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 UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Identify refrigerant containers, explain handling procedures and discuss the use of refrigerants 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
116334  Identify refrigerant containers, explain handling procedures and discuss the use of refrigerants 
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 2  NQF Level 02  3 
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
9413  Identify refrigerant containers, explain handling procedures and discuss the use of refrigerants  Level 2  NQF Level 02  6   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
To enable persons who assist suitably qualified or trained personnel involved in the installation, commissioning, maintenance and repair of equipment using refrigerants to carry out the following tasks:
  • To identify the type of refrigerant in containers and systems,
  • To demonstrate and explain the safe handling of refrigerant containers,
  • To name and explain the precautions to be taken to prevent harm to self, others, plant, and the environment when handling refrigerant containers.
  • To discuss the use of refrigerants in cooling plants 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • ABET Level 4,
  • An understanding of the basic principles of refrigeration 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Groups of refrigerants: CFCs, HCFCs, HFCs, HCs and natural refrigerants.

    Commonly used refrigerants, for example:
    CFCs : R11, R12, R502
    HCFCs: R22, R123, R406A, R408A, R409A.
    HFCs : R23, R134a, R404A, R407C, R410A, R507.
    HCs : R290, R600a.
    Natural refrigerants : R717 (Ammonia).

    Typical applications of refrigerants, for example, comfort and industrial air-conditioning, cold rooms, freezer rooms, domestic refrigerators and freezers, automotive air conditioning and transport refrigeration units.

    Physical properties: smell, colour, toxicity and flammability. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Name and identify the type of refrigerants in containers and systems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Name the refrigerants commonly used in South Africa. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The physical properties of the commonly used refrigerants are stated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The group and type of refrigerant in various containers is correctly identified. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The group and type of refrigerant in an unmarked system is correctly identified. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The methods used to identify refrigerants in containers and systems are named and explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The consequences of mixing refrigerants or using the wrong refrigerant are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Containers are handled safely, no damage occurs and no refrigerant is released. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate and/or explain the handling and storing of refrigerant containers without endangering self, others, the plant or the environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The effect of refrigerants on humans if inhaled or spilt on the body is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The effects of releasing refrigerant into the atmosphere are named and explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The restrictions imposed by the Montreal Protocol on the use of refrigerants in South Africa are named and explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The safety procedures needed when handling, transporting and storing refrigerant containers are named and explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The personal protective equipment to be used when handling refrigerants are named and their use explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The safety precaution to be established before starting work on a refrigeration plant are named and explained in accordance with work site procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Work situations in which at least two competent persons are required are identified and reasons explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    Procedures to be followed in the event of an accident or fire when working with refrigerants are named and explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9 
    The additional hazards that can be encountered when working with flammable and high-pressure refrigerants are named and explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Discuss the use of refrigerants in cooling systems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The relationship between the temperature and the pressure of a refrigerant is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The ability to determine the saturation temperature or pressure from tables or gauges for various refrigerants is demonstrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Typical applications of the various refrigerants are named and discussed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The type(s) of oil to be used with each of the commonly used refrigerants are stated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The consequences of using the wrong type of oil are stated and explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The labeling requirements i.r.o. the type of refrigerant and oil charged into an existing system are stated. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Accreditation should be carried out by accredited assessors who are specialists in and have practical experience in the field of refrigeration and air-conditioning. 

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The relationship between the absolute Pressure and the Temperature of a refrigerant.
    The effect of releasing refrigerants into the atmosphere and the effect this can have on the health and welfare of the world's population.
    The importance of safe handling of refrigerant containers. 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems
  • Selecting the correct refrigerant container 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively
  • Discuss the uses of refrigerants 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically
  • Handling containers 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems
  • Understanding the hazards associated with the use of refrigerants
  • Understanding the effects refrigerants, when released into the atmosphere, can have on the environment 
    		•

    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, 9413, "Identify refrigerant containers, explain handling procedures and discuss the use of refrigerants", Level 2, 6 credits.

    Worksite procedures refer to the documented procedures for the worksite.
    Assessment should take place in real situations, where practical.
    The following reference material may be useful in the completion of this unit standard:
  • The OHS act and the ACRICSA notes for assessment "A".
  • The Montreal Protocol.
    The assessor will require the following equipment:
  • Cylinders of refrigerant referred to in the range statements. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  65449   National Certificate: Air-conditioning, Refrigeration and Ventilation  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MERSETA 
    Core  48959   National Certificate: Air-conditioning, Refrigeration and Ventilation  Level 2  NQF Level 02  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.