Medical Gas System Installer

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to function as a Medical Gas System Installer. Medical Gas System Installers install, construct, inspect, maintain, modify, repair and perform commissioning activities on medical gas systems. Medical gases include but not limited to medical oxygen, medical air, nitrous oxide, etenox. A qualified learner will be able to: • Construct and install gas systems as per the scope of work. • Perform commissioning activities on gas systems. • Conduct handover sessions when required by the scope of work with the end-user Inspect, maintain and repair gas systems to required legal requirements. • Modify gas systems according to engineering management of change (EMOC) requirements.

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.

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. Medical gases have a wide range of application in the health sector. Medical gas systems in hospitals are lifesaving. These assemblies supply piped oxygen, nitrous oxide, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and medical air to hospital areas such as patient rooms, recovery areas, operating rooms, and more. The medical gases used in anaesthesia and intensive care are oxygen, nitrous oxide, medical air, entonox, carbon dioxide and heliox. Oxygen is one of the most widely used gases for life-support and respiratory therapy besides anaesthetic procedures. Various industries in South Africa will benefit by implementing the cost-effective and improved processes that gas options provide. Industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, food and beverage 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 health care facilities and provision of consistent health care to clients. It also opens opportunities to industry to introduce new manufacturing technologies requiring gas supply. The spinoff 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 reducing 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 qualification will contribute to the full development of the learner within the gas installation industry by providing recognition as well as further mobility 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 gas industry for the following gas categories: Flammable gases, food and beverage gases, inert gases, medical gases, oxidant gases and speciality gases. This will contribute towards the development of competence in the installation and maintenance of gas equipment and systems. A Medical 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 the 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. The following proficiencies recognised by the industry as employment opportunities were identified in this occupation: • Flammable Gas System Installer. • Food and Beverage Gas System. • Installer Inert 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. Prospective 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 safely and 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 medical gas and medical gas systems.
• Compile a bill of materials for a legally compliant medical gas system.
• Assemble, construct and test a medical gas system based on volume, pressure and integrity according to medical gas system demand, design and standards which are legal and code compliant.
• Commission and conduct a final sign-off of a legally and code compliant medical gas system.
• Conduct fault finding and take remedial action on a medical 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 medical gas system and working with gases.