Plumbing and Drainage Course

Lesson 1 • Basic Tools and Measurement

Introduces hand tools, power tools, and precision measuring instruments used in plumbing. Proper tool use and maintenance are emphasised for safety and accuracy.

Lesson 2 • Pipes, Fittings, and Materials

Identifies common pipe materials, fittings, and their appropriate applications. Builds material selection skills essential for all subsequent installation chapters.

Lesson 3 • Reading Plumbing Blueprints

Teaches interpretation of plumbing drawings, symbols, and isometric diagrams. Students apply blueprint reading to plan installations accurately.

Lesson 4 • Plumbing Codes and Regulations

Introduces regulatory frameworks governing plumbing installations and inspections. Students learn to interpret permit requirements and compliance documentation.

Lesson 1 • Water Pressure and Flow Principles

Covers hydraulic fundamentals including static pressure, velocity, and friction loss. Students apply these principles to size pipes and select pumps correctly.

Lesson 2 • Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection

Identifies cross-connection hazards and the devices used to prevent contamination of potable water. Compliance with backflow prevention standards is reinforced throughout.

Lesson 3 • Pipe Sizing for Supply Systems

Teaches fixture unit method and demand-based pipe sizing for cold and hot water lines. Accurate sizing prevents pressure loss and ensures adequate flow at fixtures.

Lesson 4 • Hot Water Systems and Heaters

Covers storage, tankless, and solar water heater types, sizing, and installation requirements. Students select and size heaters based on demand and energy efficiency goals.

Lesson 1 • Venting Systems and Configurations

Teaches individual, common, wet, and air-admittance venting methods and their code-compliant applications. Correct venting maintains trap seals and equalises system pressure.

Lesson 2 • Cleanouts and System Access

Identifies required cleanout locations, spacing, and access requirements for DWV systems. Students plan cleanout placement to enable efficient maintenance and blockage removal.

Lesson 3 • Trap Design and Installation

Covers P-trap, S-trap, and drum trap configurations, seal depths, and prohibited trap types. Proper trap installation prevents sewer gas entry into occupied spaces.

Lesson 4 • Principles of Gravity Drainage

Explains how gravity, slope, and pipe diameter govern wastewater flow in DWV systems. Establishes the hydraulic basis for all drain sizing and layout decisions.

Lesson 1 • Soldering and Brazing Copper Pipe

Teaches flux application, torch technique, solder flow, and joint inspection for copper systems. Students practise on sample assemblies before applying skills to live installations.

Lesson 2 • Cutting and Preparing Pipe Ends

Covers cutting techniques for copper, PVC, CPVC, PEX, and steel pipe with appropriate tools. Clean, square cuts and proper deburring are prerequisites for all joining methods.

Lesson 3 • Solvent Cementing Plastic Pipe

Covers primer and cement selection, application sequence, and cure times for PVC and CPVC. Correct technique prevents joint failure under pressure and thermal cycling.

Lesson 4 • Threaded and Mechanical Connections

Covers pipe threading, thread sealant application, and mechanical coupling installation for steel and cast iron. Students assemble and disassemble threaded joints correctly.

Lesson 1 • Kitchen and Utility Fixture Installation

Covers kitchen sink, garbage disposal, dishwasher, and laundry connections and venting. Students complete multi-fixture kitchen installations with correct drain and supply configurations.

Lesson 2 • Sink and Lavatory Installation

Covers drop-in, undermount, and wall-hung sink mounting, tap installation, and drain assembly. Proper support and sealing prevent leaks and structural damage over time.

Lesson 3 • Shower and Bathtub Installation

Teaches tub and shower pan setting, valve rough-in, and showerhead and trim installation. Waterproofing and slope requirements are critical to prevent structural water damage.

Lesson 4 • Toilet and Bidet Installation

Covers closet flange setting, wax ring sealing, tank-to-bowl assembly, and supply connection. Students install and test toilets for proper flush performance and leak-free seals.

Lesson 1 • Grease Traps and Interceptors

Covers grease interceptor sizing, installation, and maintenance requirements for commercial food service. Proper interceptor design protects sewer systems from fats, oils, and grease blockages.

Lesson 2 • Sewage Ejector and Lift Stations

Teaches design and installation of sewage ejector pumps and lift stations for below-grade fixtures. Students size wet wells, select pumps, and specify alarm and control systems.

Lesson 3 • Stormwater and Roof Drainage

Covers roof drain sizing, leader pipe design, and separation of stormwater from sanitary systems. Students design compliant stormwater systems that prevent combined sewer overflows.

Lesson 4 • Septic Systems and On-Site Treatment

Introduces septic tank sizing, leach field design, and soil percolation testing for on-site sewage disposal. Students evaluate site conditions and select appropriate treatment system types.

Lesson 1 • Pressure Testing Supply Systems

Covers hydrostatic and air pressure test procedures, gauge selection, and pass/fail criteria. Students conduct tests safely and document results for inspection approval.

Lesson 2 • Testing DWV Systems

Teaches air, water, and smoke test methods for drainage, waste, and vent systems. Correct test selection and execution confirm system integrity before concealment.

Lesson 3 • Diagnosing Common Plumbing Failures

Introduces systematic diagnostic methods for leaks, low pressure, slow drains, and noise issues. Students apply root-cause analysis to identify and resolve failures efficiently.

Lesson 4 • Repair and Rehabilitation Techniques

Covers pipe repair clamps, epoxy lining, pipe bursting, and fixture rebuild procedures. Students select cost-effective repair methods appropriate to system age and condition.

Lesson 1 • Medical Gas and Vacuum Systems

Introduces oxygen, nitrous oxide, medical air, and vacuum piping requirements for healthcare facilities. Strict material, labelling, and testing standards distinguish medical gas from standard plumbing.

Lesson 2 • Fire Suppression System Basics

Covers wet-pipe sprinkler system components, pipe sizing, and coordination with plumbing supply. Students understand the plumber's role in sprinkler rough-in and water supply connection.

Lesson 3 • Hydronic Heating and Radiant Systems

Covers boiler connections, radiant floor tubing layout, manifold design, and expansion vessel sizing. Students design hydronic systems that deliver efficient, even heat distribution.

Lesson 4 • Greywater and Water Reuse Systems

Covers greywater collection, treatment, storage, and distribution for toilet flushing and irrigation. Students design dual-pipe systems that reduce potable water consumption in buildings.