Entry Level Maintenance
Ready 2 Work Engineering Kick-Start Program
60 hours
This new Ready 2 Work Engineering Kick-Start Program designed to provide you with the training you need to get started in this exciting career as an entry-level building engineer. This course will cover Career Outlook & Professionalism, Electrical and Building Maintenance, HVAC, Plumbing, Fire Alarm & Life Safety and more. A job fair will be included to help you put your training to use after you have successfully completed Ready 2 Work.
Low Pressure Boilers
60 hours
No pretest required. This is a beginner’s class for those with one year or less experience who wish to get the basic knowledge of “steam and hot water heating systems.” This provides the basic information to put you on the road to becoming a licensed engineer. This is not a prep course for the 6th Class license, although it may be useful. Intermediate English skills required. Course Curriculum Covers: Boilers: boiler room safety; boiler fittings; boiler room terminology; feed water accessories; fuel oil systems; combustion accessories; feed water systems; draft systems; water treatment; steam systems and boiler operations
Principles of Electricity
36 hours
No prerequisites required. This is a beginner’s course which starts with the basic elements of circuitry, safety rules, understanding of terminology and simple mathematical calculations. It prepares the student for all other aspects of engineering. This course is designed to allow the student to progress directly to our Electrical Systems, Code and Theory course. This is not a wiring class. This course is required for Electrical Systems, Code and Theory, Controls and Air Conditioning I. Basic English and math skills required.
Plant Equipment and Operations
30 hours
No pretest is required for this class. This course teaches the basic operation and maintenance of heating systems, air conditioning systems and auxiliary equipment. This 10-week course will also cover the preventive maintenance aspect of these systems. Course Curriculum Covers: Boiler operation and Air Conditioning systems – daily, monthly, and yearly preventive maintenance. Air handlers, pumps, towers, air compressors and other auxiliary equipment. Other topics include safety issues related to these systems and setting up preventive maintenance schedules for equipment.
Boiler Operations
Low Pressure Boilers
60 hours
No pretest required. This is a beginner’s class for those with one year or less experience who wish to get the basic knowledge of “steam and hot water heating systems.” This provides the basic information to put you on the road to becoming a licensed engineer. This is not a prep course for the 6th Class license, although it may be useful. Intermediate English skills required. Course Curriculum Covers: Boilers: boiler room safety; boiler fittings; boiler room terminology; feed water accessories; fuel oil systems; combustion accessories; feed water systems; draft systems; water treatment; steam systems and boiler operations.
High Pressure Boilers
60 hours
Completion of a Low Pressure Boiler Course, or Licensure (DC 6; MD 3; NIULPE 3) is required. This is curriculum based on selected study materials for the DC Licensing Exam. Because the DC 3rd class test covers more than just steam, this course is not advertised as a prep course, but it focuses on the exam. Course Curriculum Covers: High pressure boilers; boiler fittings; water treatment; fuels and firing equipment; pumps; steam engines; automatic boiler control; boiler operation/maintenance and duplex pumps.
Electrical
Principles of Electricity
36 hours
No prerequisites required. This is a beginner’s course which starts with the basic elements of circuitry, safety rules, understanding of terminology and simple mathematical calculations. It prepares the student for all other aspects of engineering. This course is designed to allow the student to progress directly to our Electrical Systems, Code and Theory course. This is not a wiring class. This course is required for Electrical Systems, Code and Theory, Controls and Air Conditioning I. Basic English and math skills required.
Electric Motors
30 hours
Completion of the Principles of Electricity course is required. This course will focus on single phase and three phase A/C motors. How motors start and run, electromagnetism, and practical applications of induction type, split phase and capacitor type motors will be covered. Basic English and Math skills required.
Electrical Systems, Code & Theory
60 hours
Completion of the Principles of Electricity course is required, and intermediate English skills are necessary. This intermediate-level course will focus on electrical principles and components, inductance and capacitance, motors and motor starters, measuring instruments and their use; single and three phase fundamentals, various in-class exercises; alternating current characteristics; safety; electrical formulas and their applications. This course will explore and clarify updated code information. Please note: This is not a wiring class. As time permits there may be some hands-on exercises.
Schematics
30 hours
Completion of Principles of Electricity course is required. A basic understanding of A/C and electrical components and how they apply to HVAC is necessary before taking this course. Curriculum includes wiring, diagrams, symbols, legends, walk thru and troubleshooting of ladder wiring diagrams for control circuits. No pretest is required for this course. Basic English skills required.
HVAC
Air Conditioning I
60 hours (includes 1 lab – 6 hrs)
Completion of Principles of Electricity class is required. This entry-level course concentrates on basic refrigeration circuits up to 20 ton package and split systems – air and water cooled. The goal is for students to develop a basic understanding of the refrigeration cycle and its components. Students are required to attend one weekend lab session. Intermediate English skills are required.
All A/C I students are required to attend 1 day of lab held at our Alexandria location on Saturday mornings from 9am to 3pm.
A/C I, A/C II, and A/C III all use the same textbook.
Air Conditioning II
60 hours (includes 2 labs – 6hrs each)
Completion of Principles of Electricity and Air Conditioning I – Introduction courses are required. This course covers step- by-step methods of analyzing why a system will not run or is inefficient. Procedures are taught in service person’s language. Electrical and mechanical problems and solutions are covered. Students may be advised to transfer to a lower level course based on a pretest. The textbook is the same as A/C I. Students are required to attend two (2) lab sessions on two weekends. Intermediate English skills required.
All A/C II students are required to attend 2 days of labs held at our Alexandria location on Saturday mornings from 9am to 3pm.
A/C I, A/C II, and A/C III all use the same textbook.
Air Conditioning III
60 hours
Completion of Air Conditioning I, II, and Heat Pump courses is required. This course will focus on large commercial systems including, but not limited to: The study of Psychometrics, Air and Water balancing, Heat load calculations, Chiller Systems, Chiller simulation hands-on experience, Understanding VAV operation, EMS electrical savings, Review of plant operations, Pumps and Cooling towers, Heat Pumps and Troubleshooting Gas and Oil Rooftop units. The textbook is the same as A/C I Students may be advised to transfer to a lower level course based on a pretest.
A/C I, A/C II, and A/C III all use the same textbook.
Heat Pumps
60 hours
Completion of Air Conditioning I and Air Conditioning II classes is required. This course specifically covers heat pump operation cycle and efficiency, compressors and motor controls, refrigerant controls, reversing valves, air and water coils, defrosting cycles, supplemental heat, service and troubleshooting and wiring diagrams. Students may be advised to transfer to a lower level course based on a pretest. Advanced English skills required.
Refrigeration
60 hours
Completion of Air Conditioning I and Air Conditioning II courses is required. This course will concentrate on commercial refrigeration and ice machines. Course will cover installation and service of walk-ins, reach-ins, and ice machines as used primarily in the food service industry and in retail stores. Intermediate English skills required
Controls
Controls
60 hours
Completion of Principles of Electricity and Air Conditioning I is required. This course will cover basic building operations and HVAC systems, as they relate to control systems and components. Specific subjects include: on-off control, switching, control methods, control strategies and control components. Control systems terminology will also be covered, along with input and output measuring methods, psychometrics and control logic. Basic English and Math skills required.
Management
The Managing Engineer
45 hours
This course is recommended for individuals who have several years in the field and desire to learn the many aspects of a supervisor’s fiduciary duties and responsibilities that they will encounter as a Managing Engineer. This course provides the student with an understanding and introduction to the tools, management skills, objectives, and general knowledge and understanding a supervisor needs to become an effective manager and leader. The course curriculum also covers the following: Business Writing (reports and email communication), Project Management, Organizational Skills, and Crisis Management. The course expands the student’s knowledge of Word and Excel.
Using Excel, students will create a budget for a building, including equipment and costs. This exercise challenges the students to generate a 5-year budget forecast that differentiates between a general operating budget and a Capitol Project budget. Students will improve their interpersonal skills for internal and external customer service. This course covers the interview process for both the interviewer and the interviewee. The class curriculum closes with a video presentation on a subject selected by the student and presented to their fellow classmates. This tool provides the student with an understanding of the skills needed to conduct meetings, give presentations, and speak in public. English skills in verbal and written communication are a requirement. This course is required to receive the Supervising Engineer Award. Advanced English skills required.
Miscellaneous
Blueprint Reading
30 hours
No pretest is required for this course. This course is designed to provide information on reading and interpreting building plans and specifications. Types of drawings, details, symbols, and schedules are introduced. Upon course completion, students will be able to understand the drawings and schematics for their buildings, increasing their ability to communicate with contractors, architects and management. Intermediate English skills required.
License and Exam Prep
Virginia Journeyman and Master Mechanical
45 hours
A review for air conditioning, heating, sheet metal, and plumbing mechanics preparing for VA Journeyman or Master Mechanical License exams. For license information call (804) 367-8500. Virginia and Maryland licenses are now reciprocal.
LEED-Green Associate Prep Seminar
16 hours
Practice Examinations; LEED Credit Categories; study methods; exam preparation.
The LEED Green Associate (LEED-GA) credential is intended for professionals who want to demonstrate Green Building expertise in non-technical fields of practice. The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) has created this credential, which denotes basic knowledge of green design, construction and operations. Applications and fees for the LEED-GA examination are conducted through GBCI.
Completion of this seminar is required for the Certified Supervising Engineer (CSE) Certificate.
National Institute for the Uniform Licensing of Power Engineers (NIULPE)
16 hours
The National Institute for the Uniform Licensing of Power Engineers (NIUPLE) is a third-party certification organization mandated to establish and maintain international standards of education and competency for the power and energy related trades and professions. Several trades and professions included in these standards are boiler operators, firemen, water tenders, operating engineers, stationary engineers, power plant operators, refrigeration plant operators and turbine operators.
NIUPLE is offered at the NAPE Educational Foundation on the last Tuesday of each month at 5:00 PM. Call Donald Peters at 703-501-6588 or Mario Cerritos at 703-629-1707. For more information visit www.niulpe.org.
Tests
CFC Seminar and Test
12 hours
Seminar for four sessions. Test is on the last session.
In this EPA approved program, topics will include CFC containment methods, legal requirements, existing and new refrigerants, and basic understanding of the refrigeration cycle and system components.
CFC Test/Retest Only
First Test $90, Retest $70 (if last taken within three months)
NAPEEF is a certifying organization for the EPA Technician Certification exam in accordance with Section 608 of the Clean Air Act.
Dates: Test sessions at 2:00pm: Call 703-845-7055 for current testing schedule.
No PO#’s accepted for payment. Pre-registration is preferred, but same day registration no later than 1:00pm is allowed.
Seminars
R410-A and New Refrigerants Seminar and Certification
6 hours
Prerequisites: Air Conditioning I and CFC Universal. This seminar will cover characteristics (pressures, etc.) of 410-A; evacuation requirements; servicing; installation; disposal; safety; cylinders, etc. The seminar is an exam preparation for NAPE’s 410-A Certification test, which is administered at the end of the seminar. R-410 A Certification is required for the GCAR Certificate.
CFC Seminar and Test
12 hours
Seminar for four sessions. Test is on the last session.
In this EPA approved program, topics will include CFC containment methods, legal requirements, existing and new refrigerants, and basic understanding of the refrigeration cycle and system components.