Start Date: 2/3/2026 8:00 AM CST
End Date: 3/10/2026 11:00 AM CDT
Venue Name: Various Locations
Location:
MO United States 00000
Organization Name:
MCAKC
Contact:
Fundamentals of Piping Systems
Registration is limited to two (2) employees per signatory contractor.
Attendance is reserved for Project Managers, Project Engineers, Estimators, and Purchasing Staff.
To register participants and add additional employees to the waitlist, you must email Jacki Conn. If space remains available after
January 16, waitlisted individuals will be added. Class size is limited to 20.
Fundamentals of Piping Systems is a new five-part series designed specifically for Project Managers, Project Engineers, Estimators, and Purchasing Staff working for mechanical contractors. Through a combination of hands-on activities, product demonstrations, and practical instruction, this program builds a clear understanding of the piping materials, joining methods, and system components encountered in mechanical and plumbing installations. This series will be hosted at different locations each week, and will break down the technical information you need to know to support detailing and field staff.
Each three-hour weekly seminar focuses on a major material category or system component, guiding attendees through product identification, installation methods, safety considerations, quality assurance practices, and how these factors influence estimating, project planning, coordination, and field execution.
Participants will gain familiarity with tools and equipment used in fabrication and joining, learn how to recognize quality workmanship, understand common failure points, and develop a stronger ability to make informed material and method selections on their projects.
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 exercises to reinforce practical identification skills.
Seminar 2 — Carbon Steel Joining Methods: Installation Techniques & Field Practices
Location: Local 533 Training Center
Focusing on installation, this seminar walks participants through real-world demonstrations of welded, grooved, socket-weld, and flanged joints. Attendees observe the step-by-step weld process, 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 time, labor, and quality impacts of various joining methods.
Seminar 3 — 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 highlights applications such as domestic water, hydronic piping, specialty systems, and medical gas. Copper-to-steel transitions, lead-free requirements, testing procedures, and safety practices are also covered.
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 & Specialty Items
Location: MCAKC
This seminar reviews valve technologies, selection criteria, flow characteristics, and specialty components used throughout mechanical piping systems.
This program consists of 5, three-hour weekly seminars.
Classes are 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM unless otherwise noted below.
Courses
| Date |
Course Title |
Location |
| 2/10/26 |
Copper & Carbon Steel - Product Identification and Material Selection |
MKS Pipe & Value |
| 2/17/26 |
Carbon Steel Joining Methods - Understanding Installation and Joining Methods |
Local 533 |
| 2/24/26 |
Copper & Threaded Steel Pipe - Understanding Installation and Joining Methods |
Local 8 |
| 3/3/26 |
Insulation & Hangers |
MCAKC |
| 3/10/26 |
Valves & Specialty Items |
MCAKC |
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 learn@mcakc.org 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)
