How to Become A Gas Installer In South Africa

A gas service installer fits, maintains and repairs gas systems within old and new buildings. This can include central heating systems or gas appliances.

What does a gas operative do?

Alternative titles for this job include Gas networks operative. Gas mains layers install and maintain pipelines that supply homes and businesses with gas.

What does a gas service technician do?

In general, as gas technician (or gas fitter) is responsible for installing, inspecting, and repairing gas line and gas equipment. This includes gas meters, regulators, and heating units (fire places, boilers, etc.) Specifically, you’d be performing tasks like: testing and replacing faulty equipment.

Are gas fitters in demand?

Gas fitters occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 0% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 0 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

How to Become A Gas Installer In South Africa

Registration Catagories for Gas Practitioners, skills that align with Registration requirements:

A domestic/commercial natural gas practitioner is licensed to carry out installations at domestic (residential)/ commercial premises only.  Such installations shall comply with SANS827. The following individual categories are applicable for domestic/commercial applications

Design of a Gas System

Installation, Maintenance, Commissioning and Re-commissioning of Gas System and Appliances

An Industrial Gas Practitioner is licensed to carry out industrial installations on business premises. Such installations shall comply with SANS 329.  The following individual categories are applicable for industrial installations:

Design of an Industrial Thermoprocessing System

Build reticulation pipelines <2Bar / <15Bar,

Installation, Maintenance, Commissioning and Re-Commissioning of Combustion and Fuel Handling Equipment for Gas Systems

A Specialized Gas Practitioner is licensed to carry out specialized installations on business premises. Such installations shall comply with business own required standards such as ASME standards.  The registrations categories are as per the practitioner’s job description within own defined field (Mechanical / Electrical / Instrumentation / SHEQ / Production / Inspection) of business for Pipeline Gas.

A NGV Gas Practitioner is licensed to carry out any conversions done on BiFuel (carburetors, fuel injection) Dualfuel and Specialised systems.  Pipeline category will be up to 200 bar gauge.  Following categories are applicable for NGV installation:

BiFuel (carburetor/fuel injection) – (installation / maintenance / commissioning / recommissioning)

Dualfuel conversions (installation / maintenance / commissioning / recommissioning)

Specialised CNG conversions (installation / maintenance / commissioning / recommissioning)

A single or combination of the categories above could be granted depending on qualifications, knowledge, experience, expertise and work done as per Portfolio of Evidence provided.

To be registered as an Authorised Person (Gas Practitioner)

Under the requirements of the” Occupational Health and Safety Act – No. 85 of 1993″ – Sections 43 and 44, and “Pressure Equipment Regulations, R 734, 15 Jul 09” as follows:

Regulation 1: (Def) “Authorised Person” means…
‘a person who is registered as competent within the scope of work for which an organization [SAQCC Gas] approved by the chief inspector has registered that person‘

Regulation 17: Gas reticulation equipment and systems:

(1) No person shall

(a) handle, store or distribute any gas in any manner which includes the filling of a container, other than in accordance with the relevant health and safety standard incorporated into these Regulations under section 44 of the Act;

(b) install or remove an appliance, pressure equipment or system for gas in any manner other than in accordance with the relevant safety standard incorporated into these Regulations under section 44 of the Act; 

(c) install or remove a gas appliance, or a gas system or a gas reticulation system, unless such person is an authorized person; or

(d) use pressure equipment or systems for gas in a manner other than in accordance with the relevant safety standard incorporated into these regulations under section 44 of the Act.

(2) After installation or re-installation, and before commissioning a gas system, the user shall ensure that an external inspection and a leak test are performed by an authorised person or an approved inspection authority as applicable in terms of sub regulation (1 )(c).

(3) An authorised person or an approved inspection authority shall issue a certificate of conformity after completion of a gas installation. modification. alteration or change of user or ownership…

The Southern African Gas Association (SAGA) via the South African Qualifications and Certifications Committee for Gas (SAQCC-Gas) has a mandate from the Department of Labour to be involved in the development and setting of standards, assessments, training and recommending qualified and competent persons in the pipeline gas industry.

The application form should be completed as comprehensively as possible, in order for SAGA to assess and recommend to the SAQCC-Gas to issue such registration in accordance with the requirements of the Chief Inspector of the Department of Labour.

Criteria for Natural Gas practitioners will include, but not necessarily be restricted to:-

An acceptable standard of secondary education,

Tertiary or technical education with reference to the pipeline gas supply industry

Present and past employment with an existing gas supply or system installation company

In excess of 3 years hands on proven experience in the industry

Details and level of specific responsibility for actual installations

A brief motivation from your present employer to support the application

Criteria for LPG registered domestic and commercial gas practitioners who want to work in the Natural Gas environment:

3 years hands on proven experience in the gas industry with a credible track record

Complete the NG conversion (bridging) course – if not: practitioner under probation for 3 months and then

Registration after completing of the NG conversion course

Criteria for Auto Gas (CNG) practitioners will include, but not necessarily be restricted to:-

An acceptable standard of secondary education,

3 years hands on proven experience as a motor mechanic and auto electrical – not ‘kit’ specific

Valid driver licence,

1-year welding experience

Experience in all 3 categories being carburetors, fuel injection and mixed fuel

5 installations per category needs to be included in the relevant application

A motivation from your present employer to support the application

Is gas business profitable in South Africa?

Although fuel sales still make up the majority of the profits at filling stations in South Africa (according to Absa, between 80% and 90% of profits), the additional income from forecourt businesses like convenience stores, coffee shops and restaurants, can be a nice supplement.

Is gas fitting a good trade in South Africa ?

The occupation of Gas Technician gets 2 out of 3 stars for demand which is considered decent, and reflects moderate, consistent employment growth in this field.

How much does it cost to start a gas business in South Africa?

Initial investment of approximately R250,000 depending on LPG marketer, storage capacity, equipment agreement, working stock, cylinder deposits and your business plan.

Is it profitable to own a gas station in South Africa ?

Currently, gas stations and their corresponding convenience stores are some of the most profitable businesses in the South Africa . Across the country, there are over 100,000 gas station/convenience stores which bring a cumulative of over R 5837.28 billion revenue each year.

Where do gas stations make their money in South Africa ?

Before they sell gas to you, station owners buy gas on the wholesale market. When the wholesale price of gasoline falls quickly the difference between the cost of wholesale gasoline (including taxes) and the price at the pump gets wider, boosting profits for stations.

What is the most profitable gas station in South Africa ?

Speedway is one of the most profitable gas station chains on the market, but the company hasn’t always been seen in the best light.

How much profit does a gas station make per year in South Africa ?

Gas Station Owner Salary Overview

If your station is in the West, you’re more likely to make around R 875592.01 annually on average. Gas station owners in the Midwest could earn around R 890185.21 on average annually, while operating a gas station in the South could earn you around R 963151.21 on average per year.

What is a gas fitter Class A in South Africa ?

Gasfitters – Class A install, inspect, repair and maintain gas lines and gas fired equipment with unlimited British Thermal Units ( BTU ) in residential, commercial, industrial, institutional and agricultural settings.