Pipefitter
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A Pipefitter, also called steamfitter or pipe fitting is a tradesman who lays out, assembles, fabricates, maintains and repairs piping systems. Journeyman pipefitters/steamfitters deal with industrial process piping. 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 is a type of pipefitter who concentrates on piping systems for utility liquids potable water, sewage, 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 galvanizing galvanized pipe which is typically glued, soldered, or threaded. Other types of piping systems include steam, ventilation, hydraulics, chemicals or fuel.
Employers that hire steamfitter/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 refinery Oil refineries
- Chemical plants
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Shipyards and ship repair facilities
- Nuclear Power Plants
- Gas Plants
- Breweries
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, threading, grooving, bending, soldering, assembling, joining and installing pipes, valves and fittings.
[edit] See also
- Plumber
- Construction worker
- [United Welders Association]]
