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

Maintain pneumatic systems 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
253361  Maintain pneumatic systems 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Generic Manufacturing, Engineering, Technology 
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 4  NQF Level 04  8 
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
13321  Maintain fluid power / pneumatic systems  Level 4  NQF Level 04  16   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
Learners in the field of engineering require the skills, values and knowledge reflected in this unit standard.

The learning outcomes in this unit standard also contribute to the exit level outcomes required for the National Certificate in Engineering Fitting (NQF Level 4) and related qualifications.

Qualifying learners can:
  • Identify, discuss and demonstrate pneumatic system operations.
  • Plan and prepare to maintain pneumatic systems.
  • Maintain pneumatic systems.
  • Care and store tools and equipment.

    Learners will therefore perform routine maintenance on a pneumatic power system to ensure operational integrity. They will understand the importance of maintenance in pneumatic systems and how it is achieved. This will include a basic knowledge of pneumatic components, basic component symbols, circuit design and fault finding techniques, using hand tools and equipment. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    This unit standard is one of a series of unit standards for engineering systems maintenance in the field of mechanical fitting.

    The credits allocated to this unit standard assume that a learner has already learned to:
  • Assemble mechanical components.
  • Maintain pipe systems.
  • Static seals.
  • Sling loads. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    The ranges as indicated under the specific outcomes determine the scope and level of this unit standard.

    However, for the purpose of assessment, pneumatic systems include but are not limited to:
  • Compressors and related components.
  • Service units (pressure regulators, filters, water traps, lubricators).
  • Linear and rotary actuators.
  • Various actuation methods (Electric, mechanical, pilot-actuation).
  • Flow control and measurement.
  • Pressure regulating devices.
  • Pipe and hose connections and fittings.

    Fundamental concepts include but are not limited to:
  • Classification of flow.
  • Pressure, work and power.
  • Atmospheric pressure.
  • Energy and power, rate of flow and piston travel.
  • Pascal's Law.

    Environment contexts include but are not limited to:
  • Manufacturing and Engineering (Metals, Plastics, Tyre and Rubber, Electrical Power Generation, Automotive Manufacturing).
  • Chemical and Petrochemical.
  • Mining.
  • Transport (Maritime, Road, Rail and Aviation).
  • Civil Engineering and Construction.
  • Food and Beverages.
  • Other engineering-related industry sectors.

    The learner should be able to:
  • Work autonomously with minimal supervision and according to worksite and manufacturer specifications and occupational safety, health and environmental legislation.
  • Work in a workshop, plant or underground environment with varying levels of light, space and safety risks.
  • Work in a team environment. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Identify and discuss the applications of a pneumatic system. 
    OUTCOME NOTES 
    This outcome covers the knowledge required in order to:
  • Identify pneumatic components and applicable symbols.
  • Develop basic pneumatic circuits and applications.
  • Apply faultfinding techniques.
  • Demonstrate maintenance, repair, assembly, installation and testing procedures. 
    		•
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    For the purpose of assessment, pneumatic systems include but are not limited to:
  • Compressors and related components.
  • Service units (pressure regulators, filters, water traps, lubricators).
  • Linear and rotary actuators.
  • Various actuation methods (Electric, mechanical, pilot-actuation).
  • Flow control and measurement.
  • Pressure regulating devices.
  • Pipe and hose connections and fittings.

    Fundamental concepts include but are not limited to:
  • Classification of flow.
  • Pressure, work and power.
  • Atmospheric pressure.
  • Energy and power, rate of flow and piston travel.
  • Pascal's Law.

    The learner should be able to:
  • Work autonomously with minimal supervision and according to worksite and manufacturer specifications and occupational safety, health and environmental legislation.
  • Work in a team environment.
  • Work in a workshop, plant or underground environment with varying levels of light, space and safety risks. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The fundamental concepts and principles of pneumatics are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The classifications and types of pneumatic components are identified and discussed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The applications, functions, distinct features, characteristics and symbols of various pneumatic components are explained and demonstrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Basic pneumatic circuits are developed and their operation is demonstrated in terms of a drawing or work instruction. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Incidents and problems related to pneumatic system maintenance and component faults are discussed and explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Maintenance procedures are discussed and explained in terms of worksite practice and manufacturers specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    The terminology used during explaining and discussing pneumatic systems, is in keeping with manufacturers specifications and worksite practice. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Understanding confirmed:

    Respond to `what if` and `why` questions covering:
  • Pneumatic system, its characteristics and working principles.
  • The maintenance process - sequence, procedures and techniques.
  • Tools and equipment used.
  • Quality awareness: Implications of pneumatic system maintenance that do not comply with operational requirements.
  • Applicable maintenance theory.
  • Safety prevention.
  • Reporting and documentation requirements.
  • Discussion of the implications of not adhering to the sequence of activities and operations as described in the specific outcomes and making decisions inappropriate to the task.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Plan and prepare for pneumatic system maintenance. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Planning and preparation includes reading and understanding task instructions engineering drawings and maintenance scheduling, identification of the equipment to be maintained, obtaining maintenance schedules and manufacturer specifications for specific equipment to be maintained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The pneumatic system/s are inspected and assessed for its work requirements in terms of maintenance, repair and/or removal. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Planning and preparation procedures for the maintenance, repair and/or removal of the pneumatic system/s are explained, in accordance with work instructions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Site and equipment are prepared for pneumatic system maintenance. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Maintenance equipment and resources are correct for the task, available on site by the agreed time, and checked for serviceability in accordance with regulatory and worksite practices. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Resources include personnel requirements, tools, equipment, vehicle/s for transport and mechanical handling, support materials, applicable documentation and personal protective equipment.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Where required, handling space is cleared, potential obstructions are removed and personnel are notified, prior to the maintenance, repair and/or removal task. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Pre-operational checks are carried out on removal and securing equipment, in accordance with work instructions. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION NOTES 
    Indicators:
  • System is confirmed to be isolated.
  • Pneumatic system is handled and transported according to specifications.
  • Pneumatic system is inspected and non-conformances identified.
  • Pneumatic system maintenance requirements are determined.
  • Pneumatic system maintenance consumables, parts and/or components are selected, lapped and sealed, fitted and adjusted to meet operational requirements.
  • Maintained pneumatic system is checked for conformance with manufacturer specifications and applicable safety standards.
  • Pneumatic system records are completed and processed.
  • Work is carried out in a safe manner in accordance with schedules and manufacturer specifications.
  • Maintenance process cycle time meets workplace requirements. 
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Maintain pneumatic system. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
  • Maintenance includes identifying non-conforming components, removal, repair and installation of components and parts and confirming pressure release at predetermined pressure.
  • Problems include non-pressure release, non-conforming components, leaks, wear and damage, broken seals.
  • Repair, installation and testing include but is not limited to replacement of faulty components, seals and fluid. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Pneumatic system is maintained in compliance with operational requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Operational requirements include correct pressure relief at predetermined pressure and meeting flow control criteria (functionality, flow-rate, directional control, pressure regulation, etc.).
  • Checking for compliance may include functionality testing.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Faults are identified and corrective action is taken according to standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    All work is performed safely with due care for self, fellow workers, machines, equipment, materials and environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The system is tested for functionality in terms of operational requirements and in accordance with quality assurance procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The system operation and running condition is confirmed, recorded and reported after the maintenance and repair process, according to work-site practice and/or manufacturer's specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Work area is restored to a safe and serviceable condition. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION NOTES 
    Indicators:
  • System is confirmed to be isolated.
  • Pneumatic system is handled and transported according to specifications.
  • Pneumatic system is inspected and non-conformances identified.
  • Pneumatic system maintenance requirements are determined.
  • Pneumatic system maintenance consumables, parts and/or components are selected, lapped and sealed, fitted and adjusted to meet operational requirements.
  • Maintained pneumatic system is checked for conformance with manufacturer specifications and applicable safety standards.
  • Pneumatic system records are completed and processed.
  • Work is carried out in a safe manner in accordance with schedules and manufacturer specifications.
  • Maintenance process cycle time meets workplace requirements. 
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Care for and store tools and equipment. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Tools and equipment include absorbent material, hand tools and cleaning equipment, pneumatic fluid, lifting equipment and tackle. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The proper care and storage procedures for tools and equipment in accordance with work site practices and specifications is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Work area is restored to a safe and serviceable condition. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Tools, equipment, lifting equipment and tackle is stored in accordance with manufacturer's specification and requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Malfunctioning tools and equipment is reported and the necessary arrangements for the repair thereof is made according to accepted worksite practice. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION NOTES 
  • A clean and tidy work environment is maintained.
  • No delays are caused as a result of poor planning, maintenance and the identification of problems.
  • Applicable health, safety and environmental procedures are adhered to.
  • Non-conforming and damaged tools and equipment and equipment are identified and appropriate corrective action taken. 
    		•


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • The assessment will be governed by the policies and guidelines of the MERSETA Education and Training Quality Assuror who has jurisdiction over this field of learning. The assessor will (at the very least) be accredited and have a technical qualification in this learning area.
  • The learner can be assessed in the language of his/her choice although s/he has to report incidents or conditions to someone else. The learner will be assessed on his/her ability to report in the language commonly used in his/her working environment.
  • The learner will be assessed in the workplace but s/he can submit documents, projects, test results and assignments that were not produced in the workplace.
  • The learner can be assessed against this unit standard to obtain credits or as part of an integrated assessment for a qualification. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Names and functions of:
  • Consumables, lubricants, cleaning agents used.
  • Equipment on which maintenance is performed.
  • Compressors and pneumatic components.
  • Air systems and circuits.

    Attributes, descriptions, characteristics and properties:
  • System defects.
  • End users for the purpose of system design.
  • Pressure hazards.
  • Working pneumatics.

    Sensory cues:
  • Sensory cues (what I see, hear, smell, feel) utilised for identifying problems during system maintenance.

    Purpose of:
  • Making system safe.
  • Performing system maintenance.
  • Following maintenance schedules.
  • Designing simple systems.
  • Interpreting instruction.
  • Adhering to system design principles.
  • Adhering to safety, health and environmental legislation.
  • System components.

    Processes, events, causes and effects, implications:
  • Implications of overlooking system maintenance.
  • Acquiring consumables and cleaning agents.
  • Performing system maintenance.
  • System design.
  • Implications of overlooking design fundamentals.
  • Implications of not adhering to safety, health and environmental legislation.
  • Making pneumatic power system safe.

    Procedures and techniques:
  • Making system safe.
  • Re-energising system.
  • Servicing components.
  • Performing visual inspections.
  • Identifying problems.
  • Identify and select required components.
  • Designing a basic system.
  • Reporting on system operation.
  • Handling and storage of components.
  • Isolation technique and procedures.

    Regulations, legislation, agreements, policies, standards:
  • Applicable safety, health and environmental protection legislation.
  • Applicable company policies and procedures.

    Theory: Rules, principles, laws:
  • Hazards of working with systems under pressure.
  • Pneumatic power and Pascal's Law.
  • Applicable quality assurance fundamentals.

    Relationships, systems:
  • Relationship between pneumatics and the production process. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems:
  • Related to the maintenance of system. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team:
  • Interact with colleagues and team members in order to acquire required consumables, lubricants and cleaning agents. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage my activities and myself:
  • Apply the correct procedures and techniques for performing system maintenance.
  • Manage resources and my time. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information:
  • Interpret information off job instructions to maintain correct system.
  • Make decisions based on that information. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively:
  • Report condition of system. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems:
  • Understand and explain the purpose of system maintenance to the production process.
  • Justify my actions as appropriate. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    Assessors should keep the following general principles in mind when designing and conducting assessments against this unit standard:
  • Focus the assessment activities on gathering evidence in terms of the main outcome expressed in the title to ensure assessment is integrated rather than fragmented. Remember we want to declare the person competent in terms of the title. Where assessments at title level are unmanageable, it is necessary to then focus assessment around each specific outcome, or a group of specific outcomes.
  • Make sure evidence is gathered across the entire range, wherever it applies. Assessment activities should be as close to the real performance as possible, and where simulations or role-plays are used, there should be supporting evidence to show the candidate is able to perform in the real situation.
  • Do not focus the assessment activities on each assessment criterion. Rather make sure the assessment activities focus on outcomes and are sufficient to enable evidence to be gathered around all the assessment criteria.
  • The assessment criteria provide the specifications against which assessment judgements should be made. In most cases, knowledge can be inferred from the quality of the performances, but in other cases, knowledge and understanding will have to be tested through questioning techniques. Where this is required, there will be assessment criteria to specify the standard required.
  • The task of the assessor is to gather sufficient evidence, of the prescribed type and quality, as specified in this unit standard, that the candidate can achieve the outcomes again and again and again. This means assessors will have to judge how many repeat performances are required before they believe the performance is reproducible.
  • All assessments should be conducted in line with the following well documented principles of assessment: Appropriateness, fairness, manageability, integration into work or learning, validity, directness, authenticity, sufficiency, openness and consistency. 
    		•

    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 13321, "Maintain fluid power/pneumatic systems", Level 4, 16 credits.
  • The term "maintain" is defined as determine faults, assess requirements for repair, remove, replace, repair, adjust, re-align, reassemble and install and test.
  • This amendment excludes hydraulic systems within its title and range. The competencies required to maintain hydraulic systems (fluid power), are dealt with in an independent unit standard. This is the main purpose for this amendment.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:

    Credits may be obtained by applying to an accredited/approved training provider/institution in order to have prior learning recognised in lieu of past work experience. Past experiences must relate to the specific outcomes contained within this unit standard. The ensuing assessment of candidates seeking recognition of prior learning should not be so onerous as to deter them from doing so. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  66009   National Certificate: Diesel Electric and Electric Fitting  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 
    Core  59709   Further Education and Training Certificate: Mechanical Engineering: Fitting  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 


    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.