GAS TECHNICIAN
Program Outline
Major: GAST
Length: 1 Year
Delivery: 3 Semesters
Credential: Ontario College Certificate
Effective: 2009
Location: Barrie
Start: Summer
Description
This program provides the required skills to obtain the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) Gas Technician III and Gas Technician II certifications. Gas Technician III deals with workplace safety, tools, characteristics of natural gas, codes/regulations, basic electricity, technical specifications, customer relations, basic piping systems, and an introduction to gas appliances. Gas Technician II includes advanced piping/tubing systems, electricity, controls, systems, appliances, gas meters, pressure regulators, gas-fired refrigerators, conversion burners, water heaters, forced warm air heating systems, hydronic heating systems, space heating, venting practices, forced air add-on devices, and air handling. By the end of the program students are prepared to write their TSSA Gas Fitter II exams in order to become fully qualified and licensed technicians.
Career Opportunities
The program primarily prepares students for a career as a gas technician. However, employment may also be found in the areas of technical support and sales within the industry. There are also a number of apprenticeships that graduates may pursue in areas such as sheet metal, refrigeration, plumbing, and pipe fitting. For those who want to work in these trades, an apprenticeship is required after graduation.
Program Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- use industry specific customer relations practices in order to relate effectively to coworkers and customers;
- complete all work in accordance with applicable acts, regulations, legislation, and codes to ensure personal safety and enhance the safety of the public;
- promote safe handling, combustion, and efficiency with natural gas and propane as well as their related appliances;
- adhere to proper sequences of operations for heating systems and associated components by referencing and following technical manuals, specifications, schematics, drawings, and graphs;
- select and use hand tools and operate test equipment for their intended purposes;
- employ the basic electrical skills required in order to install, service, and troubleshoot gas appliances;
- solve problems related to the installation and servicing of heating appliances by drawing on an understanding of mechanical systems within a building envelope;
- install, service, maintain, and troubleshoot heating systems and their related components;
- identify and incorporate strategies for ongoing personal and professional development that will lead to enhanced work performance and career opportunities, and keep pace with industry changes.
Program Progression
Sem 1 - Summer 2009
TSSA G3 Exam *
Sem 2 - Fall 2009
Sem 3 - Winter 2010
*Note: Prior to entering semester two, students must have successfully completed the TSSA G3 exam.
Admission Requirements
Applicants following the OSS curriculum must have an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD - 30 credits) or equivalent. OSS applicants must also have Grade 12 English (C) or (U) (ENG4C, ENG4U).
Applicants who are 19 years of age or over by the first day of classes, and who lack the academic admission qualifications, may be considered for entrance as mature students. Each applicant will be considered on an individual basis and acceptance will be determined by counseling, Communication Placement Assessment (CPA), previous post-secondary education, and evaluation of experience. Mature applicants must meet all program specific prerequisites. Those applying as mature students and having no documentation of Grade 12 education must supply, if requested, proof of age, such as a copy of an official birth certificate or driver's license.
Graduation Requirements
10 Mandatory Courses
2 Communications Courses
2 General Education Courses
Graduation Eligibility
To graduate from this program, the passing weighted average for promotion through each semester from year to year and to graduate is 60%. Additionally, a student must attain a minimum of 50% or a letter grade of P (Pass) or S (Satisfactory) in each course in each semester.
Mandatory
GAST1000 Introduction to Electricity
GAST1001 Professional Practices
GAST1002 Piping and Tubing Systems
GAST1003 Introduction to Gas Appliances
GAST1004 Pressure Regulator Controls
GAST1006 Gas Appliances
GAST1007 Water Heaters and Hydronic Heating
GAST1008 Forced Air and Space Heating
GAST1009 Venting
GAST1010 Forced Air Add-ons & Air Handling
Communications
COMM1000 College Communications
COMM1001 Communications at Work
COMM1004 World Links: Wired Communications
COMM1006 Professional Writing
COMM1007 Oral Presentations
COMM1012 Visual Analysis in Communications
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
COMM1000 College Communications 42.0 Hours
COMM1000 College Communications 42.0 Hours
This writing-intensive course promotes effective communication skills essential for student success in college and career. Learners advance their information literacy skills through writing, researching, presenting, and editing. Using College-standard word processing software, students apply appropriate academic language to specialized formats. Through revision strategies, students demonstrate the ability to compose messages that are clear and consistent.
COMM1001 Communications at Work 42.0 Hours
In the workplace, employers require high standards of communication skills. Students develop their communication skills for the workplace as they research, write and edit work-related correspondence and reports. Using technology, they individually and collaboratively design and deliver professional presentations and meetings. This course focuses on communication tasks specific to students' program areas and their future careers.
COMM1004 World Links: Wired Communications 42.0 Hours
In the workplace, employers require high standards of communication skills. Students develop their communication skills for the workplace as they research, write and edit work-related correspondence and reports. Using technology, they individually and collaboratively design and deliver professional presentations and meetings. This course focuses on communication tasks specific to students' program areas and their future careers.
COMM1006 Professional Writing 42.0 Hours
Professional writing skills are required in all service, technical, and business environments. In this advanced course, students develop researching, planning, designing, and writing skills to prepare professional workplace documents. Individually and collaboratively, students learn and apply the information structures to produce such documents as descriptions, instructions, and manuals.
COMM1007 Oral Presentations 42.0 Hours
This advanced speaking intensive course further develops students? ability to compose and deliver messages tailored to specific audiences using a combination of spoken, written, and multi-media strategies. Individually and in groups, students research and deliver a variety of presentations for use in professional, academic, and social settings. Formal and informal presentations build confidence, professionalism, and speaking ethics. Self and peer critiques provide opportunities for routine self-reflection and presentation skills enhancement.
COMM1012 Visual Analysis in Communications 42.0 Hours
In the modern visual world, the way messages are viewed and disseminated has changed dramatically with technological advances. In this course, students develop their theoretical and practical communication skills at an advanced level by investigating the power of visual imagery. Students focus on interpreting, analyzing, and critiquing a broad range of visuals in terms of intention and effectiveness. In addition, students complete research projects including presentations.
GAST1000 Introduction to Electricity 42.0 Hours
Students study basic electrical theory as it applies to the work of a gas technician. The required practical skills with electricity, such as how to supply wiring, are also covered. This course also introduces students to electrical measuring and testing instruments.
GAST1001 Professional Practices 42.0 Hours
This course covers customer relations as well as a variety of professional skills that are important for gas technicians. The course content emphasizes workplace safety and the interpretation of installation codes, acts, and regulations. Students also study technical manuals, specifications, schematics, drawings, and graphs in order to learn the relationship between mechanical and building systems.
GAST1002 Piping and Tubing Systems 42.0 Hours
Students apply the theoretical and practical skills that gas technicians require in order to install, service, and maintain piping and tubing. This includes hands-on work with piping/tubing systems greater than 2" and/or those that supply pressure greater than 1/2" psig.
GAST1003 Introduction to Gas Appliances 70.0 Hours
This course identifies the properties and characteristics of natural gas and propane with emphasis on the safe handling of natural gas. Students also apply basic concepts related to gas appliances as well as practical skills with the use of fasteners, hand tools, and power tools.
GAST1004 Pressure Regulator Controls 42.0 Hours
This course builds on the skills that students have developed with piping and tubing. This includes the important procedures used by Gas Technicians in order to install, service, and maintain pressure regulators and relief valves. In addition this course introduces important concepts related to mechanical and electronic controls.
GAST1006 Gas Appliances 126.0 Hours
This course identifies advanced concepts related to gas appliances. In addition students apply the practical and theoretical components related to the installation, servicing, and maintenance of non-vented gas appliances (including barbecues), domestic gas-fired refrigerators, and conversion burners. This course also covers the mechanical and electronic controls related to gas appliances.
GAST1007 Water Heaters and Hydronic Heating 84.0 Hours
Students are introduced to the skills and knowledge required to install, service, and maintain water heaters, combo units, and potable water heaters. In addition this course covers the installation, service, and maintenance of gas fired hydronic heating appliances as well as those accessories that form an integral part of these appliances. Mechanical and electronic controls related to water heaters and hyrdonic heating devices are also examined.
GAST1008 Forced Air and Space Heating 84.0 Hours
The installation, service, and maintenance of forced warm air heating systems is the primary focus of this course. In addition students work with space-heating and decorative appliances. This course also covers the mechanical and electronic controls related to forced warm air heating systems and space heating appliances.
GAST1009 Venting 42.0 Hours
The theoretical and practical skills related to venting are covered in this course. Students are introduced to the technical procedures required to size, install, inspect, and repair venting systems.
GAST1010 Forced Air Add-ons and Air Handling 56.0 Hours
Students in this course assess duct design, size plenum connection, and tie into an existing duct system. In addition, this course covers the installation, service, and maintenance of forced air add-on devices including the selection of an appropriately sized forced warm air heating system.
Adults with significant life and work experience may receive credits toward a college certificate or diploma program through an assessment process.
More information about Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)
NOTE: Information contained in College documents respecting programs is correct at the time of publication. Academic content of programs and courses is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational objectives and employment market needs. The college reserves the right to add or delete programs, options, courses, timetables or campus locations subject to sufficient enrolment, and the availability of courses.
Last Update: January 21, 2010.