50-427-757Green Plumbing Applications
Course Information
Description
This course provides plumbing apprentices with an introduction to green applications.   Apprentices will be instructed on how to identify, install and maintain a variety of green products and systems.  They will apply the Wisconsin Plumbing Code to various installations.  This introduction will give an apprentice the basic knowledge to study for a variety of green certifications.
Total Credits
2
Course Competencies
  1. Assess the economic and environmental impact of green plumbing
    Assessment Strategies
    by evaluating current green plumbing issues addressed in the media
    by summarizing the potential economic and/or environmental impact of green plumbing on the issue in a written report
    Criteria
    you relate an issue addressed in the media to green plumbing
    you summarize the points of view presented in the media
    you describe the potential economic and/or environmental impact of the issue
    you explain the relationship between conservation, efficiency and renewal in determining green solutions
    you explain the relationship between water use and energy use (i.e. the Water/Energy Nexus)
    you compare water and energy usage in Wisconsin to other regions of the country
    you summarize the potential of green plumbing applications to address your selected issue

  2. Select water conservation measures
    Assessment Strategies
    by recommending ways to conserve water in response to a case study or real world example provided by your instructor
    Criteria
    you summarize the situation described in the case study situation
    you assess the water conservation impact of water closets as per EPA WaterSense and IAPMO Green Supplement
    you assess the water conservation impact of shower faucets as per EPA WaterSense and IAPMO Green Supplement
    you assess the water conservation impact of kitchen and lavatory faucets as per EPA WaterSense and IAPMO Green Supplement
    you assess the water conservation impact of water softeners as per EPA WaterSense and IAPMO Green Supplement
    you assess the water conservation impact of consumer habits [i.e. shorter showers, full loads in dishwashers and automatic clothes washers, cold water wash]
    you recommend one or more water conservation measures based on your assessment
    you estimate cost savings of water conservation measures
    you assess the impact of water conservation on a building plumbing drain line system
    you assess the impact of water conservation on a municipal water supply
    you assess the impact of water conservation on a municipal sewage treatment system
    you reference current Wisconsin plumbing code and EPA guidelines

  3. Perform a water audit
    Assessment Strategies
    by performing a building water audit
    Criteria
    you identify water conserving fixtures, appliances, and products that can reduce water consumption
    you determine the impact of each component on the water audit
    you prioritize those with the largest impact on water usage
    you analyze costs and benefits of proposed improvements

  4. Analyze the impact of the Wisconsin Plumbing Code on green technology
    Assessment Strategies
    create a list of "green products" and determine if they are code compliant
    locate product standards [SPS 381]  used to determine code compliance and/or locate on state website
    Criteria
    you identify green products state approval per website
    you determine if products not listed meet standards
    you visit approved green manufacturing website for technical details
    you identify the effect of green products on other plumbing components or systems  [i.e. HE showerheads, HE toilets, HE aerators]

  5. Recommend water reuse technologies, products and systems for a given situation
    Assessment Strategies
    Water Quality and Reuse Case Study
    Criteria
    you summarize the key features of the water system described in the case study
    you analyze treatment requirements for various sources of reuse
    you identify potential water reuse opportunities
    you evaluate each option according to water quality standards and guidelines
    you identify requirements of the department for plan review
    you recommend appropriate reuse technologies, products and systems for the situation described in the case study
    you reference SPS 382.70
    you use correct water quality terminology
    you estimate the costs and return on investment (ROI) of water reuse technologies, products and systems

  6. Assess the viability of water heating systems
    Assessment Strategies
    by evaluating the viability of water heating systems in a case study
    Criteria
    you categorize water heating systems, products and components
    you categorize heat producing sources and equipment
    you compare incentives for using different types of systems
    you determine demand for hot water for a building
    you evaluate the results of an energy audit
    you summarize the considerations for using a solar water heating system
    you estimate the cost savings of a water heating system over a designated period of time
    you prove code compliance
    you justify your recommendation

  7. Analyze the components of solar thermal water heating systems
    Assessment Strategies
    by identifying the components of a solar thermal water heating system in a system diagram
    by summarizing the similarities and differences between different types of solar thermal systems
    Criteria
    you locate components on a solar thermal system diagram
    you identify the components specific to an active indirect solar system
    you identify the components specific to a passive direct solar system
    you identify the components specific to a passive indirect solar system
    you identify the components specific to a swimming pool heating solar system
    you compare pressurized and drain back systems
    you compare passive and active systems
    you compare direct and indirect systems
    you compare flat plate to evacuated tube systems
    you summarize the similarities and differences between different types of solar thermal systems

  8. Conduct a site assessment for a solar thermal system
    Assessment Strategies
    by conducting a site assessment on site OR in response to a case study situation
    Criteria
    you verify with the homeowner the proposed location of the collector and other major components
    you determine the required installation area, orientation, and tilt for proposed collector installation
    you establish whether there is suitable installation area with unobstructed solar access for installing collector
    you determine the extent of current and future shading for any proposed collector location using a sun path calculator
    you assure structural integrity and suitability of site
    you determine suitable location for installing all subsystem components including piping, water heater, valves, and ancillary equipment required for complete system installation
    you identify any other constraints and options for the installation related to local and state code requirements
    you verify that system to be installed is appropriate for the building and climate
    you follow established safety guidelines

  9. Design a solar thermal water heating system to meet site requirements
    Assessment Strategies
    by responding to a case study situation
    Criteria
    you review a site assessment
    you determine active direct system components location and system layout and configuration
    you determine active indirect system components location and system layout and configuration
    you determine passive direct system components location and system layout and configuration
    you determine passive indirect system components location and system layout and configuration
    you determine solar pool system components location and system layout and configuration
    you estimate potential cost savings
    you prove code compliance

  10. Plan for installation of solar thermal water heating systems
    Assessment Strategies
    by creating an installation plan for a solar thermal water heating system
    Criteria
    you use relevant product information, equipment manuals, and recommended procedures to plan the installation
    you plan for the installation of water heater and storage tanks according to established procedures
    you plan for the installation of piping, pipe insulation and connecting system piping according to established procedures
    you plan for the installation of mechanical/plumbing equipment and other components according to established procedures
    you plan for the installation of electrical control systems according to established procedures
    you plan for the installation of operation and identification tags and labels according to established procedures
    you establish a recommended maintenance schedule according to established procedures
    you prove code compliance for your installation plan
    you estimate time, materials, tools and labor required for installation
    you determine installation sequence to optimize use of time and materials
    you assemble system components according to established procedures
    you follow safety procedures when working with solar hot water and pool heating system components
    you identify potential safety hazards associated with solar thermal system installation and maintenance
    you plan for the installation of solar collectors according to established procedures

  11. Identify ways to improve the delivery of hot water by utilizing structured plumbing principles
    Assessment Strategies
    by applying the principles of structured plumbing to laying out the piping in a floor plan
    given a case study situation
    Criteria
    you interpret a piping diagram and floor plan
    you determine how to minimize waste
    you calculate pipe size
    you calculate wait time at fixtures

  12. Determine the role of LEED certification in green plumbing
    Assessment Strategies
    in a research summary assignment
    Criteria
    you locate information about LEED Certification
    you summarize LEED rating systems
    you summarize LEED requirements
    you summarize how a green plumbing system can result in credits toward LEED certification
    you summarize how to achieve LEED certification
    you compare two or more LEED Certified Projects
    you highlight the key plumbing features of LEED Certified projects
    your written summary exhibits correct grammar, spelling and punctuation