Fire Alarm Maintainer

The purpose of this part-qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Fire Alarm Maintainer in a safe and knowledgeable manner. A Fire Alarm Maintainer performs a variety of tasks associated with the maintenance of fire detection systems to protect life, environment, and property. The learner will do this by utilising the knowledge they have gained during the training. A qualified learner will be able to carry out preventative maintenance procedures as per the South African National Standards (SANS) requirements.

The Special Class Electrician (Fire Alarm Technician) Occupation forms part of the 2018 list of Occupations in High Demand that have been identified by the Department of Higher Education and Training, has been listed as a trade occupation as per Government Gazette 35625, published on 31 August 2012, and identified as a trade occupation in terms of Section 26B of the Skills Development Act, 1998 (Act No. 97 of 1998). It is for these policies that the QCTO prioritised the development of the Special Class Electrician. The Fire Alarm Maintainer is an electrical qualification ideally suited for a Fire Alarm qualification. It has been developed in compliance with the relevant parts of the above South African standards and regulations listed on pages 3-4. The part-qualification is a response to address a need to have qualified, competent, industry practitioners in South Africa that can maintain fire detection and alarm systems as well as meeting the criteria required to register with the SA industry Regulators. The range of typical learners that will enter this qualification are people who wish to gain access to employment opportunities in the fire detection industry as well as those who are currently working in the industry without a SAQA registered qualification. It is aimed at learners from formal schooling who aspire to become fire alarm maintainers or employees who are currently employed in the fire alarm industry performing fire detection related activities. Qualified learners will have a range of foundational competencies relating to fire detection systems, health and safety, electro technical knowledge, installation, maintenance practices and further skills in workplace processes. Learners who do not want to become fire alarm maintainers but require skills and competencies to perform other fire alarm system services have been catered for in the form of part-qualifications. Previously, industry developed fire alarm training qualifications according to different standards and under different bodies, ranging from SAQA registered skills programmes to Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) recognition of non-registered industry training. This qualification aims to establish common standards at entry level to access funding for people who previously did not have the means to achieve accreditation to allow for applications for employment opportunities. Learners who complete this qualification or part qualifications will be recognised as competent fire alarm practitioners employable within various public as well as in the private sectors and in becoming self-employed. Learners who complete this qualification or part qualifications will enable progression in their careers by learning programmes that are aligned to NQF Level 5 qualifications in selected specialised routes or career pathways in the context of fire alarm services. These specialised qualifications will enable them to operate either as installers, maintainers, commissioners, designers or beyond. The completion and attainment of this part-qualification will benefit learners in terms of employability within various public as well as in the private sectors as they will be in possession of the required skills as legislated in The South African National Standard 10400 (consisting of various parts A to W) which is the application of the NBR (National Building Regulations) Act 103 of 1977. The successful learner will be classified as "competent" as defined in SANS 10400-A: 2016 to carry out this work. The employment of qualified competent learners by the industry will benefit both the communities and the South African economy at large.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): RPL for Access to a qualification Learners will gain access to the qualification through RPL for Access as provided for in the QCTO RPL Policy. RPL for access is conducted by accredited education institution, skills development provider or workplace accredited to offer that specific qualification/part qualification. RPL for exemption of modules Learners who have acquired competencies of the modules of a qualification or part-qualification will be credited for modules through RPL. RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment: Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result. Entry Requirements: An NQF Level 4 qualification with Mathematics and Science.

1. Conduct preventative maintenance with an informed understanding as well as fault finding and repairs as they relate to fire detection and alarm systems in compliance with regulations, relevant standards and by-laws.