Plumbing,
Heating and Cooling
Course description
EXPLORATORY
AND INTRODUCTION TO PLUMBING, HEATING AND COOLING (3
credits)
All Grade 9 students go through the Exploratory Program. Please
see page 7 for more detail. Students deciding to enter the
plumbing, heating and cooling field will be exposed to the
basics of safety and sanitation, as well as the use and care
of hand tools, power tools and stationary equipment. The
students will be able to identify pipe, valves and fittings.
Students will be able to demonstrate the basic assembly skills
required for various materials used in the mechanical field,
such as copper, steel pipe, plastic pipe and cast iron, and
assemble basic sheet metal fittings. The students will be
introduced to basic residential mechanical systems and demonstrate
an understanding of the apprenticeship system. Shop safety
will be introduced and reinforced at all times. Technology-related
mathematics, reading, writing, vocabulary, blueprint reading
and science are integrated throughout the curriculum.
RESIDENTIAL
SYSTEMS – HEATING/COOLING (3 credits)
In Grade 10, the plumbing, heating and cooling program is
designed to provide students theoretical information covering
the calculations of heat loss and gain in a residential building
to determine required heating/cooling system capacities.
The student will be able to identify warm air and hydronic
heating and cooling systems found in residential structures
and the advantages and disadvantages of each type. Each basic
system is investigated using either oil or gas as the primary
fuel for heating, and a direct expansion type of cooling
system. Basic service, repair and maintenance of these systems
are covered. The students will demonstrate knowledge of combustion
of fuels, efficiencies, operating costs and some of the environmental
concerns of burning fossil fuel. The students will demonstrate
knowledge of installations using the latest edition of the
International Mechanic Code. They will investigate control
and power wiring of basic heating and cooling systems. Students
will participate in in-school and outside plumbing projects
for customers as it relates to the current curriculum and
their skill level. The students will demonstrate knowledge
of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements
for job sites, ladder safety and use of ground fault circuit
interrupters. Technology-related mathematics, reading, writing,
vocabulary, blueprint reading and science are integrated
throughout the curriculum.
RESIDENTIAL
SYSTEMS – PLUMBING AND PIPING (3 credits)
In Grade 11, students will demonstrate their knowledge of
the latest edition of the International Plumbing Code and
apply the code to real-world installations. They will demonstrate
knowledge of basic residential systems such as drain, waste,
vent and water distribution, and knowledge of back-flow and
cross connections and installation of various pumps and pumping
systems. Students will be able to demonstrate the installation,
repair and maintenance of various residential fixtures and
appliances, including the installation of water heating equipment,
safety devices and insulation. Students will also demonstrate
knowledge of water chemistry and treatment. The students
will perform both in-school and outside plumbing projects
for customers as it relates to the current curriculum and
their skill level. Students reaching an acceptable level
of proficiency may be eligible for Work Based Learning (WBL).
Technology-related mathematics, reading, writing, vocabulary,
blueprint reading and science are integrated throughout the
curriculum.
ADVANCED
SYSTEMS – PLUMBING, HEATING AND COOLING (3
credits)
In Grade 12, students will continue investigating more advanced
plumbing, heating and cooling systems and installations.
Students will demonstrate knowledge of various types of heating
systems including hydro air systems, ground coupled heat
pumps, radiant, water-cooled systems towers and steam heating
systems. Students will demonstrate competency in service
and repair and maintenance of these systems. Students will
demonstrate competency in use of the International Plumbing
and Mechanical (IPMC) and the International Fuel Gas Code
(IFGC) by designing a plumbing, heating and cooling system
for a small house, which includes creating a proposal using
a set of plans and industry-standard labor factors, and justify
a labor rate for their project. The students will advance
in their participation in in-school and outside plumbing
projects for customers as it relates to the current curriculum
and their skill level. Students will demonstrate the
ability to complete a job application and interview and to
perform entry-level job readiness and trade skills. Each
student will take the National Occupational Competency Testing
Institute (NOCTI) exam, which is a performance-based test. Students
reaching an acceptable level of proficiency may be eligible
for Work Based Learning (WBL). Technology-related mathematics,
blueprint reading and science are integrated throughout the
curriculum.
Students
successfully completing this course of study will be
able to pursue a two year or a four year engineering
degree. Students can obtain immediate employment
in the plumbing, heating and cooling field. Employment
opportunities include: residential and commercial
heating and air conditioning apprenticeship in installation
and service apprenticeship; refrigeration mechanic; sheet
metal apprentice; sheet metal design; gas system technician;
oil burner technician; sales representative; wholesale
supply representative; appliance repair technician; residential
and commercial plumbing and heating apprenticeship; sprinkler-fitters
apprenticeship; pipe-fitters apprenticeship; steamfitters
apprenticeship; gasfitters apprenticeship; estimators;
plumbing and heating service technician; plumbing and
heating maintenance; plumbing and heating sales representative;
and, wholesale supply representative.