Department Head

Dean Pergola
Dean.Pergola@cttech.org
(860) 496-5300 x5351

Instructor

Norman LaMere
Norman.Lamere@cttech.org
(860)496-5300 x5350

Connecticut Technical Education and Career System’s Plumbing, Heating and Cooling course breakdown by grade. Each student is required to complete four years of a Career Technical Education program.

Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12
3 Credits 3 Credits 3 Credits 3 Credits
Exploratory and Introduction to Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Residential Systems – Heating/Cooling Residential Systems – Plumbing and Piping Advanced Systems – Plumbing, Heating and Cooling

Course Descriptions*

Students deciding to enter the Plumbing, Heating and Cooling field will be introduced 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, as well as 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.

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.

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, as well as knowledge of back-flow and cross connections and installation of various pumps and pumping systems. They 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. They 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).

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. They will demonstrate competency in service and repair and maintenance of these systems. They will demonstrate competency in use of the International Plumbing and Mechanical and the International Fuel Gas Code 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. They will advance in their participation in in-school and outside plumbing projects for customers. Students will demonstrate the ability to complete a job application, to interview and to perform entry-level job readiness and trade skills. Students reaching an acceptable level of proficiency may be eligible for Work-based Learning (WBL). They will take the National Occupational Competency Testing Institute exam in HVAC, which is a performance-based test, and the Senior Summative Assessment in plumbing, which is a computerized interactive test.

Students successfully completing this course of study will be able to pursue a two- 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, 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.