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