BLCT - Building Construction

This course covers the use and maintenance of the most commonly used machines on a construction site.  The course emphasizes safe operation as well as basic operating techniques for each machine.  This will include safe setup of machines as well as excavating foundations, septic systems, driveways, etc.

This course introduces hand and power tools.  Skills are developed through practical experience in tool usage through a series of required projects.  Students will learn hand tool skills by completing a series of wood joints using chisels, planes, handsaws, and layout tools.  Students will expand on these skills while building two shop projects; one project using only hand tools and the other project introducing them to stationary power tools, usage, setup and safety.  Power tools used include table saws, radial arm saws, jointers, planers, band saws, drills, and sanders

This course provides students with a basic knowledge of residential floor and wall framing and introduces them to codes relevant to these systems. The course content includes applicable terminology, plan reading necessary for layout, and instruction in framing conventional floor and wall systems. Units also included are sheathing materials and installation, insulation products with with reference to energy codes and installation, roofing materials, and hand tool/power hand tool safety.

Provides a comprehensive overview of safety requirements on job sites with emphasis on OSHA and NIOSH requirements. Presents basic requirements for personal protection, safely driving equipment, and HazCom.

Provides a broad introduction to the processes of planning and executing earth moving activities on various types of construction projects.  Explains the uses of heavy equipment such as bulldozers, scrapers, excavators, and loaders.

This course provides an overview of soil composition and characteristics.  The students will describe different types of soil classification methods and how to use them.  The course introduces the concept of soil compaction in highway and building construction.

This course introduces shop drawings, hand and stationary power tools, covering interpretation, usage, setup and safety. Skills are developed through practical experience in tool usage through a series of required projects. Each student will build projects that will require shop drawing interpretation, setup and safe use of tools and machines, along with the setup and use of jigs.

This course provides students with the necessary tools to pursue an entry level career in construction supervision/management. Topics include but are not limited to safety, contracts, estimating, blue print reading, planning, scheduling, human relations, quality control, cost awareness, documents, negations, and problem solving.

This course covers basic block laying, sizes, uses, layout, bonding, footers, and foundations. The various types of mortar mixes and the evolution of the masonry trade, its tools and materials will be studied. Foundation drainage and damp proofing and an introduction to bricklaying are also covered in this course.

This course expands on BLCT 1022 Wood Fabrication Technology I., covering hand and power tools usage through practical experience with the tools.  Each student will build projects that will require shop drawing interpretation and copying pieces from a jig or actual item.  Compound bevels and cutting techniques are introduced that require advanced setups on the table saw and other power tools in the lab.  Students are expected to produce a higher quality project.  All tool usage is encouraged (hand and power).

This course presents proper practices for setting grades off benchmarks and describes methods of setting grades using various types of levels.  The trainee is taught how to read and interpret construction plans to determine grading requirements.  It will review basic grading operations, and also cover site prep, U.F.P.O., contours, establishing grades, reading and understanding site plans.

In this course we will examine accepted methods used in the assessment, measuring, and documentation of a historic timber frame. We will study the systems historically used to lay out timbers for fabrication, measurement systems used by the builders, and standardization of the surfaces used for reference.

This course provides the student with a basic knowledge of residential siding. Course content includes applicable terminology, comparisons of different siding types and installation instruction for several types of siding. A unit on cornice design and installation and a unit on windows are included, covering design criteria as specified by building and energy codes as well as installation.

This course explores a variety of structural components and building practices in frame construction. Major topics include manufactured building materials, span and load bearing requirements, floor systems, roof systems, fastening techniques, and estimating, as well as common frame construction techniques. The lab exercises allow the student to practice the layout, assembly, and construction of a variety of structural components with concentration on common rafters and manufactured joists, trusses, and beams.

This course discusses the materials and techniques historically used in the construction of residential windows and doors, and methods commonly used in their restoration. We will cover maintenance issues, glazing options, hardware, wood sash restoration, sill replacement, painting, weather stripping, interior/exterior storm windows, and energy efficiency, as well as appropriate replacement of missing/damaged parts. Appropriate wood species and wood quality issues will be covered.

This course teaches advanced safety techniques and requirements for heavy equipment operators and emphasizes organizing and conducting safety meetings. Discussions include OSHA hazardous material requirements and safe operation of equipment. Course topics also include safety reporting, inspections and investigations.

This course addresses problems associated with bridged areas and breakthroughs, as well as soil stabilization.  It presents the proper use of geo-textile materials. Students will review soil compaction requirements, specific procedures for running moisture-density tests and methods of fixing compaction problems.

In this course students will learn the principles of project planning, scheduling, estimating, and management, and the basic skills required for supervising personnel.

Course instruction provides basic management knowledge and skills for a residential job site lead carpenter or supervisor. A systematic approach to obtain and manage small projects successfully.

This course covers the evaluation of overall conditions found in older buildings.  Students will learn about the construction techniques used in remodeling and how they differ from new construction.  This will include the process of identifying and handling hazardous materials, historical framing styles, and different styles of interior and exterior trim.

Course instruction provides basic computer aided drafting (CAD) techniques.  Eight initial projects incorporate the application of appropriate commands, including drawing file management and software settings.  CAD basics introduced in lecture are then applied in a laboratory setting with emphasis on developing CAD preliminary residential prints.

This course covers instruction in blueprint reading, concentrating on plumbing blueprints, building blueprints, and instruction in the use of the architect's scale for taking measurements.  The course covers all components of a wood frame structure including foundations.  Students will be taught the proper installation of piping and fixtures so as not to jeopardize the building's structural integrity.

This course covers the study and instruction of various types of copper pipe & tubing and proper methods of joining. Also includes instruction on fitting use and proper code applications. The methods of testing potable water lines are also covered.

This course covers the study of safety practices and OSHA training related to the plumbing trades.  All students obtain a 10-hour OSHA training card upon successful completion of the course.  The history of plumbing and how plumbing systems and codes originated is covered.  This course also covers the instruction in the proper care, use, and application of various hand and power tools used in the plumbing trade.

This course covers instruction of various fuels used in the heating trades and methods of converting fuels for various applications. The theory of combustion and combustion troubleshooting is also covered in the course. Common forced air furnace parts and components are discussed and various manufacture retrofit products are applied. This course also includes basic wiring of conventional forced air furnaces and principles and troubleshooting of furnace electronic ignition.

The objective of this course is to develop skills in the installation and service of electrical components of gas and oil forced air furnaces. This includes gas standing pilot and electronic ignition systems. It applies to both 80% and 90% efficient furnaces including those with integrated circuit boards.

This course describes the necessary procedures for preparing ground for highway/heavy construction.  It explains soil basics, including terminology, identification, and classification.  Earth moving operations, such as laying out slopes and grades, site excavation, and hauling, are addressed along with methods of stabilizing soils.

This course is an overview of the basic requirements of ownership and operation of a small construction business.  The course also covers the building code sections that establish minimum standards for public safety and protect consumers from hazardous design and construction.

Students will develop a working knowledge of blueprints and specifications for masonry projects. Topics will include masonry cost and material estimating, job site preparation and construction. Students will interpret and apply standards commonly used in masonry construction.

This course is an overview of basic remodeling, plumbing, heating and electrical installation to develop job site coordination and cooperation among various trades working at a site. This includes hands on experience with electric, heating, and plumbing.

This course covers instruction in the many types of furnace duct work and proper application of various duct fittings. Proper application and installation of furnace air distribution systems is also covered. Instruction on Type B galvanized sheet metal vent pipe and components is given and the proper sizing and installation of this metal piping is covered. Sheet metal math such as perimeter, area, and volume is also included in this course.

This course covers instruction in the proper use and application of various hand and power tools used in the sheet metal trade. Sheet metal trade and tool safety is also covered in this unit. Students will be introduced to different sheet metal types and their proper applications as well as mechanical drawing. Students will develop and lay out patterns for sheet metal to be cut and formed.

Students will determine the heat loss and heat gain in a residential or small commercial building, which would allow a technician to determine what size equipment and to select and size heating and cooling duct work and diffusers.

Students will learn the fundamentals of duct system design as it applies to residential forced air heating and cooling systems.  This includes an in-depth look at blower performance and equipment which affects airflow in ductwork.

Course instruction provides basic management skills for a residential job site lead carpenter or supervisor.  This course includes information on hiring workers, managing sub-contractors, material deliveries, scheduling, contracts, and documentation.