Food and Beverage Gas System Installer

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to function as Food and Beverage Gas System Installer. Food and Beverage Gas System Installers install, construct, inspect, maintain, modify, repair and perform commissioning activities on food and beverage gas systems. Gas types in this category include but not limited to nitrogen, carbon dioxide, mixtures of O2/CO2/N2, Sulphur dioxide, ethylene, oxygen. A qualified learner will be able to: • Construct and install food and beverage gas systems as per the scope of work. • Perform commissioning activities on food and beverage gas systems. • Conduct handover sessions when required by the scope of work with the end-user. • Inspect, maintain and repair food and beverage gas systems to required legal requirements. • Modify food and beverage gas systems according to engineering management of change (EMOC) requirements.

The South African gas industry is highly regulated, and legislation requires gas practitioners to have formally recognised qualifications. It is a growing industry with an increasing demand for gas systems in domestic, commercial and industrial settings and offers a cost-effective alternative. Industries utilising gas supply varies from domestic uses to medical application and use in the food and beverage sector as well as the manufacturing sector. Food-grade industrial gases are an effective and natural way of meeting rising consumer demands for quality, variety and freshness in the food and beverage industry. Increasingly, consumers are looking for low or zero-additive alternatives to conventional preservation techniques. Gases are proving indispensable in the growing market for convenient, home-inspired foods, carbonated drinks and beer. End-users for food and beverage gas solutions range from large bottling, canning and frozen foods companies to restaurants and pubs. Food and beverage industries will benefit from better service delivery which includes consistency in safety and quality standards according to the national and international requirements. Competent practitioners in the gases industry delivering competent and quality services will ensure safety and quality of facilities and provision of consistent supply to clients. It also opens opportunities to industry to introduce new manufacturing technologies requiring gas supply. The spin-off of the safe supply of gas through competent service providers is enormous, e.g. reducing the risk footprint in the country, reducing the possibility of incidents and reduce economic losses. It will make South Africa more attractive in the international market for the manufacturing of products, through cost-cutting technologies relying on gas supply. This part qualification will contribute to the full development of the learner within the gas installation industry by providing recognition, further mobility and transportability within the gas field. The skills, knowledge and understanding demonstrated within this qualification are essential for social and economic transformation. They will contribute to progression and economic growth within the gas installation and maintenance industry. This qualification has been designed to meet the training needs expressed by the food and beverage gas industry for a range of gas types. This will contribute towards the development of competence in the installation and maintenance of gas equipment and systems. A Food and Beverage Gas System Installer will be equipped to follow an independent career in gas installations and maintenance. The majority of learners for this qualification are likely to be learner-installers in small independent gas companies, and it is foreseen that these learners will eventually be able to independently run their own gas installation and maintenance operations. However, employment in big companies is also a possibility. This occupation co-exists with similar occupations. Proficiencies recognised by the industry as employment opportunities were identified in this occupation. These are: • Flammable Gas System Installer. • Inert Gas System Installer. • Medical Gas System Installer. • Oxidant Gas System Installer. • Speciality Gas System Installer. During the development of this occupational qualification, the above-mentioned proficiencies were provided for as part qualifications. Typical learners include school leavers who wish to pursue a career in the gas industry as well as persons currently employed or operating in the gas industry but with no formal recognition for their skills. Through the employment of competent installation personnel, employers and, in turn, the field and sub-field, will have confidence that this critical work in the industry is efficiently carried out.

Recognition of Prior Learning (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 results or by certifying a work experience record. RPL for Access to the Qualification: Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements. Entry Requirements: NQF Level 2 qualification with Mathematics.

• Demonstrate an understanding of the underpinning theory of food and beverage gases and food and beverage gas systems.
• Compile a bill of materials for a legally compliant food and beverage gas system.
• Assemble, construct and test a food and beverage gas system based on volume, pressure and integrity according to food and beverage gas system demand which is legal and code compliant.
• Commission and conduct a final sign-off of a legally and code-compliant food and beverage gas system.
• Conduct fault finding and take remedial action on a food and beverage gas system or maintain installation to ensure safe working conditions of the system.
• Comply with safety and quality industry codes and legal aspects when installing a food and beverage gas system and working with gases.