Plumbing
Career Diploma

. Materials used in fixtures; lavatories and sinks; types and styles of commodes; urinals; bathtubs; spa and whirlpool tubs; steam generators; bidets; service sinks; water fountains.

. Selecting, using, and maintaining the right tools; measuring, layout, marking, alignment, cutting, and excavating tools; tools for assembling and holding; reducing accidents and injury; trenching and excavating; handling ladders, scaffolds, ropes, and hoisting devices; welding, brazing, and electrical safety; ventilators.

. Reading a rule correctly; adding and subtracting lengths; computing pipe offsets using simple trigonometry and the Pythagorean theorem; computing area and volume; converting to metric measurements.

. Cast iron; steel pipe; malleable iron, copper, and plastic pipe and fittings; valves; utility faucets; compression and non-compression faucets; kitchen and bathroom faucets and fixtures; single pipe water systems; water meters; selecting proper grades and sizes for various applications.

. Interpreting and preparing plumbing plans and specifications; recognizing plumbing symbols and abbreviations in architectural drawings; scaling a drawing correctly; preparing piping sketches; metric dimensions and scales.

. How to study more effectively and increase your productivity, both as a student and when you begin your career.

. The first and second roughs; attaching laterals to the water main; measuring, cutting, joining, and supporting pipe runs; locating fixtures; installing copper, galvanized, and black iron pipe and fittings; inspection and testing; solders, fluxes, plastics, and adhesives; sweat soldering; brazing and welding materials and procedures.

. Basic design considerations; designing the piping, venting, and water supply systems; reducing water hammer and vibration; using the builder's level and cold beam laser; collecting and draining storm water; installing drainage, waste, and venting systems using various materials.

. Locating a well; types of wells and water pumps; pump installation; pressure tanks; connecting to a municipal water supply system; inhibiting water contaminants; disinfecting water; pH balance; iron removal; hydrogen sulfide gas; sediment and turbidity; cartridge filters; water softeners; reverse osmosis; pasteurization; ultraviolet light.

. Understanding private waste disposal systems; how septic systems work; disposing of excess ground water; hydraulics; pneumatics; maintaining the plumbing system; installing water conservation fixtures and energy conservation systems.

. Storage-type water heaters; instantaneous water heaters; water coolers; basic components of an air conditioning system; installing air conditioning systems, refrigeration units, humidifiers, and dehumidifiers.

. Swimming pool design and components; skimmers; scum gutters; installing spas, hot tubs, and swimming pools; lawn sprinkler design and installation; sprinkler heads; drip irrigation systems.

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. Administration and enforcement of building codes; preparing the list of supplies, tools, and equipment for the job; coordinating with other trades; important safety precautions; deliveries and inspections; checking work quality.

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. Who employs plumbers; plumbing organizations; advancing from apprentice to contractor; professional and personal qualifications; licensing and certification of plumbers; getting your first plumbing job; starting your own plumbing business.

. How to find the best opportunities; building a business.