A pipefitter or steamfitter is a tradesman who installs, assembles, fabricates, maintains, and repairs mechanical piping systems. Pipefitters usually begin as helpers or apprentices. Journeyman pipefitters deal with industrial/commercial/marine piping and heating/cooling systems. Typical industrial process pipe is under high pressure, which requires metals such as carbon steel,

stainless steel Stainless steel, also known as inox, corrosion-resistant steel (CRES), or rustless steel, is an iron-based alloy that contains chromium, making it resistant to rust and corrosion. Stainless steel's resistance to corrosion comes from its chromi ...

, and many different alloy metals fused together through precise cutting, threading, grooving, bending, and

welding Welding is a fabrication (metal), fabrication process that joins materials, usually metals or thermoplastics, primarily by using high temperature to melting, melt the parts together and allow them to cool, causing Fusion welding, fusion. Co ...

. A

plumber A plumber is a tradesperson who specializes in installing and maintaining systems used for potable (drinking) water, hot-water production, sewage and drainage in plumbing systems.

concentrates on lower pressure piping systems for sewage and potable tap water in the industrial, commercial, institutional, or residential atmosphere. Utility piping typically consists of copper, PVC, CPVC, polyethylene, and galvanized pipe, which is typically glued, soldered, or threaded. Other types of piping systems include steam, ventilation, hydraulics, chemicals, fuel, and oil. In Canada, pipefitting is classified as a compulsory trade, and carries a voluntary "red seal" inter-provincial standards endorsement. Pipefitter apprenticeships are controlled and regulated provincially, and in some cases allow for advance standing in similar trades upon completion. In the United States, many states require pipefitters to be licensed. Requirements differ from state to state, but most include a four- to five-year apprenticeship. Union pipefitters are required to pass an apprenticeship test (often called a "turn-out exam") before becoming a licensed journeyman. Others can be certified by NCCER (formerly the National Center for Construction Education and Research).

Occupational summary

Pipefitters install, assemble, fabricate, maintain, repair, and troubleshoot pipe carrying fuel, chemicals, water, steam, and air in heating, cooling, lubricating, and various other process piping systems. Pipefitters are employed in the maintenance departments of power stations, refineries, offshore installations, factories, and similar establishments, by pipefitting contractors.

Scope of work

Blueprint A blueprint is a reproduction of a technical drawing or engineering drawing using a contact print process on light-sensitive sheets introduced by Sir John Herschel in 1842. The process allowed rapid and accurate production of an unlimited number ...

reading * Detailing * CAD

drawing Drawing is a Visual arts, visual art that uses an instrument to mark paper or another two-dimensional surface, or a digital representation of such. Traditionally, the instruments used to make a drawing include pencils, crayons, and ink pens, some ...

coordinators * Layout * Pipe threading * Pipe grinding * Plasma cutting * Gas arc cutting * Rigging * Brazing * Soldering * Mitering * Tube bending * Valve installation and repair * Mechanical pipe cutting and grooving * Supports and hanger installation * Preparation and installation of medical gas piping *

Welding Welding is a fabrication (metal), fabrication process that joins materials, usually metals or thermoplastics, primarily by using high temperature to melting, melt the parts together and allow them to cool, causing Fusion welding, fusion. Co ...

; GMAW, TiG, SMAW, Orbital)

Trade groups

North America North America is a continent in the Northern Hemisphere, Northern and Western Hemisphere, Western hemispheres. North America is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South Ameri ...

, union pipefitters are members of the United Association. Wages vary from area to area, based on demands for experienced personnel and existing contracts between local unions and contractors. The United Association is also affiliated with the piping trades unions in

Ireland Ireland (, ; ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe. Geopolitically, the island is divided between the Republic of Ireland (officially Names of the Irish state, named Irelan ...

and

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...

Differences between pipefitting and pipelaying

Pipefitters should not be confused with pipelayers. Both trades involve pipe and valves and both use some of the same tools.Will Charpentier
"Pipe Layers vs. Pipe Fitters"
Demand Media. However, ''pipelayers'' usually work outside, laying pipe underground or on the seabed, whereas ''pipefitters'' typically work inside, installing piping in buildings, aeroplanes, or ships. One author summarizes the different tasks as follows: whereas,

Occupational hazards

Pipe fitters are often exposed to hazardous or dangerous materials, such as asbestos,

lead Lead () is a chemical element; it has Chemical symbol, symbol Pb (from Latin ) and atomic number 82. It is a Heavy metal (elements), heavy metal that is density, denser than most common materials. Lead is Mohs scale, soft and Ductility, malleabl ...

, ammonia, steam, flammable gases, various resins and solvents including benzene and various refrigerants. Much progress was made in the 20th century toward eliminating or reducing hazardous materials exposures. Many aspects of hazardous materials are now regulated by law in most countries, including asbestos usage and removal and refrigerant selection and handling. A major occupational hazard that pipefitters face is from welding fumes, including ultraviolet light, heavy metals, and chlorinated compounds during welding or torch cutting. Contact with previously mentioned solvents, adhesives, and epoxies during repair or installation of PVC/ABS pipes. Exposure to materials and liquids in old pipes during repair or removal. Other occupational hazards include exposure to the weather, heavy lifting, crushing hazards, lacerations, and other risks normal to the construction industry.

References

External links

Pipe Hangers & Support
{{Plumbing Construction trades workers Industrial occupations Fitter