Pipework Skills

Know the resources required to produce copper pipework.

Plumbing hand tools

• pipe benders and guides
• pipe cutters
• hacksaw
• file
• wire wool

Plumbing materials

• 15mm copper pipework
• 22mm copper pipework
• end feed fittings

                                - bends

                                - tees

                                - straight connectors

• compression fittings

                              - bends

                              - tees 

                              - straight connectors

Plumbing jointing methods

• use of compression fittings with olives
• end feed soldered joints
• soldered ring fittings
• push fit fittings

Assessment Criteria

• 1.1

  Identify plumbing hand tools for working with copper.

• 1.2

  Identify copper materials and fittings for plumbing tasks.

• 1.3

  Identify methods of jointing pipework.

Be able to produce copper pipework.

Plumbing jointing

• use of pipe benders to form a pulled bend to a measured radius
• assembling pipework using compression fittings
• soldering pipework using a range of fittings
• forming a sealed joint to a plumbing fitting using sealant gun

Assessment Criteria

• 2.1

  Use safe working practices to form a pulled bend.

• 2.2

  Demonstrate plumbing joints using a range of compression fittings.

• 2.3

  Demonstrate soldering techniques using end feed fittings.

• 2.4

  Demonstrate finishing fittings with sealant.

Be able to pressure test copper pipework.

Pressure testing

• set up and fill reservoir of a pressure tester
• connect plumbing pipework
• hand pump pressure until failure reached
• record test measurements taken

Assessment Criteria

• 3.1

  Use safe working practices to pressure test a copper pipework joint.

• 3.2

  Record the test findings.