Courses
Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Tech'n (Coop)-2025/2026
| Level 1 | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| ELEC-1014 | Electricity-Intro | 4 | ||
| This introductory course provides for electrical troubleshooting techniques. Electrical troubleshooting techniques allow technicians to correctly diagnose electrical problems associated with heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning equipment. Combining theoretical and practical work, this course explores basic electrical theory and concepts, electrical hazards and applicable codes. It also introduces electrical testing equipment and safe working practices and procedures. | ||||
| MACH-1175 | Basic Gas Technician | 6 | ||
| Students will learn hazards and safety procedures that relate to working conditions, and the safe handling and procedures for materials they will be using. Students will be introduced to common fasteners, hand and power tools used in the HRAC field. Students will study the origin and properties of natural gas and propane, identify the characteristics of complete and incomplete combustion, upper and lower explosive limits, potential sources of ignition, carbon monoxide and other by-products of incomplete combustion. In addition, students will examine the natural gas and propane installation codes and code adoption documents, Ontario regulations, and standards associated with the manufacturing, testing, installation, and servicing of natural gas and propane appliances, components, and equipment. | ||||
| MACH-1019 | Introduction to Gas Appliances | 2 | ||
| This course trains student HRAC technicians to interpret information from appliance manufacturer's installation and service manuals, service bulletins, and safety directives. It also familiarizes students with important sections of a gas appliance manufacturer's installation and service manual and explores the association between the manufacturer's installation instructions and the Natural Gas and Propane Installation codes. In addition, students will be introduced to electrical drawings, mechanical drawings and the purpose of various charts, graphs and tables. This course examines the operating characteristics, features, and methods of heat transfer in natural gas and propane appliances, as well as explaining the purpose of venting and the different types of venting materials used on gas appliances. Customer relations are also studied. | ||||
| MACH-1020 | Propane & Natural Gas Piping Systems | 3 | ||
| Piping, tubing, hose, and fittings used with natural gas and propane must be installed and tested in accordance with Natural Gas and Propane Installation Code. This course includes the interpretation of the gas code as it pertains to piping and tubing systems. Through a combination of theory and hands-on shop classes, students learn to identify piping, tubing, and fittings, pressure-testing requirements, and purging requirements. Students will also learn how to size pipe systems and the requirements for the installation of polyethylene pipe and fittings, for water, vent, and underground gas service. | ||||
| WELD-1013 | Welding Technology/Fabricating Skills | 2 | ||
| This course trains students to operate oxy-acetylene equipment to perform various cutting and welding operations. Basic M.I.G. welding skills are taught as well as metal fabricating techniques. | ||||
| PSYC-1025 | Human Relations 1 | 3 | ||
| This course is designed to assist the student in developing a greater understanding of the basic social and psychological principles of human behaviour. Emphasis will be on the cultural elements of interpersonal behaviour, socialization and personality development, the self-concept, perception, verbal, nonverbal and listening skills. As a result, the successful student will acquire practical life skills, essential for both personal and career development. | ||||
| WRIT-1039 | Reason & Writing 1-Technology | 3 | ||
| This course will introduce technology students to essential principles of reading, writing, and reasoning at the postsecondary level. Students will identify, summarize, analyze, and evaluate multiple short readings and write persuasive response essays to develop their vocabulary, comprehension, grammar, and critical thinking. | ||||
| Level 2 | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| ELEC-1015 | Basic Electricity | 5 | ||
| HRAC technicians must understand how electrical power is supplied and accessed, as well as the various methods and devices used to ensure that the electricity is distributed safely. This course examines amperage service, ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI), electrical bonding to gas piping, single-phase and three-phase power supply, electrical hardware, types and ratings of fuses and breakers as well as types and gauges of wire. It also introduces students to thermocouple and power pile DC millivolt systems. In addition, it focuses on appliance wiring, schematic diagram design and interpretation. Using furnace simulation boards and gas-fired furnaces, students will design and draw schematic and wiring diagrams for natural draft, gas assisted and high-efficiency furnaces. Students will then learn to wire and troubleshoot operational faults. | ||||
| MECH-5018 | Piping & Tubing Systems-Adv | 2 | ||
| This course examines gas code requirements for industrial and commercial propane and natural gas piping systems intended for gas pressure systems exceeding 2 psi.. Piping layout, drawings, symbols, joining methods, identification of underground piping and pressure testing are studied. Welding safety, certification and procedures are also included. | ||||
| MACH-1026 | Press Regulators/Meters, Fuel Containers | 3 | ||
| A thorough understanding of the principle elements of gas pressure regulators and their operation is necessary in order to properly install and service gas equipment. This course explores the need for pressure regulators, examines the code and regulation requirements, explains the basic operation of a regulator, compares different types of regulators, regulator selection requirements, location and piping practices as well troubleshooting common regulator problems. | ||||
| MECH-1080 | Refrigeration & Air Conditioning-Theory | 3 | ||
| This course studies the 'Refrigeration Cycle': theoretical and actual compression cycle. Students will be introduced to refrigerants used in the industry with respect to pressure, temperature and application. It also explores types of compressor and starting mechanisms, operation and application, methods of refrigerant and simple system control as well as safe use of hand tools and electrical meters. Students learn about the operation of domestic gas-fired refrigerators. In addition, students learn how to work safely in accordance with all applicable acts and regulations. | ||||
| MECH-1081 | Appliance Venting | 3 | ||
| This course familiarizes students with the venting operation of gas-fired appliances and how appliances are categorized so that venting systems and system components match an appliances particular requirements. Students learn categories of vented appliances, review draft definitions and effects, venting system components, gas code and vent sizing requirements. This course also examines key aspects of venting design for fan-assisted and draft hood-equipped appliances as well as high temperature plastic venting associated with high efficiency appliances and power vented water heaters. | ||||
| MECH-1082 | The Building as a System | 2 | ||
| This course examines prevailing construction methods and technologies that support the concept of a building as a series of interdependent parts. Students will learn about air distribution systems, balancing and code requirements. Key components of the building as a system are taught including the relationship between heat, moisture and air flow and how to minimize negative impacts on the building. Principles of heat loss and gain are also studied. | ||||
| SHMT-1018 | Sheet Metal Fabrication 1 | 3 | ||
| This course teaches practical geometry used in the layout of sheet metal fittings. Students will demonstrate the use of lines, angles and plane figures in sheet welding. Students will also learn to read and interpret residential blueprint drawings and specifications, produce the blueprints of required sheet metal fittings, and demonstrate layout and pattern development of sheet metal fittings. | ||||
| COOP-1020 | Co-operative Education Employment Prep | 1 | ||
| This workshop will provide an overview of the Co-operative Education consultants and students' roles and responsibilities as well as the Co-operative Education Policy. It will provide students with employment preparatory skills specifically related to co-operative education work assignments and will prepare students for their work term. | ||||
| Level 3 | ||||
| Gen Ed - Take a 3 credit General Education elective course | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| CNTL-3004 | Controls | 5 | ||
| This course covers control concepts and components associated with gas fired appliances including: the basic control system, operating controllers, limit and safety controllers, combustion and safety controls, ignition control modules, valves, regulators and motors. Numerous practical shop projects assist in reinforcing the theoretical concepts. | ||||
| SHMT-3009 | Sheet Metal Fabrication 2 | 3 | ||
| This course is designed to give students the necessary practical sheet metal experience required to successfully fulfill their duties as a heating, refrigeration and air conditioning technician. The majority of class time is spent performing practical assignments such as fabricating new sheet metal fittings required to perform residential changeovers involving the installation of new equipment into an existing HVAC system. | ||||
| MECH-1083 | Domestic Appl & Space Heating | 4 | ||
| This course examines the general requirements of space heaters including: room heaters, wall furnaces, baseboard heaters, infrared heaters, fireplaces, and construction heaters. This course covers the different types of gas ranges, servicing of gas ranges, oven controls and their calibration, testing burners and ignition systems. The installation and service requirements for clothes dryers, moisture exhaust venting, and dryer burner ignition systems are also studied. | ||||
| MECH-1084 | Water Heaters & Hydronic Heating Systems | 4 | ||
| The installation, servicing and sizing of gas fired water heaters, combination systems and boilers are studied in this course. This course explores the various types of water heaters and boilers and their associated controls, accessories, piping layout, removal and installation procedures. | ||||
| Level 4 | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
Group 1 | ||||
| MECH-1086 | Forced Warm Air Heat/Conv/Add-Ons | 5 | ||
| This course looks at typical furnace installations, factors that must be considered when sizing a furnace, as well as cleaning, adjustment procedures, efficiencies, venting, and the operation of diagnostic equipment used in troubleshooting forced-air furnace. Students also examine guidelines for converting appliances, media filters, electrostatic filters and electronic air cleaners that can be used with forced-air furnaces. In addition, students study the operation requirements and service procedures for various types of humidifiers. | ||||
| COMP-1391 | HVAC Design Computer Applications | 3 | ||
| This course introduces the concepts of computer assisted design. Industry recognized software applications are used to solve a variety of heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning operating problems by applying computer modelling software and technology to correct problems or produce satisfactory building design. | ||||
| MECH-1087 | Air Handling | 2 | ||
| This course looks at the properties and characteristics of air, the operation of the return and supply air duct system, air flow in the duct system, service and adjustment procedures for air handling devices, blower speed, cfm, horsepower and static pressure. Codes and industry standards that apply to air flow are examined. | ||||
Group 2 | ||||
| TAKE BUSI-1005 OR BUSI-1103 OR INNV-1001 | ||||
| BUSI-1005 | Introduction to Business Processes | 3 | ||
| This course explores the various functional areas of business in Canada and demonstrates the interrelationship among these areas. Students are introduced to many concepts, including major business trends, the role of government in business, marketing, operations, employee-management issues, financial resources management, business ethics and social responsibility. | ||||
| BUSI-1103 | Introduction to Small Business Concepts | 3 | ||
| This introductory course will examine some of the theoretical concepts and practical experiences necessary for effectively running a small business. A wide variety of topics such as the social and ethical responsibility of a contemporary business, the importance of human resource and financial resource management, and the current trends in Canadian business will be studied. | ||||
| INNV-1001 | Innovation Applications | 3 | ||
| Organizations and individuals need to be innovative to succeed in the complex and rapidly-changing global marketplace. In this course you will learn the fundamentals of innovation and how innovation applies to your discipline or field.Using this foundational knowledge, you will apply the novel and adaptive thinking processes and tools presented in the course to complete an innovative learning project in collaboration with other students.The project will be based on a real-world scenario with a defined scope as chosen by your professor. The project may involve external live clients and a multi-disciplinary approach.Throughout the course, novel and adaptive thinking skills as well as collaboration skills will be evaluated through self assessment.This course is designed to give students in certificate and diploma programs a foundation in innovative thinking. | ||||
| Add'l Req | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: Normally taken in Levels 3 or 4 | ||||
| MECH-1085 | Air Conditioning Lab Applications | 4 | ||
| This hands-on course provides introductory training to install, service, maintain and update residential air conditioning systems, select appropriate types of condensers, evaporators, compressors, refrigerant, and flow controls. Students also learn joining and connection operations that conform to industry code, proper use of recovery equipment, troubleshooting refrigerant problems and use of electronic scales for charging. | ||||
| MECH-1088 | Refrigeration Lab Applications | 4 | ||
| This hands-on course provides introductory training to install, service, maintain and update refrigeration systems, select appropriate types of condensers, evaporators, compressors, refrigerant, and flow controls. Students also learn joining and connection operations that conform to industry code, proper use of recovery equipment, troubleshooting refrigerant problems and use of electronic scales for charging. | ||||
| Gen Ed - Electives | ||||
| Take 3 General Education Credits - Normally taken in Level 3 | ||||
| Program Residency | ||||
| Students Must Complete a Minimum of 22 credits in this program at Fanshawe College to meet the Program Residency requirement and Graduate from this program | ||||