Plumbing Technology Course Descriptions

PLBG 107 (3 credits)
The Plumbing Trade
Prepares students for their role in the Plumbing Technology program at Thaddeus Stevens College and for their future in the field. Examines organizational skills, safe work habits, and proper work attitude. Surveys the history of plumbing while also offering an examination of job opportunities and an analysis of steps in career progressions.

PLBG 112 (3 credits)
Plumbing Design I: Introduction to Plumbing Systems
Study of potable water, methods of sewage disposal, components of plumbing systems, and basic physics as related to plumbing.

PLBG 117 (3 credits)
Plumbing Installation I(a): Plumbing Materials
Familiarizes students with the proper selection and use of all the materials (cast iron, steel, copper, plastics, and others) of the plumbing and pipefitting trades.

PLBG 122 (1.5 credits)
Plumbing Installation I(b): Plumbing Tools
Familiarizes students with the proper selection and use of all the basic tools (hand tools, power tools, and torches) of the plumbing and pipefitting trades, including measurement and other applied math.

PLBG 130 (1.5 credits)
Construction Blueprint Reading
Focus on residential piping system design. Skills covered include the following: designing systems; reading blueprints; making orthographic and isometric pipe sketches and drawings; sizing potable water systems; sizing DWV systems; and sizing natural gas systems.
Prerequisite: PLBG 111

PLBG 167 (3 credits)
Plumbing Service I: Introduction to Plumbing Service
Focuses on the selection and use of tools and procedures for servicing and repairing plumbing systems. Skills include troubleshooting and repairing faucets and valve, leaking pipes, clogged drains, and toilets. Prerequisite: PLBG 170 and PLBG 175

PLBG 170 (3 credits)
Plumbing Installation II(a): Underground And Aboveground Rough-In
Introduces the student to the installation of residential potable and DWV (drainage, waste, and vent) piping systems and the support of those systems.
Prerequisites: PLBG 111, PLBG 115, and PLBG 120

PLBG 176 (3 credits)
Plumbing Installation II(b): Fixture Installation
Introduces the student to bathroom and kitchen fixtures and water heaters. Discusses the installation of residential piping systems, bathroom/kitchen fixtures, and water heaters. Prerequisites: PLBG 111, PLBG 115, and PLBG 120

PLBG 207 (3 credits)
Plumbing Design III: Plumbing Codes
By examining the 2019 International Plumbing Code, this course prepares students to design, install, and maintain plumbing systems in compliance with this statewide code. The course features the proper use of materials and fittings, correct venting, methods for testing plumbing systems, and the sizing of potable water, drainage waste and vent, storm water drainage, and natural gas piping systems.
Prerequisites: PLBG 156, PLBG 170, and PLBG 175

PLBG 213 (3 credits)
Plumbing Installation III
An advanced residential plumbing course that is basically concerned with the plumbing of the housing project. Shop practice is made available as needed, but most instruction occurs at the housing project.
Prerequisite: PLBG 206

PLBG 216 (3 credits)
Plumbing Installation IV: Commercial Plumbing Installation
Covers the design and installation of compressed air piping systems, storm water drainage systems, specification fittings and fixtures, and commercial sanitary drainage and venting, and potable water systems. Students learn to read commercial blueprints and to acquire information from specification literature, applying this information in developing the capstone project, a complete and functioning commercial toilet room facility.
Prerequisite: PLBG 115 and 120

PLBG 223 (3 credits)
Plumbing Service II: Advanced Plumbing Services
An extension of PLBG 166. Covers the tools and procedures to repair flushometer valves, water heaters, frozen pipes, water hammer, and backflow.
Prerequisite: PLBG 166

PLBG 256 (3 credits)
Plumbing Design IV: Designing Hydronic Heating Systems
Designing and sizing hydronic heating systems is taught. Includes the calculation of heat loss.
Prerequisite: PLBG 156

PLBG 262 (3 credits)
Plumbing Installation V: Installing Hydronic Heating Systems
Students learn the proper installation of residential and commercial hot water heating systems. Prerequisite: PLBG 115 and 120

PLBG 267 (3 credits)
Plumbing Service III: Servicing Hydronic Heating Systems
Heating service, including repair of hot water circulation problems, combustion testing, oil burner, and gas burner repair, boiler clean-up, and system troubleshooting are covered.
Prerequisite: PLBG 115 and 120

PLBG 272 (3 credits)
Plumbing Installation VI
Includes hands-on experience and training in the installation of plumbing fixtures, appliances, and the finished piping in a permanent structure. Work is done on the housing project and other appropriate projects around the campus.
Prerequisite: PLBG 211