1. DACUM Research Chart for
HVACR Service Technician
DACUM Panel
Representing 244 years of experience
Doug Armstrong, Executive Director
Mechanical Contractors Association of Western PA,
Erie, PA
Nick Dersch, Temperature Control Technician,
Rabe Environmental Systems, Cranesville, PA
Derrick Feidler, Service Technician,
Scobell Company, Inc., Erie, PA
Mark Frazao, Training Program Instructor
Steamfitters Local Union 449, Erie, PA
Dale Glavin, Training Director
Steamfitters Local Union 449, Pittsburgh, PA
Paul Herring, Service Technician,
Lindsey Refrigeration, Inc., Venango, PA
Tim Hoover, Sr., Retired Service Technician
Rabe Environmental Systems, Erie, PA
Bill Panitzke, Training Program Instructor/ Service
Technician, Rabe Environmental Systems,
Waterford, PA
Jay Spaeder, V.P. and Service Division Manager
Wm. T. Spaeder Co., Inc., Erie, PA
Brad Tisdale, Training Director
Steamfitters Local Union 449, Erie, PA
Facilitators
Jan Kennerknecht, DACUM Facilitator
Edinboro, PA
Sandra Carr, Recorder
Mill Village, PA
Sponsored by
Produced by
12860 Kline Road
Edinboro, PA 16412
July 7 and July 14, 2016

2. DACUM Research Chart for HVACR Service Technician
Application of these tasks will vary based on assigned work.
Duties Tasks
Demonstrate
Safe Work
Practices
Provide
Customer
Service
A
A-1
Obtain first
aid and health
certifications,
(e.g., AED,
First Aid,
CPR)
A-2
Obtain
industry safety
certifications
(e.g., Arc
Flash,
OSHA30)
A-3
Adhere to
customer’s
safety
procedures
A-4
Perform job
hazard
analysis
A-5
Utilize personal
protective
equipment
(PPE)
B
A-6
Perform
lockout/tagout
A-7
Utilize safety
data sheets
(SDS)
A-8
Perform job
site house-
keeping
B-1
Maintain
professional
appearance
B-2
Participate in
customer
meetings
B-3
Craft customer
emails
B-4
Conduct
customer
phone calls
B-5
Develop
customer
relationships
B-6
Actively listen
to customers
B-7
Deal with
difficult
customers
B-8
Verify
customer
satisfaction
C
Maintain
Tools and
Equipment
C-1
Perform daily
inspection of
tools and
equipment
C-2
Use
technology as
a tool
C-3
Use
technology for
research (e.g.,
technical
manuals)
C-4
Replace and
charge
instrument and
tool batteries
C-5
Clean and
organize
service vehicle
C-6
Tagout broken
equipment
C-7
Request
replacement
tools
C-8
Calibrate
voltage meters
C-9
Calibrate
temperature
gauges
C-10
Calibrate
pressure gauges

3. DACUM Research Chart for HVACR Service Technician
Application of these tasks will vary based on assigned work.
Duties Tasks
Perform
Piping
Tasks
Perform HVACR
Mechanical
Maintenance
C-11
Maintain
service vehicle
(e.g., oil
change, tire
pressure)
C-12
Clean hand
tools (e.g.,
degreasing)
C-13
Lubricate hand
tools
C-14
Ensure hose
integrity
C-15
Change oil in
vacuum pump
D
D-1
Obtain UA 50
and 51 brazing
certifications
D-2
Install
refrigeration
piping
D-3
Connect gas
piping
D-4
Disconnect
gas piping
D-5
Diagnose gas
pipe component
problems
D-6
Solder copper
pipe
D-7
Join pipe
using
MegaPress
and ProPress
D-8
Thread piping
D-9
Braze
copper/steel
piping
D-10
Follow piping
blueprints
D-11
Perform leak
test in piping
D-12
Evacuate
refrigeration
piping
D-13
Order
fabricated
piping
E
E-1
Maintain air
filters
E-2
Inspect
evaporator and
condenser
coils
E-3
Clean
evaporator and
condenser
coils
E-4
Inspect
condensate
pan and trap
E-5
Clean
condensate pan
and trap
E-6
Inspect drive
belts and
pulleys
E-7
Adjust drive
belts and
pulleys
E-8
Check
operation of
economizer
E-9
Evaluate
system
performance
(e.g.,
pressures,
superheat)
E-10
Collect oil
samples for
testing

4. DACUM Research Chart for HVACR Service Technician
Application of these tasks will vary based on assigned work.
Duties Tasks
E-11
Check
compressor oil
pressure
E-12
Clean flame
sensors
E-13
Inspect gas
orifices and
burners
E-14
Check motor
function
E-15
Inspect heat
exchanger
integrity
E-16
Check gas
manifold
pressure
E-17
Adjust gas
manifold
pressure
E-18
Perform
combustion
analysis
E-19
Check
operation of
gun type
burners (e.g.,
pilot, flame,
rectification)
E-20
Check and
clean strainers
E-21
Assess proper
pump
operation
E-22
Test low water
cut-off/flow
switch and
pressure stats
E-23
Clean chiller
bundles (e.g.,
evaporator,
condenser)
E-24
Inspect
bearings on
unit
E-25
Lubricate
bearings on
units
F
Perform
HVACR
Electrical
Maintenance
F-1
Follow wiring
schematics
F-2
Verify wiring
connections
F-3
Check for
correct voltage
(e.g., line,
control)
F-4
Check
component
amp draw
F-5
Inspect
electrical
contactors
F-6
Check and test
safety
switches
F-7
Verify sensor
calibration
G
Conduct
Service
Calls
G-1
Communicate
with dispatch
G-2
Prioritize
customer calls
G-3
Check in with
customers
upon arrival
G-4
Obtain PO for
work
G-5
Evaluate entire
system

5. DACUM Research Chart for HVACR Service Technician
Application of these tasks will vary based on assigned work.
Duties Tasks
Perform
Rigging and
Lifting Tasks
Maintain
Continuing
Education
G-6
Perform
troubleshooting
tasks
G-7
Contact
technical
support
G-8
Convey
repairs and
scope of work
to customer
G-9
Investigate
prices for
materials
G-10
Coordinate
subcontractors
for job
G-11
Furnish
information
for job quote
(e.g.,
materials,
time)
G-12
Document
performed
work
G-13
Collect
payment for
work
H
H-1
Participate in
pre-lift
meeting (e.g.,
calculate load,
verify weight)
H-2
Inspect rigging
equipment
H-3
Set up rigging
equipment
H-4
Secure fall
zone area
H-5
Employ knot
tying skills
H-6
Stabilize load
(e.g., hand
line)
I
I-1
Attend UA
Local 449
Journeyman
Training
I-2
Attend factory
training (e.g.,
equipment,
controls)
I-3
Maintain
industry
certifications
(e.g., UA 50
and 51, UA
Star)
I-4
Attend union
meetings
I-5
Procure
individualized
training
I-6
Maintain
personal
training
documentation
I-7
Submit
training-
related
receipts for
reimbursement
I-8
Maintain
updated
resume

6. Organizational Chart
Worker Behaviors
Common sense, stays focused on the job
Team Worker
Personable
Good manners, represents the company well
Tactful
Creates a good first impression
Doesn’t smoke on the job
Understands boundaries and knows individual limitations
Good hygiene, looks presentable
Follows company appearance expectations
Can pass drug tests
Punctual
Good personality
Can participate in conversation
Outgoing
Positive attitude
Appropriate language
Physically capable
Honest
Not afraid of heights
Willing to expand horizons
Follows all safety rules

7. Listens to and follows instructions
Stays off cell phone during work hours
Shows up for work, good attendance
Uses tools correctly
Enjoys being outside
Willing to be on call (holidays, weekends, late hours)
Flexible
Willing to learn, adaptable
Ability to improvise
Open to change
General Knowledge and Skills
Electrical knowledge
Schematics
Ohm’s Law
Combustion
Murphy’s Law
Refrigeration cycle
Refrigerant components
AC types
PT (Pressure/Temperature) charts
Single phase and three phase motors
Different types of compressors
Boilers, hot water and steam
Math (basic, conversions, formulas for calculating loads, amperage)
How to use a meter
Able to organize work
Sequence of Operation
Safety
Metering devices
Evaporators and condensers
Cooling towers
Heat exchangers
Chillers
Refrigerant and oil types
Science (trade-related)
Direct Fire Unit
Flame rectification
Pumps
Steam
Mechanical ability
Experience in mechanical work and projects
Basic construction experience
Basic brazing and soldering skills
Computer skills (research, working on computerized equipment)
Understands regulatory standards
Knowledge of county and state codes
Communication skills (e.g., speaking, written, verbal)

8. Basic understanding of controls
Basic understanding of green technology
Basic understanding of energy audits
Knowledge of rigging and lifting
Blueprint reading skills
Knowledge of refrigeration piping practices
Knowledge of measurement and layout
Physical capability for work
Customer relation skills
Pump down system
Time management
Programming
Troubleshooting
Trends
Technology- more computer controlled equipment, rather than analog
Frequency drive compressors provide more capacity control
More energy efficient technologies
Digital compressors
Foreign-made products
Variable refrigerant flow systems (VRF)
More use of CO2 in refrigeration
More use of propane as a refrigerant
Low temperature glycol systems
Heat pumps (more now than before)
Some refrigerants have been outlawed
More building control systems going in
More clearances required (5 for one local school district)
Graduates not looking for labor jobs
Use of cell phones makes it easier to contact support, look up information
Safety, from contractors to customers, is becoming the #1 concern.
Concerns
Metric tubing parts don’t match up with our U.S. tubing
Fewer qualified applicants seeking work
Flooding of locally trained HVAC workers due to recent layoffs- they may not have the appropriate skills
More knowledgeable technicians will be retiring
Constantly changing technology makes it harder to get replacements up to speed
Previous mentoring system (riding along for training) will not be available.
Loss of valuable knowledge from mentors
Some items are now available only from the factory (manufacturer’s specific parts)—less universal parts
Not putting out the quality of technicians that we should due to less on-the-job training
Certifications Recommended
OSHA 30 (Safety)
NFPA70E (Arc Flash)
EPA 608 (Universal Refrigerant)
EPA 410 (Specialized Refrigerant)

9. UA 50 and 51 (Brazing)
ICRA
First Aid/CPR
Gastite (Flexible gas piping)
Acronyms
AC Air Conditioning
CO Cut-Off
CPR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
DDC Direct Digital Control
EXV Electric Expansion Valve
HVACR Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration
ICRA Infection Control Risk Assessment
JTAC Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee
MES Mechanical Equipment Service
NFPA National Fire Protection Association
OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration
PO Purchase Order
PPE Personal Protective Equipment
PT Pressure/Temperature
SDS Safety Data Sheets
TAB Test, adjust, balance
TXV Thermal Expansion Valve
UA United Association
VFD Variable Frequency Drive
VRF Variable Refrigerant Flow
General Recommendations for the Apprenticeship Program from DACUM Panel
Year 1 – Learn electrical, refrigeration cycle, safety fundamentals, brazing, fundamentals of refrigeration,
components terminology, basic piping, introduction to rigging and lifting, basic schematics
Year 2 – Learn residential and light commercial, refresh and add more components to refrigeration cycle,
electrical, economizer operation (psychometrics), crane signal certification, apply schematics to
troubleshooting
Year 3 – Refresh refrigeration cycle, electrical, continue with larger commercial units, bigger rooftop units,
receivers, accumulators, DDC controllers, troubleshooting controllers, introduction to proprietary DDC
programs and software basics, what is being sent to the DDC system controller, being able to troubleshoot
inputs and outputs to the unit.
Year 4 – Refresh refrigeration cycle, electrical, continue with chillers, boilers, more information on DDC
programs and software, hydronics
Year 5 – Refresh refrigeration cycle (increasingly higher skill levels—variable frequency compressors,
magnetic bearings, centrifugals, frequency drives), electrical, customer service skills, reminder about
continuing education, blueprint reading

10. Other Recommendations
Better balance of bookwork and hands-on learning. The sequence of instruction should be: Bookwork, test,
hands-on, performance test
Pursue supplemental materials that come with new textbooks
Add test, adjust, and balance (TAB) of mechanical systems
Increase the instruction on chillers, cooling towers, boilers, heat pumps, refrigeration
Complete OSHA 30 Hour certification on-line and review in the classroom
Bring in vendors for education (not sales pitch, e.g. bring in Carrier to conduct a heat pump class)
Increase related math instruction
Keep up with technology to keep students interested
Add blueprint reading to class
Reduce or Delete from Training:
Care and use of tools
Teaching by the book
Separate certifications from class time (complete at a different time)
Reduce amount of time on 50 and 51 brazing certifications (move to boot camp)
Reduce instruction on green technology, energy audits, and energy management
Post DACUM Analysis
What we’ve learned:
There’s been a lack of consistency and omissions of subject matter in training
UA might not be providing the curriculum we need
Mesh the UA curriculum with job site needs
Students did not get related science and steam instruction
Next steps may include:
Need to prioritize the effectiveness of our curriculum to what students see in the field
Fill the holes in the training
Schedule a contractor to come in to help build the labs
Advice to apprentices from DACUM Panel
Tim Hoover- “Be open and truthful with customers.”
Brad Tisdale- “Listen to the customers.”
Doug Armstrong – “Don’t stop learning – stay on top of the technology.”
Paul Herring – “Know what’s going on with the system. Focus on the refrigeration cycle and low voltage
wiring.”
Mark Frazao – “Be patient with the trade. It’s a lifetime of learning. There are changes on a yearly basis.
Learn as it is evolving.”
Nick Dersch – “Keep your head. There’s always a way through things.”
Dale Glavin – “Find enjoyment from your daily job. Become the Mr. Fixit of your industry.”
Bill Panitzke – “Customer service is the biggest thing. Develop a good relationship with your customer.”
Derrick Feidler – “Know how to talk to customers. Present yourself well. Know the refrigeration cycle.”
Jay Spaeder – “Always listen to the customer and make them feel like they are contributing.”