Lesson 1Venting, combustion air and condensate handling: atmospheric vs power venting, direct-vent vs B-vent, condensate trap and drain for condensing unitsExplains venting options for gas water heaters, including atmospheric and power vent systems, direct-vent and B-vent configurations, and correct condensate trapping, neutralising, and draining for high-efficiency condensing units compliant with local standards.
Atmospheric versus power vent conceptsDirect-vent and B-vent configurationSizing and routing vent pipingProviding adequate combustion airCondensate trap and drain installationLesson 2Commissioning steps: filling and purging air, leak tests (water and gas), setting thermostats and temperature verification, TPR valve functional test, combustion analysis basics for gas unitsDetails the full commissioning sequence, including filling and purging air, water and gas leak testing, thermostat setup, temperature verification, TPR valve functional checks, and basic combustion analysis steps for gas-fired water heaters in installations.
Filling system and purging trapped airWater and gas leak testing proceduresSetting thermostats and limit controlsVerifying outlet temperature and mixingTPR valve functional test procedureBasic combustion analysis for gas unitsLesson 3Valves and safety device installation: isolation valves, union/flare provisions, TPR valve orientation and discharge piping, expansion tanks and check valvesCovers correct selection and placement of isolation valves, unions, TPR valves, expansion tanks, and check valves, focusing on orientation, support, discharge routing, and code-compliant protection against overpressure and backflow in hot water systems.
Locating cold and hot isolation valvesInstalling unions and flare connectionsTPR valve orientation and discharge routingExpansion tank sizing and placementCheck valve selection and backflow controlLesson 4Gas connection basics for plumbers: union, shutoff valve placement, leak testing methods (soapy solution, gas detector), and coordinating with gas supplier/licensed installersIntroduces plumbers to safe gas connection practices, covering unions, shutoff valve placement, approved leak testing methods, documentation, and coordination with gas suppliers or licensed gas fitters where regulations require in South African contexts.
Locating appliance shutoff valvesInstalling unions for service accessSoapy solution leak testing methodUsing electronic gas leak detectorsCoordinating with gas supplier or fitterLesson 5Electrical interface and coordination: disconnects, dedicated circuit needs, verifying electrician work, and verifying bonding/groundingCovers electrical interface requirements for water heaters, including disconnects, dedicated circuits, verifying electrician work, checking bonding and grounding, and confirming that controls and safety devices receive correct power during local installations.
Identifying required circuit capacityLocating and labelling disconnectsVerifying electrician rough-in workChecking bonding and grounding pathsConfirming control and sensor powerLesson 6Pre-installation preparation: permits, site checks, service isolation sequence, and required tools/materials checklistOutlines pre-installation tasks such as confirming permits, reviewing site conditions, verifying clearances, planning service isolation, and assembling a complete tools and materials checklist to avoid delays and safety issues on South African job sites.
Confirming permits and documentationAssessing site access and clearancesVerifying water, gas and power availabilityPlanning safe service isolation sequenceTools and materials checklist preparationLesson 7Cold/hot plumbing work: pipe material choices (copper, PEX, CSST considerations), basic sizing tables, branching to two bathrooms, kitchen, laundry, and recirculation optionsExplores hot and cold plumbing layout for water heaters, including pipe material choices, basic sizing references, routing to bathrooms, kitchen and laundry, and options for recirculation loops to improve hot water delivery times in residential setups.
Selecting copper, PEX or other materialsUsing basic pipe sizing tables safelyBranching to bathrooms and kitchen loadsSupplying laundry and auxiliary fixturesDesigning simple recirculation loopsLesson 8Documentation and handover: labelling, as-built notes, safety stickers, and owner-operational guidance sheetExplains how to prepare clear, compliant documentation at completion, including accurate as-built notes, durable labels, safety and warning stickers, and a practical owner operation and maintenance guide to support safe long-term system use for clients.
Creating clear as-built system schematicsLabelling valves, circuits and isolation pointsApplying safety, warning and hazard stickersPreparing owner operation and maintenance sheetRecording serial numbers and warranty dataLesson 9Safe removal of an old gas storage heater: depressurising gas, draining tank, disconnecting utilities, handling and disposal of corroded equipmentDescribes safe procedures for decommissioning and removing an old gas storage heater, including depressurising gas, draining the tank, disconnecting utilities, managing corrosion, and arranging compliant transport and disposal in line with local regulations.
Shutting down and isolating the heaterDepressurising and capping gas linesDraining and flushing the storage tankDisconnecting water and electrical feedsHandling corroded or damaged componentsTransport and disposal requirements
