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Building Construction Trades

Cabinetmaking

Requires the building of a small cabinet from materials and drawings supplied. Contestants are expected to read the drawings, lay out and cut the parts using a table saw, laminate trimmer, hand drill, hinge boring machine and various hand tools. The parts must be accurately assembled, sanded and adjusted to tolerances specified by the judges.

Carpentry

Contestants will frame walls using wood and or metal steel studs, cut and install rafters, gable end overhangs, fascia board and soffit installation, install sheathing and or exterior siding and trim. Demonstration of knowledge of stair construction is required. Contestants will be judged on accuracy, ability to read and interpret blueprints, workmanship, safety and the proper use of tools, equipment and materials.

Electrical Construction Wiring (formerly Residential Wiring)

Contestants are required to complete a written test of questions formulated from the latest edition of the NEC, a practical conduit bending exercise and a hands-on installation of a conduit system, cabling system and wiring devices. Working from drawings and specification sheets, contestants are required to install an electrical system common with most residential projects. Judging is based on general workmanship, accuracy of layout and installation, and adherence to the current national Electrical Code and standard industry safe practices. Contestants knowledge of the materials used in the electrical industry will be tested when they are required to fill an order from a bill of material that will be used to complete the hands-on portion of this contest.

HVACR (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration)

The contestants will be tested in the following areas: written exam, brazing skills, refrigerant component service, air measurement and troubleshooting, refrigerant recovery and electrical troubleshooting. Various industry equipment may include ice machines, refrigerated display cases, small package HVAC units, furnaces, and split system air conditioning units.

Major Appliance and Refrigeration Technology

Contestants rotate from station to station diagnosing common service issues on refrigerators, washers, dryers, ranges, microwave ovens and dishwashers. Contestants also demonstrate their ability to braze by assembling a copper and steel tubing project per a schematic provided. The Contestants customer satisfaction and employability skills will also be evaluated using, interviews, job applications and various types of assessments. There is also a major appliance technology general knowledge learning exercise.

Masonry

While production is very important, quality workmanship is vital. The students will be expected to construct a composite brick & block project in a six-hour period that will test their ability to meet industry standards in quality. In addition to a written exam, the critical eye of journeyman judges will be the deciding factor in determining the winners. The contest project will include components of the most frequently used details in residential construction.

Plumbing

Contestants "rough-in" hot and cold water lines with copper tubing and “rough-in” sanitary drainage, waste and vent lines with cast iron and PVC plastic for a water closet, a lavatory, a washer box and a floor drain. Water pipes are pressure tested on completed projects. Professional plumbers and pipefitters judge the contestants on the basis of accuracy, workmanship, proper selection and use of tools and supplies, and proper safety procedures.

Residential Systems Installation and Maintenance

This contest replaces Electronics Applications.

To test each contestant’s preparation for employment and to recognize outstanding students for excellence and professionalism in the field of home technology integration. The contest is made up of multiple stations where the contestants will be judged and scored on the following skills and knowledge. Installation of residential products including Home Theater system, computer networking, video security equipment and construct the various cables used at each of the stations. In addition, students will need the knowledge of the different smart home technologies. There will also be a written test that will includes Computer Networking Fundamentals, Audio and Video Fundamentals, Home Security and Surveillance Systems, Telecommunications Standards, Structured Wiring (Low Voltage & High voltage, and Systems Integration)