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Pipefitting

Overview

Pipefitting covers key concepts of installation and repair of high- and low-pressure pipe systems used in manufacturing, in the generation of electricity and in the heating and cooling of buildings.

The four-level Pipefitting curriculum complies with the U.S. Department of Labor’s standards for apprenticeship programs.

Craft Snapshot

Journey Level
Assessment Available
Translation
Available
UPDATED
2019, 4th Edition
NCCERconnect Deliver instruction using our pre-loaded content and course management tools, streamline training, and track results through the online gradebook. Students learn using the interactive eTextbook and Media Library with Active Figures that bring the material to life, anytime and anywhere they choose.
Not Available
LANGUAGES
English, Spanish

Curriculum Details

4th Edition
Total Recommended Hours
Competencies & Objectives Lists
  • Levels 1-4: 645, includes Core hours
  • Levels 1-4: 667.5, includes Core hours and electives
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Orientation to the Pipefitting Craft
5 Hours

Module ID 08101: Provides an overview of work performed by the pipefitter, as well as the responsibilities, career opportunities, safety principles associated with the pipefitting trade, and the types of pipes and tools pipefitters will encounter.

Pipefitting Hand Tools
20 Hours

Module ID 08102: Covers hand tool safety as well as procedures for selecting, inspecting, using, and maintaining hand tools used by pipefitters. Introduces the most common hand tools used in pipefitting, including pipe wrenches, pipe stands, pipe vises, levels, pipe fabrication tools, pipe bending tools, and pipe joining tools.

Pipefitting Power Tools
15 Hours

Module ID 08103: Covers the safe operation of power tools used to cut, grind, thread, and shape all types of materials, and includes procedures for selecting, inspecting, using, and maintaining power tools used by pipefitters. Provides guidelines for using electrical and pneumatic tools, including pipe threading machines.

Oxyfuel Cutting
17.5 Hours

Module ID 29102: Explains the safety requirements for oxyfuel cutting. Identifies oxyfuel cutting equipment and setup requirements. Explains how to light, adjust, and shut down oxyfuel equipment. Trainees will perform cutting techniques that include straight line, piercing, bevels, washing, and gouging.

Ladders and Scaffolds
12.5 Hours

Module ID 08105: Describes hazards and safety procedures governing the use of stepladders, extension ladders, fixed scaffolds, and rolling scaffolds. Includes general procedures for scaffold assembly and use.

Motorized Equipment One
10 Hours

Module ID 08106: Explains the safety factors, operator maintenance, and operating procedures associated with motorized equipment used on job sites. Covers electrical generators, air compressors, aerial lifts, forklifts, trenchers, backhoes, mobile cranes, and portable equipment including welding machines, pumps, and compactors.

Piping Systems
5 Hours

Module ID 08201: Introduces chemical, compressed air, fuel oil, steam, and water systems. Explains how to identify piping systems according to color codes, the effects of thermal expansion, and the purpose of pipe insulation.

Drawing and Detail Sheets
15 Hours

Module ID 08202: Introduces plot plans, structural drawings, elevation drawings, as-built drawings, equipment arrangement drawings, P&IDs, isometric drawings, spool drawings, detail sheets, and orthographic drawings. Explains how to read and interpret various types of drawings as well as the symbology used to convey information.

Identifying and Installing Valves
20 Hours

Module ID 08203: Identifies different types of valves, including those that start and stop flow, regulate flow, regulate flow direction, and relieve pressure, and describes their installation as well as proper storage and handling procedures. Covers common valve operators and actuators.

Pipefitting Trade Math
15 Hours

Module ID 08204: Explains how to use ratios and proportions, solve basic algebra, area, volume, and circumference problems, and solve for right triangles using the Pythagorean theorem.

Threaded Pipe Fabrication
15 Hours

Module ID 08205: Describes the materials used in threaded piping systems. Explains how to determine pipe lengths between threaded pipe fittings, prepare the pipe and fittings for fit-up, and assemble the piping system. Includes how to calculate simple and rolling offsets.

Socket-Weld Pipe Fabrication
25 Hours

Module ID 08206: Describes the fittings and materials involved in socket-welds, interpreting drawings, determining pipe lengths between fittings, aligning pipe and fittings, and cutting out a socket weld to save the structure.

Butt-Weld Pipe Fabrication
37.5 Hours

Module ID 08207: Describes materials, fittings, drawings, calculating takeouts, determining pipe lengths between fittings, beveling pipe, aligning components for welding, performing alignments, and cutting a butt weld to save the structure.

Excavations
10 Hours

Module ID 08208: Explains soil and trenching hazards involved in excavations, as well as the use of shoring and shielding systems per OSHA standards, sloping requirements by soil type, and combined systems for trench reinforcement. Covers how to determine grade and elevation, how to use a laser level, and how to backfill.

Underground Pipe Installation
20 Hours

Module ID 08209: Explains pipe installation procedures and guidelines, including the procedures for cast iron, ductile iron, concrete, carbon steel, fiberglass, and thermoplastic pipe. Includes an introduction to horizontal directional drilling for pipe installation, and the use of a weak link for plastic pipe.

Introduction to Basic Rigging
7.5 Hours

Module ID 00106: A common activity at nearly every construction site is the movement of material and equipment from one place to another using various types of lifting gear. The procedures involved in performing this task are known as rigging. Not every worker will participate in rigging operations, but nearly all will be exposed to it at one time or another. This module provides an overview of the various types of rigging equipment, common hitches used during a rigging operation, and the related Emergency Stop hand signal.

Rigging Practices
15 Hours

Module ID 38102: Describes basic rigging and safety practices related to rigging activities. Describes the use and inspection of equipment and hardware used in rigging. Explains how to apply common hitches. Covers jacks and joisting equipment.

Standards and Specifications
10 Hours

Module ID 08303: Discusses the meaning and importance of operating within the standards outlined and specifications. Explains commonly used codes, welding procedure specifications, and the identification of pipe and components.

Advanced Trade Math
25 Hours

Module ID 08304: Covers the role of trigonometry in pipefitting, including the use of trigonometric functions, triangle calculations, determining angles, interpolation, and calculating takeouts and odd angles.

Motorized Equipment Two
10 Hours

Module ID 08305: Discusses the safe and proper use of scissors lifts, telescoping boom lifts, cable lifts, drain cleaners, and hydraulic torque tools.

Introduction to Aboveground Pipe Installation
25 Hours

Module ID 08306: Identifies various types of pipe, flanges, gaskets, and bolts. Covers the fabrication of gaskets, assembling and installing flanged and grooved pipe, fabricating and installing pipe spools, and installing pipe sleeves and floor penetrations.

Field Routing and Vessel Trim
15 Hours

Module ID 08307: Explains how to secure the work area and determine field run specifications, load weights for erection equipment, and support needs. Provides details on evaluating the run, assembling the field run, installing test blinds, working with instruments, and how to erect vessel trim.

Pipe Hangers and Supports
25 Hours

Module ID 08308: Explains the roles of pipe hangers and supports, with details on clevises, saddles, U-bolts, clamps, turnbuckles, rods, welded beam attachments, spring can supports, travel stops, and snubbers.

Testing Piping Systems and Equipment
20 Hours

Module ID 08309: Discusses the importance of safety and following procedures with testing and inspections. Topics include pretest requirements, visual weld inspections, service flow tests, hard pressure tests, hydrostatic tests, and steam blow tests.

Advanced Blueprint Reading
50 Hours

Module ID 08401: Introduces drawings used by pipefitters in the shop and in the field. Explains how to read and interpret P&IDs, general arrangement drawings, isometric drawings, and spool sheets. Discusses symbols, coordinates, control points, elevations, and step-by-step instructions for following a line of pipe through a set of drawings.

Advanced Pipe Fabrication
50 Hours

Module ID 08402: Explains the use of ordinate tables and trigonometry in creating fittings and pipe assemblies for process applications. Details are provided on calculating piping offsets, fabricating miter turns, laying out and fabricating saddles and supports made out of pipe, and laying out laterals, wyes, ninety-degree intersections, and supports without using references.

Stress Relieving and Aligning
10 Hours

Module ID 08403: Discusses the purpose of stress relieving and covers thermal expansion in piping, temperature and metal structure, and stress relief for aligning pipe to rotating equipment.

In-Line Specialties
20 Hours

Module ID 08405: Presents methods of safely working with specialty devices used in pipelines, including: snubbers, ball joints, bleed rings, drip legs, steam traps, expansion joints, filters, strainers, flowmeters, level measurement devices, flow pressure switches, rupture discs, thermowells, and desuperheaters.

Special Piping
25 Hours

Module ID 08406: Discusses methods of assembling copper tubing with flared and compression joints. Introduces brazing and soldering and explains the differences between these two procedures. Also describes bending pipe, working with glass-lined piping, handling hydraulic compression joints, and managing grooved piping systems.

Hot Taps
10 Hours

Module ID 08407: Provides details on environmental and other concerns associated with hot tapping. Discusses the installation of fittings, the operation of hot tap machines, working with line stop plugs, and identifying and mitigating known and potential hazards.

Maintaining Valves
10 Hours

Module ID 08408: Explains how to replace packing and O-rings, and how to open and close a valve’s bonnet. Discusses how to safely troubleshoot and maintain several types of valves.

Fundamentals of Crew Leadership
22.5 Hours

Module ID 46101: The course covers basic leadership skills and explains different leadership styles, communication, delegating, and problem solving. Jobsite safety and the crew leader’s role in safety are discussed, as well as project planning, scheduling, and estimating. Includes performance tasks to assist the learning process.

Contributing Subject Matter Experts

Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) are a vital part of NCCER’s Curriculum development process. SMEs are construction and maintenance professionals who have journey-level experience and have experience teaching their trades to others.

View Subject Matter Experts
Contributing Subject Matter Experts
Below is a list of subject matter experts for this craft:
A

Arnold Adame, Jr., McAllen Careers Institute

B

Brian Robinson, TIC – The Industrial Company

F

Fernando Sanchez, TIC – The Industrial Company

J

Jacob Guzman, KBR Services, Inc.

Jody Suchanek, Bechtel

Josue Ponce, Sundt Construction

R

Rodney Landry, Turner Industries Group, LLC

S

Shawn Reid, Cianbro Companies

T

Tony Ayotte, Cianbro Companies

Troy Smith, Fluor

Instructor Resources

Instructor Toolbox

NCCER’s Instructor Toolbox provides easy access to important instructional resources for your training program. You’ll find downloadable course planning tools, examples of classroom activities and projects, and instructor tips and best practices to help you enhance your program.

Grooving & Installation Training Kit

Ready to help your trainees learn how to groove pipe? This grooving and installation training kit from Victaulic has all the tools, guides and examples you need to set your trainees up for success.

Assessments

NCCER’s assessments evaluate the knowledge of an individual in a specific craft area and provide a prescription for upgrade training when needed. All assessments are based upon the NCCER Curriculum and have been developed in conjunction with subject matter experts from the industry. Click the assessment title below to open its specifications.

Industrial Pipefitter