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: 

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the structure of wood and how it relates to its appearance, strength, and water retention 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
117282  Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the structure of wood and how it relates to its appearance, strength, and water retention 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Wood Products 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation Forestry and Wood Technology 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 3  NQF Level 03  15 
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 does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard is for people who can describe the structure of wood, i.e. the units composing wood, and how these relate to the wood's appearance, strength and water retention properties, whilst adhering to other agreed standards pertaining to performance, safety, quality, and the environment.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Describe the fine (microscopic) structure of wood, i.e. the "units"(Range: cells-cell walls, cell openings; different cell types; 3 planes of wood --tangential, radial and longitudinal, other growth features-- knots, reaction wood, spiral grain, juvenile wood)
  • Describe how this relates to the weight (density) and strength of wood (Range: wood cells, cell walls, openings, cell contents, other growth features, strength perpendicular to grain, parallel with grain)
  • Explain the influence these units have on the appearance of wood (Range: Sapwood, Heartwood, annual rings with early wood and late wood, knots, reaction wood, grain, figure, cell contents, resin infiltrations, lustre)
  • Explain how wood holds water (Range: free water, bound water, cell structure, relative humidity; equilibrium moisture content)
  • Explain why and how wood shrinks and swells ("moves") (Range: moisture content, relative humidity, equilibrium moisture content; cell structure-cell walls, wood density, three planes of wood) 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    A Learner who wishes to enter a learning programme for this Unit Standard must be able to demonstrate:

    i) Competency in mathematical and communication skills equivalent to that of a person who has qualified in these subjects at NQF 2;
    ii) An understanding of the basic activities of a wood preservation plant's policies and procedures of the relevant workplace and Knowledge and understanding of the visible parts of a tree, and its stem when sawn open;
    iii) Knowledge and skills in the relevant workplace procedures, health and safety measures equivalent to NQF 2. 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    a) The typical scope of this Unit Standard covers is the "Range" described in the specific outcomes above

    b) The typical context of this unit standard is the training of a Learner at NQF Level 3.

    c) The Level assigned to this Unit Standard, i.e. Level 3, is appropriate because it entails the training of a novice in a wood preservation manufacturing environment and is a progression of the skills acquired from Levels 3 to 5. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Describe the fine (microscopic) structure of wood, i.e. the "units". 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Cells-cell walls, cell openings; different cell types; 3 planes of wood-tangential, radial and longitudinal, other growth features-knots, reaction wood, spiral grain, juvenile wood. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The description of the fine structure of wood is evidence that the learner knows and understands how wood is composed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The description is given in the correct wood technological terminology. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The description contains the correct information regarding the fine structure of wood relevant in this case. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The description is given within the prescribed time limits. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Knowledge of the fine structure of wood is a requirement for the successful achievement of this unit standard. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Describe how this relates to the weight (density) and strength of wood. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Wood cells, cell walls, openings, cell contents, other growth features, strength perpendicular to grain, parallel with grain 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The description of the relationship between the fine structure of wood and its density and strength confirms that the learner knows and understands how the fine structure determines these properties. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The description is given in the correct wood technological terminology. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The description contains the correct information regarding the effect of the fine structure of wood on its density and strength. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    This description is given within the prescribed time limits. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Knowledge of the relationship between the fine structure of wood and its weight and strength is a condition for the successful achievement of this unit standard. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Explain the influence these units have on the appearance of wood. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Sapwood, Heartwood, annual rings with early wood and late wood, knots, reaction wood, grain, figure, cell contents, resin infiltrations, lustre 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The explanation of influence of the units of wood structure on the appearance of wood confirms that the learner knows and understands how the combination of these units, and their contents, determine the appearance of wood. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    This explanation is given in the correct wood technological terminology. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The explanation covers the correct aspects of the properties of the units of wood which affect its appearance. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The explanation is given within the prescribed time limits. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Knowledge of the influence of the fine structure, i.e. the "units" composing wood, on its appearance, is a prerequisite for the successful achievement of this unit standard. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Explain how wood holds water. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Free water, bound water, cell structure, relative humidity; equilibrium moisture content 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The explanation of how water is held in wood confirms that the learner knows and understands this characteristic of wood. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The explanation is given in the correct wood technological terminology. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The explanation contains the correct information regarding how water is held in wood. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The explanation is given within the prescribed time limits. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Knowledge of the mechanism by which water is held in wood is a requirement for the successful achievement of this unit standard. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Explain why and how wood shrinks and swells ("moves"). 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Moisture content, relative humidity, equilibrium moisture content; cell structure-cell walls, wood density, three planes of wood 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The explanation of how water is held in wood confirms that the learner knows and understands this characteristic of wood. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The explanation is given in the correct wood technological terminology. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The explanation contains the correct information regarding how water is held in wood. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The explanation is given within the prescribed time limits. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Knowledge of the mechanism by which water is held in wood is a requirement for the successful achievement of this unit standard. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    An individual who wishes to be assessed against this Unit Standard may apply to, or inform, his immediate superior in the relevant workplace, to request management to arrange for his / her assessment by the relevant assessor accredited for this purpose by the ETQA of the FIETA. Accreditation for this Unit Standard shall be from the
    relevant Education and Training Quality Assurer (FIETA ETQA) through formative and summative assessment by a registered Assessor. Assessment should be contextual and be conducted in the workplace as far as possible.

    The relevant NSB and SGB should be notified of any feedback related to this qualification.
  • Assessors must be registered as an Assessor with the relevant ETQA
  • Moderators must be registered as assessors with the relevant ETQA
  • Training providers must be accredited by the relevant ETQA
  • Moderation should include both internal and external moderation where applicable
  • The FIETA ETQA will co-ordinate all moderation activities in accordance with their policies and procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    A demonstrated understanding of:

    i. The description and explanation of the fine structure of wood and its relationship to its strength, appearance and how it holds water;
    ii. The NQF Level 3 learner's responsibilities regarding the safety and health stipulations, the workplace procedures and the environmental management principles relevant to the specific workplace in the wood preservation plant;
    iii. Mathematical and communication skills equivalent to NQF Level 3 requirements 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work efficiently and safely as a motivated member of a team. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate and understand teamwork. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Understand and efficiently and safely carry out instructions of line manager in his/her work area. 

    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 
    Outcomes that Learners achieve will be judged subject to these being achieved:

    i) Within the standard time prescribed by the organisation;
    ii) While following all the safety procedures required by the OSHACT and the workplace; and
    iii) Strictly according to the organisation's work place procedures.

    Values

    The use of tasks and materials in the learning event plan should not discriminate against learners on any grounds prescribed in the Bill of Rights and Employment Equity Act and should promote the orientations outlined in the critical cross-field outcomes. 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  49083   National Certificate: Wood Products Processing  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  FPMSETA 


    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. AFRICAN MULTISKILLS DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING 
    2. ENB TRAINING SERVICEPTYLTD 
    3. FUTURE DISCOVERY TRAINING ACADEMY 
    4. TAMASA TRAINING PTY LTD 
    5. TIRHANI SKILLSTRAINING PTY LTD 
    6. VEB CELE & ASSOCIATES 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.