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The Institution of Certificated Mechanical and Electrical Engineers, South Africa.
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EXAMINATIONS FOR THE MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS CERTIFICATES OF COMPETENCY (FACTORIES) Introduction The following instructions, rules and syllabi for the examinations set by the Commission of Examiners are constituted in terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993. The following Certificates of Competency are issued by the Department of Labor:
Written examinations for each of these certificates are held in June and November by the Department of Education in collaboration with the Commission of Examiners appointed by the Chief Inspector.
COMMISSION OF EXAMINERS Factories Certificate Tel.: (012) 309 4000 Mines Certificate Tel.: (012) 317 9079
QUALIFYING EXAMINATIONS To qualify for a Certificate of Competency as Mechanical or Electrical Engineer, the following subjects must be passed by persons accepted as candidates:
To qualify for a Certificate of Competency, candidates must obtain at least 50% of the full marks in each subject stipulated. Candidates need not pass both subjects at the same examination sitting, but the second subject must be passed within 2 years of passing the first, otherwise both subjects must be re-written. However, if a candidate obtains 75% or more of the full marks in subjects, he will be permanently exempted from re-writing that subject. An appropriate certificate of competency will be issued to candidates who have passed both subjects. A candidate with a B.Sc. degree in electrical or mechanical engineering or an equivalent qualification, which is recognized by the Commission of Examiners, who has had at least 2 years post-graduate experience in the maintenance and operation of machinery satisfactory to the Commission of Examiners, and has been registered as a Professional Engineer by the Engineering Council of S.A. (ECSA), may be exempted from the subject “Plant Engineering”.
ACCEPTANCE OF CANDIDATES No person will be allowed to enter for the qualifying examination unless he has been accepted as a candidate by the Commission of Examiners. An applicant shall not be accepted as a candidate by the Commission of Examiners unless he has submitted proof that he has reached the age of 23 years, of his sobriety and general good conduct and that he is in possession of one of the following qualifications with appropriate experience in engineering:
Individual Technikons will structure a curriculum to cover the electrical and mechanical courses according to the requirements of the Plant Engineering Syllabus. The Technikon will subsequently certify that a candidate for the Government Certificate of Competency having followed the Technikon route, has:
A National Technical N6 diploma in mechanical or electrical engineering (Technical College Course). The completion of such a course will include passing all the subjects with a mark of at least 50%. A person will also have served an apprenticeship in an appropriate trade and gained experience in the maintenance and operation of mechanical or electrical machinery, as listed. Such experience, of which at least one year has been at a factory, shall be to the satisfaction of the Commission of Examiners. The Department of Education will structure a curriculum to cover the electrical and mechanical course according to the requirements of the Plant Engineering Syllabus. After completion of the prescribed course, the specific Department will certify that a candidate, having followed the Technical College route for Certificate of Competency, has:
Other qualifications and experience will be considered on merit by the Commission of Examiners Persons who wish to be accepted as candidates and who are in possession of a foreign degree, diploma or certificate in engineering, or who are in possession of engineering qualification other than those mentioned in 3.2, must have such a degree, diploma, certificate or engineering qualification evaluated by the Department of Education, Engineering Field of Study, Private Bag X110, Pretoria, 0001, who will indicate what additional subjects, if any, must be passed in order to comply with the requirements for acceptance. A request for evaluation must indicate that it is for the Certificate of Competency (M) or (E), and must include a list of the subjects, including marks obtained, which led to the obtaining of the degree, diploma, or certificate. A copy of the evaluation and a certified copy of the degree, diploma or certificate must accompany the application for acceptance as a candidate NOTE: An evaluation by the Human Science Research Council on its own is NOT sufficient. Candidates having completed the Pretoria Technikon “B-Tech” scheme incorporating the criteria to satisfy the Commission of Examiners, shall provide documentary proof of attaining the qualification.
EXAMINATION RULES Plant Engineering is a “closed book” examination. It will consist of both mechanical and electrical questions, with a limited choice of questions. The time allowed for the examination will be 3 hours. Candidates may not use programmable calculators in the examination room. The question paper on the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations is a “closed book” examination. There is no choice of questions and all questions must be answered. The time allocated for the examination is 3 hours.
The holder of a Certificate of Competency issued in terms of the Minerals Act of 1991, who wishes to qualify for the equivalent certificate for Factories, shall re-apply for acceptance as a candidate together with proof of at least one year’s appropriate experience in the maintenance and operation of machinery at a factory, satisfactory to the Commission of Examiners. After acceptance the subject Legal Knowledge (Factories) must passed. The holder of a Certificate of Competency as Mechanical Engineer who wishes to qualify for a certificate as Electrical Engineer shall re-apply. He shall produce proof of appropriate experience which shall be satisfactory to the Commission of Examiners. Such experience shall consist of at least 2 years experience in the maintenance and operation of electrical machinery or at least 4 years “mixed” experience the maintenance and operation of both electrical and mechanical machinery which was gained after the acquisition of the mechanical certificate. The applicant will also be required to produce proof of passing the conversion subjects required to cover the syllabus for the Certificate of Competency as Electrical Engineer, with a mark of at least 50%. The holder of a Certificate of Competency as Electrical Engineer who whishes to qualify for a certificate as Mechanical Engineer shall re-apply. He shall produce proof of appropriate experience which shall be satisfactory to the Commission of Examiners. Such experience shall consist of at least 2 years experience in the maintenance and operation of mechanical machinery or at least 4 years “mixed” experience in the maintenance and operation of both mechanical and electrical machinery, which was gained after the acquisition of the electrical certificate. The applicant will also be required to produce proof of passing the conversion subjects required to cover the syllabus for the Certificate of Competency as Electrical Engineer, which a mark of at least 50%.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE Completed forms to be returned to the abovementioned address together with: R130.00 S. A. Revenue stamps affixed to the application form. Certified copies of degrees, diplomas, or certificates and if applicable, a copy of the evaluation thereof by the Department of Education. Proof of appropriate practical experience verified by signature of the employer. A testimonial re sobriety and conduct signed by an employer. Proof of age, i.e. certified copy of ID document or a copy of birth certificate. A letter from the Resident Engineer, where possible indicating that the applicant is considered to be a suitable candidate. NOTE: Facsimile copies of the above-mentioned will not be accepted. The Commission of Examiners will inform the candidate by letter of his acceptance for the examinations. The letter of acceptance must be submitted when entering for the qualifying subjects at any Technical College or the Department of Education where the examination fees must be paid. The examinations are held in June and November and the closing dates for entry are set by the Department of Education. The Commission of Examiners will not entertain applications for acceptance to the examinations later than 10 working days before the date set by the Department of Education.
Candidates, who have passed the qualifying subjects must forward certified proof of having passed the prescribed subjects to the Commission of Examiners at the above-mentioned address. Candidates who have passed by means of a remark must notify the Commission of Examiners accordingly. The Commission will forward the appropriate certificate of competency to successful candidates.
ACCEPTABLE TRADES AND EXPERIENCE
PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE (FACTORIES) Candidates must be conversant with the following plant, equipment, practices and processes at factories with emphasis on the general design, lay out, production capacity, reticulation, energy requirements, motion characteristics, economic operation, efficiency testing, commissioning, maintenance, safety precautions and safety devices. This section is complimentary and additional to the theoretical curriculum taught at Universities, Technikons or Technical Colleges. Planning and commissioning of projects; Operating a planned maintenance scheme; Fire prevention and Fire control; Loss control management; Fire detection systems; Accident investigations. Testing and repairing of electric motors; Plasting and synchronizing a. c. motors operating in tandem; Fault discrimination in electric systems; Emergency electric plant; Explosion- proof equipment. Hydrostatic drives-classification and characteristics; Hydraulic circuits for sequence operation; General properties of lubricants and additives to lubricants. Dust suppression; Emission control of diesel engines; Flameproof diesel engines. Boiler inspections and repairs; Inspection and repair of vessels under pressure; Maintenance and fault diagnosis of compressors, refrigeration and air-conditioning; ventilation systems; Steam pipes and water traps. Steel rope inspections; Application of various types of steel alloys.
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