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SAQCC Fire is hoping you, your family and friends are all staying safe and well in this very strangest of times in our history. For the first time in SAQCC Fire history, the offices are closed with the staff working from home in line with the directives issued by our President. Early in the lockdown, we did our best to keep you updated via the bulk sms system and our website and facebook page. You will by now have received your sms about the AGM which for the first time is being held “virtually” by Zoom and details are also attached to this

newsletter. This does give everyone regardless of how far afield they are, the opportunity to participate as long as they have the necessary application in place, so we hope to see as many of you on the small screen as possible.

This edition of the newsletter highlights events and news

from within the fire industry.

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SAQCC Road Shows

Well, following on from such a successful run of road shows in 2019, it is very

sad that due to circumstances that were totally out of our control and in

compliance with the National Disaster Management Act, we had no option but to

cancel all road shows for this current year. However, we haven’t been sitting

back and doing nothing, and you can expect exceptional road shows in 2021 as we

will have had plenty of time to work on the presentations.

Important !! Maintenance of Hose reels SANS 10400 – part T

We are all familiar with the reference to the maintenance of Fire hose reels in the previous

edition of SANS 10400 Part T , which clearly specified that fire hose reels are to be certified and

maintained, but in the latest revision these requirements were omitted.

Maintenance is however part and parcel of the NBR and specific maintenance standards are still referenced

for other equipment in Part T.

Regulation A15 deals with it and that it is an offence in terms of regulation T2(1)(b) not to maintain equipment

installed to fulfill the requirements of regulation T1(e).

Further to this , clause 4.32.1 states that “Any fire-fighting equipment, installations and fire protection

systems in any building shall be so installed and maintained as to be ready and accessible for their purpose

at all times.”

Clause 4.34.2 which is the clause that should have referenced SANS 1475 now simply states “Any hose reel

installed in such building shall comply with the requirements in SANS 543, shall be installed in accordance

with SANS 10105-2 and SANS 10400-W.”

It is however a requirement of SANS 543 that the maintenance requirements of SANS 1475 be included in the

information supplied with a new hose reel. Furthermore SANS 1475-2 is still contained in the Normative

references.

So in summary , although the new edition of the SANS10400 NBR part- T does not make specific

reference to maintenance of hose reels being done in accordance to SANS 1475, it does however

under clause Clause 4.34.2 of the NBR clearly state that “Any hose reel installed in such building

shall comply with the requirements in SANS 543 . SANS 543 in turn requires that the maintenance

requirements of SANS1475 be included in the information when supplying a new fire hose reel. This

together with the fact that SANS 1475 -2 is still contained in the normative reference of the NBR ,

essentially means that through a longer process of referencing ,SANS 1475 is still the maintenance

standard applicable to fire hose reels.

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Instruction labels on fire extinguishers

It came to the attention of the SAQCC Fire that some companies use a combined service and pressure test label on DCP fire extinguishers. There is therefore no separate pressure test label. When another

1475 company services a fire extinguisher with this combined label all visible evidence that the cylinder was pressure tested, is also destroyed. When another company services such an extinguisher, the

combined label is removed. A new pressure test label cannot be affixed without actually pressure testing the cylinder. Since a DCP fire extinguisher is pressure tested every 5 years under normal circumstances, this practise of a combined label puts another servicing company in the position that the extinguisher has to be re-pressure tested in order to affix a pressure test label. Section 6 “Markings” (or maintenance labels) and specifically clauses 6.1 and 6.2 in SANS 1475-1 require separate service and pressure test labels to be affixed to a low-pressure cylinder. The labels must be waterproof, adhesive labels and be affixed to a fire extinguisher on completion of the annual maintenance or if the extinguisher has undergone low pressure testing. The labels must contain the following minimum information:

The SAQCC Fire will take disciplinary steps against fire technicians that affix combined

service/pressure test labels to fire extinguishers. It remains the responsibility of the registered

competent person to ensure that all components of annual maintenance and pressure testing as

prescribed in the normative references of SANS 1475-1, are adhered to.

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News Flashes

SANS Standards : - SANS 543 – the SANS standard for fire hose reels with semi rigid hoses has now been revised, published and available for purchase.

Revision of SANS 1475 & SANS 10105 Standards: The revision of SANS 10105 &SANS 1475 have been dealt a blow as the incorrect draft had been sent out for public comment . The incorrect drafts have since been corrected and sent to the members of the relevant working groups to confirm their agreement with the necessary corrections. With the current Covid pandemic, these drafts would only be available for public comment in the latter part of this year. SAQCC will notify technicians when the drafts are out for public comment.

Update on Fire qualification development within the national qualification framework – Herewith an update on the process to register a fire qualification, including the 1475 scope, within the national qualification framework. Unfortunately there was a lengthy hold-up due to another service level agreement signed by the QCTO for the development of a qualification for a fire alarm technician under the same occupation as the agreement with the SAQCC Fire. This has now been resolved and as the 1475 part qualification has been completed, we are awaiting the completion of the GAS part qualification where after the occupation will be submitted to the QCTO for approval. The next step will be public comment, final approval by the QCTO and then submission to SAQA for approval. The occupation will then be registered within the national qualification framework and service providers can submit their learning material to the QCTO for approval. This will bring the qualification on board of the South African framework for formal recognition which will impact on including training within the skills plan process to claim for funding of training.

Tool Box Talks – There are currently 65 tool box talks displayed on the SAQCC website which have been designed to assist technicians with on the job training. Subjects include service procedures, safety tips, regulations and legal aspects to name a few that are available. Technicians are encouraged to download and print these tool box talks for easy reference. Requests / suggestions are welcome for any other subjects that you would like covered in a tool box talk. Requests can be forwarded to John Caird who is the current Chairman of the Training Committee, via the administration office on saqccfire@tiscali.co.za John has been instrumental in compiling the toolbox talks and deserves a huge vote of thanks from us all.

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Disciplinary Lodging a complaint with the SAQCC Fire - Your attention is drawn to the fact that should you have a complaint, there are certain steps that must be followed. You will need to complete the complaints form which can be downloaded from the website https://www.saqccfire.co.za/images/ComplaintForm.pdf which will guide you through the process or is available from the administration office. No complaints can be entertained unless the form has been completed and submitted with the accompanying evidence. As can be seen from the above disciplinary actions, the committee does act when within its

jurisdiction, so your complaint does not fall on deaf ears – and in each case both the certification bodies and the Department of Employment and Labour are kept informed. Cases which are outside the scope of the SAQCC Fire are forwarded to the Department of Employment and Labour

and should it involve a permit mark or holder, to the Certification Body concerned as well.

1. Your SAQCC FIRE registration card is supposed to be carried with you at all times, but in the event you did not receive this before lockdown, please carry a copy of the letter that was issued to confirm your registration is valid.

2. If you change your cell number of email address – please advise SAQCC Fire so that we are able to keep in touch with you – it does appear that some of you seem to think our staff are telepathic but unfortunately, that is not the case!

3. Your card expires on the last day of February every year – it is your responsibility to ensure this is renewed – not your employer!

4. Trainees can only be registered for a maximum of 24 months! Any longer and your training is suspended!

5. Changing jobs? You must re-register with your new employer! It is your responsibility to ensure you are working legally.

6. Technicians are reminded that they CANNOT service portable fire extinguishers and hose reels that do not carry an accreditation mark. The SAQCC constantly receives information regarding non-approved product sold in the market. Technicians are urged to keep an eye open for this product and SHOULD NOT sign off and affix a 1475 service label on such units.

REMINDERS for technicians and trainees

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EMPLOYERS – REMINDERS

A. Ensure you notify the administration office when a registered technician/trainee leaves your employment - to safeguard your company!

B. Trainees cannot be registered as such until the SAQCC Fire approved course has been successfully completed

C. PLEASE READ the cover note that accompanies all SAQCC Forms. This gives very clear details as to what is required when registering either as a trainee,

new competent person or a re-registration. When forms are returned with incomplete documentation this not only holds up the registration process for you but puts more pressure on the office staff who are trying to cope with numerous applications that are either incomplete, incorrect or just not valid. So much so, the General Manager suggested an entire road show session on how to read a form and complete it correctly – which goes someway to show the frustration felt by the

administration staff. This may go some way to explaining the normal “funny” at the end of this newsletter.

Well guys – that’s it for now, we hope you found this newsletter interesting and informative – and any suggestions as to what you would like to see in our next bulletin are more than welcome. These newsletters are created for your benefit so feel free to comment – whether it be critical or complimentary we welcome your participation and now something we hope will bring a smile to your face as we finish ~ and if you read this newsletter in full, you will see that it’s definitely topical!!!

Pre Govender Editor

Rosemary Cowan Editor’s Assistant

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South African Qualification and

Certification Committee for the Fire Industry Reg. No.: 99/1937/08 a Section 21 Company

Postnet Suite #86 Private Bag X10020 Edenvale 1610

1stFloor West ~ Helvetia House ~ Greenvale Road ~ Wilbart ~ Germiston

Tel: +27 –11 455 3157 Fax: 086 518 4374 E-mail: rosemary@saqccfire.co.za

NOTICE & AGENDA OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SAQCC FIRE

DATE: THURSDAY 16TH JULY 2020

TIME: 10AM

DUE TO THESE UNUSUAL TIMES – THIS MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE AS A ZOOM MEETING SO PLEASE

ENSURE YOU RSVP WITH YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS SO THE LINK CAN BE SENT TO YOU TO GUARANTEE

YOUR PARTICIPATION

1. Welcome & Apologies

2. Approval of the Minutes of the AGM held on 6th June 2019 (copy attached)

3. Reports for the year 1st March 2019 to 29th February 2020:

Chairman’s Report

1475

D&GS

4. Financial Report including Audits for the year 1st March 2019 to 29th February 2020

5. Appointment of Auditors for 2020-2021

6. General

PLEASE COMPLETE BELOW AND RETURN THIS PAGE TO THE ADMINISTRATION OFFICE BEFORE 4PM

ON FRIDAY 10th JULY 2020

I WILL ATTEND /I WILL BE UNABLE TO ATTEND (Please cross out which does not apply)

Name Reg No Company

IF YOU WILL BE ATTENDING VIA ZOOM PLEASE INSERT THE EMAIL ADDRESS YOU WISH THE LINK

TO BE SENT TO. PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY.

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If you are unable to attend – then a proxy form is attached as you are entitled to

participate by proxy. Please complete and return to this office before 4pm on

Friday 10th July 2020

FORM FOR APPOINTMENT OF PROXY SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS CERTIFICATION COMMITTEE – FIRE

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – 16th JULY 2020

If you have already submitted a proxy – you are not eligible to submit this again

FORM TO BE RETURNED TO THE ADMINISTRATION OFFICE

BEFORE 4PM ON FRIDAY 10TH JULY 2020

rosemary@saqccfire.co.za

I being a registered/approved person in terms of SAQCC Fire

Full name to be printed here please

Registration No (if registered with both 1475 & D&GS – two votes allowed and please put both numbers.

Registration Number/s here please

Or the owner of an SABS 1475 Registered Company (in the case of the 1475 committee)

Name of Company to be printed here please

Hereby appoint Full name to be printed here please

Who is a registered person in terms of SAQCC Fire Registration No

Registration Number here please

Or The General Manager of SAQCC Fire Please tick

AS MY PROXY FOR THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE SAQCC (FIRE) TO BE HELD ON

16th JULY 2020

…………………………………………………………………….. Signed …………………………………………………………………….. Dated

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If members appoint somebody to exercise a proxy vote on their behalf, it is presumed that they have mandated this person to vote on their behalf. However, where members appoint the administrator to exercise their proxy vote, members must clearly specify as per the form below

I REQUIRE MY PROXY VOTE TO BE USED FOR THE FOLLOWING:

Please tick the relevant box YES NO

Approval of Minutes of AGM – 6th June 2019

Acceptance of the Audited Accounts

South African Qualification and

Certification Committee for the Fire Industry www.saqccfire.co.za

Postnet Suite #86 Private Bag X10020 Edenvale 1610 1st Floor ~ Helvetia House ~ Greenvale Road ~ Wilbart ~ Germiston

Tel: +27 -11 455 3157 Fax: 086 518 4374 - E-Mail: saqccfire@tiscali.co.za

MINUTES OF THE 20TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE

SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS & CERTIFICATION COMMITTEE - FIRE

DATE: THURSDAY 6TH JUNE 2019 TIME: 2.30PM VENUE: SAQCC FIRE BOARDROOM 1ST FLOOR WEST ~ HELVETIA HOUSE

PRESENT: Duncan Boyes Chairman DGS13/0390

Tom Dreyer Vice Chairman 0806

Matt Kielty Treasurer DGS13/0025

Lizl Davel Chairperson-1475 Atlas Fire

John Caird Vice Chairperson-1475 1036

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Clive Foord Acting Chairperson – D&GS DGS13/0241

Nichola Allan Treasurer-D&GS DGS12/0140

Ben Badenhorst 15/014

Brett Birch DGS13/0030

Vaughan Cameron-Gunn DGS12/0111

Nick Collins DGS12/0114

Alida du Toit SACAS-18/001

Meshak Gabeni 0498

Ian Gouws 3084

Pre Govender 0840/DGS13/0728

Jim Grant DGS13/0760

Lucky Gumede 14/058

Clinton Hodgson DGS17/0029

Ronel Liebenberg BSI-19/001

Andrew Machete 01/589

William Morifi Excellent Perceptions

Kessie Naicker 0560

Allan Nienaber 0781

Andy O’Hare DGS14/0142

Sean Okhuysen National Security & Fire

Jackie Page Snr Bayteck Fire

Vairaag Panchoo DGS16/0039

Johan Pretorius Safequip

Ivan Radmore 0414

Hanlie Truter DGS14/0141

Astrid Wright 01/335

GUESTS: Sebastian Budd FS Systems

Rosemary Cowan General Manager SAQCC Fire

Nico Postma Auditor

Matlala Sathekge Department of Labour

APOLOGIES: As per the attendance register and 114 proxies received

The General Manager advised that there was currently a total of 2 754 persons eligible to vote – with a quorum

of 5% being 138. 114 proxies had been received and this together with those present constituted more than a

quorum so the meeting could proceed.

1) WELCOME & APOLOGIES: The Chairman welcomed all present to the meeting.

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2) CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES OF AGM HELD ON THURSDAY 7TH JUNE 2018: These were confirmed

as correct, subject to Mr Shane Nefdt being attended to the attendance list. Proposed Mr Gabeni and

seconded Mr Dreyer

3) ANNUAL REPORTS OF THE CHAIRPERSONS

1475

D & GS

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

These reports were given as a power point presentation and are available on the website.

4) FINANCIAL REPORTS

The compiled audited accounts for SAQCC Fire were circulated to all in attendance. Mr Postma who was

in attendance for BJ Priest expanded on these and confirmed it was an unqualified audit.

Mr Kielty thanked Mr Postma for his work and feedback during the year.

The financial reports were then approved by the meeting, proposed Mrs Wright and seconded Mr Dreyer.

Copies of the audited accounts available from the Administration office if required.

5) APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS FOR 2019/20: Mr Kielty proposed the reappointment of BJ Priest as

auditors for the year 2019/20 and this was accepted unanimously by the meeting.

6) D&GS COMMITTEE ELECTION: Mr Radmore had resigned as Chairman of this committee and Mr

Foord, the current Vice Chairman had indicated he did not want to be Chairman therefore nominations

had been made. Three nominations had been received as follows:

Nichola Allan

Nick Collins

Vairaag Panchoo

Mr Panchoo advised that he wished to withdraw his nomination.

Mr Boyes advised that he had written to all three nominees regarding as to what was expected as

Chairperson of the committee. Both Mrs Allan and Mr Collins indicated their willingness to stand.

A number of proxies had been received for each person – and following a show of hands from the D&GS

persons present – Mrs Allan was elected as Chairperson of the D&GS committee. It was agreed that the

position of Treasurer which she currently held – would be held over for the committee to decide at their

next meeting to be held in August. Congratulations were offered to Mrs Allan on her appointment.

7) CORRESPONDENCE/GENERAL:

7.1Mr Panchoo raised the question of the separate proxy form that had gone out with regard to the

D&GS election. He advised that he had not received this as it appeared the notification had gone to the

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company. He requested that in future, any nominee be communicated with directly. Mr Boyes said this

would be noted for future.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 16.00

CHAIRMAN

DATE

1. All Reports available as a Power Point presentation on the website

www.saqccfire.co.za