Firefighting is regarded as the one of the most hazardous, physical and stressful occupations on earth, coupled with anxiety and high risk of losing one's life. The need for the correct set of knowledge and skills to deal with various emergencies and non-emergency incidents is vital. Fire officers are required to implement correct mitigation strategies which involve extensive planning about resources, execution and implementation of the tactics to effect incident stabilisation, property and environmental conservation. Fire officers preside as chief witnesses in court on fire related matters. The need to be knowledgeable with the necessary scientific information to rationalise beyond reproach is important. The fire department's major functions include: the performance of financial management to ensure that the department uses its fiscals efficiently towards the strategic objective of the organisation. In case the fire officer is not capacitated to handle financial aspects of the organisation, poor planning, and management leads to probabilities of wasteful expenditure. The Advanced Diploma in Fire Technology further empowers the learner to master the art of fire behaviour in different emergency situations including the application of safety rules and concepts in dealing with less serious to extremely hazardous incidents.

A significant number of learners have the National Diploma in Fire Technology and are willing to continue with their studies. This qualification was developed to gain deeper knowledge in the field of Fire Technology, thereby improving the senior supervisors' professional skills. Due to the alignment with the requirements of the Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework (HEQSF), the Bachelor of Technology Degree will be phased out, which will leave a gap in the market for continued professional development in the field of Fire Technology. Qualified graduates of a Diploma in Fire Technology will be able to enrol for this Advanced Diploma. The qualification will fulfil the needs of qualified senior supervisors with expertise in areas of fire technology and fire science, financial management, and psychology. This qualification will partially substitute and modify certain aspects of the current Bachelor of Technology Degree, and is thus deemed important and sustainable.

Inputs from the emergency service industry were sought in the development of the appropriate learning areas which are also comparable to those offered at international institutions such as Maryland State University, in the United States of America.

The qualification articulates vertically with the Postgraduate Diploma in Fire Technology or other related qualifications at NQF Level 8. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution gives Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as stipulated in the RPL policy, in order to prevent the repetition of learning already obtained which correspond with the current learning being pursued at the institution. Prior-learning and or experience relevant to the field will be evaluated and considered for access or granting credits to the Advanced Diploma in Fire Technology. Learners may apply at the Office of the Registrar for RPL or for admission via the Senate's discretionary route. The specific relevant documentation will be requested from these learners, and these cases will be handled on an individual basis.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • National Diploma in Fire Service Technology, NQF Level 6.
    Or
  • Diploma in Fire Technology, NQF Level 6. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 7 totalling 120 Credits:
  • Emergency Management IV, 18 Credits;
  • Psychology: Emergency Services II, 18 Credits;
  • Fire Physics IV, 24 Credits;
  • Financial Management II, 18 Credits;
  • Fire Chemistry IV, 24 Credits;
  • Fire Technology IV, 18 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Apply knowledge in principles of financial management to analyse financial reports to maximise the returns within the emergency services.
    2. Apply fire science concepts to rationalise and articulate fire phenomenon and provide adaptive methods and procedures to combat fire extinguishment successfully.
    3. Demonstrate and apply safety measures and strategies according to emergency standards and procedures when dealing with highly dangerous materials.
    4. Demonstrate and apply an integrated and detailed knowledge and skills of forensic fire investigation involving various emergencies including transport, structure and open fires.
    5. Demonstrate the ability to use forensic science to justify beyond reproach on the causes of fire, the behaviour and sequential results.
    6. Demonstrate broader knowledge and skills in the tactical and technical ability to manage emergency incidents of varying levels using human and other emergency resources safely, efficiently and effectively to achieve total incident stabilisation.
    7. Demonstrate integrated and detailed knowledge of understanding human behaviour, psychological and cognitive principles as well as health care systems that concerns health professionals. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Describe the role and nature of financial institutions and markets in managerial finance.
  • Explain the summary of financial ratios and DuPont system of analysis to perform complete ratio analysis.
  • Calculate both the future value and the present value of a mixed stream of cash flows are calculated.
  • Describe procedures involved in determining deposits needed to accumulate a future sum, loan amortization, finding interest or growth rates and finding an unknown number of periods.
  • Explain the measurement of return and standard deviation for a portfolio and the concept of correlation.
  • Discuss the risk and return characteristics of a portfolio in terms of correlation and diversification and the impact of international assets on a portfolio.
  • Discuss relevant cash flows, expansion versus replacement decisions, sunk costs and opportunity costs, and international capital budgeting.
  • Discuss leverage, capital structure, break-even analysis, the operating break-even point, the effect of changing costs.
  • Discuss management of receipts and disbursements including float, speeding up collections, slowing down payments, cash concentration, zero-balance accounts, and investing in marketable securities.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Use fire science principles to effectively fight fires.
  • Apply mass flow rate incorporating correction such as virtual origin in calculations dealing with removal of smoke from compartments.
  • Conduct sizes and temperature ratings of smoke extractions fan calculations correctly.
  • Use equations underlying pool fires and liquid droplets to estimate temperature of burning fuels.
  • Determine calculations involving the rate of heat release from burning materials.
  • Analyse surface orientation and direction of propagation, thickness of the fuel, density, thermal capacity and thermal conductivity as well as geometry of the sample and environmental effects as being the conditions for flame spreading.
  • Derive and apply equations that govern heat parameters with physical material properties.
  • Use flashover developments and the corresponding governing equations to solve fire problems.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3 and 4:
  • Identify the chemistry of hazardous simple organic compounds and safety measures to suppress or stop their fires.
  • Analyse the characteristics of different flammable gases and their fire impact by volume are analysed.
  • Discuss the signature clues left after combustion of flammable gases.
  • Discuss the manufacturers' information mark on gas cylinders, and rail tank-cars used to transport flammable gases.
  • Follow techniques and procedures of handling and storing highly dangerous and inflammable materials according to NFPA written standards.
  • Identify different complex hazardous organic compounds based on their origin/sources, functional group, properties and main uses as well as the primary risks associated with their exposure and consequent potential health hazards when inhaled are analysed.
  • Define and explain the polymerisation of polymers, and use the decomposition and combustion of polymeric materials to convey an understanding and application of chemistry concepts and practices, such as: explaining the chemical nature of polymers and identifying the toxic gases that are released when polymers thermally decompose or burn.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Use and apply various safety equipment during fire investigation.
  • Scrutinise the influence of heat and temperature to an investigation.
  • Discuss the processes of gathering and evaluating evidence in a fire scene.
  • Perform an examination on a structural fires is performed.
  • Describe and evaluate procedures to be followed when investigating wildland fires.
  • Discuss challenges associated with different types of explosions.
  • Analyse various methods and procedures to follow in order to preserve physical scene evidence.
  • Discuss the use of photography during fire investigation.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Communicate ideas, concepts and arguments verbally and in writing when dealing with internal/ external stakeholders in the firefighting industry.
  • Empower the manager with the necessary knowledge and scientific procedures to safely, efficiently, and effectively manage complex emergency situations.
  • Analyse the extent to which politics affect the fire service and the role the fire service manager should play in legislation monitoring process and with political leaders.
  • Analyse standard procedures and policy development steps and implementation phases as well as their applications in the fire emergency services industry.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • Evaluate the philosophy behind Western style medicine and Ethno-medicine in Africa in the multi-faceted health care system.
  • Discuss the basic principles of the relevant Acts such as Act No. 108 of 1996: Chapter 2: Bill of Rights.
  • Discuss different approaches to human development suvh the following:
  • Psychoanalytic perspective.
  • Behavioural approach.
  • Humanistic approach.
  • Cognitive perspective; and
  • Lifespan perspective.
  • Discuss theories on abnormal behaviour.
  • Analyse professional and ethical handling of communication in patient-interactions such as patient complaints, pain levels and their consent in engagement.
  • Discuss techniques to follow in respond to a client, suffering from different types of pain, going through grieving process or dying phase.
  • Discuss theoretical stress concepts such as the following:
  • Transactional Theory of stress.
  • Seley's General Adaptation Syndrome.
  • Tend and Befriend.
  • Psychological appraisal.
  • Discuss the role of social support in coping with stress, causes of stress and the various self-help strategies to follow.


    Integrated Assessment:
    The assessment undertaken to determine the learners' applied competence and successful completion of learning in the qualification will be through a combination of formative and summative strategies. This integrated approach to assessment will take place within the context of an active learning environment, in adherence to:
  • Quality assurance policies, procedures and processes.
  • A guided and supported learning environment.

    Formative assessment will be used to inform learners about their progress on a continuous basis throughout the course of study. Self and peer assessment (with the aid of relevant analytical assessment tools) will contribute to formative assessment. Marks collected from this evidence may be recorded for promotional purposes or may be used for the sole purpose of learner and lecturer reflection, growth and development. Formative assessment will be used to support the learner developmentally and to provide feedback to all involved in the learning process about how teaching and learning can be improved. Throughout the qualification, formative assessment strategies will be used to ensure that Exit Level Outcomes are achieved. These modes of assessment will include (but not limited to): assignments, class exercises, presentations, and practicals.

    Summative assessment will involve assessment opportunities that take place at the end of a learning experience. Information will be gathered about a learner's level of competence upon completion of a unit, module or qualification. Results may be expressed in marks in terms of the level of competence achieved, with regard to Level Descriptors, Exit Level Outcomes and assessment standards. This type of assessment will be used for promotional purposes and will take the form of (including, but not limited to): examinations (theoretical) and tests. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Fire related qualifications are vocational nonetheless; non-vocational subjects are added to enhance the understanding of science. Fire departments in the country are happy with the qualification because it covers major topics that affect them daily in their job. The following universities offer the Degree in Fire and Emergency Management from Diploma to Masters' level. Kaplan University offers a four-year Bachelor of Science in Fire and Emergency Management comprising 360 Credits. Modules and learning contents are similar to Advanced Diploma in Fire Technology. The qualifications support careers such as Chief Fire Officers, Fire Investigators and Inspectors.

    Capella University offers a year Master of Science in Public Safety with a specialisation in Emergency Management comprising 120 Credits. There is similarity in the Emergency Management modules and contents.
    University of Cincinnati provides a four year Bachelor of Science in Fire and Safety Engineering Technology comprising 360 Credits. There is similarity in the learning modules/contents. The qualifications support careers such as Chief Fire Officers, Fire Investigators and Inspectors. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows for both horizontal and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Advanced Diploma in Management, NQF Level 7.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Fire Technology, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced qualification.
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    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.