Mechanical Responsibilities

• Lays out, assembles, installs, and maintains pipe systems, pipe supports, and related hydraulic and pneumatic equipment for steam, hot water, heating, cooling, lubricating, sprinkling, and industrial production and processing systems, applying knowledge of system operation.
• Following Plans and Specs.
• Selects type and size of pipe, and related materials and equipment, for example, supports, hangers, and hydraulic cylinders, according to specifications.
• Inspects work sites to determine the presence of obstructions and to ascertain that holes cut for pipe will not cause structural weakness. Plans installation or repair to avoid obstructions and to avoid interfering with activities of other workers.
• Cuts pipe, using saws, pipe cutter, hammer and chisel, cutting torch, and pipe cutting machine.
• Threads pipe, using pipe threading machine.
• Bends pipe, using pipe bending tools and pipe bending machine.
• Assembles and installs variety of metal and nonmetal pipes, tubes, and fittings, including iron, steel, copper, and plastic.
• Connects pipes, using threaded, caulked, soldered, brazed, fused, or cemented joints, and hand tools.
• Secures pipes to structure with brackets, clamps, and hangers, using hand tools and power tools.
• Installs and maintains hydraulic and pneumatic components of machines and equipment, for example pumps and cylinders, using hand tools.
• Installs and maintains refrigeration and air-conditioning systems, including compressors, pumps, meters, pneumatic and hydraulic controls, and piping, using hand tools and power tools, and following specifications and blueprints.
• Increases pressure in pipe system and observes connected pressure gauge to test system for leaks.
• Weld pipe supports to structural steel members.
• May also be designated Steam Fitter when installing piping systems that must withstand high pressure.
• May also be designated according to type of system installed as Pipe Fitter, Pipe Fitter, Fire-Sprinkler Systems Pipe Fitter, Gas Pipe or type of piping used as Pipe Fitter, Plastic Pipe Pipe Fitter, Soft Copper.