Concentration in this traditionally high paying field results in students qualified for employment as an apprentice plumber or pipe fitter for industrial, result in industrial, residential and commercial piping. Students are prepared in actual plumbing work and trade codes.
The Freshmen will learn how to thread pipe. They will have a basic understanding of I.P.S. measurements and applications. Students will learn the proper use of pipe wrenches, pip fittings, and lubricating oils. Students will learn to cut and ream copper tubing and to assemble the tubing using various procedures including flared, soldered and compression. Students will learn the proper use of torches. Students will learn to set up a lead pot and to yarn, pour, and caulk a lead soil pipe joint. Students will also learn basic water, and drain line sizing, laws and materials. Safety will be taught during each phase of the course. This introductory course will give the new plumbing student a brief history of plumbing as well as a general overview of the many different duties and opportunities available to a student schooled in the plumbing trade. This first year program will make the student proficient in the use of the ruler in conjunction with the proper methods and tools used in the assembly of steel pipe and the soldering of copper pipe.
The Sophomores will learn about types of valves, including gate, globe and quick closing. Students will learn about special valves such as regulators, and also about air chambers. Students will learn about water service mains and water meters. Some gas piping, gas appliances and gas flues will be taught. Different uses for hangers such as resnor, hook, clevis, strap and van will be taught along with the anchors used to attach them. Safety with rigging and hoisting will be covered. Students will learn knots, chainfall and come along procedures. Students will learn waste stack sizes, materials, and laws, along with branch line sizes, materials, and laws. The Sophomores will begin the year by learning the many different types of pipe and fittings involved with the proper assembly of drains and waste pipes such as cast iron, PVC, and copper. The student will be introduced to the many methods of venting a plumbing system. Blueprint reading and drawing will be introduced, and the student will also become proficient in sizing capacities and volumes of all sorts and sizes of piping, tanks, etc. The proper operation of several basic plumbing fixtures such as faucets, waterclosets, and water heaters will be reviewed extensively.
The Juniors will learn air break and air gap indirect wastes. Students will learn storm drain and sewer drain regulations. Septic systems will be taught and all units of the system will be covered. Students will learn plumbing vents including: stack, continuous, individual, common, bow, yoke, battery, circuit, loop, wet, crown, quick, and blind. Students will learn about floor drains, and the different laws covering them. Bathtub and shower installations will be covered. Students will learn about different types of sewer ejectors. Different testing methods will be taught. Students will learn duriron, glass pipe, and poly special waste systems. Students will learn about special waste traps including plaster, grease, acid, gasoline and sand traps. The Juniors will continue on the blueprint reading and drawing as they move into sizing water mains and appropriate valve installations. The course will cover the Mass. plumbing code requirements concerning drains, vents, water piping, as well as an in-depth look at gas piping and hydronic heating systems. Septic tanks, special wastes and backflow prevention will also be covered extensively.
The Seniors will learn about repairing fixtures in the plumbing system. Special methods and materials to detect leaks will be taught. Students will learn to install and repair different valves including ballcocks, faucet stem, faucet cartridge, flushometer, gate, globe, mixing, hosebibb, sillcock, wall hydrants, and trap seal valves. Students will learn about trap fixture and pipe stoppages, and how to correct and avoid them. Students will learn about fixtures including wall hung water closets, floor mount water closet, wall hung lavatories, vanity lavatories, kitchen sinks, wall hung urinals, pedestal urinals and bidets. Students will also learn special hospital and commercial fixtures. Students, in addition, will learn about water heaters fueled by gas, oil electric and solar. Students will learn about indirect, direct and instantaneous heaters. The Seniors will continue with blueprint reading and will, by this time, be able to design and rough the plumbing system for residences and commercial installations. The finer points of plumbing design will be covered such as different manufacturers and style. The student will learn many principles of business such as estimating jobs, labor costs, pricing material and figuring overhead costs. Heat loss and BTU use related to heating system design will also be covered. A Senior class project will involve the complete design of the student's dream house complete with all plumbing and heating properly sized and installed.
