Plumbing Fundamentals and Materials
The materials and methods every plumber uses, followed through a first-year plumbing apprentice on a Hamilton high-rise: why plumbing is regulated and how the National Plumbing Code, Ontario Building Code Part 7, permits and inspections work; the water supply, drainage, venting and storm systems; choosing pipe materials; copper tube and fittings; soldering and brazing with hot work safety; PVC, ABS, CPVC and PEX; cast iron and steel; threaded, grooved and mechanical joints; valves, backflow basics and drainage fittings; flow, pressure and fixture units; supports, expansion and firestopping; and layout, rough-in, testing and inspection.
PLB-110 12 lessons · 4 h 22 min ▶ Video lessons coming soon
Offered by HSM University · Plumbing
This is the Canadian version of this course. See the American version.
What you'll learn
- Explain why plumbing is regulated and how the National Plumbing Code, Ontario Building Code Part 7, permits and inspections govern plumbing work in Ontario.
- Describe the water supply, sanitary drainage, venting and storm drainage systems in a building, including traps, stacks, building drains, cleanouts and backwater valves.
- Choose pipe materials for a use by checking approval, potable water certification, pressure and temperature rating, fire performance, corrosion resistance and pipe markings.
- Identify copper tube types and sizes, and cut, ream, clean and bend copper correctly for the joining method specified.
- Explain how capillary joints work and make sound soldered joints while following hot work permit, fire watch, cylinder and fume controls.
- Join PVC, ABS and CPVC with primer and solvent cement and PEX with approved crimp, clamp, expansion or press systems, respecting cure times, sunlight, heat and code limits.
- Describe cast iron soil pipe and steel pipe, make no-hub and gasket joints, and explain sizing by nominal pipe size and schedule.
- Cut and seal tapered pipe threads, calculate threaded pipe lengths, and assemble grooved, flanged, union, compression, flare and transition joints as listed.
- Select valves for isolation, throttling, reverse flow and pressure control, explain backflow protection, and choose drainage fittings that suit each change of direction.
- Relate flow, velocity, pressure, height and friction loss, and explain how fixture units account for diversity in pipe sizing.
- Support piping at the required spacing, allow for thermal expansion, protect pipe from damage, freezing and corrosion, and leave penetrations ready for listed firestop systems.
- Lay out and measure piping using rough-in sheets and fitting take-offs, test drainage and water piping safely, and prepare work and records for inspection.
Course content
12 lessons · 4 h 22 min total · final exam
- 1 The plumber's job and the plumbing code 23 min · quiz
- 2 How a building's plumbing systems work 23 min · quiz
- 3 Pipe materials: choosing the right pipe 22 min · quiz
- 4 Copper tube and fittings 21 min · quiz
- 5 Soldering and brazing copper safely 20 min · quiz
- 6 Plastic pipe: PVC, ABS, CPVC and PEX 20 min · quiz
- 7 Cast iron and steel pipe 22 min · quiz
- 8 Threaded, grooved and mechanical joints 22 min · quiz
- 9 Valves and fittings 22 min · quiz
- 10 Pipe sizing basics: flow, pressure and fixture units 22 min · quiz
- 11 Supports, hangers, expansion and protection 21 min · quiz
- 12 Layout, measuring, testing and inspection 24 min · quiz
- E Final exam 20 questions
Requirements
Recommended background. You can start any course at any time.
Description
The materials and methods every plumber uses, followed through a first-year plumbing apprentice on a Hamilton high-rise: why plumbing is regulated and how the National Plumbing Code, Ontario Building Code Part 7, permits and inspections work; the water supply, drainage, venting and storm systems; choosing pipe materials; copper tube and fittings; soldering and brazing with hot work safety; PVC, ABS, CPVC and PEX; cast iron and steel; threaded, grooved and mechanical joints; valves, backflow basics and drainage fittings; flow, pressure and fixture units; supports, expansion and firestopping; and layout, rough-in, testing and inspection.