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Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
SOC 472152: Assemble, install, alter, and repair pipelines or pipe systems that carry water, steam, air, or other liquids
or gases. May install heating and cooling equipment and mechanical control systems.
Introduction soldering, along with brazing and welding equip-
ment, depending on the fluids or gases carried
Plumbing professionals have a unique knowledge
through the pathways. They attach pipes to walls,
of pipe systems, waste disposal, drainage, and gas
structures, and fixtures, such as radiators or tanks.
systems in residential, commercial, and industrial
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters also cut,
buildings. Pipefitters and steamfitters also share
thread, and hammer pipe to specifications, using
distinct abilities in regards to pipe systems, keep-
tools such as saws, cutting torches, pipe-threading
ing structures functional and safe for use.
machines, and pipe-bending machines. It is often
Different pipe systems are utilized in residential
necessary to cut openings in walls to accommo-
housing, commercial buildings, power plants,
date pipes and their fittings. In new construction,
municipal water treatment and manufacturing
these professionals connect pipe systems to out-
plants, and in specialized areas, such as pharma-
side gas, water, or sewer lines. They also install
ceuticals, medical gas installation and computer-
fixtures such as bathtubs, showers, sinks, toilets,
chip manufacturing. All of these systems are high-
and appliances, such as water heaters, gas stoves
ly complex and require specialized techniques for
and ovens, and dishwashers. The final step in
installation, repair, and design.
their installation work is to use pressure gauges to
Nature of Work ensure that there are no leaks.
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters all work Commercial work includes construction, service
with pipes, but have different specializations and and repair, routine inspections, and maintenance.
techniques. Plumbers install and repair waste dis- Specialized services might include building and
posal, drainage, and gas piping systems. design; temperature controls; heating, ventilation,
Pipefitters install and repair both high- and low- and air conditioning systems; energy manage-
pressure pipe systems used in manufacturing, the ment; air-water balance; field calibration; biologi-
generation of electricity, and heating and cooling cal safety and cleanroom testing; process and con-
systems. Another element of this work is pipelay- trol system engineering; repiping; and renova-
ing, done by those who lay pipes made of clay, tions. For residential repair needs, plumbers
copper, concrete, plastic, or cast iron for drains, might repair or maintain plumbing systems,
sewers, water mains, and oil or gas lines. replacing or mending broken pipes or opening
Steamfitters install and repair complex heating clogged drains. Each of these professionals may, at
and cooling systems, industrial piping for power times, work in a coordinated effort with municipal
generation, and semiconductor use. Because agencies, such as the local water district or gas
steamfitters deal with gases under pressure, they and electric company.
have the responsibility of installing and welding
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters generally
pipes in a highly skilled manner that will prevent
work a standard 40-hour week, but their hours
explosions or injuries. Each of these occupations
can vary widely to include daytime, evening,
has a role in preventing contamination of fluids
weekend, or on call shifts in order to perform rou-
and gases that could pass through the pipes by
tine or emergency maintenance and repair work.
properly performing welding and installation.
Those who work in construction may be laid off
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters must be each time they complete a new structure, and may
able to follow building plans, blueprints, and lay- have multiple employers so that they have more
outs. They assemble pipes, tubes, and fittings work opportunities.
according to specifications and building codes. In
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters work
order to do this, they use couplings, clamps,
indoors, outdoors, or in partially covered work-
screws, bolts, cement, plastic solvent, calking, or
105 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Knowledge
Mechanical
Customer and personal services
Design
Building and construction
sites, sometimes in all-weather conditions or in cramped quarters. Engineering and technology
They may climb ladders to work on rooftops, crawl beneath build- English language
ings, or work in trenches on outside pipelines. Residential work is
usually performed by one or two individuals if the work is not too
complex. Due to the breadth of the work at construction sites,
Skills
Installation
these professionals work in larger crews. Active listening
Instructing
The majority of plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters perform Mathematics
commercial or specialty work, while a smaller percentage work in Equipment selection
residential plumbing. Commercial and specialty work tends to be Active learning
unionized, whereas there are fewer union jobs in residential work.
Those who are in apprenticeships may work with several different Abilities
employers during their training stage, until they become journey- Information ordering
men. Arm-hand steadiness
Manual dexterity
Job Requirements Near vision
Extent flexibility
Skills/Characteristics Problem sensitivity
For plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters, working on a job site
is something akin to assembling a puzzle—a complex array of
pipes, electrical conduits, duct work, and fire sprinklers all have
to be fitted into a space with accuracy and precision. These pro- Top Employing Industries (California)
fessionals need physical strength and stamina since pipes can be
heavy and may have to be held in place for long periods of time
until they are secured. Other essential skills for these profession- 75%
als include manual dexterity and mechanical ability, in order to
work with small components and effectively use hand and power
60%
tools to braze, solder, or weld metal parts.
This is not simply a physical job—these occupations require a 45%
great deal of intelligence, and the critical-thinking, problem-solv-
ing, and decision-making elements of the work are all based upon
a thorough understanding of piping and plumbing principles and 30%
the ability to draw upon this knowledge at any moment. Spatial
skills and the ability to follow exact instructions are necessary to 15%
be able to take blueprints from paper to a seamless finished prod-
uct. As with most occupations, communication skills and English
language knowledge and usage are critical. Teamwork is essential 0%
in this work, as is the ability to take constructive criticism in order
to improve performance. Having a strong work ethic is also
important, because colleagues rely upon the work of these profes-
sionals in order to successfully perform their own work.
For those who work in the service sector of the industry, such as
residential plumbing repair and maintenance, customer service
skills and the ability to explain concepts to customers are very
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters 106
important. These individuals must also write Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters must
clearly and have the mathematical skills to create engage in ongoing training to upgrade their skills,
invoices and bill correctly for services rendered. particularly as technology, materials, and tech-
niques continue to change and improve.
Training/Experience
According to Carl Cimino, director of San Jose’s
Comprehensive training in the pipe trades is best Pipe Trades Training Center, “Today there are
acquired through an apprenticeship, which pro- [applications in] nuclear power, biotechnology,
vides the most opportunities for learning. medical gas installations, chip manufacturing, oil
However, it is possible to become skilled through refineries, and power plants—whatever is needed,
initiative and on-the-job training. we can train for it.”
In this region there are three apprenticeship pro- Those in this profession working in specialty areas
grams for plumbing. Two are union-operated must have proper certification, such as plumbing
apprenticeships: Pipe Trades Joint Apprentice contractor; air and water balancing specialty con-
Training Council (JATC) of Santa Clara and San tractor; hot water heating and steam fitting con-
Benito Counties, and the JATC of the Plumbing, tractor; and water conditioning contractor.
Pipe Fitting and Refrigeration Industry of San County governments license plumbers and others
Mateo County. One program is sponsored by the in the pipe trades, testing knowledge of plumbing
Associated Builders & Contractors Golden Gate and plumbing codes with a written exam, a
Chapter Plumbing UAC and is conducted at the requirement that is waived if the plumber is an
Construction Craft Training Center in San Jose apprentice, works for a utility, is licensed by
and other regional locations. another jurisdiction, or is a contractor.
Entering an apprenticeship requires a commit- Employment
ment that can last from four to five years, depend-
Recruitment/Hiring
ing on the program. Apprentices are paid for their
hands-on work, and they also attend approxi- If entrants to these professions do not seek
mately two evening classes per week to acquire apprenticeships, any experience in the trades can
comprehensive skills. In many programs, training likely be put to use in a residential plumbing com-
is free. Hands-on learning takes place under the pany, particularly with skills in carpentry, dry
direct supervision of a journeyperson. A field wall, and tile. Another way to acquire construc-
coordinator makes routine visits to job sites to tion skills is through volunteer experience with
make sure apprentices’ work activities are suffi- organizations like Habitat for Humanity, which
cient and comprehensive, so that when they grad- constructs low-cost housing for individuals and
uate or are “turned out” from their apprentice- families in need.
ship, they can apply their knowledge to anything
Having a clean driving record and a good work
they might encounter in their work.
record are important to gaining paid work.
To be accepted into an apprenticeship program, an Without a clean driving record, it is difficult to
applicant must have a high school diploma or its insure the driver of the company vehicle.
equivalent, possess a valid driver license, and sub-
Benefits & Challenges
mit three personal references. After passing the
initial screening process, an applicant must pass As a career, the pipe trades offer the benefit of hav-
entry-level examinations in reading, mathematics, ing a well-paid occupation as well as intangible
and spatial reasoning. The final step in the process benefits. As one plumber who was interviewed for
is an oral interview with representatives of the the purpose of this study said, “Nothing is more
Joint Apprentice Training Council to assess the rewarding than to drive your kids by a building
applicant’s interest, ambition, attitude, and alert- and say, ‘I piped that building.’” This is not only a
ness. The JATC’s apprenticeship in residential male profession—women who like to work with
plumbing utilizes a comprehensive upgraded cur- their hands do enter pipe trades apprenticeship
riculum that has been adopted at the national programs and thrive, moving up in the field fol-
level because of its breadth. lowing their apprenticeships.
107 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
The best-paid opportunities are in construction and specialty Education Distribution
areas. However, at construction sites, journeypersons are working
themselves out of a job because once the job is over, the workers
are laid off. Due to this instability, companies and the union pay
benefits and pensions.
As with any occupations that require physical labor, there are safe-
ty concerns that pipe trades personnel must take into considera-
tion. Because of the use of power tools for soldering, brazing, and
welding, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters can easily become
burned. Lifting heavy pipes and crouching in small spaces can
cause strain and physical injury over time. Safety regulations at
construction sites prevent most harm, and the Federal
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulates
safety through its enforcement of standards to keep working con-
ditions safe. Similarly, the California Division of Occupational
Safety and Health performs inspections of boilers and other pres-
surized vessels to protect those in the pipe trades. Occupational Wages
$60
Career Ladders & Lattices
The pipe trades offer many opportunities with experience and $50
continued training. With quite a bit of experience, plumbers, pip-
$40
efitters, and steamfitters may move forward and become a foreman
or a general foreman. Other career paths include estimators,
$30
building inspectors, or becoming certified in various specialties.
Some professionals in the pipe trades start their own companies
$20
after many years of experience.
$10
$0
$60
$50
$40
$30
$20
$10
$0
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters 108
Wayne Laliberte
Plumbing Contractor
1. Please tell us about used to interview people for my small business, I
your current position would ask if they worked on cars. If they told me
and how you arrived they could do a brake job or change a water pump,
there. I knew they could become a plumber. If they had
the basics—taking things off, cleaning things up,
I became a plumber acci-
putting a new part on, aligning belts and hoses—it
dentally. There’s a wide
seemed to me that they had the fundamentals and
range of things that I’ve
common knowledge.
done. I used to be a
welder, and I worked on 2. Please describe your typical workday so that a
cars. I was kind of lost, job seeker might get a sense of what you actually
trying to figure out what do.
I really wanted to do in
I always show up a half hour early—I like to have
life. At one point I was living next door to my
my coffee and chit-chat with the guys. When 6:00
grandmother and the bathroom sink clogged up. I
a.m. rolls around, I start my paperwork and find
asked her what to do, and she said, “Call a
out which direction the day or the week is going in.
plumber.” The plumber who came out was the
Then I go to my van, head to my job site, and check
owner of his company, and he basically interviewed
in with my customer, letting them know what the
me, explaining that he trains guys to do this kind
project is going to be and if they are going to be
of work. By the time he left, he had offered me a job
inconvenienced at all. Even though they are my
as a plumber. Initially, it was drain cleaning and
jobs, all the people I’m working around are my cus-
light plumbing as they trained me for three or four
tomers. I wish a lot of guys here had the same men-
years. Then I moved on to a new construction out-
tality, because they would have a lot fewer dissatis-
fit for better pay.
fied people. For example, letting customers know
When the economy began to fall apart, I got my that in an hour I’ll have to shut off the water for a
contractor’s license and became self-employed. I half hour.
was self-employed for 11 years, but was frustrated
I try to do my job and then clean up as I go. The
because the small shops have trouble getting the
guys around here are adamant about their lunches,
really good guys because they’re all working for the
but I often eat mine in the truck on the way back
big shops. My wife actually applied on my behalf
from a job. I just try to schedule my day and get my
for this job with local government. Because I was in
material for the next day, that way I can go to my
my 40s, I was looking for benefits and a stable job.
next job bright and early in the morning. I also try
Most of the guys here had gone through an appren-
to keep my van washed and maintained. Every
ticeship and frowned on me because I hadn’t. But
other Monday I try to wash it first and gas up—it’s
my knowledge comes from a different direction
a little routine of mine. I used to be in the service
than theirs. There are a lot of things that I know
department, which was a lot of toilet and quickie
that they don’t, because I have had to learn and do
emergency calls. The shop over here has a lot of
them hands on, such as drain cleaning and steam
scheduled calls—you’re going to tear out this bath-
traps. But plumbing is plumbing. Different systems
room, they’re going to remodel, and when it’s
still have water, waste, and gas, whether it’s a big or
remodeled, we come back and put in the new sinks
little plumbing job.
and toilets.
I am very hungry for knowledge, very eager to
learn, and I like working with my hands. When I
109 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
3. Which aspects of your education and/or train- the mechanical part, taking things apart, putting
ing made you more capable and marketable in this things back together. Sometimes you have to fol-
field? low a sequence. For example, you have to be able
to read a blueprint and visualize where things go—
Even though I didn’t do the trade school, I did a lot
doors, windows, and toilets.
of my own schooling: I worked on cars, became a
welder, and installed carpeting for a while. I’m a Eighty percent of what I do here now is take things
homeowner and I have had to repair my own stuff. apart and put them back together new. However, I
When I came here, it gave them a good picture of do design things when we build a new system; for
the variety of things I could do, not just the actual example, you might have to put an intersection
trade. into the water or waste and then branch off and
build your own design, which might be a bath-
4. What are the most exciting aspects of your job?
room. Sometimes the blueprints only show where
What do you like most about your job?
the toilet goes or doesn’t spell out the sizes of the
I think I like the mechanical part most—taking pipes or their locations.
something apart, fixing the problem, and putting it
7. What qualities would make someone a star per-
back together—either making it better than it was
former in this occupation?
or putting it back together so it’s no longer broken
or leaking. I love building brand new things, some- They have to show up on time; that’s really impor-
thing that wasn’t there, and I love being part of a tant. They must be able to do everything that I
group of people in the trades and creating a new would or could do. They’d have to be pretty knowl-
house, bathroom, or anything new. I really enjoy edgeable in the plumbing field, knowing all the
seeing the results, making the whole system better fundamentals of plumbing. I’d like my fellow
for the users and those who will have to maintain worker to be able to share his knowledge with me
the system, even though I will never get a chance and vice versa. We are part of team; the nine of us
to use it myself. I’m updating stuff from the 1950s here are really tight-every few weeks we get togeth-
with new technology. er for lunch. Any one of them would really help
out. I enjoy getting up and going to work. My day
5. What do you dislike or find challenging about
goes fast … I love my job.
your job?
I dislike the amount of paperwork and the politics
you have to go through to do the smallest little
job—probably because it’s government and people
want to know where their money is going. To buy
anything, you have to do a lot of paperwork.
Sometimes having to work around tradespeople
can be challenging.
6. What advice would you give to a person seeking
a job in your field?
Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty and be a
hard worker, because the work does get physical.
It’s strenuous tightening pipes, getting up in tight
areas, working on your back, under a sink, for
example. You get cramped up. You have to enjoy
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters 110
Report Evaluation
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