Steamfitter

A Steamfitter lays out, assembles, maintains and repairs piping that carries water, steam, fluids, gases, chemicals and fuel for heating, cooling, lubricating and process piping systems. Specifically, a Steamfitter:

reads and understands design drawings, manufacturers literature and installation diagrams
lays out, assembles, installs, maintains, and repairs heating, cooling, process or industrial systems
installs piping for any process, including processes that convey gas, or pneumatic or air-handling systems
installs high-pressure piping for any process
installs and maintains instrumentation control systems

In Ontario this trade is compulsory, which means certification or registration as an apprentice is legally required to practice the trade.

Apprenticeship program

The Steamfitter (307A) apprenticeship program consists of on-the-job and in-school training. The program typically takes five years to complete and consists of:

8,280 hours of on-the-job training/work experience
720 hours of in-school training

On-the-job training

A Steamfitter apprenticeship involves practical training provided on-the-job by a skilled worker or trainer. The skills or competencies to be developed through this training include:

protecting self and others
communicating
reading, interpreting and maintaining drawings and specifications
analyzing and designing the system
planning and preparing for the project

In-school training

A Steamfitter apprenticeship includes three levels of theoretical training delivered in a classroom, which includes subjects such as:

applied safety procedures
trade calculations and physics
trade communications
system design
layout of pipe support systems