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: 

Clean windows 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
243207  Clean windows 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Hygiene & Cleaning Services 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 11 - Services Cleaning, Domestic, Hiring, Property and Rescue Services 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 1  NQF Level 01  4 
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
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

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
12529  Clean windows, frames and glass panels  Level 1  NQF Level 01  4   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
Learners credited with this unit standard are able to clean windows found in a residential, commercial, industrial or institutional environment.

Qualifying learners are able to:
  • Plan and prepare for cleaning windows.
  • Clean windows.
  • Perform end of task procedures after cleaning windows. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are competent in:
  • Communication at ABET Level 3.
  • The Unit standards:
    > Understand basic cleaning principles (Level 1).
    > Use chemicals in the cleaning services environment (Level 1). 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    This standard is for windows that can be reached using no more than a two-step ladder.
  • The scope of this unit standard is for any person who needs to clean windows, frames and ledges that can be reached using no more than a two-step ladder, found in a residential, commercial, industrial or institutional environment.
  • In the context of this unit standard, windows includes frames, burglar bars and ledges. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Plan and prepare for cleaning windows. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Personal protective equipment is used in accordance with worksite procedures and the reasons for doing so are explained in terms of General Safety Regulations. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Personal protective equipment includes, but is not limited to, overalls, footwear and gloves.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Windows to be cleaned are identified in terms of the scope of work, access and the cleaning specification. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Windows could include, but is not limited to, cottage or large panes, louvre windows, sash windows, sliding windows, large panel shop front windows and glass doors.
  • Glass includes, but is not limited to, clear, tinted, frosted, mirror, plastic coated, smoked.
  • Frames could include, but is not limited to, steel, aluminium and wood and may have burglar bars.
  • Ledges includes, but is not limited to, brick, concrete, painted concrete, tiles, wood, aluminium.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The correct cleaning process for window cleaning is identified and reasons for the choice of cleaning process are given in relation to worksite procedures and basic cleaning principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Correct equipment, consumables and chemicals are selected for window cleaning and reasons for the selection are explained in terms of the work to be done. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Equipment, consumables and chemicals could include, but is not limited to, two-step ladders; buckets, scrapers, spray bottles, cloths, sponges, squeegees, applicators, window washing sleeve, natural or synthetic chamois, and specialised chemicals for cleaning windows.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Clean windows. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Windows, frames and latches are checked before cleaning, and any damage is reported in accordance with the worksite procedure. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The reasons for checking for damage and reporting it are explained focussing on the consequences of not doing so. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Damage includes, but is not limited to, chips, cracks, broken latches.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Windows and glass are prepared for cleaning in accordance with the worksite procedure. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Preparation could include, but is not limited to, the removal of furniture, ornaments and plants; opening blinds and curtains; removing stickers, adhesives, bird waste and other solids from the window or glass.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Each window, frame and ledge is cleaned in accordance with the worksite procedure and basic cleaning principles. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Perform end-of-task procedures after cleaning windows. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    All windows cleaned are checked in accordance with worksite procedures and basic cleaning principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    All waste generated during the cleaning of windows is disposed of in accordance with the worksite procedure and environmental principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    All equipment, ladders, consumables and chemicals used for cleaning windows are removed, cleaned and stored according to worksite procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Problems and damage identified during the cleaning of windows are reported in accordance with worksite procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Problems and damage could include, but is not limited to, damaged/missing equipment and/or personal protective equipment; insufficient or incorrect chemicals and/or consumables, staff problems, customer requirements, the cleaning schedule and cracked or broken windows and glass and damaged latches.
     


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Any institution or provider offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited by the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be a constituent assessor registered with the relevant ETQA.
  • Both internal and external moderation of the assessment will be quality assured by the relevant ETQA in accordance with their published policies and procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Basic cleaning principles applicable to window cleaning.
  • The use of cleaning chemicals applicable to window cleaning. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems that might occur during the cleaning of windows such as making adjustments to the cleaning schedule when an area scheduled for cleaning is being occupied. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a cleaning team when cleaning windows. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organize and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively during the processes of planning, preparing, cleaning and checking the quality of cleaning of windows. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, organise and evaluate information relating to surfaces, cleaning procedures, cleaning specifications and cleaning frequencies during the cleaning of windows. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively when cleaning windows by using oral and/or written language skills when reporting. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others by disposing of waste correctly and the use of equipment, chemicals and processes in cleaning windows. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognizing the importance of planning before cleaning windows. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    Contribute to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of society at large by:
  • Participating as a responsible citizen in the life of local, national and global communities by implementing environmental cleaning methods.
  • Being culturally sensitive across a range of social contexts by considering the customer during the cleaning of windows. 
    		•

    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 12529, ' Clean windows, frames and glass panels ', Level 1, 4 credits.

    Supplementary information

    Definition of terms within this unit standard:
  • Access refers to the authority to enter an area to clean windows without disturbing people in or near that area.
  • Cleaning specification refers to the list of windows to be cleaned and the frequency of cleaning agreed.
  • Frequency refers to the regularity or schedule of cleaning for specific windows e.g. weekly, monthly, quarterly etc.
  • Latch refers to the mechanism to secure a window frame when open or closed.
  • Scope of work refers to the areas in which the cleaning of windows is to take place.
  • Worksite procedure refers to the method of cleaning windows that have been identified and agreed. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  57937   General Education and Training Certificate: Hygiene and Cleaning  Level 1  NQF Level 01  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SERVICES 
    Elective  80786   National Certificate: Home-Care Practices  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SERVICES 
    Elective  62709   National Certificate: Service Station Operations  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  W&RSETA 


    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.