Level 1, Unit 5, Section 1 – Piping & Tubing

Unit 5 — Pressure Testing, Tubing, and Piping

Section 1 — Piping & Tubing

Section 1 Overview

This section covers the foundational knowledge for HVAC/R piping and tubing work: trade terminology, tool and material selection, pipe insulation, sealants and firestop products, adhesives, and pipe support requirements.

Piping & Tubing Insulation Sealants Supports 313A / 313D

1.0.1 — General Learning Outcomes

By completing Section 1, apprentices will be able to:

Identify and define welding, piping, and tubing terminology including metallurgical bonding concepts, joint types, filler rod selection, and piping standards (CSA B-52, B-51).
Select the correct hand tools and power tools for cutting, forming, and joining tubing; identify copper tubing types (K, L, M, ACR) and common piping materials; and interpret basic piping drawings and symbols.
Select the correct insulation type (elastomeric foam, fibreglass, mineral wool) for a given refrigerant or heating/cooling pipe application and install it to meet condensation-control and energy-code requirements.
Select and apply the correct sealant for each connection type — including PTFE tape, pipe dope, silicone, spray foam, and listed firestop systems — and explain when standard sealants are prohibited.
Select and apply insulation contact cement and PVC/CPVC solvent cement correctly, match primer and cement to pipe material, and follow cure requirements before pressurizing.
Select, space, and fasten pipe supports according to pipe type, size, and orientation; specify maximum hanger spacing for copper tube; and prevent galvanic corrosion at support contact points.

1.0.2 — Section 1 — Lessons at a Glance

Lesson 1.1

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Terminology

Metallurgical bonding, welding and piping terms, joint types, filler rod selection, and piping standards.

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Lesson 1.2

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Tools, Piping Materials & Drawings

Hand tools, copper tubing types, piping materials, fittings, and reading piping drawings.

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Lesson 1.3

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Insulation

Elastomeric foam, fibreglass, and mineral wool insulation — types, selection, and installation for condensation control.

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Lesson 1.4

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Sealants

Thread sealants, silicone and spray foam, firestop systems, and joining alloy and flux reference.

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Lesson 1.5

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Adhesives

Insulation contact cements, fibreglass jacketing adhesives, and PVC/CPVC solvent cement with primer requirements.

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Lesson 1.6

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Supports

Clevis hangers, riser clamps, spring isolators, copper tube spacing requirements, and fastener selection.

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1.0.3 — Key Terms for This Section

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PTFE Tape

Polytetrafluoroethylene thread seal tape wound onto male NPT threads to fill the helical leak path and lubricate assembly. Not for use on flare, compression, or O-ring fittings that rely on metal-to-metal seating.

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Firestop System

A tested and listed assembly of products that restores the fire-resistance rating of a wall, floor, or ceiling where a pipe or conduit penetrates it. Must match the specific assembly type, pipe material, and pipe diameter — cannot be substituted with standard silicone or spray foam.

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Closed-Cell Elastomeric Foam

The standard pipe insulation for refrigerant suction lines and chilled water piping. Its closed-cell structure provides a built-in vapour retarder, preventing condensation on below-ambient pipe surfaces. All seams must be glued fully closed to maintain this protection.

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Clevis Hanger

An adjustable U-shaped pipe hanger suspended from a threaded rod. The most common support for horizontal copper tube runs in HVAC/R. Size is selected to match pipe OD; insulated versions are required for below-ambient piping to prevent thermal bridging at the support point.

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BCuP (Copper-Phosphorous Alloy)

Self-fluxing brazing filler alloy for copper-to-copper joints. The phosphorous acts as its own flux on copper, so no external flux is required. Never use on brass, bronze, or ferrous metals — phosphorous embrittles zinc and iron alloys.

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Solvent Cement

A chemical solvent used to fuse PVC or CPVC pipe and fittings. PVC and CPVC cements are not interchangeable — using the wrong cement will cause joint failure under pressure. A primer must be applied to both surfaces before cementing; joints require a full cure period before pressurizing.

1.0.4 — Why Piping & Tubing Knowledge Matters

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Scope of Use in HVAC/R

Refrigerant piping connects every component in a mechanical refrigeration system. An incorrectly insulated suction line drips condensation onto building structure and equipment. A missing firestop at a wall penetration violates the Ontario Building Code and creates a liability for the contractor. An under-supported pipe run fatigues its brazed joints over thousands of thermal cycles and eventually leaks refrigerant.

Section 1 provides the reference knowledge apprentices use daily on the job: identifying materials, selecting the correct product for each application, and installing pipe assemblies that comply with CSA B-52 (Mechanical Refrigeration Code), the Ontario Building Code, and the applicable energy standards. This content aligns with both the 313A (Commercial/Industrial) and 313D (Residential) apprenticeship curricula.