update on saqcc operations during covid-19...cylinders(light alloy cylinders) - ce 0036 en 9809-1 or...

1 | P a g e 7 SAQCC FIRE ~ 1475 Newsletter ~ Summer/Christmas 2020

Update on SAQCC operations during Covid-19

The SAQCC Fire was hugely challenged since lock down to guide technicians through these strenuous times while it simultaneously had to balance the safety of its staff and still render an effective service to the competent persons.

Our first challenge was to approach the Department of Employment and Labour during level 5 and 4 regarding the interpretation of essential

services and the fire industry. Fortunately we could come to an agreement early on that fire companies did render an essential service

and the information was published on our website regarding what companies and technicians were allowed to do under which levels.

Our staff was set up to work from home and fielded many calls to update persons on an ongoing basis.

Since level 1, our staff moved back to our offices and is operating in full force although visitors are still not allowed. The Board of Directors and sub committees have since found new ways of dealing with Covid restrictions including very effective online meetings and also having our AGM on the virtual platform. Thus all operations and interactions with the government and other bodies such as the certification bodies, QCTO and SANAS have been fully operational on the virtual platform.

Our disciplinary sub-committee has been fully operational since April

and has been busier than ever before with 12 hearings that have since been held. The chair has actively tackled complaints received and ensured that

through effective investigations and fact gathering many of these hearings resulted in guilty findings and penalties.


What is of most concern is that the technicians who have been called in seemed to have had no understanding of the seriousness of their offences! In two instances, technicians were called to a second hearing for an identical offence which happened within two weeks of their original hearing. Eventually, both these cases were heard “in absentia” which means they have not defended themselves – and this has led to the most serious of consequences for both of them. Another concerning factor is three instances where the company owner, who is also a technician, has been allowing the use of his number by non-registered personnel. These have been treated with the utmost concern as it seems the person involved has a complete disregard for the safety of his personnel and the customers whose equipment they are servicing.

The number of cases of illegal servicing in particular as well as shoddy workmanship and non-compliance to the relevant standard are on the increase with daily complaints being received. Companies as well as technicians must be aware that not only are

competitors checking up on each other, but the public and the end users, in other words clients such as property management companies and others, are better educated on regulations, which have led to the huge increase in complaints.

SAQCC Fire approved reduced 2021 registrations fees The SAQCC Board of Directors has approved reduced fees for the 2021/2022 re-registration of competent persons. This was done on the basis of the savings on the 2020 road show which could not take place and the empathy the board has expressed for the financial constraints that technicians and employers have had to and still are operating under. The budget for 2021/2022 will be finalized before the end of the year and the SAQCC administration will send out the invoices timeously in January 2021 indicating the reduced fees. These invoices will be payable by 1st March 2020. To ensure your registration continues to be current, you will once again need to forward a copy of your company’s current SANS 1475 permit when submitting your proof of payment.


ROAD SHOWS 2021 to be held on a virtual platform The SAQCC Fire management had to make a very difficult call on the 2021 road shows due to the reality that the risks of COVID will still be with us for most of 2021. And what will a road show be if we can only accommodate 50% in a venue with social distancing and masks without close interaction and enjoying food and drinks!

Thus management has decided to move our 2021 road shows onto a virtual platform. This will be based on an app that technicians can download on their phones or devices such as PCs and laptops. The SAQCC Fire will circulate communications on how to do this and how to access the webinar on the day of the presentation. There will be opportunities for questions and interaction

similar to the road shows without the risk of exposing participants to the virus. The advantage is that more than one such webinar can be hosted on different topics and it would be accessible on a national footprint. So watch this space for an exciting new venture in our industry!

SAQCC Fire forging ahead to register fire occupation in national framework

In spite of many obstacles to overcome in finalising the registration of a fire occupation in the national framework, the SAQCC Fire is persevering! One of these obstacles was the appointment by the QCTO(Quality Council for Trades and Occupations) of another facilitator for the same occupation according to the service level agreement(SLA) which was signed with the SAQCC Fire. Only during 2020 did it become apparent that the occupation for a fire alarm technician will be developed under the SLA of the other facilitator and that the firefighting equipment technician(1475) specialization and the Gas technician specialization will be developed under the SLA with the SAQCC Fire. The 1475 working committee is done with its work and is waiting on the Gas working committee to finalise their part qualification as they have been held up due to the uncertainty regarding the fire alarm SLA. The target is to submit both qualifications for the planned review by the QCTO in June 2021. Thereafter it still has to be submitted to the South African Qualifications Authority(SAQA) and an assessment process also needs to be finalized. So a lot of patience and perseverance is required to see the process through, but the SAQCC Fire’s commitment is unwavering.


Update on the revision of SANS 10105 and 1475 You are herewith notified as a stakeholder that the drafts of the revisions SANS 10105 Part 1, the use and control of fire-fighting equipment: portable and wheeled fire extinguishers and SANS 10105 Part 2, the use and control of fire-fighting equipment: hose reels and above-ground hydrants are now out for comment until 12 January 2021. You can e-mail the General Manager, Rosemary Cowan, at [email protected] for a copy of the draft and the procedure to comment. Word from the working committee for the revision of SANS 1475 part 1 and Part 2 is that these drafts should be made available in the early part of 2021. Once again you will be informed when this process opens for comments. You are reminded that your competency and required procedures are prescribed by these standards so if you do not participate in the process, you cannot voice your opposition to these requirements once the drafts are approved.

Separate service and pressure-test labels It has come to the attention of the SAQCC Fire that certain companies follow a procedure whereby their service and pressure-test labels for stored pressure extinguishers are one label. Sans 1475 Part 1 states the requirements for a service label in point 6.1 and then in point 6.2 states the following requirement for a pressure-test label: Record legibly and indelibly on a separate, acceptable, waterproof, adhesive label that is firmly fixed to the extinguisher”. The biggest concern is that if another service provider removes the service label of the prior company, the pressure-test label’s information is removed simultaneously. Technicians are therefore strongly advised to refrain from affixing a combined service/pressure-test label.

Last year for CO2 mild steel extinguisher exemption

Technicians are reminded that this was the last year whereby CO2 extinguishers stamped BS5045 only could be submitted for pressure-testing and if it passed, kept in service as per the exemption granted by the Department of Employment and Labour.

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From 2021 any such extinguisher will have to be condemned if it has not passed pressure-testing. Technicians are reminded that the burden is on them to keep records whereby they have informed the owner of any CO2 cylinders that had failed the test – such records have to include a test certificate from an accredited Gas test station. Currently the majority of CO2 extinguishers imported are either light alloy or aluminium cylinders. Some of the most common recognized manufacturing design specifications are: Seamless steel gas cylinders(Mild steel) – SANS 1567, BS 5045/1; Seamless steel gas

cylinders(light alloy cylinders) - CE 0036 EN 9809-1 or ISO9809-1; Mostly aluminium cylinders - CE0038. SANS10019 and SANS 1825 list the recognized manufacturing standards and should be used in conjunction with SANS 347, Categorization and conformity assessment criteria for all pressure equipment.

REMINDERS FOR TECHNICIANS & TRAINEES

1. Visit the website continually as there are new tool box talks being added and other pertinent information

2. Remember to carry your CURRENT registration card with you at all times.

3. TECHNICIANS, REMEMBER you are not allowed to service unless registered with the servicing company you are employed by. This is an offence and any service would be considered illegal and you can be disciplined by SAQCC Fire.

4. A trainee can only be registered for 24 months maximum – check the date on your training certificate to ensure it doesn’t expire before you apply to register as a competent person. Any longer than 24 months, your trainee registration will be cancelled! Should a trainee leave the company during that six month period, they should obtain their training records – if not, they may have to start from scratch all over again. If the company will not give these to the trainee, then please advise SAQCC Fire who will take this up with the company concerned on behalf of the trainee.

5. Please keep us updated with your current cell number as we are using the bulk sms service on a regular basis to ensure you are kept as up to date as possible with any relevant information.


6. ALL TECHNICIANS MUST BE AWARE they cannot service portable fire extinguishers and hose reels that do not carry a valid accreditation mark. We are constantly being notified of non-approved equipment on the market. Should technicians be caught servicing such equipment, they can be disciplined as it is their responsibility to check. We have had two instances of this in the last few months. In each case, the company received a warning letter which has been copied to the relevant certification body and the technician has been disciplined.

REMINDERS FOR EMPLOYERS 1. Please remember to notify the administration office when a technician or trainee

leaves your employment. This does safeguard your company.

2. You cannot register a trainee until the 5 day course has been completed – you as the employer - are responsible for providing him with his training records should he leave your company during the six months training period. If you do not do this, SAQCC Fire will take this up with you on behalf of the Trainee when you would need to provide a relevant reason for not doing so.

3. PLEASE ENSURE WHEN FORWARDING APPLICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION all the documentation is attached. If you read the cover sheet, it clearly states what is required and we have even added a tick box to assist with ensuring you are returning each item required.

It is appalling how many applications are received either on the wrong form, incomplete, incorrect– and at times, even the “example letter” is completed and returned. We have put a huge watermark saying “EXAMPLE ONLY” – but it does appear some don’t see this!! We have complaints of registrations taking a long time and when investigation takes place, the fault is very clearly with the company that submits the documentation in the first place! The staff are tearing their hair out in despair as to how to make this any clearer


And finally – we leave you with two very current photographs to bring a smile to your face when we look back at this past, extremely strange year that took us all out of our comfort zones. We wish you a wonderful holiday season – and should you be travelling stay safe and we look forward to a great 2021 – and it must be better than 2020. LIZL DAVEL ROSEMARY EDITOR IN CHIEF DOGSBODY

Just a normal day shopping for a braai at Checkers!

update on saqcc operations during covid-19...cylinders(light alloy cylinders) - ce 0036 en 9809-1 or...

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