Pipefitter

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Large-scale piping system in an HVAC mechanical room Mechanical room.jpg
Large-scale piping system in an HVAC mechanical room

A pipefitter or steamfitter [1] 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, and many different alloy metals fused together through precise cutting, threading, grooving, bending, and welding. A plumber 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. [2]

Contents

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. [3]

Scope of work

Trade groups

In North America, 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 and Australia.

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. [4] However, pipelayers usually work outside, laying pipe underground or on the seabed, whereas pipefitters typically work inside, installing piping in buildings, aeroplanes, or ships. [4] One author summarizes the different tasks this way:

Pipe layers operate the backhoes and trenching machinery that dig the trenches to accommodate the placement of sanitary sewer pipes and stormwater sewer drainpipes. They use surveyor’s equipment to ensure the trenches have the proper slope and install the pieces of pipe in the trenches, joining the ends with cement, glue, or welding equipment. Using an always-open or always-closed valve called a tap, pipe layers connect them to a wider system and bury the pipes.

Pipe fitters plan and test piping and tubing layouts; cut, bend or fabricate pipe or tubing segments; and join those segments by threading them, using lead joints, welding, brazing, cementing, or soldering them together. They install manual, pneumatic, hydraulic and electric valves in pipes to control the flow through the pipes or tubes. These workers create the system of tubes in boilers and make holes in walls and bulkheads to accommodate the passage of the pipes they install. [4] [5]

Occupational hazards

Pipe fitters are often exposed to hazardous or dangerous materials, such as asbestos, lead, 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. [6] 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. [7]

Other occupational hazards include exposure to the weather, heavy lifting, crushing hazards, lacerations, and other risks normal to the construction industry.

See also

Related Research Articles

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A flange is a protruded ridge, lip or rim, either external or internal, that serves to increase strength ; for easy attachment/transfer of contact force with another object ; or for stabilizing and guiding the movements of a machine or its parts. Flanges are often attached using bolts in the pattern of a bolt circle.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Piping</span> System of pipes used to transport fluids

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drain-waste-vent system</span> Plumbing fixture

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Compression fitting</span> Plumbing fitting

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hydronics</span> Use of liquid or gaseous water in heating or cooling systems

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pipe (fluid conveyance)</span> Tubular section or hollow cylinder

A pipe is a tubular section or hollow cylinder, usually but not necessarily of circular cross-section, used mainly to convey substances which can flow — liquids and gases (fluids), slurries, powders and masses of small solids. It can also be used for structural applications; hollow pipe is far stiffer per unit weight than solid members.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coupling (piping)</span> Short length of pipe which allows two other pipes to be joined

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Piping and plumbing fitting</span> Connecting pieces in pipe systems

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hull maintenance technician</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plastic pipework</span> Tubular section or hollow cylinder made of plastic

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soldering</span> Process of joining metal pieces with heated filler metal

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Copper tubing</span> Type of metal tubing

Copper tubing is available in two basic types of tube—plumbing tube and air conditioning/refrigeration (ACR) tube, and in both drawn (hard) and annealed (soft) tempers. Because of its high level of corrosion resistance, it is used for water distribution systems, oil fuel transfer lines, non-flammable medical-gas systems, and as a refrigerant line in HVAC systems. Copper tubing is joined using flare connection, compression connection, pressed connection, or solder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pipelayer</span>

A pipelayer is a skilled tradesman who lays pipe, such as for storm sewers, sanitary sewers, drains, and water mains. Pipelayers may grade trenches and culverts, position pipe, or seal joints. The Standard Occupational Classification System code for pipelayers is 47-2151.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pipe marking</span>

In the process industry, chemical industry, manufacturing industry, and other commercial and industrial contexts, pipe marking is used to identify the contents, properties and flow direction of fluids in piping. It is typically carried out by marking piping through labels and color codes. Pipe marking helps personnel and fire response teams identify the correct pipes for operational, maintenance or emergency response purposes.

References

  1. ↑ "Steamfitter/Pipefitter: School of Trades and Technology". Thompson Rivers University. Retrieved 2019-02-19.
  2. ↑ https://tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-occupations/profiles/0074/ Steamfitter/Pipefitter Trade Profile. Alberta Trade Secrets. 1995-2010.
  3. ↑ "Explore Careers by Occupation". Job Bank. 2017-01-31. Retrieved 2017-02-23.
  4. 1 2 3 Will Charpentier, "Pipe Layers vs. Pipe Fitters", Demand Media.
  5. ↑ "Naperville Plumber". Saturday, 30 July 2022
  6. ↑ Davenport, C. (2024, March 19). U.S. Is Banning the Last Type of Asbestos Still in Use. New York Times, A13. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A786785917/OVIC?u=lom_waynesu&sid=summon&xid=dd996db6
  7. ↑ Construction Safety Association of Ontario. "Occupational Health Risks: Pipe Trades" (PDF).{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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