NZQA Expiring unit standard
Title
Clean carpets
Level
3
Purpose
13346 version 5
Page 1 of 7
Credits
8
This unit standard is for people training for the carpet cleaning
industry.
People credited with this standard are able to: demonstrate
knowledge of carpet construction, fibres, textures, and
backings; conduct a risk assessment of the worksite; select
carpet cleaning method; prepare for carpet cleaning; perform
carpet cleaning; complete the carpet cleaning process; and
complete job-related tasks.
Classification
Cleaning and Caretaking > Carpet and Textile Cleaning
Available grade
Achieved
Entry information
Critical health and
safety prerequisites
Unit 25918, Follow safe work practices in the carpet cleaning
and restoration industry, or demonstrate equivalent knowledge
and skills.
Recommended skills
and knowledge
Unit 13347, Treat spots and stains on carpets; Unit 13345,
Clean carpets under supervision; or demonstrate equivalent
knowledge and skills.
Explanatory notes
1
Competence demonstrated during assessment against this standard must comply
with the requirements of:
Consumers Guarantee Act 1993;
Employment Relations Act 2000;
Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996;
Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992;
Resource Management Act 1996;
AS/NZS 2455.1:2007 Textile floor coverings – Installation practice – General;
AS/NZS 2455.2:2007 Textile floor coverings – Installation practice – Carpet tiles;
AS/NZS 3733:1995 Textile floor coverings – Cleaning and maintenance of residential
and commercial carpeting;
S100 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Carpet Cleaning – 2002
(IICRC Publications).
Community Support Services ITO Limited
SSB Code 101814
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA Expiring unit standard
13346 version 5
Page 2 of 7
2
Definitions
Industry best practice refers to enterprise and/or establishment requirements and
practices which are in accordance with applicable legislation, regulations and safety
data sheets.
Organisational requirements refers to instructions to staff on policy procedures and
methods relating to cleaning in the workplace (including health and safety) and the
application of any written procedures which are documented in memo or manual
format and are available in the workplace.
Contract specifications set down the tasks to be done and how often these tasks are
to be done.
A spot is defined as a concentrated substance which sits on the surface of the fabric
or material and changes the texture or appearance of that fabric or material.
A stain is defined as foreign material (soil, liquid, etc) on a fabric or material that is
not removable by standard cleaning methods. This also includes discolouration
occurring in or on a fabric or material or any colour other that the natural colour of the
fabric or material (ie, red stain, black stain).
3
Assessor will note that for outcome 1, trainees are asked to identify various natural
and synthetic fibres, different carpet textures, different carpet backings, and different
carpet construction. Trainees may do this in a range of ways: orally, in writing, by
demonstration, by recognition, or by a combination of any of these.
The evidence requirements in this standard are to test a trainee’s knowledge not their
writing or English skills by formal examination practice.
4
All vacuum filtration systems must comply with AS/NZS 3733:1995 (Section 4.3.2).
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Demonstrate knowledge of carpet construction, fibres, textures, and backings.
Evidence requirements
1.1
Natural fibres are identified.
Range
1.2
Synthetic fibres are identified.
Range
1.3
wool, sisal, cotton, jute.
nylon, polyester, acrylic, polypropylene/olefin.
Industry standard tests are used for identifying different fibres.
Range
burn, chemical, float.
1.4
Loop pile and cut pile textures are identified.
1.5
Carpet backings are identified according to their composition.
Range
polypropylene/olefin, jute, foam, rubber, cotton, vinyl.
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SSB Code 101814
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA Expiring unit standard
1.6
13346 version 5
Page 3 of 7
Carpets are described in terms of their construction.
Range
woven, tufted, needle punched, fusion bonded.
Outcome 2
Conduct a risk assessment of the worksite.
Evidence requirements
2.1
A risk assessment of the worksite is completed in accordance with industry best
practice.
Range
immediate and secondary risks.
2.2
Client is provided with written details of the risk assessment in accordance with
industry best practice.
2.3
Client’s written acceptance of the risk assessment is obtained prior to carpet
cleaning in accordance with industry best practice.
Outcome 3
Select carpet cleaning method.
Range
may include – carpet sweeper, power head vacuum cleaner, vacuum cleaner,
bonnet, absorbent compound, encapsulation, hot water extraction.
Evidence of hot water extraction and one other is required.
Evidence requirements
3.1
Carpet cleaning methods and their uses are described in terms of a
maintenance programme.
Range
3.2
two examples of each of – dry soil removal, surface cleaning as
identified in AS/NZS 3733:1995 section 5.
One example of – restorative cleaning as identified in AS/NZS
3733: 1995 section 5.
Selection of cleaning method is determined from assessment of carpet's
location and condition.
Range
traffic patterns, level of wear, soiling, staining, residues, desired
appearance, hygiene needs, contract specifications.
3.3
Equipment is selected for cleaning method in accordance with industry best
practice.
3.4
Results of assessment and recommendations for the cleaning of carpets are
documented and reported to the client in accordance with industry best practice.
Community Support Services ITO Limited
SSB Code 101814
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA Expiring unit standard
13346 version 5
Page 4 of 7
Outcome 4
Prepare for carpet cleaning.
Evidence requirements
4.1
Personal protective equipment (PPE) for the task being undertaken is selected
and used in accordance with industry best practice.
Range
gloves, footwear, eye or face protection, head protection, overalls
or uniform, ear protection, respiratory protection.
4.2
Selected carpet cleaning equipment is safety checked and damaged and/or
non–operational equipment is reported in accordance with industry best
practice.
4.3
Warning signs are displayed in accordance with industry best practice.
Range
at least one of – signs, cordons, barriers.
4.4
Carpet fibre is identified by using industry standard fibre identification method.
4.5
Carpet is assessed for defects in accordance with industry best practice.
Range
split seams, soiling, spots and/or stains, mould, biohazards, any
other pre-existing conditions.
4.6
Cleaning solution is prepared in accordance with manufacturer's
recommendations.
4.7
Risk of damage to carpet is minimised by the application of prepared cleaning
solution to an inconspicuous area.
Range
colour bleeding/fastness, change in pile texture.
4.8
Chattels are moved in accordance with client requirements and/or
organisational requirements.
4.9
Surfaces to be cleaned are cleared of loose litter.
Range
items which are unsuitable for equipment being used, in terms of
size and composition.
4.10
Provision of ventilation ensures comfort and safety of technician and public.
4.11
Potential damage to surrounding area is avoided by minimising overspray.
Community Support Services ITO Limited
SSB Code 101814
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA Expiring unit standard
13346 version 5
Page 5 of 7
Outcome 5
Perform carpet cleaning.
Evidence requirements
5.1
Key elements of carpet cleaning methods are described.
Range
5.2
solution temperature, application, extraction, rinse, neutralising,
agitation, cleaning solution, dwell time.
Performance of cleaning ensures that potential for damage to carpet is
recognised and avoided.
Range
may include – excessive agitation, excessive heat, too acidic, too
alkaline, too wet, colour run, bleaching, condition, damage to
seams, damage from furniture, streaking of carpet, cellulousic
browning.
Evidence of six is required.
5.3
Carpet is power head and vacuum cleaned to remove dry particulate matter.
5.4
Spots and/or stains are identified and treated before and/or during the cleaning
process in accordance with industry best practice.
5.5
Cleaning equipment is used and cleaning solution is applied and removed in
accordance with manufacturer's recommendations.
Range
application, dwell time, extraction, rinse, neutralising, agitation,
solution temperature.
5.6
Selected cleaning solution avoids potential damage to carpet or voiding of
applicable warranties.
5.7
Carpet is groomed in accordance with industry best practice.
5.8
Carpet is dried in accordance with industry best practice.
5.9
Health and safety requirements are met throughout the cleaning process in
accordance with industry best practice and organisational requirements.
5.10
Soiled solutions and waste are disposed of in accordance with the Resource
Management Act 1991.
5.11
Potential damage to surrounding area is minimised by removal of overspray.
Community Support Services ITO Limited
SSB Code 101814
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA Expiring unit standard
13346 version 5
Page 6 of 7
Outcome 6
Complete the carpet cleaning process.
Evidence requirements
6.1
Chattels are replaced in accordance with client requirements and/or
organisational requirements.
6.2
Furniture is replaced so as to prevent damage caused by contact with damp
carpet.
Range
6.3
Potential damage to carpet or health, due to slow drying, is minimised by use of
drying equipment or open air system.
Range
6.4
at least one of – plastic, foil, polystyrene protectors.
may include – dehumidifiers, air movers, opening of windows and
doors, HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system.
Evidence of two methods is required.
All work is completed according to the schedule determined by contract
specifications.
Outcome 7
Complete job-related tasks
Evidence requirements
7.1
Client is provided with written report for approval and sign-off and is in
accordance with organisational requirements.
7.2
Documentation relating to job is processed in accordance with organisational
requirements.
Range
any required job or worksite reports.
7.3
Task is completed without damage or risk to technician, client, furniture,
fixtures, or fittings.
7.4
Equipment, PPE and cleaning materials are cleaned, checked and stored in
accordance with industry best practice.
7.5
Premises are secured in accordance with client requirements and/or
instructions.
Replacement information
This unit standard was replaced by unit standard 29385.
Community Support Services ITO Limited
SSB Code 101814
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA Expiring unit standard
13346 version 5
Page 7 of 7
This unit standard is expiring. Assessment against the standard must take place by
the last date for assessment set out below.
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process
Version Date
Last Date for Assessment
Registration
1
20 December 1998
31 December 2014
Review
2
27 April 2004
31 December 2014
Review
3
16 October 2009
31 December 2014
Review
4
18 October 2012
31 December 2018
Review
5
21 April 2016
31 December 2018
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference
0004
This CMR can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA,
before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses
of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by
NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and
which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that
applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies
to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR). The
CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing
to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors
and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Community Support Services ITO Limited
SSB Code 101814
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016