The South African Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Contractors Association (SARACCA) is an accredited member association of SAQCC Gas. Members of SAQCC Gas are regulated members of the refrigeration and air conditioning industry. Members are encouraged to ensure that they adhere to guidelines providing the best possible services and promote good engineering practice and workmanship.
Good workmanship is defined by Jacques Claassen of Embassy Air, a member of SARACCA, as “The provision of a service or goods which complies with industry quality standards as set by the applicable governing body.”
With the above definition in mind, it reminds one that good workmanship goes hand in hand with meticulousness and it is imperative to ensure that safety and quality remain paramount. Not adhering to the standards thus becomes unethical and is a safety hazard for all those involved or at risk of being exposed to the service.
Commercial Director of Aire-ZA Dean Munsamy’s definition of workmanship extends to the satisfaction of clients reflecting the standard of workmanship. His definition of workmanship is, “Quality work done with neatness and skill. Where the material and equipment are manufactured and installed as per its designed purpose. Quality work always compliments the engineering of said work. Clients are happy with quality work, knowing that good money has been invested.”
For good workmanship to exist there must be a way to ensure consistency as well as an understanding of the implication of its importance. To provide bad workmanship is to not adhere to industry standards.
Munsamy continues to express the integral role the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning or the HVAC industry plays in the South African economy. The industry is applicable to all contexts, from work to leisure. In relation to corporate, the emergence of the work from home business model, which has become a necessity during the Covid-19 pandemic, has shown the transcendence of the industry. Wherever one may find themselves, the industry is omnipresent and necessary to protect the interests of many from a micro to a macro perspective.
“The HVAC industry is a big and important part of the South African economy in the way of comfort and food. It employs many people unskilled, semi skilled, skilled and professionals,” continues Munsamy.
“Satisfying career to design, create, manufacture, service and maintain HVAC systems. Rewarding income to staff at any level. Accredited and trade tested skill for those that study and put in the time. Great career opportunities nationally and internationally. A regulated industry implementing standards in OSHACT & PER. SARACCA has been a great association in the furtherance of the HVAC industry in South Africa.”
The industry allows for citizens with different skills many entry points and opportunities to promote good workmanship to the best of their capacity within their field.
Claassen reflects on tools and insight that he has gained from being a member of SARACCA as the following:
- The importance of providing training and upliftment to staff which would previously not have had access to the good quality training.
- Industry norms in regards to contract management.
- To use the SARACCA classification for duct manufacturing, which is approved by the SABS on a daily basis.
SARACCA is the regulation authority which promotes and assists members to strive for and achieve good workmanship. The prioritization of industry standards results in the promotion, safe use and maintenance of all components at all stages of installation and continued use.
