SOUTH AFRICAN  QUALIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION COMMITTEE
FOR FIRE INDUSTRY

South African Qualification & Certification Committee (S.A.Q.C.C) for the Fire Industry

The S.A.Q.C.C. (Fire) falls under the direct control of the E.C.S.A. and is responsible for the training and registration of the Competent Person.  No person who is not in possession of a valid Identity Card as proof of competence and is in the employment of a S.A.B.S.1475 mark holding company that is of good standing may conduct work on a fire extinguisher.  The Consumer (User) who permits work to be conducted by a non-registered person is guilty of an offence in terms of the Occupational Health & Safety Act.

Competent Person Requirements

Along with the required technical skills to conduct maintenance work, the Competent Person is prohibited from servicing any fire extinguisher unless he is in possession of the Manufacturer's Drawings and Specifications.  This is absolutely necessary to ensure that correct components are fitted and are compliant with the extinguisher design and tested criteria.  Tested criteria pertains to the rigorous tested required of all manufacturers and importers on this respective products before they may sell these products into the South African Market.

The current structure has evolved from the identified needs of the consumer, the authorities and the industry, all of whom will have immediate relief from the lack of controls and disciplines that this industry has experienced, especially where this equipment has so much influence in the protection of life and property.  To this end, any registered person who has conducted work that does not satisfy the User, the User may submit a complaint directly to the S.A.Q.C.C (Fire) who are bound to conduct an investigation.  The results will be submitted to the User and kept on record at the offices of the S.A.Q.C.C (Fire).  Where a matter of a severity that the results of the investigation warrants de-registration of the Competent Person, such action will occur.  The authority of the S.A.Q.C.C (Fire) is reserved to matters of a technical nature only.   Commercial considerations remain between the User and the Supplier.

Complaints and Nonconformance

All complaints must be submitted in writing to:    THE CHAIRMAN S.A.Q.C.C.(Fire)
                                                                        25, WYNNE STREET
                                                                         PAROW, 7500

Cartridge Type (Internal) Extinguishers

Requirements for this type of fire extinguishers were removed from the SABS810 when it was revised in 1992.  The reason for their removal was the number of accidents (some serious) that involved this type of extinguisher.  The main reason for the accidents was improper repair.  It was recommended by the Technical Committee that all cartridge operated extinguishers be withdrawn from the market over a period of five years from the date of publication (2nd March, 1998)

Stored Pressure Type Extinguishers

This extinguisher has been on the South African Market for over 14 years.  Over this period of time, the Fire Industry has experienced many major changed, including legislated requirements.  For these reasons the industry have developed standards and requirements in consulation with the Department of Labour (D.o.L), the Engineering Council of South Africa (E.C.S.A.) and the South African Bureau of Standards (S.A.B.S).

Conculsion

It is the aim of the committee of the S.A.Q.C.C (Fire) to uplift the standards in the fire industry and ensure that quality service is provided to the end user.