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HVACR DACUM Research Chart
- 1. DACUM Research Chartfor 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 Chartfor 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 Chartfor 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 Chartfor 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 Chartfor 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 Commonsense, 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 andfollows 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 ofcontrols 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 and51 (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 balanceof 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.”