Alaska 8 Hour Plumbing CE Industry-Related: Water Heaters & Common Problems

This course provides licensees in Alaska with a master class in water heaters, followed by a survey of the most common, avoidable problems that affect plumbing in Alaska. The class is divided into two Modules:

Module #1 Water Heaters: A look at water heaters from every angle, including: 

• How they work and available options;
• Proper sizing;
• Codes and Standards including highlights from the 2015 IPC© & 2015 UPC©; 
• Venting, Cathodic Protection, Managing pressure & Expansion Tanks; 
• Managing temperature & scalding risk; 
• Using water heaters to heat spaces, floors, and driveways; 
• Green water heaters including Water Conservation, Geothermal, Demand Hot Water Recirculating Systems & Solar Water Heaters; and
• Harmful microbes including Controlling Legionella. 
• Best practices, including, Selection, Maintenance & Coping with DIY Plumbing

Module #2 What Could Go Wrong? Common Plumbing Problems: The class approaches this topic with the following lessons: 

• Ten Common & Avoidable Plumbing Problems, including pipe noise; optimal slopes, mismatched pipes, air gaps, floor drains, cleanouts & handicapped access
• Traps – understanding them & what can go wrong
• Vents – principles, rules & a look at common, circuit, island & relief vents
• Cross-Connection –  Risk Assessment; Causes (Siphonage & Back-Pressure); Protection Strategies, including Recommended Passive and Active Device Types for Specific Applications, and Potential Problems
• Corrosion Control, including Materials, Design, Protective Coating & Passivation, Cathodic Protection, Dielectric Protection & Water Treatment
• Customer-Created Problems – Drain abuse, DIY plumbers, and the role of professionalism