(a) General requirements. This course is recommended for students in Grades 10-12. Recommended prerequisite: Principles of Architecture, Principles of Construction, or Construction Technology I. Students shall be awarded one credit for successful completion of this course.
(b) Introduction.
  (1) Career and technical education instruction provides content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills for students to further their education and succeed in current or emerging professions.
  (2) The Architecture and Construction Career Cluster focuses on designing, planning, managing, building, and maintaining the built environment.
  (3) In Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) and Refrigeration Technology I, students will gain knowledge and skills needed to enter the industry as technicians in the HVAC and refrigeration industry or building maintenance industry, prepare for a postsecondary degree in a specified field of construction management, or pursue an approved apprenticeship program. Students will acquire knowledge and skills in safety, principles of HVAC theory, use of tools, codes, and installation of HVAC and refrigeration equipment.
  (4) Students are encouraged to participate in extended learning experiences such as career and technical student organizations and other leadership or extracurricular organizations.
  (5) Statements that contain the word "including" reference content that must be mastered, while those containing the phrase "such as" are intended as possible illustrative examples.
(c) Knowledge and skills.
  (1) The student demonstrates professional standards/employability skills as required by business and industry. The student is expected to:
    (A) identify job opportunities with their accompanying job duties in occupations such as electrician, building maintenance technician or manager, and electrical engineer; and
    (B) research career pathways along with the education, job skills, and experience required to achieve a career goal.
  (2) The student learns the basic principles of HVAC and refrigeration. The student is expected to:
    (A) explain the basic principles of HVAC;
    (B) describe what the Clean Air Act means to the HVAC and refrigeration industry; and
    (C) identify the types of schedules and drawings used by the HVAC and refrigeration industry.
  (3) The student applies knowledge and skills in mathematics as they relate to HVAC and the principles of refrigeration. The student is expected to:
    (A) identify similar units of measurement in both English and the International System (SI) of units;
    (B) calculate and convert measured values and volumes expressed in mathematical equations and formulas; and
    (C) convert temperature values between Celsius and Fahrenheit.
  (4) The student selects, prepares, connects, and installs copper and plastic piping and fittings. The student is expected to:
    (A) state the precautions that must be taken when installing refrigerant piping;
    (B) select, cut, and bend the right copper tubing for the job;
    (C) safely connect tubing, using flare and compression fittings;
    (D) determine the correct hardware and supports needed for refrigerant pipe installations;
    (E) describe the basic requirements needed to identify and install various types of plastic pipe and state their uses;
    (F) demonstrate various methods used to pressure test HVAC systems;
    (G) identify types of plastic pipe and state their uses; and
    (H) cut and join lengths of plastic pipe.
  (5) The student cuts, threads, and joins ferrous piping. The student is expected to:
    (A) assemble and operate the tools used for soldering;
    (B) prepare tubing and fittings for soldering;
    (C) identify the purposes and uses of solder and solder fluxes;
    (D) solder copper tubing fittings;
    (E) assemble and operate the tools used for brazing;
    (F) prepare tubing and fittings for brazing;
    (G) identify the purposes and uses of filler metals and fluxes used for brazing;
    (H) braze copper tubing and fittings;
    (I) identify the inert gases that can be used safely to purge tubing when brazing;
    (J) identify the types of ferrous metal pipes;
    (K) accurately measure the sizes of ferrous metal pipes;
    (L) identify the common malleable iron fittings;
    (M) cut, ream, and thread ferrous metal pipe;
    (N) join lengths of threaded pipe together and install fittings;
    (O) describe the main points to consider when installing pipe runs; and
    (P) describe the methods used to join grooved piping.
  (6) The student knows electrical principles, power generation and distribution, electrical components, direct current circuits, and electrical safety. The student is expected to:
    (A) explain how electrical power is distributed;
    (B) describe how voltage, current, resistance, and power are related;
    (C) calculate the current, voltage, and resistance in a circuit using Ohm's law;
    (D) calculate how much power is consumed by a circuit using the power formula;
    (E) describe the differences between series and parallel circuits and calculate loads in each;
    (F) describe the purpose and operation of the various electrical components used in HVAC equipment;
    (G) state and demonstrate the safety precautions that must be followed when working on electrical equipment;
    (H) make voltage, current, and resistance measurements using electrical test equipment; and
    (I) read and interpret common electrical symbols.
  (7) The student learns the principles of heat transfer, refrigeration, pressure temperature relationships, and the components and accessories used in air conditioning systems. The student is expected to:
    (A) explain how heat transfer occurs in a cooling system, demonstrating an understanding of the terms and concepts used in the refrigeration cycle;
    (B) calculate the temperature and pressure relationships at key points in the refrigeration cycle;
    (C) under supervision, use temperature- and pressure-measuring instruments to make readings at key points in the refrigeration cycle;
    (D) identify commonly used refrigerants and demonstrate the procedures for handling these refrigerants;
    (E) identify the major components of a cooling system and explain how each type works;
    (F) identify the major accessories available for cooling systems and explain how each works;
    (G) identify the control devices used in cooling systems and explain how each works; and
    (H) demonstrate the correct methods to be used when piping a refrigeration system.
  (8) The student learns heating fundamentals, types and designs of furnaces and their components, and basic procedures for installing and servicing furnaces. The student is expected to:
    (A) explain the three methods by which heat is transferred and give an example of each;
    (B) describe how combustion occurs and identify the by-products of combustion;
    (C) identify the various types of fuels used in heating;
    (D) identify the major components and accessories of an induced draft and condensing gas furnace and explain the function of each component;
    (E) describe the factors that must be considered when installing a furnace;
    (F) identify the major components of a gas furnace and describe how each works;
    (G) use a manometer under supervision to measure and adjust manifold pressure on a gas furnace;
    (H) identify the major components of an oil furnace and describe how each component works; and
    (I) perform furnace preventive maintenance procedures such as cleaning and filter replacement under supervision.
  (9) The student gains knowledge and skills related to air distribution systems. The student is expected to:
    (A) describe the airflow and pressures in a basic forced-air distribution system;
    (B) explain the differences between propeller and centrifugal fans and blowers;
    (C) identify the various types of duct systems and explain why and where each type is used;
    (D) demonstrate or explain the installation of metal, fiberboard, and flexible duct;
    (E) demonstrate or explain the installation of fittings and transitions used in duct systems;
    (F) demonstrate or explain the use and installation of diffusers, registers, and grilles used in duct systems;
    (G) demonstrate or explain the use and installation of dampers used in duct systems;
    (H) demonstrate or explain the use and installation of insulation and vapor barriers used in duct systems;
    (I) identify the instruments used to make measurements in air systems and explain the use of each instrument; and
    (J) make accurate temperature, air pressure, and velocity measurements in an air distribution system.

Source Note: The provisions of this §130.59 adopted to be effective August 28, 2017, 40 TexReg 9123