subject: Industrial Pipe Fitter: A Career Choice [print this page] One of the many specialty trades in the ranks of workers is the industrial pipe fitter. A specific pipe fitter job, the industrial pipe fitter undertakes the installation, maintenance and repair of piping systems conveying gases, steam, liquid, and chemicals in power generation, heating and cooling systems for commercial and industrial structures.
This job also deals with industrial, energy and wastewater treatment installations, aside from working with piping systems for big commercial establishments and residential communities. The industrial pipe fitter is a deeply-skilled tradesman that is equipped with skills and knowledge from heavy training through an exhaustive apprenticeship program given by specialty trade schools and educational institutions.
What Do Industrial Pipe Fitters Do?
From reviewing, evaluating and interpreting industrial blueprint plans to full implementation and installation, the industrial pipe fitter is always hands-on in undertaking the full spectrum of pipe fitter jobs. He engages in specialty works like measuring, cutting, bending, and joining pipes with the use of sophisticated equipment like bending machines, precision cutting tools, and flame cutters in order to come up with safe and accurate piping installation systems. The industrial pipe fitter is also adept in the construction and installation of complex systems like the fire sprinkler system.
Aspiring to be an Industrial Pipe Fitter
By enrolling in a specialty trade school or a comprehensive apprenticeship training program, a person can aspire to be a full-pledged industrial pipe fitter. There are many private organizations which sponsor complete apprenticeship courses which take around 5 years to finish. After exhaustive screening and qualifying examinations, and once enrolled, the trainee is afforded the benefits of membership to a union and assured employment opportunities.
Before actually getting their first pipe fitter job, the prospective industrial pipe fitter undergoes an initial 2-year training program on pipe fitting and then enters an advanced apprenticeship program. The trainee studies the different governing local and safety codes and regulations, physics, mathematics, and blueprint plan interpretation included in his training course. The trainee starts to learn the identification of the different pipe classes, and ultimately move on to master the installation and maintenance of complex systems.
The prospective industrial pipe fitter must have the physical qualifications in order to succeed in his chosen field. He must have enough physical strength, endurance and stamina to meet the rigors of the job, including the ability to withstand the discomforts of working in difficult and cramped situations and the changing weather.
The Outlook in the Industrial Pipe Fitting Arena
Government studies reveal that the demand for industrial pipe fitters would tremendously overtake the supply of the same from the present time up to the year 2016. In fact with the present trend, employers are already having a difficult time getting enough skilled industrial pipe fitters to do the different pipe fitters jobs. Even when the construction industry experienced crises, the need for more industrial pipe fitters continue with the increasing repairs and maintenance requirements of existing piping systems.
