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Gas Fitter Tier Program

Find tier program information below.

Tier 1 (GF) - First Year Lessons

Tier 1 (GF) - First Year Lessons

LESSON 1: Introduction to Gas Fitting   5 hours
LESSON 2: Safety and Installation Practices   10 hours
LESSON 3: General Provisions for Gas Work in Massachusetts 248 CMR 3.00   5 hours
LESSON 4: Education and Experience Requirements for Licensure 248 CMR 11.00   5 hours
LESSON 5: Massachusetts Modifications to Sections of NFPA 54 248 CMR 4.00 & 5.00   20 hours
LESSON 6: Gas Piping System Design, Material and Components   35 hours
LESSON 7: Gas Piping Installation   30 hours

TOTAL

   110 hours

 

LESSON 1: Introduction to Gas Fitting (5 hours)

  1. History and Characteristics of Fuel Gas
  2. The History of the Discovery and use of Natural Gas
  3. Natural Gas and the Environment
  4. Properties and Characteristics of Fuel Gases
    1. Specific Gravity
  5. Definition and Explanation of British Thermal Unit (BTU)
    1. Natural Gas
      1. What is Natural Gas?
      2. Chemical Composition of Natural Gas
      3. Adding Odorants to Natural Gas
    2. Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LP)
      1. What is LP Gas
      2. How is LP Gas Obtained?
      3. Chemical Composition of LP Gas
    3. Combustion of Gases
      1. Definition of Combustion
      2. Basic Chemistry of Combustion
      3. Volume of Air Needed for Proper Combustion
    4. Products of Complete Combustion
    5. Incomplete Combustion
      1. Products of Incomplete Combustion
        1. Carbon Monoxide
        2. Acid Damage to Equipment, Flues and the Chimney System
      2. Cause and Effects
      3. Flame Characteristics
        1. Primary and Secondary Air
    6. Development of Local, State and National Codes
    7. Chapter 142 of the Massachusetts General Laws
    8. Functions of the Serving Gas Supplier

 

 

LESSON 2: Safety & Installation Practices (10 hours)

Each apprentice must attend and receive an OSHA 10 card through an OSHA certified instructor or program.

 

LESSON 3: Education and Experience Requirements 248 CMR 3.00 and 11.00 (5 hours)

  1. Scope and Application 11.01
    1. What does 11.00 cover and to whom does it apply.
  2. Education and Experience Requirements for Apprentices and Licensees 11:02
    1. Qualifications for admission to the Journeyman Gasfitters Exam 11.02 (3)
      1. Apprentice Gasfitter Licensed before September 1, 2008
        1. Experience
        2. Education
      2. Apprentice Gasfitter Licensed on or after September 1, 2008
        1. Experience
        2. Education
        3. Education and work experience done contemporaneous
    2. Qualifications for admission to the Master Gasfitters Exam 11.02 (4)
      1. Experience
      2. Education
    3. Out-of State/Country Licensee Waiver and Equivalency Requirements 11.02 (7)
    4. Unlicensed Practice 11.02 (8)
  3. Application Requirements and Examination Administration 11.03
    1. Application Materials 11.03 (1)
    2. Reasonable Accommodations for Examination 11.03 (2)
    3. Examination Scores 11.03 (3)
    4. Examination Review 11.03 (4)
  4. Mandatory Continuing Education (MCE) Requirements 11.04
    1. General Continuing Education Provisions 11.04 (1)
    2. Requirements for License Renewal 11.04 (2)
    3. Qualifications for Exemption of the Continuing Education Requirements 11.04 (3)
      1. Exemptions
      2. Waivers
    4. Failure by a Licensee to Complete Continuing Education Requirements 11.04 (4)
    5. Reinstatement of lapsed/expired/suspended licenses 11.04 (5)
    6. Initial Documentation of Completion of Continuing Education Requirements 11.04 (6)
      1. Duplicate Continuing Education Certificates 11.04 (7)
      2. Falsification of Continuing Education Certificates 11.04 (8)
  5. Qualifications and Requirements Continuing Education Providers and Educators 11.05
    1. Qualifications and requirements for Continuing Education Providers 11.05 (1)
    2. Instructor Qualifications to Conduct Continuing Education Courses 11.05 (2)
    3. Mandatory Record Keeping Requirements 11.05 (3)
    4. Formats for Providers to offer Continuing Education Courses 11.05 (4)
    5. Expiration and Denial of Board Approval 11.05 (5)
    6. Course Material 11.05 (6)
  6. Education Hours and Course Content Requirements 11.06
    1. Board Certification Required 11.06 (1)
    2. Administrative Requirements for Educational Programs 11.06 (2)
      1. Instructor Qualifications
      2. Education Requirements for 550 hour Program
      3. Education Requirements for 330 hour Program
      4. Education Requirements for 220 hour Program
      5. Grandfathering
  7. 248 CMR, Section 3.03 Apprentice Licenses
    1. 3.03 (2) (a) General Provisions
      1. 1. Working as an Apprentice
      2. 3. Apprentice registration form
      3. 6. Retaining W-2 records of employment
    2. 3.03 (2) (b) Master’s Duties Regarding Apprentice Licensure
      1. 1. Responsibility to insure Apprentice is compliant
      2. 3. No fees allowed
      3. 5. Apprentice leaving employment of the Master

 

LESSON 3: General Provisions for Gas Work in Massachusetts 248 CMR 3.00 (5 hours)

  1. 3.04 Product Design and Testing Standards
    1. Product Approvals
    2. Variance
    3. Special Permission
    4. Test Sites
  2. 3.05 Permits and Inspections
    1. Permits
      1. Jurisdictions
      2. Requirements
      3. Permit Termination
    2. Inspections
      1. What is Required to be Inspected
      2. Notification
      3. Defective Material and Poor Workmanship
    3. Appeal Procedure
  3. 3.06 Grounds for Imposing Disciplinary Sanctions
    1. Deceptive Advertising
    2. Ethical Standards
    3. Conflict of Interest
  4. 3.07 Complaint Handling Process

 

LESSON 5: Massachusetts Modifications to Sections of NFPA-54 (20 hours)

  1. 248 CMR 4.00 Massachusetts Fuel Gas Code
    1. 4.01 Purpose
    2. 4.02 Definitions
    3. 4.03 Scope of the Massachusetts Fuel Gas Code
    4. 4.04 Adoption of Relevant Codes and Order of Precedence
    5. 4.05 Equivalency
  2. 248 CMR 5.00 Amendments to NFPA 54
    1. 5.03 Chapter 3 Definitions
    2. 5.04 Chapter 4 General
    3. 5.05 Chapter 5 Gas Piping System Design, Materials and Components
    4. 5.07 Chapter 7 Gas Piping Installation
    5. 5.08 Chapter 8 Inspections, Testing and Purging
    6. 5.09 Chapter 9 Appliance, Equipment and Accessory Installation
    7. 5.10 Chapter 10 Installation of Specific Equipment
    8. 5.12 Chapter 12 Venting of Appliances

LESSON 6: Gas Piping System Design, Material, and Components (35 hours)

  1. Piping Plans
    1. New Systems
    2. Additions to Existing Systems
  2. Interconnections Between Gas Piping Systems
  3. Sizing Gas Piping Systems
    1. Factors Used in Sizing
    2. Sizing Methods
      1. Longest Length Method
      2. Branch Method
    3. Sizing Tables
  4. Operating Pressure Limitations
    1. Maximum Operating Pressure (Natural)
    2. Maximum Operating Pressure (LP)
  5. Acceptable Material and Joining Methods
    1. Used Material
    2. Metallic Pipe
    3. Metallic Tubing
    4. CSST
      1. Certification
    5. Plastic Pipe, Tubing and Fittings
    6. Protective Coating
  6. Gas Meters
    1. Location
    2. Supports, Protection and Identification
  7. Gas Pressure Regulators
    1. Where Required
    2. Location, Protection and Identification
    3. Class I and II, Natural and Propane
    4. Venting
  8. Overpressure Protection Devices
    1. General
    2. Devices
    3. Venting
      1. Back Pressure Protection
      2. Devices and Where to Install
  9. Shut Off Valves

LESSON 7: Gas Piping Installation (30 hours)

  1. Underground Piping
    1. Protection Against Damage
      1. Cover Requirements
      2. Trenching and Backfilling
    2. Protection Against Corrosion
    3. Protection Against Freezing
    4. Piping Through a Foundation
    5. Underground Beneath Building
    6. Plastic Piping
      1. Connections
      2. Tracer Wire
  2. Installation of Piping
    1. Hangers and Supports
    2. Prohibited Locations
  3. Concealed Piping in Buildings
    1. Connections
    2. Piping within Partitions
    3. Piping in Vertical Chases
  4. Drips
    1. Where Necessary
    2. Location
  5. Gas – Air Mixtures
  6. Electrical Bonding and Grounding
  7. Electrical Circuits and Connections

Tier 2 (GF) - Second Year Lessons

Tier 2 (GF) - Second Year Lessons

LESSON 1: Testing and Inspection   10 hours
LESSON 2: Equipment Installation   20 hours
LESSON 3: Installation of Specific Equipment   10 hours
LESSON 4: Venting of Equipment   50 hours
LESSON 5: Gas Utilization in Large Equipment   20 hours

TOTAL

   110 hours

 

LESSON 1: Testing and Inspection (10 hours)

  1. Preparation
    1. Test Pressure
      1. Low Pressure
      2. Elevated Pressure
  2. Piping System Leak Check
    1. Test Gases
  3. Purging
    1. Gases Used for Purging
    2. Discharge of Purged Gases
    3. Placing Equipment in Operation


 

LESSON 2: Equipment Installation (20 hours)

  1. Approval of Appliances
    1. Adding or Converting Equipment
  2. Protection of Equipment
    1. Other Products of Combustion
    2. Flammable Vapors
    3. Outdoor Equipment
    4. Safety Circuit
      1. Thermocouple
      2. Thermopile
      3. Other
  3. Installations in Residential Garages
  4. Installations in Commercial Garages
    1. Parking Structures
    2. Repair garages
  5. Appliance Regulators
    1. Venting
    2. Location
    3. Class I and II
  6. Gas Valves
    1. Residential
      1. Standing Pilot
      2. Electronic Ignition
    2. Commercial
  7. Accessibility and Clearance
    1. Access for Service
    2. Clearance to Combustibles
  8. Volume of Combustion Air
    1. Indoor
      1. Standard Method
      2. Known Air Infiltration Rate Method
      3. Outdoor Opening Size and Location
    2. Outdoor
      1. One Opening Method
      2. Two Openings Method
    3. Combination Indoor and Outdoor
      1. Engineered Installations
      2. Mechanical Combustion Air
  9. Louvers and Grilles
    1. Combustion Air Ducts
  10. Equipment on Roofs
    1. Installation Requirements
    2. Access
  11. Connecting Equipment to Piping Systems
    1. Gas Hose Connectors
    2. Portable Equipment
    3. Shut off Valves
  12. Procedures to Place Equipment in Operation

LESSON 3: Installation of Specific Equipment (10 hours)

  1. Restrictions in Bedrooms or Bathrooms
  2. Specific Appliance Installations
    1. Locations
    2. Confined Spaces
    3. Clearances
    4. Provisions for Make-Up Air
    5. Prohibited Installations

LESSON 4: Venting of Equipment (50 hours)

  1. Connections to Venting Systems
    1. Equipment Not Required to be Vented
    2. Ventilating Hoods
    3. Direct Vent Equipment
  2. Equipment Draft Requirements
  3. Mechanical Draft Systems
  4. Types of Venting System
  5. Chimneys
    1. Masonry
    2. Metal
    3. Factory Built
    4. Corrugated Chimney Liners
    5. Sizing
  6. Gas Vents
    1. Types
      1. Single Wall
      2. B-Vent
    2. Applications
    3. Terminations
      1. Through the Wall
      2. Through the Roof
    4. Sizing
      1. Tables
      2. 7 X Rule
  7. Condensing Drains
  8. Vent Connectors
    1. Materials
    2. Sizing
      1. Tables
    3. Maximum Length
  9. Draft Hoods and Controls
  10. Vent Dampers

LESSON 5: Gas Utilization in Large Equipment (20 hours)

  1. 7.01  Scope and Purpose
  2. 7.02  Definitions
  3. 7.03  General Provisions
    1. Special Permission
    2. Combustion Air and Ventilation
    3. Accessibility for Cleaning and Inspection
    4. Venting
  4. 7.04  Burner and Control Installations
    1. Main Burners
    2. Controls
    3. Pilots
    4. Pressure Ratings
    5. Shutoff Valves and Regulators
    6. Operating Sequencing
  5. 7.05  Initial Start-up and Adjustments
    1. Authorized Representative
    2. Purging
    3. Tests
    4. Operator Instructions

Tier 3 (GF) - Third Year Lessons

Tier 3 (GF) - Third Year Lessons

LESSON 1: NFPA 58 Storage and Handling of Liquefied Petroleum Gases   10 hours
LESSON 2: Basic Principles of a Propane Gas System   10 hours
LESSON 3-5: Gas Code Review for Exam   75 hours
LESSON 6: Business Related Costs   15 hours

TOTAL

   110 hours

LESSON 1: NFPA 58 Storage and Handling of Liquefied Petroleum Gases (10 hours)

  1. General Provisions
  2. Definitions
  3. Equipment and Appliances
    1. Containers
      1. Gauges
      2. Relief Valves
      3. Protection
      4. Underground
      5. Regulators
  4. Temporary Heat and Food Service

LESSON 2: Basic Principles of a Propane Gas System (10 hours)

  1. Sources and Characteristics of LP Gas
  2. Physical Properties of Propane
  3. Effects of Temperature and Pressure on Propane
  4. Odorants: Purpose, Characteristics, and Maintenance
  5. Combustion Characteristics of Propane
  6. Safe Working Practices and Protective Equipment
  7. Propane Industry Standards, Regulations, and Organizations
  8. Fire Prevention Rules and Procedures
  9. DOT/ICC Cylinders: Construction and Features

LESSON 3:

Thorough review of all sections of the Massachusetts Modifications to Sections of NFPA 54-2012 Edition

  1. All sections when completed will be followed by a multiple choice exam. The number of questions should be appropriate to the length of the section

 

LESSON 4:

Thorough review of Gas Piping Design, Sizing and Installation as referenced in NFPA 54-2012 Edition

  1. All sections when completed will be followed by a multiple choice exam. The number of questions should be appropriate to the length of the section

LESSON 5:

Thorough review of:

  1. Gas equipment Installations as referenced in NFPA 54-2012 Edition
  2. Gas Venting as referenced in NFPA 54-2012 Edition
  3. Large Gas Utilization Equipment 248 CMR 7.00
  4. All sections when completed will be followed by a multiple choice exam. The number of questions should be appropriate to the length of the section

LESSON 6:

  1. Forms of business
    1. Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, Corporation
      1. Required licenses
  1. Business Type
    1. Service, New Construction, Remodeling
    2. Franchise, New Independent Business, Takeover
  2. Start-Up Budget
    1. Legal and Professional Fees
    2. Occupancy
    3. Licenses and Permits
    4. Equipment
    5. Insurance
    6. Supplies
    7. Advertising
    8. Salaries and Wages
      1. Payroll Expenses
    9. Accounting
    10. Income
    11. Utilities
  3. Operating Budget
    1. Personnel
    2. Insurance
    3. Rent
    4. Depreciation
    5. Loan Payments
    6. Advertising
    7. Legal and Accounting
    8. Miscellaneous Expenses
    9. Supplies
    10. Salaries and Wages
      1. Payroll Expenses
    11. Utilities
    12. Taxes
    13. Repairs and Maintenance
  4. Write a Business Plan

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