Course+of+Study

HEATING, VENTILATION, AIR CONDITIONING, AND REFRIGERATION
= Grade 9 Exploratory = The exploratory program offers freshmen the opportunity to demonstrate there abilities through a series of hands-on projects designed to acquaint students with the HVAC&R industry. Students learn to wire series and parallel electric circuits and how to use a volt and ohmmeters. Copper soldering/brazing is also introduced, along with assorted connecting techniques. Safety issues and career opportunities are also stressed. Sophomores spend substantial time learning to blend, flare, solder and braze copper tubing. They also work on various wiring projects, with strong concentration on basic electricity and basic controls wiring, and from these projects gain skills in using pictorial and ladder schematics as well as voltmeters, ohmmeters, and amprobe meters. Students also begin to design various refrigeration piping schemes and apply them to multiple refrigerant applications. Tasks such as installing manifold gauges, vacuum pumps, recovery units, and charging cylinders to refrigeration units are also covered. Students spend substantial time taking the basic skills they have learned and applying them to troubleshoot basic electrical and refrigeration problems using multi-meters and manifold gauges. The initial focus of this course is the laws of thermodynamics, heat transfer methods, and refrigeration components (compressors, condensers, metering devices, evaporators). Refrigerant characteristics and safety issues are also discussed in detail. The application of standard refrigeration components, including filter driers, receivers, solenoid valves, sight glasses, and pressure controls) is reviewed, as are compressor-starting components, applications, and trouble-shooting methods. Junior shop students move through a succession of increasingly complex projects to hone their skills. They begin with a gauge procedure in which they learn to properly install gauges, perform efficiency tests, isolate the compressor, pump down the system, and remove gauges. With these skills mastered, students concentrate on more advanced HVAC&R projects, including those dealing with split air conditioning systems, gas and oil heating systems, hot water boilers, freezer stations, and appliances including refrigerators, winder air conditioners, ice machines, and commercial air conditioner systems. In each case, these projects all serve to reinforce such basic skills as gauge procedure, electrical power, meter use, soldering, brazing and silver soldering. Junior related students focus on electrical principles, components, meters, schematics, and systems applied to modern small and large scale HVAC installations. Troubleshooting, servicing, and installing are covered in depth. The principles of refrigeration containment are also stressed.
 * HEATING, VENTILATION, AIR CONDITIONING, AND REFRIGERATION **
 * 8201: Grade 10 Shop **
 * 7201: Grade 10 Related **
 * 8301: Grade 11 Shop **
 * 7301: Grade 11 Related **

HEATING, VENTILATION, AIR CONDITIONING, AND REFRIGERATION
Senior students increase their level of responsibility in shop by taking on projects in the school, including preventive maintenance of the building's HVAC&R equipment (rooftop units, water bubblers, walk-in freezers, and refrigerators). Students also become more skilled at sizing equipment, designing and laying out duct systems, and installing split air conditioning systems and ventilation systems in classrooms. Seniors also work on automobile air conditioning systems and a variety of other equipment brought in for repair by local businesses and the general public. Seniors who qualify for co-op have the opportunity to work in the trade during shop weeks senior year. Seniors review the basic refrigeration cycle, along with a concentration on commercial applications. They also gain knowledge of hydronic heating systems (single loop, split-loop diverter -tee, and pumping away methods) and the calculation of heat loss/gain methods. Additionally, they cover the design, installation, and troubleshooting of sheet metal ductwork. //Licensing/Certifications//: 10-hour OSHA Certificate In compliance with a Federal regulation requiring all individuals who open a system or container holding a controlled refrigerant to be certified, Junior students prepare for and take the EPA Section 608 exam, which certifies air conditioning and refrigeration technicians. They also have the ability and training to receive their EPA section 609 repairing or servicing motor vehicle air conditioners The HVAC&R program has been approved by the Bureau of Refrigeration Technicians from the Massachusetts Department of Pubic Safety. Students need only to fulfill the requirements of producing documentation of 2,000 hours of work as an apprentice or trainee after graduation to sit for the Refrigeration Technicians exam // Career Opportunities (Entry Level): // Apprentice refrigeration technician Sheet metal apprentice // With Experience or Advanced Training: // Licensed refrigeration technician / contractor Plant engineer Mechanical engineer Supervisor // Related Fields/Occupations: // Maintenance technician Salesperson
 * 8401: Grade 12 Shop **
 * 7401: Grade 12 Related **