Training Courses

Participants in the R-2000 Initiative must take training before they can be licensed by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) (as R-2000 builders and service providers) or they can work on an R-2000 home (as mechanical systems designers and installers).

There are various mandatory training requirements for becoming an R-2000 builder or becoming an R-2000 service provider. In addition, the R-2000 Initiative recommends attending optional courses for further professional development.

Contact the regional R-2000 service organization in your area for more information.

• R-2000 Builder Workshop
• R-2000 Builder Update Workshop
• R-2000 Plan Evaluation Workshop
• R-2000 Inspection Workshop
• HVAC courses offered by the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI)
  • HRAI Residential Mechanical Ventilation Installation
  • HRAI Residential Mechanical Ventilation Design
  • HRAI Residential Heat Loss and Heat Gain Calculations
  • HRAI Residential Air System Design
  • HRAI Residential Integrated Combo Systems
  • HRAI Residential Commissioning
  • HRAI/R-2000 Service Provider HVAC courses
    
    
• Corporation des maîtres mécaniciens en tuyauterie du Québec (CMMTQ)
• Heating, Ventilation and Cooling Industry (HVCI) Association of British Columbia
• Wood Energy Technical Training (WETT) courses

R-2000 Builder Workshop

This two-day workshop covers the technical requirements of the R-2000 Standard building science principles, barrier systems, windows, foundations, advanced construction and air-sealing techniques, mechanical systems, marketing and an overview of the R-2000 quality assurance process.

There is a written examination at the end of the workshop. The passing score is 75 percent or higher.

The R-2000 Builder Workshop is organized locally by regional delivery agents.

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R-2000 Builder Update Workshop

Every two years, regional delivery agents organize a half- or one-day updating workshop to discuss any new requirements for the R-2000 Standard and implications for construction. The workshop may also include new technology, products and trends that may be useful to R-2000 builders.

R-2000 Plan Evaluation Workshop

This three-day workshop for evaluators of new house plans teaches the use of HOT2000 software. Topics covered are entering data and navigating through the software (including understanding the requirements for various inputs and interpreting the reports) and understanding special design considerations in more complex houses.

Shorter workshops are held to update existing users when new versions of the software are launched.

The R-2000 Plan Evaluation Workshop is organized by (NRCan) or the regional R-2000 delivery agent.

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R-2000 Inspection Workshop

This two-day workshop familiarizes participants with:

• the role of the R-2000 inspector and the R-2000 inspection
• verification procedures for the building envelope and HVAC system components at the pre-drywall and final inspection stages
• use of R-2000 inspection forms

For novice inspectors, the workshop can be three days in length. Contact the regional R-2000 delivery agent in your area for more information.

HVAC Courses Offered by the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI)

Locations and schedules for HRAI courses are listed on the HRAI Web site under "SkillTech Academy."

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HRAI Residential Mechanical Ventilation Installation

This three-day course is based on the National Building Code of Canada and the CAN/CSA-F-326-91 Standard, Residential Mechanical Ventilation Systems. The course deals with all aspects of residential mechanical ventilation. It includes information on the installation and commissioning of all types of mechanical ventilation systems with or without heat recovery, as well as principles of the house as a system. This course is a prerequisite for the HRAI Residential Mechanical Ventilation Design course.

HRAI Residential Mechanical Ventilation Design

This three-day course is based on the National Building Code of Canada and the CAN/CSA-F-326-M91 Standard, Residential Mechanical Ventilation Systems. This course expands on the material in the Residential Mechanical Ventilation Installation course, which is a prerequisite. It covers detailed design methods for depressurization prediction (design), depressurization testing, duct design (ventilation systems) and outdoor air intakes to forced-air systems. Participants will learn how to design mechanical ventilation systems that meet R-2000 technical requirements, including:

• systems for baseboard-heated houses
• systems for forced-air heated houses
• exhaust-only system
• NBC "code-minimum" systems
• systems for houses with spillage-susceptible combustion appliances

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HRAI Residential Heat Loss and Heat Gain Calculations

This three-day course is based on the nationally recognized CAN/CSA F-280 Standard, Determining the Required Capacity of Residential Space Heating and Cooling Appliances. This course shows participants how to properly calculate residential heat losses and heat gains. It covers the following topics:

• principles of heating and air conditioning
• heat loss of a structure and its calculations
• heat gain of a structure and its calculations
• solar heat effects
• humidity as latent heat
• outside air infiltration
• ventilation requirements

This course is invaluable for individuals who are installing new residential heating and air-conditioning systems or retrofitting such systems.

HRAI Residential Air System Design

This three-day course builds on the knowledge and skills acquired in the HRAI Residential Heat Loss and Heat Gain Calculations course. The course shows participants how to properly design residential air distribution systems. It covers the following topics:

• layout and design of duct systems
• sizing of supply and return air ducts, including the proper selection of supply and return registers and grilles
• airflow calculations
• external static pressure
• sheet metal fittings

This course is invaluable for individuals who are designing and installing new residential forced-air distribution systems or modifying existing ones.

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HRAI Residential Integrated Combo Systems

This two-day course takes the student through the basic theory, design selection, installation and commissioning of integrated combination systems that use domestic water heaters in conjunction with pre-packaged air handlers for residential space heating and potable hot water. HRAI recommends that individuals interested in attending this course have prior knowledge of residential heat loss/gain and residential air system design.

HRAI Residential Commissioning

This two-day course instructs participants on the proper commissioning (startup) of residential HVAC air and water systems. The course covers the following topics:

• flows and pressures within a forced-air or hydronic system
• ventilation system commissioning
• house depressurization

This course is invaluable to individuals who are installing, servicing and commissioning new or existing residential mechanical systems. HRAI strongly recommends that individuals interested in attending this course have prior training in residential mechanical ventilation, residential heat loss/gain and residential air system design.

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HRAI/R-2000 Service Provider HVAC Courses

Each in this series of one-day HRAI/R-2000 professional courses (which are based on HRAI certification courses but are not as thorough or complete) provides an overview of issues related to the design and installation of residential HVAC systems. Participants who take these courses are not certified to design or install HVAC systems. Courses include:

• Residential Mechanical Ventilation
• Residential Integrated Combo Systems
• Residential Heat Loss and Heat Gain Calculations
• Residential Commissioning
• Residential Air System Design

Corporation des maîtres mécaniciens en tuyauterie du Québec (CMMTQ)

The CMMTQ offers a range of training courses, recognized by the R-2000 Initiative, for mechanical professionals.

Heating, Ventilating and Cooling Industry (HVCI) Association of British Columbia

The HVCI offers a range of training courses, recognized by the R-2000 Initiative, for mechanical professionals.

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Wood Energy Technical Training (WETT) Courses

Visit WETT's Web site for locations and schedules for WETT courses.

WETT Code Compliance Course

This three-day study course provides an overview of the solid-fuel regulatory structure and regulations and a thorough review of the range of solid-fuel burning appliances that are commonly used in Canada. The course covers the details of safe appliance installation, including clearances, shielding systems and flue pipe installations. In addition, the course covers basic venting, chimney types (including masonry and factory-built chimneys), chimney liners, relining for fireplace inserts and pellet appliance venting.

WETT Wood-Burning Course

This two-day study course introduces participants to wood-burning skills and concepts such as system design and problem diagnosis, confirms skills and knowledge acquired through field experience and supports on-the-job and in-store training. The course includes case studies on:

• space-heating system design (meeting customer objectives and planning and installation)
• inspection and remedial measures for an existing masonry chimney and uncertified cookstove
• installation of a fireplace insert
• installation of a factory-built fireplace
• installation of a chimney

Successful completion of this and WETT's code compliance course, combined with 80 weeks of field experience, results in WETT certification as a Technician/Advisor.

R-2000 and HOT2000 are official marks of Natural Resources Canada.

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