Maintenance and Upholstery is one of the New CAPS Subjects that equips Grade 8 and 9 students with the skills and knowledge required to perform elementary repair and maintenance work at a basic level. The focus is on the following:
- Small construction environments
- Maintenance to prevent equipment from breaking down
- Maintenance to prevent material from deterioration
- Solving minor maintenance problems before they become serious ones
- Inspecting and servicing equipment
What Are The Aims Of Maintenance And Upholstery?
The aim of this subject is that by the end of this course, students should be able to do the following:
- Know and apply basic skills to solve metal work problems
- Maintain basic mechanical devices
- Maintain plumbing installations
- Apply basic bricklaying, plastering, flooring, tiling, painting and water-proofing skills used in the building and construction industry
- Apply basic glazing skills used in the building and construction industry
- Maintain electrical appliances
- Apply basic woodworking skills used in the building and construction industry
- Know and apply basic skills used in the upholstery industry
What Topics Do I Study In Maintenance?
Here are the ten (10) subjects that you will study in Maintenance:
- Generics
- Occupational Health And Safety Act 85 Of 1993 (OHS)
- First Aid
- Graphic Communication
- Entrepreneurship
- Generics
- Metalwork
- Safety
- Measuring and marking
- Filing and grinding
- Cutting
- Drilling
- Soldering, welding and fastening
- Mechanical maintenance
- Safety
- Service of vehicles
- Tyre maintenance
- Battery maintenance
- Basic maintenance of vehicles
- Basic maintenance on mechanical devices
- Plumbing
- Safety
- Tools & equipment
- Materials
- Measuring and marking
- Fitment of pipes and installations
- Maintenance of pipes, valves, cisterns, and geysers
- Painting and Waterproofing
- Safety
- Paints/material
- Tools and equipment
- Mixing of paints
- Glazing
- Glass safety and types
- Cutting
- Electrical
- Safety
- Electrical, tools and material
- Maintenance of electrical components
- Woodworking
- Safety
- Measuring and marking
- Cutting and finishing
- Tools and materials
- Maintenance and repairs
- Bricklaying and Plastering
- Safety
- Tools and equipment
- Mixture of mortar
- Repairs & maintenance of walls
- Measuring
- Upholstery
- Tools
- Materials and care
- Measuring and calculations
- Pre-covering (Preparation)
- Cutting layout requirements
- Final covering
- Repair damaged furniture
Which Tools Are Used In Maintenance?
The following different types of Maintenance use different tools:
- Metalwork
- Mechanical maintenance
- Plumbing
- Painting and Waterproofing
- Glazing
- Electrical
- Woodworking
- Bricklaying and Plastering
- Upholstery
Metalwork
Here are the tools used in Metalwork:
- Hand tools
- Electrical tools
Hand Tools
- Steel rule
- Measuring tape
- Square
- Scriber
- Punch
- Hammer ball-pein (2lb, 4lb)
- Hacksaw
- Snips
- Side-cutter
- Pliers
- Bench vice
- Pop riveter
- Files
- Welding vice grips
- Vice grips
Electrical Tools
- Angle grinder
- Electric drill
- Soldering iron
- Cut-off saw
- Welding equipment (gas and arc)
- Safety glasses
- Leather Apron
- Welding helmets
- Safety gloves
- Bench grinder
- Drill press
Mechanical Maintenance
Here are the tools used in Mechanical Maintenance:
- Hand tools
- Electrical tools
Hand Tools
- Spanners
- Manual jack
- Hydraulic jack
- Creeper
- Hammers
- Screwdrivers
- Filter straps
- Plug spanners
- Lead lights
- Multi-meters
- Timing light
- Torque wrench
- Gloves
- Goggles
Electrical Tools
- Grinders
- Battery-charger
Plumbing
Here are the tools used in Plumbing:
- Hand tools
- Electrical tools
Hand Tools
- Shifting
- Stilton wrench
- Gas gun
- Under basin spanner
- Tin snips
- Tap reseating tool
- Vice grips
- Spirit levels
- Hack saw
- Water pump pliers
- Masonry drill bits
- Measuring tap
Electrical Tools
- Impact drill
- Angle grinder
Painting And Waterproofing
Here are the tools used in Painting and Waterproofing:
- Hand tools
- Electrical tools
Hand Tools
- Brushes
- Roller, trays
- Hot-air gun
- Scrapers
- Paint scrapers
Electrical Tools
- Paint-strippers
Glazing
Here are the tools used in Glazing:
- Hand tools
- Electrical tools
Hand Tools
- Glazing tools
- Glass cutters
- T-square
- Measuring tapes
- Different glass types
- Putty
- Safety gloves
Electrical
Here are the tools used in Electrical:
- Hand tools
- Electrical tools
Hand Tools
- Testers
- Wire strippers
- Pliers
- Side cutters
- Screwdrivers
Electrical Tools
- Impact drill
- Angle grinder
Woodworking
Here are the tools used in Woodworking:
- Hand tools
- Electrical tools
Hand Tools
- Chisel
- Measuring tape
- Spirit level
- Screwdrivers
- Hammers
- Saws
- Square
- Drill bits
Electrical Tools
- Electric planer and sander
- Jigsaw
- small electrical drill
- cordless drill
Building, Plastering, Flooring And Tiling
Here are the tools used in Bricklaying and Plastering:
- Hand tools
- Electrical tools
Hand Tools
- Concrete mixer
- Spades and shovels
- Spirit levels
- Trowels
- Chalk-line
- Corner blocks
- Cutting tools
- Tile cutter
- tile fitting tools
- Pick
- Wheelbarrow
Electrical Tools
- Drill
- Angle grinder
Upholstery
Here are the tools used in Upholstery:
- Hand tools
- Electrical tools
Hand Tools
- Scissors
- Staple gun
- Screw gun
- Foam cutter
- Staple remover
- Rubber mallet
- cutting table
- working tables
- Hand screwdrivers
- Combination spanners
- Circular needles
- Button needles
- Upholstery Tack hammer
- Spray glue gun
- Jig saw
- Air Compressor
How Am I Assessed?
For both Grades, that is, 8 and 9, the focus is on a broad overview of the subject with a basic understanding and mastery of some basic skills required in the subject. Learners must develop a greater degree of independent mastery of the subject skills.
| GRADE | SCHOOL-BASED ASSESSMENTS (SBA) | |
| 8 | Practical | Theory |
| 60% | 40% | |
| 9 | 60% | 40% |
| 100% | ||
What Are The Four Compulsory Matric Subjects?
Here are the four compulsory Matric subjects:
- Two (2) official Languages (one Home Language and one First Additional Language)
- Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy
- Life Orientation
What Are My Career Opportunities?
Here are your career opportunities in Maintenance:
- General Handyman
- Maintenance Manager
- Maintenance Assistant
- Buildings Manager
- Entrepreneur
- Maintenance Assistant
- Builder
- Plasterer
- Tile Fitter
- Metal Fabricator
- Metalworker
- Carpenter
What Does A Maintenance Assistant Do?
Here are some of the duties of a Maintenance Assistant:
- Completing minor repair work, which can include the following:
- Repairing doors
- Repairing Locks
- Fixing door frames and handles
- Replacing light bulbs, sockets, switches, and window glass
- Performing basic plumbing tasks including the following:
- Unclogging drains
- Fixing leaking taps
- Performing regular cleaning duties, including:
- Sweeping
- Dusting
- Mopping
- Vacuuming
- Maintaining all outdoor areas, including the following:
- Mowing
- Trimming
- Edging the lawn
- Inspecting electrical wiring to detect any issues that may require immediate attention
- Taking stock of maintenance supplies
- Promptly responding to requests for emergency repairs and clean-ups
- Ensuring that all maintenance equipment is in good working order
If you enjoyed reading on this subject, then you should consider choosing this as a subject. You can use this as a basis for further studies at a college or university.
Author: Collin Wilbesi
Editor: Sive Ncanywa
Date: July 25, 2022