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:

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  • 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