The field of plumbing, heating, and pipefitting represents the installation and repair of water supply piping, waste and vent piping, and fuel-fired heating systems in residential and commercial buildings.

The Instructional Program

The one-year Plumbing, Heating, and Pipefitting certificate program consists of the first-year courses from the two-year associate's degree program in Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning. Most students interested in this field enroll directly in the associate's degree program (for more information, see the Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning program description). The certificate is primarily for those individuals who can only spend one year in college. It is a two-semester program that begins each fall. If a student completes the certificate program and then decides to continue on for the associate's degree in Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning, the courses taken for the certificate will transfer with no loss of credit.

Career Options

The job titles associated with graduates of the Plumbing, Heating, and Pipefitting certificate program are:

• Plumber Helper
• Plumber Apprentice
• Heating Apprentice

There are career opportunities with plumbing unions, plumbing and heating contractors, and oil and gas distributors. Students who continue on for the associate's degree increase their options for employment in the field of heating, ventilating, and air conditioning.

Further information regarding careers in this field can be found in the Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning program description.

Curriculum

SUNY Curriculum Code:  0921

First Semester

Second Semester

Certificate Requirement: 31 credit hours

Notes

*MATH 102 Mathematics for Applied Technology is the minimum exit-level requirement for this program.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants must have earned a high school or equivalency diploma and meet the College requirements for English and reading competency. Two years of high school mathematics are also recommended.

Program Objectives

A graduate of the Plumbing, Heating, and Pipefitting certificate program should be able to:

1. Understand and apply the International Plumbing Code and New York State Code.
2. Demonstrate basic knowledge of plumbing materials, tools, and equipment.
3. Display the ability to measure, cut, and join steel pipe, copper tubing, plastic and cast iron soil pipe; demonstrate knowledge of fittings as well as basic fabrication of sheet metal principles and layout techniques.
4. Exhibit basic drafting techniques as they relate to the plumbing, heating, and pipefitting field through the completion of various drawings such as piping isometrics, plumbing floor plans, and riser diagrams.
5. Install residential hydronic and steam heating systems, and indirect and direct domestic warm-water heaters.
6. Design and install warm-air heating systems and the various types of warm-water heating systems for residential and light commercial buildings.
7. Design and install potable water, sanitary waste, and vent systems in residential and light commercial buildings.
8. Correctly and safely wire oil and gas boilers and warm-air heating systems.
9. Display an understanding of building energy requirements and demonstrate the ability to perform residential heat-loss calculations.
10. Recognize and respond to emergencies by making appropriate decisions regarding first-aid care.