A pipefitter (also called steamfitter), is a tradesman who lays out, assembles, fabricates, maintains and repairs piping systems. Journeyman pipefitters/steamfitters deal with industrial process 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 precisely cutting, threading, grooving, bending and welding, whereas a plumber concentrates on piping systems for utility liquids potable water, sewage, drains, etc. in the commercial and residential atmosphere operating at lower pressures than high powered industrial systems. 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 or fuel.

Plumbers are not pipefitters. Where required, there are separate licenses for each trade. While plumbing may require similar skills/training, they are not applicable to pipefitting/steamfitting. Pipefitters are trained and tested to a higher standard than plumbers are.

Employers that hire pipefitters include:

• Heating, ventilation and air conditioning HVAC construction firms
• Mechanical construction firms
• Pulp mills and paper mills
• Primary steel producers
• Utility company|Utility companies
• Motor vehicle manufacturers
• Residential building developers
• Fabrication metal Metal fabricating companies
• Oil refineries
• Chemical plants
• Pharmaceutical companies
• Shipyards and ship repair facilities
• Nuclear Power Plants
• Gas Plants
• Breweries
• Service companies that maintain and install controls such as thermostats and balancing valves

Recommended or required skills include physical strength and manual dexterity, reading and interpreting blueprints and specifications; making detailed sketches for pipe and equipment fabrication and installation; cutting openings for pipe using various hand or power tools; measuring, cutting with blades and torches, threading, grooving, bending, soldering, brazing, welding, assembling, joining and installing pipes, valves and fittings.

See also

• United Association
• Construction worker
• United Welders Association
• Computer-aided design

References

External Links

• Steamfitter/pipefitter trade profile