Education
Fundamentals of Piping Systems – 6 Part Series
Wednesday January 27, 2027 @ 8:00 am - Wednesday March 3, 2027 @ 11:00 am
Who Should Register
Eligible Roles:
Project Managers, Project Engineers, Estimators, and Purchasing Staff
Experience Required: 2 – 5 years of full-time industry experience
Registration Limit: Two (2) employees per signatory contractor. Additional employees may be submitted to be placed on a waitlist.
How to Register
Registration must be submitted by email. Email Jacki Conn to register participants and submit additional employees for the waitlist. Class size is limited to 20 participants. If space remains after January 11, waitlisted participants will be added.
Attendance Requirement
This is a 6-part seminar series, and participants are expected to attend all six sessions. Please register only if you can commit to full attendance. Exceptions are made only for unforeseen circumstances such as illness or work emergencies.
Fundamentals of Piping Systems
This six-part series is designed specifically for Project Managers, Project Engineers, Estimators, and Purchasing Staff working for mechanical contractors. Through hands-on activities, product demonstrations, and practical instruction, participants will build a working knowledge of piping materials, joining methods, and system components, and installation practices. Sessions will be hosted at different locations and are designed to provide the technical knowledge needed to effectively support detailing and field staff.
Participants will learn to identify materials and components, understand common installation and joining methods, recognize quality workmanship and common failure points, and make more informed decisions related to estimating, planning, coordination, and field execution.
Schedule at a Glance
This program consists of six 3-hour seminars.
Classes are 8 AM – 11 AM unless otherwise noted.
| Date | Course Title | Location |
| 1/27/27 | Copper & Carbon Steel – Product Identification and Material Selection | MKS Pipe & Valve |
| 2/3/27 | Copper & Threaded Steel Pipe – Understanding Installation and Joining Methods | Local 8 |
| 2/10/27 | Carbon Steel Joining Methods – Understanding Installation and Joining Methods | Local 533 |
| 2/17/27 | Valves: Fundamentals & Selection | MCAKC |
| 2/23/27 (Tue.) |
Insulation & Hangers | MCAKC |
| 3/3/27 | BACnet Secure Connect: What Is It & Why It Matters | MCAKC |
Seminar Details
Seminar 1 — Copper & Carbon Steel: Product Identification and Material Selection
Location: MKS Pipe & Valve
This session provides a foundational understanding of copper and carbon steel piping products from a supplier and material-selection perspective. Topics include pipe types, manufacturing methods, sizing terminology, pressure and temperature ratings, corrosion considerations, and appropriate applications. Attendees compare material samples, fittings, flange types, and dissimilar-metal connection components through hands-on examples.
This session provides a foundational understanding of copper and carbon steel piping products from a supplier and material-selection perspective. Topics include pipe types, manufacturing methods, sizing terminology, pressure and temperature ratings, corrosion considerations, and appropriate applications. Attendees compare material samples, fittings, flange types, and dissimilar-metal connection components through hands-on examples.
Seminar 2 — Copper & Threaded Steel Pipe: Installation Techniques and Joining Methods
Location: Local 8 Training Center
This session covers soldering, brazing, pressing, grooved connections, and threaded steel pipe assembly. Participants examine cutting tools, torches, purge methods, manufacturer-specific press technologies, and inspection criteria for properly executed joints. Instruction will include information on domestic water, hydronic piping, specialty systems, medical gas, copper-to-steel transitions, lead-free requirements, testing procedures, and safety practices.
Seminar 3 — Carbon Steel Joining Methods: Installation Techniques & Field Practices
Location: Local 533 Training Center
Participants will observe the setup process for welded, grooved, socket-weld, and flanged joints including pipe cutting and beveling, fit-up, consumables, and considerations for different pipe schedules and diameters. Safety, tool requirements, testing methods, and visual inspection criteria are emphasized to help project teams understand the labor, time, and quality impacts of various joining methods.
Seminar 4 — Insulation & Hangers
Location: MCAKC
This seminar explores insulation materials and installation standards along with pipe hangers, supports, spacing, vibration isolation, and load considerations essential to maintaining system integrity.
Seminar 5 — Valves: Fundamentals & Selection
Location: MCAKC
Participants will receive a practical introduction to valves used in mechanical piping systems including valve functions, common valve types and applications, materials, pressure ratings, industry standards, actuation, and key considerations for valve selection. The session also addresses common valve failures and how proper specification, installation, and operation contribute to reliable system performance.
Seminar 6 — BACnet Secure Connect: What Is It & Why It Matters
Location: MCAKC
As building automation systems become increasingly connected to enterprise networks and the cloud, cybersecurity has become a critical consideration. BACnet Secure Connect (BACnet/SC) addresses this challenge through encrypted communications, certificate-based authentication, and a secure hub-and-spoke architecture. This session will explain what BACnet/SC is, how it works, and how it differs from traditional BACnet/IP. Attendees will explore implementation considerations and learn how BACnet/SC can support modern cybersecurity practices and frameworks.
Tuition
There is no charge for employees of MCAKC Member Contractors Signatory to Local 8 & 533.
$1,000
for Non-Members Signatory to Local 8 & 533
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations for all MCAKC events must be received at least 2 Business Days prior to the event by email to [email protected] or by phone at 913-948-9200. Cancellations received after this time will be assessed a $100 cancellation fee.
Cancellations for all MCAKC events must be received at least 2 Business Days prior to the event by email to [email protected] or by phone at 913-948-9200. Cancellations received after this time will be assessed a $100 cancellation fee.
“No Shows” will be assessed a fee (see below) and invoiced accordingly.
$100 Event Duration: Up to 4 Hours
$150 Event Duration: Over 4 Hours (Should the event cover more than one day, this fee will apply for each day of event)