NCCER Plumbing and Pipefitting Technology (PT32)  Diploma

Emphasizes the development and improvement of written and oral communication abilities. Topics include analysis of writing, applied grammar and writing skills, editing and proofreading skills, research skills, and oral communication skills.

Emphasizes the application of basic mathematical skills used in the solution of occupational and technical problems. Topics include fractions decimals percents ratios and proportions measurement and conversion formula manipulation technical applications and basic statistics.

This course introduces the student to the basic fundamentals of the construction trades. Topics include Basic Safety, Construction Math, Hand and Power Tools, Construction Drawings, Rigging, Materials Handling, and Job-Site Communication and Work Ethic Skills.

This course continues the introduction of basic plumbing concepts and practices. Topics include plastic pipe, copper tube, cast-iron and steel pipe and fittings, plumbing fixtures, DWV systems, and water distribution systems.

This course introduces the student to more advanced plumbing applications and techniques. Topics include water supply piping, valves, fixtures, water heaters, basic electrical principles, fuel gas, and fuel oil.

This course builds upon the basic and intermediate plumbing courses. Topics include applied math, sizing water supply piping, potable water treatment, backflow preventers, and types of venting.

This course builds upon all preceding plumbing courses, but adds in business practices. Topics include sizing DWV and storm systems, sewage and sump pumps, corrosive-resistant waste pipe, compressed air, and servicing piping systems, fixtures, and appliances.

This course discusses specialty plumbing applications and systems. Topics include business principles for plumbers, crew leader skills, water pressure booster and recirculation systems, indirect and special waste, hydronic and solar heating systems, and plumbing codes.

This course discusses specialty plumbing applications and systems. Topics include private water supply well systems, private waste disposal systems, swimming pools and hot tubs, plumbing for mobile homes and travel trailers, and medical gas and vacuum systems.

Provides an introduction into pipefitting with an emphasis on basic pipefitting tools and equipment. Topics include an overall orientation of the industrial pipefitting trade, proper use of hand and power tools, use of oxyfuel cutting, types of ladders and safe usage and identifying motorized equipment. Labs reinforce safety, appropriate use of hand tools, power tools, oxyfuel cutting equipment, proper inspection and setup of ladders, and motorized equipment to include prestart checks of operation.

Provides instruction of various pipe systems, interpret pipe layout diagrams, mathematical specifications for connections. Topics include: various pipe systems and materials; components and specifications for installation; blueprint drawings and detail sheets of specifications; valve installation and operations; mathematical precision for measurement and problem solving, and assembly requirements for threaded pipe fabrication. Labs will demonstrate proficient interpretation of blueprints, installation and assembly of pipe systems to include valve installation and threaded pipe fabrication while choosing appropriate materials for installation.

Provides instruction on socket and butt weld pipe fabrication and instruction on excavations and underground pipe installation. Topics include: types of sockets, weld and butt weld materials, pipe length determination between socket weld and butt weld fittings, prep and assembly requirements, selection and installation of backing rings, alignment procedures, OSHA standards for shoring materials, shoring systems, hydraulic vertical shore installation, determination of sewer line fall, trenching grade and elevation, backfilling procedures, identification of underground piping materials, classification and installation procedures, and horizontal directional drilling. Labs will demonstrate ability to fabricate socket and butt weld fittings to pipe, proper installation of backing rings, vertical shoring, proper trenching techniques grade elevation of sewer line and backfilling, and use of various types of material for underground piping.

Provides instruction on types of rigging equipment, slings and sling angles, use of rigging equipment, rigging crane practices including hazard and safety procedures, load charts and load balancing rigging and lift plan for pipes, standards and codes, conversion tables and right angle trigonometry, application and safety requirements for drain cleaners, man lifts, and cable lifts, and introduction to aboveground pipe installation including components, pipe sleeve installation and floor penetrations. Labs will demonstrate ability to perform safety inspections on rigging equipment and slings, proficient use of rigging equipment including setup, inspection and knot tying, crane operations including hand signaling and proper rigging for pipe lifts, proficient use of equivalents table, right angle trigonometry and ability to calculate takeouts using trigonometry, inspect scissor-type and telescoping boom manlifts, and proper storage of pipe and materials, fabrication of gaskets, flange bolt hole pipe installation and proficiency in floor penetrations and pipe sleeve installation.

Provides instruction on field run specifications, erection equipment specifications, support needs, explanation on how to identify, select, and install pipe hangers and supports, spring can supports, and testing of pipes systems. Topics include: pretest, service flow test, head pressure test, hydrostatic test, and steam blow tests. Labs will focus on proficiency in the procedures for testing of pipe systems including setting up a secure work area, fabrication, erection of vessel trim, installation of concrete fasteners, angle iron bracket fabrication, use of spring can supports, and successful demonstration of pretest requirements, flow test, head pressure test and hydrostatic test.

Provides instruction on advanced blueprint reading and advanced pipe fabrication. Topics include symbols and abbreviation on pipe and instrumentation drawings (P&IDs), piping arrangement drawings, ISOs, and spooling sheets, isometric drawings in plan view. Labs focus on proficiency in advanced pipe fabrication using table of ordinates or calculator to create mitered bends, laterals, wyes, ninety-degree intersections and specialty bends and intersections. Labs will also demonstrate ability to draw isometric drawings.

Provides instruction related to alignment, steam traps, in-line devices, special piping, hot taps, valve maintenance, and supervisory roles. Topics include various terms, thermal expansion, anchors and cold springing, procedures for stressrelief, grouting, types of misalignments, types of steam traps, various types of in-line specialty devices, purpose and function, assembling pipes made from different materials, methods of assembly, brazing, soldering, use of compression and flared fittings and use of grooved and compression formed methods, hot tap safety and hazards, types of hot taps, valve maintenance, packing and O-rings, troubleshooting, and supervisory roles including cultural differences, genderbased social behavior, legal and ethical situations. Labs will demonstrate proficient flange alignment, proper troubleshooting of steam traps, assembly of copper and plastic tubing, solder and braze joint techniques using copper tubing, use of glass-lined pipe, install grooved pipe coupling, removal and installation of threaded and flanged valves, replacement of O-rings and bonnet gaskets, and proper repacking of a valve.