HEATING, REFRIGERATION,
AND AIR CONDITIONING TECHNICIAN
Program Outline
Major: HRAC
Length: 2 Years
Delivery: 4 Semesters, plus 1 work term
Credential: Ontario College Diploma, Co-op
Effective: 2011-2012
Location: Barrie
Start: Fall
Description
Students will develop the skills required to install, service, and maintain the environmental systems for residential buildings. This includes working with a variety of gas appliances as well as an introduction to refrigeration and air conditioning. There will be an emphasis on energy efficient and environmentally friendly approaches. Students will also read, utilize, and produce Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning (HRAC) drawings using industry standard software. Practical skills with sheet metal will be developed. The program will prepare students to write their Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) Gas Fitter II exams in order to become a licensed gas technician.
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 HRAC industry. Furthermore, this program introduces practical skills as well as industry relevant applied math and science in order to facilitate the transition into a variety of other trades within the HRAC industry (such as sheet metal, air conditioning, 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:
- relate effectively to heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning supervisors,
- coworkers, and customers;
- work safely and in accordance with all applicable acts, regulations, legislation, and codes to ensure personal and public safety;
- select and use a variety of heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning tools and equipment safely and properly;
- solve math and applied science problems required to effectively install and maintain heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning systems, and associated components;
- prepare and interpret electrical, mechanical, and piping drawings;
- install, service, and troubleshoot heating, refrigeration, air conditioning systems, and associated components;
- develop strategies for ongoing personal and professional development, which will lead to enhanced work performance and career opportunities, and keep pace with industry changes;
- apply environmentally sound practices to work with heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration;
Practical Experience
Co-operative Education is a mandatory component of all Co-op programs at Georgian College. It has been designed as a process by which students integrate their academic education with paid work experience related to their program of study. This integration affects much more than simply earning a salary, including the adjustment to the work environment and the development of professionalism. It also reinforces skills and theory learned during academic semesters, develops professional contacts, job knowledge and career path, improves human relations and communication skills and promotes personal maturity and financial independence.
Students are requested to register, attend and participate in their scheduled co-operative education classes. These classes are scheduled for all first year students and are expected to be completed in order to proceed successfully to their first co-op work experience. To ensure students are eligible to proceed onto any co-op work experience students should refer to Promotional Status and Eligibility for Co-op as outlined in the College Calendar. Co-op policies and procedures can be located on our website: www.georgianc.on.ca/careers/for-students/.
Georgian College follows the Co-operative Education guidelines set out by the Canadian Association for Co-operative Education (CAFCE) and Education at Work Ontario (EWO) by supporting the learning outcomes designed for the program specific graduate profile and curriculum as set out by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.
Program Progression
Sem 1 - Fall 2011
Sem 2 - Winter 2012
Sem 3 - Summer 2012
TSSA G3 Exam
Work Term 1 - Fall 2012
Sem 4 - Winter 2013
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 entrance qualifications, may be considered for entrance to an appropriate post-secondary diploma or certificate program as mature applicants. Each applicant will be considered on an individual basis and acceptance will be determined by counselling, Communication Placement Assessment (CPA), previous post-secondary education and evaluation of experience. Some programs also have specific prerequisite requirements that must be met prior to admission. Mature applicants must meet all program specific prerequisites. Those applying as mature students and having no documentation of Grade 12 education must supply, if required, proof of age, such as a copy of an official birth certificate or driver's licence. Refer to Sections 2.5 and 2.6 of the Academic Calendar for further details.
Additional Information
Students must have successfully completed the TSSA G3 exam prior to going out on their co-op work term.
Graduation Requirements
15 Mandatory Courses
2 Communications Courses
3 General Education Courses
1 Co-op Work Term
Graduation Eligibility
To graduate from this program, the passing weighted average for promotion through each semester 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
DRFT2003 Drafting Techniques
ENVR1000 Environmental Science
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
HRAC2000 Refrigeration and Air Conditioning I
MATH1018 Introduction to Technical Mathematics
SCIE2001 Heating and Air Conditioning Science
The descriptions that follow provide brief outlines of the courses. Please note that some courses have prerequisite and/or corequisite requirements not shown here, that need to be met in order to enroll in the course. You will be advised of any requisite requirements during the registration process, or you can contact the academic area for further details.
Communications
COMM1001 Communications at Work
Plus one addition communications to be selected from College list
(Note: this is in addition to any mandatory communications listed for the program)
General Education Courses
To be selected from College list
Co-op
COOP1029 HRAC Work Term 1
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
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.
COOP1029 HRAC Work Term 1 560.0 Hours
Co-operative Education will provide students with the skills to conduct a college directed and self directed job search in their chosen field of study. Students will obtain a co-op work experience with an employer for a period of 14 weeks. All students are responsible to submit a work term report indicating achievement of specific learning outcomes during their 1st co-op work term. Georgian College follows the Co-operative Education guidelines set out by the Canadian Association for Co-operative Education (CAFCE) and Education at Work Ontario (EWO) by supporting the learning outcomes designed for each program.
DRFT2003 Drafting Techniques 42.0 Hours
This course covers the drafting skills (traditional as well as computer aided) required by HRAC technicians. Students will create field sketches and use CAD in the process of learning how to read, utilize, and produce drawings such as basic projections, perspectives, elevations, and details.
ENVR1000 Environmental Science 42.0 Hours
This course is designed to give the student a comprehensive knowledge of Environmental Science. It includes an overview of ecological principles, a study of population dynamics and energy resources in order to assess the impact of these factors on the environment. The major types of pollution are examined and their effects on the various components of the biosphere considered. Strategies for pollution control and the conservation of the Earth's resources will be examined in the context of economic considerations and sustainable development.
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 all of 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 learn 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 electrical work as it relates 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.
HRAC2000 Refrigeration and Air Conditioning I 70.0 Hours
This course introduces basic theoretical concepts related to the laws of matter, fluids, and pressure enthalpy (PH). The course also covers practical skills in working with refrigeration controls, refrigerants, evaporators, condensers, and metering devises.
MATH1018 Introduction to Technical Mathematics 42.0 Hours
This course provides a foundation in mathematics in technology programs. Students develop skill in mathematical thinking and problem solving, and appropriately apply technology in the solution of problems using algebra, geometry, right-angle trigonometry, trigonometric functions of any angle, systems of linear equations, and the graphs of the primary trigonometric functions. Additional time to strengthen and reinforce mathematics competency is available to those students who require it.
SCIE2001 Heating and Air Conditioning Science 56.0 Hours
This course provides a background in chemistry and physics as they pertain to the fields of heating, and air conditioning, with an emphasis on environmental themes and energy conservation. This includes topics such as electrochemistry, corrosion, and organic chemistry as well as topics from physics related to thermal expansion, temperature, heat transfer, electricity, and magnetism. The course also includes an introduction to Hydronics, and a practical applications lab.
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: July 28, 2011.