Level 1: Common Core

The Level 1 Common Core curriculum establishes the foundational knowledge and hands-on skills required for all Refrigeration & Air Conditioning apprentices. These units are shared across both the Residential (313A) and Commercial/Industrial (313D) pathways and align with Red Seal standards.

• Unit 1: Workplace Safety & Equipment Management ›
  • S1: Safety & Trade Practices ›
    • 1.00 General Learning Outcomes
    • 1.01 Codes & Regulations
    • 1.02 Occupational Health & Safety Act (OHSA)
    • 1.03 Hazardous Materials
    • 1.04 Workplace Hazards
    • 1.05 PPE & Safety Equipment
    • 1.06 Recognize & Control Hazards
    • 1.07 Lock Out and Tag Out (LOTO)
  • S2: Tools & Equipment ›
    • 2.00 General Learning Outcomes
    • 2.01 Hand Tools
    • 2.02 Power Tools
    • 2.03 Diagnostic & Measuring Tools
    • 2.04 Levelling Tools
    • 2.05 Specialty Equipment
  • S3: Access Equipment ›
    • 3.00 General Learning Outcomes
    • 3.01 Codes & Regulations
    • 3.02 Hazard Identification & Safe Work Practices
    • 3.03 Types of Access Equipment
    • 3.04 Inspection, Storage, & Maintenance
    • 3.05 Storage of Access Equipment
    • 3.06 Selecting Access Equipment
    • 3.07 Drawings & Specifications
  • S4: Hoisting, Lifting, & Rigging ›
    • 4.00 General Learning Outcomes
    • 4.01 Hazard Identification
    • 4.02 Hoisting & Lifting Equipment
    • 4.03 Rigging Equipment
    • 4.04 Load Rigging Factors
    • 4.05 Rigging Inspection
    • 4.06 Rigging & Securing a Load
    • 4.07 Performing a Basic Lift
    • 4.08 Storage & Maintenance
    • 4.09 Communication Methods
  • S5: Communication & Mentoring ›
    • 5.00 General Learning Outcomes
    • 5.01 The Importance of Your Individual Experience
    • 5.02 Partners in Apprenticeship Training
    • 5.03 Learning Needs & Strategies
    • 5.04 Positive & Inclusive Workplace Culture
    • 5.05 Documentation & Forms
    • 5.06 Professionalism
    • 5.07 Strategies for Learning Skills
    • 5.08 Soft Skills in the Workplace
• Unit 2: Introduction to Refrigerants & Handling Practices ›
  • S1: Refrigerants, Gases, & Oils ›
    • 1.00 General Learning Outcomes
    • 1.01 Refrigerants, Gases, & Oils
    • 1.02 Types of Refrigerants
    • 1.03 Types of Gases in HVAC
    • 1.04 Refrigerant Oils & Lubricants
    • 1.05 Refrigerant & Oil Procedures
  • S2: Leak Testing, Evacuation, & Charging ›
    • 2.00 General Learning Outcomes
    • 2.01 Terminology, Hazards, Codes, & Regulations
    • 2.02 Tools & Equipment
    • 2.03 Gases & Liquids for System Pressure Tests
    • 2.04 Evacuation & Dehydration Procedures
    • 2.05 System Charge
• Unit 3: Refrigeration System Fundamentals & Maintenance ›
  • S1: Fundamental Concepts ›
    • 1.0 General Learning Outcomes
    • 1.1 HVAC/R Terms
    • 1.2 Heat & Temperature
    • 1.3 Mass, Weight, & Volume
    • 1.4 Energy, Work, & Power
  • S2: Phase Transition of Water ›
    • 2.0 General Learning Outcomes
    • 2.1 Sensible Heat & Latent Heat
    • 2.2 The Heating Curve & Phase Changes
    • 2.3 Evaporation, Condensation, & Dew Point
    • 2.4 Pressure, Boiling Point, & Refrigerant Behaviour
    • 2.5 Condensation*
  • S3: Pressure & Temperature Relationship ›
    • 3.0 General Learning Outcomes
    • 3.1 The Gas Laws
    • 3.2 The Pressure–Temperature Chart
    • 3.3 Blended Refrigerants & Temperature Glide
    • 3.4 Saturated, Subcooled, & Superheated States
  • S4: Vapour Compression Cycle ›
    • 4.0 General Learning Outcomes
    • 4.1 Temperature Ranges
    • 4.2 Fundamental Processes in the Cycle
    • 4.3 Components of the Vapour Compression Cycle
    • 4.4 Superheat & Subcooling
    • 4.5 Heat Pumps
  • S5: Pressure–Enthalpy Diagram ›
    • 5.0 General Learning Outcomes
    • 5.1 Elements of the P–h Diagram
    • 5.2 Plotting the Vapour Compression Cycle
    • 5.3 System Capacity & Performance
  • S6: System Maintenance ›
    • 6.0 General Learning Outcomes
    • 6.1 Tools & Instruments
    • 6.2 Mechanical Efficiency Issues
    • 6.3 Electrical Efficiency Issues
    • 6.4 Defects: Causes & Repairs
    • 6.5 Operational Maintenance Checks
• Unit 4: Electrical Fundamentals ›
  • S1: Introduction to Electricity ›
    • 1.0 General Learning Outcomes
    • 1.1 Electrical Quantities
    • 1.2 Circuit Components
    • 1.3 Circuits, Panels, & Protection
    • 1.4 Relays, Switches, Contactors, & Transformers
    • 1.5 Wiring Diagrams, & Basic Troubleshooting
    • 1.6 Calculating & Measuring
    • 1.7 Electronic Controls & Sensors
  • S2: Introduction to Motors ›
    • 2.0 General Learning Outcomes
    • 2.1 Motor Nameplate
    • 2.2 Single-Phase Motors
    • 2.3 Single-Phase Motor Operation
    • 2.4 Starting Relays & Devices
    • 2.5 Changing Motor Speed & Rotation
    • 2.6 Effects of Load & Voltage Changes
  • S3: Working with Motors ›
    • 3.0 General Learning Outcomes
    • 3.1 Capacitor Fundamentals
    • 3.2 Types of Capacitors
    • 3.3 Overload Protection
    • 3.4 Common Motor Failures
    • 3.5 Installation & Commissioning
    • 3.6 Pulleys and Belts
  • S4: Different Types of Motors ›
    • 4.1 Dual-Voltage Motors
    • 4.2 Electronically Commutated Motors (ECM)
    • 4.3 Multi-Speed Motors
    • 4.4 Three-Phase Motors
    • 4.5 Switched Reluctance Motors (SRM)
    • 4.6 Variable Frequency Drives (VFD)
  • S5: Control Fundamentals ›
    • 5.0 General Learning Outcomes
    • 5.1 Terminology of Drawings & Specifications
    • 5.2 Control Systems, Components, & Functions
• Unit 5: Pressure Testing, Tubing & Piping ›
  • S1: Piping & Tubing ›
    • 1.0 General Learning Outcomes
    • 1.0 Section Overview
    • 1.1 Terminology
    • 1.2 Tools, Piping Materials, & Drawings
    • 1.3 Insulation
    • 1.4 Sealants
    • 1.5 Adhesives
    • 1.6 Supports
  • S2: Soldering & Brazing ›
    • 3.1 Joint Preparation, Measuring & Torch Setup
    • 3.2 Flux & Solder Selection
    • 3.3 Soldering Technique & Testing
    • 3.4 Brazing
  • S3: Air-Fuel & Oxy-Fuel ›
    • 2.0 Section Overview
    • 1.3 Air-Fuel Assembly & Lighting
    • 1.4 Air-Fuel Operation
    • 1.5 Air-Fuel Safety
    • 2.4 Oxy-Fuel Assembly & Lighting
    • 2.5 Oxy-Fuel Operation
    • 2.6 Oxy-Fuel Safety
• Unit 6: Refrigeration System Components ›
  • S1: Compressors ›
    • 1.0 General Learning Outcomes
    • 1.1 ____________________
    • 1.2 Compressor's Critical Functions
    • 1.3 ____________________
    • 1.4 ____________________
    • 1.5 Methods of Compressor Lubrication
    • 1.6 Methods of Compressor Cooling
    • 1.7 Common Compressor Failures
  • S2: Types of Compressors ›
    • 2.0 General Learning Outcomes
    • 2.1 Compressor Anatomy
    • 2.2 Reciprocating Compressors
    • 2.3 Scroll Compressors
    • 2.4 Rotary Compressors
    • 2.5 Screw Compressors
    • 2.6 Centrifugal Compressors
  • S3: Valves ›
    • 3.0 General Learning Outcomes
    • 3.1 Valve Identification & Purpose
    • 3.2 Flow Controls
    • 3.3 Metering Devices
    • 3.4 Safety Devices
    • 3.5 Service & Access
    • 3.6 Water Regulating Valves
  • S4: Accessory Devices ›
    • 4.0 General Learning Outcomes
    • 4.1 Filters, Driers & Moisture Indicators
    • 4.2 Heat Exchangers & Liquid Receivers
    • 4.3 Oil Separators & Suction Accumulators
    • 4.4 Pressure Controls & Regulators
  • S5: System Calculations ›
    • 5.0 General Learning Outcomes
    • 5.1 Compression Ratio and Displacement
    • 5.2 Volumetric Efficiency & Clearance Volume
    • 5.3 Capacity
    • 5.4 Coefficient of Performance (COP)
    • 5.5 Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER)