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GRANT LAIDLAW
Grant Laidlaw is currently the owner of the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Academy ( ACRA ) in Edenvale . He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and an associate degree in educational administration . He has a National Technical Diploma and completed an apprenticeship with Transnet . He has dual-trades status : refrigeration and electrical . He has been involved with SAIRAC for over two decades and served on the Johannesburg committee as chairman and was also president between 2015 and 2018 . Currently he is the SAIRAC national treasurer .
COMPETENCY LEVELS AND REGISTRATION OF PERSONNEL
By Grant Laidlaw
To address this , we must refer to the requirements as laid out in SANS 10147 as well as SAQCC gas requirements .
Dawie asks : Grant , could you assist on two issues , firstly what is the competency level requirement for air conditioning and refrigeration technicians , and secondly how does this align with the registration of authorised refrigeration personnel ? Thanks .
Hi Dawie , these aforementioned aspects must also remember SANS standards , the OHS act , and pressure vessel regulation that all represent legal requirements . With regards to staff competence as per SANS10147 : All personnel involved in the operation and maintenance of refrigeration installations shall have been trained on the functioning of the installation to ensure that they are fully conversant with the equipment concerned .
In the case of a refrigeration plant erected on site , the personnel that are to be involved in the operation and maintenance shall be present during the erection , testing , charging of refrigerant , and adjustment of the plant . Personnel who , in the course of their duties , have to enter refrigerated spaces , shall be trained in the use of all safety devices , procedures and health hazards and shall be qualified at the appropriate level of competency .
Control and safety devices that shall not be operated by unauthorised persons , shall be safeguarded against deliberate or accidental actuation .
The operation and maintenance of existing refrigeration plants shall comply with the requirements given , and any conversions or modifications to such plants shall be carried out by a level B or C competent person .
Dawe , when considering the alignment of a SAQCC authorised gas practitioner registration through SARACCA and SANS , we find descriptions with regards to the categories A , B and C as follows :
( See the SARACCA website for full details on this )
CATEGORY ‘ A ’ Refrigeration plant operator : “ The card holder is authorised to operate a refrigeration plant and is aware of safety regulations and requirements .” A1 . Refrigeration plant operator A2 . Domestic and light commercial refrigeration practitioner A3 . Refrigeration installer / fitter A4 . Unitary air conditioning unit installer A5 . Air conditioning and refrigeration apprentice / learner
CATEGORY ‘ B ’ Refrigeration mechanics doing installation , repairs and maintenance in a wide variety of refrigeration and air conditioning systems using Group A1 , A2 & A3 refrigerants can apply in this category . Generally they must have completed an apprenticeship in refrigeration or electrical trades and are registered as artisans . B6 . Air conditioning and refrigeration practitioner B7 . Carbon dioxide refrigeration practitioner B8 . Ammonia refrigeration practitioner B9 . Car air conditioning practitioner B10 . Refrigerated transport practitioner B11 . Marine refrigeration practitioner
CATEGORY ‘ C ’ Practitioner : “ The card holder is an authorised Inspector of refrigeration installations .” This registration is for those who by experience and training are well versed in all applications of industrial and commercial refrigeration who can work within their training , experience and competence . Previous registration as a refrigeration mechanic is a requirement plus an assessment
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RACA Journal I November 2022 www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za