Steamfitters

STEAMFITTERS

All buildings have a network of pipe. Professional steamfitters build and repair all of the complex piping systems that rely on the circulation of liquid, gas, and steam to name a few of the many process’ that flow through pipe. Steamfitters assemble and maintain industrial refrigeration and climate control systems. The scope of work of the Steamfitter or Pipefitter encompasses installation and servicing of systems requiring piping. This includes steam and hot water heating systems, chemical and petrochemical plants, and complete environmental systems in hospitals, schools, churches, high rise office buildings, and apartment buildings.

The pipes that Steamfitters work with may be copper, steel, cast or wrought iron, brass, bronze, glass, plastic, concrete, or any material from which pipe can be made. The size ranges from 1/16” up to 10 feet and larger in diameter. Steamfitters join pipes mechanically by threading, flanging, or friction joints; and metallurgically by soldering, brazing, or welding- including shielded metal arc welding; gas tungsten arc welding, gas metal arc welding, and oxy-fuel gas welding. Steamfitting also involves erecting and working on scaffolding, interpreting blueprints, and writing technical reports, measuring, cutting, and fabricating piping or tubing using mechanical equipment.

The scope of work for the Mechanical Equipment Serviceman (MES), also called Refrigeration Pipefitter, encompasses mechanical service and maintenance of commercial air conditioning, refrigeration, ventilation, and heating equipment. This includes electric, gas-fired and oil-fired hydronic and forced air heating equipment and associated combustion controls, temperature, and humidification controls. The trade also includes repair, overhaul and replacement of refrigeration compressors, condensers, evaporators, metering devices, and cooling towers. Building automation equipment service (a.k.a. energy management system service) is also the work of the MES. Typically, the MES is provided with a company vehicle, provided by the contractor, to carry tools and equipment and other related equipment necessary to perform the work of the trade.

The range of options for pipe trade professionals is vast and the opportunities continue to grow with each technological advance. Tools of the trade include wrenches, soldering and welding equipment, and heavy cutting equipment. Steamfitting requires walking, bending, lifting, crouching, climbing, kneeling, stretching, and standing for long periods.

CONTACT

PETER A. KLEIN

Director of Training

Steamfitters / Pipefitters’ Joint Apprenticeship Program Training School

14420 Townsend Road, Suite C, Philadelphia, PA 19154

(267) 350-2610