Most people are familiar with plumbers who come to their home to unclog a drain or install an appliance. In addition to these activities, however, plumbers install, maintain, and repair many different types of pipe systems. For example, some systems move water to a municipal water treatment plant and then to residential, commercial, and public buildings. Other systems dispose of waste, provide gas to stoves and furnaces, or supply air conditioning. Pipe systems in power plants carry the steam that powers huge turbines. Pipes also are used in manufacturing plants, such as wineries, to move material through production processes.
NCCER's four-level curriculum covers topics such as Plumbing Tools, Types of Valves, and Potable Water Treatment.