Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

Also called: Air Conditioning Installer (AC Installer), Aircraft Hydraulic Equipment Mechanic, Aircraft Hydraulic Mechanic, Aircraft Plumbing Mechanic, Commercial Plumber

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Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters 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. Includes sprinkler fitters.

Cut, thread, or hammer pipes to specifications, using tools such as saws, cutting torches, pipe threaders, or pipe benders.
Lay out full scale drawings of pipe systems, supports, or related equipment, according to blueprints.
Inspect, examine, or test installed systems or pipe lines, using pressure gauge, hydrostatic testing, observation, or other methods.
Plan pipe system layout, installation, or repair, according to specifications.
Attach pipes to walls, structures, or fixtures, such as radiators or tanks, using brackets, clamps, tools, or welding equipment.
Modify, clean, or maintain pipe systems, units, fittings, or related machines or equipment, using hand or power tools.
Select pipe sizes, types, or related materials, such as supports, hangers, or hydraulic cylinders, according to specifications.
Assemble pipe sections, tubing, or fittings, using couplings, clamps, screws, bolts, cement, plastic solvent, caulking, or soldering, brazing, or welding equipment.
Install pipe assemblies, fittings, valves, appliances such as dishwashers or water heaters, or fixtures such as sinks or toilets, using hand or power tools.
Install automatic controls to regulate pipe systems.
Shut off steam, water, or other gases or liquids from pipe sections, using valve keys or wrenches.
Keep records of work assignments.
Direct helpers engaged in pipe cutting, preassembly, or installation of plumbing systems or components.
Fill pipes or plumbing fixtures with water or air and observe pressure gauges to detect and locate leaks.
Maintain or repair plumbing by replacing defective washers, replacing or mending broken pipes, or opening clogged drains.
Locate and mark the position of pipe installations, connections, passage holes, or fixtures in structures, using measuring instruments such as rulers or levels.
Review blueprints, building codes, or specifications to determine work details or procedures.
Anchor steel supports from ceiling joists to hold pipes in place.
Estimate time, material, or labor costs for use in project plans.
Install underground storm, sanitary, or water piping systems, extending piping as needed to connect fixtures and plumbing.
Inspect structures to assess material or equipment needs, to establish the sequence of pipe installations, or to plan installation around obstructions, such as electrical wiring.
Install green plumbing equipment, such as faucet flow restrictors, dual-flush or pressure-assisted flush toilets, or tankless hot water heaters.
Cut openings in structures to accommodate pipes or pipe fittings, using hand or power tools.
Inspect work sites for obstructions or holes that could cause structural weakness.
Install fixtures, appliances, or equipment designed to reduce water or energy consumption.
Install pipe systems to support alternative energy-fueled systems, such as geothermal heating or cooling systems.
Weld small pipes or special piping, using specialized techniques, equipment, or materials, such as computer-assisted welding or microchip fabrication.
Operate motorized pumps to remove water from flooded manholes, basements, or facility floors.
Repair hydraulic or air pumps.
Repair or remove and replace system components.

Work Context

Work Context information for this career will be available soon.

Work Activities

Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment — Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Detailed Work Activities

Cut metal components for installation.
Fabricate parts or components.
Create construction or installation diagrams.
Inspect plumbing systems or fixtures.
Plan layout of construction, installation, or repairs.
Weld metal components.

Mechanical

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Building and Construction

Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.

Design

Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Judgment and Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Near Vision

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Problem Sensitivity

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

Arm-Hand Steadiness

The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

Manual Dexterity

The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

Multilimb Coordination

The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.

Oral Comprehension

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Control Precision

The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

Visualization

The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.

Finger Dexterity

The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

Deductive Reasoning

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Extent Flexibility

The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.

Inductive Reasoning

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Information Ordering

The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

Trunk Strength

The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.

Written Comprehension

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Oral Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Speech Recognition

The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

Gross Body Equilibrium

The ability to keep or regain your body balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.

Speech Clarity

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Selective Attention

The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.

Static Strength

The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.

Category Flexibility

The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.

Fluency of Ideas

The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.

They do well at jobs that need:

Achievement/Effort

Persistence

Initiative

Leadership

Cooperation

Concern for Others

Social Orientation

Self Control

You might use software like this on the job:

Computer aided design CAD software

AEC Design Group CADPIPE
Horizon Engineering Sigma Plumbing Calculator
Elite Software Sprinkler CAD
Elite Software Plumbing CAD
Drawing and drafting software
Computer aided design CAD software
Autodesk Building Systems
ViziFlow

Accounting software

Intuit QuickBooks
KRS Enterprises Service First!
Job costing software
Bookkeeping software
Intuit Quicken

Web platform development software

Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP

Spreadsheet software

Microsoft Excel
Spreadsheet software
PipingOffice

Office suite software

Microsoft Office

Word processing software

Microsoft Word
Word processing software
Wilhelm Publishing Threshold
Contractor City Contractor Forms Pack
Atlas Construction Business Forms

Facilities management software

Maintenance management software

Data base user interface and query software

Wintac Pro
PricePoint
Database software
Insight Direct ServiceCEO

Analytical or scientific software

Watter Hammer Software Hytran
Pipepro Pipefitting
Quote Software QuoteExpress
Klear Estimator
Bentley Systems AutoPIPE
COADE CAESAR II
Elite Software DPIPE
Elite Software FIRE
Elite Software HSYM
Elite Software Spipe
Heat loss calculation software

Project management software

Piping construction costs estimation software
Vision InfoSoft Plumbing Bid Manager
Estimating software
FastEST FastPipe
FastEST software

Electronic mail software

Email software

Internet browser software

Internet browser software

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