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'A '''pipefitter''' (also called '''steamfitter'''), is a tradesman who lays out, assembles, fabricates, maintains and repairs piping systems. Pipefitters usually go through a mix of apprentice and trade school training. Journeyman pipefitters/steamfitters deal with industrial process piping and heating/cooling systems. Typical industrial process pipe is under high pressure, which requires metals such as [[carbon steel]], [[stainless steel]], and many different alloy metals fused together through precisely cutting, threading, grooving, bending and [[welding]], whereas a plumber concentrates on piping systems for utility liquids potable water, sewage, drains, etc. in the commercial and residential atmosphere operating at lower pressures than high powered industrial systems. Utility piping typically consists of copper, [[Polyvinyl chloride|PVC]], [[Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride|CPVC]], [[polyethylene]], and [[galvanized pipe]] which is typically glued, soldered, or threaded. Other types of piping systems include steam, ventilation, hydraulics, chemicals or fuel. Plumbers are not pipefitters. Where required, there are separate licenses for each trade. While plumbing may require similar skills/training, they are not applicable to pipefitting/steamfitting.{{Fact|date=January 2009}} Although Plumbing and Pipefitting are different trades, in many different parts of the country, pipefitters may do plumbing work, whereas plumbers may not do pipefitting work. However, someplaces dont allow pipefitters to do plumbing. As with Plumbers, many states require pipefitters to be licensed. Requirements differ from state to state but most include a four to five year apprenticeship and testing before becoming a licensed journeyman. Pipefitter Skills include: * Layout * Detailing * Pipe Threading * Pipe Grinding * Welding(MiG, TiG, SMAW, GMAW, Orbital) * Plasma cutting * Mechanical Pipe cutting * Gas Arc cutting * Rigging * Brazing * Soldering * Mitering * Tube Bending * Valve installation and repair Employers that hire pipefitters include: * Heating, ventilation and air conditioning HVAC construction firms * Mechanical construction firms * Pulp mills and paper mills * Primary steel producers * Utility company|Utility companies * Motor vehicle manufacturers * Residential building developers * Fabrication metal Metal fabricating companies * Oil refineries * Chemical plants * Pharmaceutical companies * Shipyards and ship repair facilities * Nuclear Power Plants * Gas Plants * Breweries * Semiconductor plants * Service companies that maintain and install controls such as thermostats and balancing valves Recommended or required skills include physical strength and manual dexterity, reading and interpreting blueprints and specifications; making detailed sketches for pipe and equipment fabrication and installation; cutting openings for pipe using various hand or power tools; measuring, cutting with blades and torches, threading, grooving, bending, soldering, brazing, welding, assembling, mitering, joining and installing pipes, valves and fittings. ==See also== *[[United Association]] *[[Construction worker]] *[[United Welders Association]] *[[Computer-aided design]] ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== * [http://www.tradesecrets.org/index.html?page=trades/007/007_profile.asp Steamfitter/pipefitter trade profile] [[Category:Construction trades workers]] [[Category:Piping|Fitter]]'