About This Career

Assembles, installs, alters, and repairs pipelines or pipe systems that carry water, steam, air, or other liquids or gases. May install heating and cooling equipment and mechanical control systems.

This career is part of the Architecture and Construction cluster Construction pathway.

A person in this career:

• Shuts off steam, water, or other gases or liquids from pipe sections, using valve keys or wrenches.
• Installs underground storm, sanitary, or water piping systems, extending piping as needed to connect fixtures and plumbing.
• Assembles pipe sections, tubing, or fittings, using couplings, clamps, screws, bolts, cement, plastic solvent, caulking, or soldering, brazing, or welding equipment.
• Locates and marks the position of pipe installations, connections, passage holes, or fixtures in structures, using measuring instruments such as rulers or levels.
• Cuts, threads, or hammers pipes to specifications, using tools such as saws, cutting torches, pipe threaders, or pipe benders.
• Lays out full scale drawings of pipe systems, supports, or related equipment, according to blueprints.
• Plans pipe system layout, installation, or repair, according to specifications.
• Reviews blueprints, building codes, or specifications to determine work details or procedures.
• Selects pipe sizes, types, or related materials, such as supports, hangers, or hydraulic cylinders, according to specifications.
• Fills pipes or plumbing fixtures with water or air and observes pressure gauges to detect and locate leaks.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

• You would often handle loads up to 50 lbs., sometimes up to 100 lbs. You will need a lot of strength at this level.
• Work in this occupation involves bending or twisting your body more than one-third of the time
• Work in this occupation requires climbing things such as ladders, scaffold, and poles more than one-third of the time
• Work in this occupation involves use of protective items such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, a hard hat, or personal flotation devices
• Exposure to pollutants, gases, dust, fumes, odors, poor ventilation, etc.
• Requires getting into awkward positions
• Work in this occupation involves using your hands to hold, control, and feel objects more than one-third of the time
• Exposed to hazardous equipment such as saws, machinery, or vehicular traffic more than once a month
• Sound and noise levels are loud and distracting
• Work in this occupation requires being outside most of the time
• Work in this occupation involves standing more than one-third of the time
• Work in this occupation involves walking or running more than one-third of the time
• Work at heights above 8 feet more than once a month on structures such as ladders, poles, scaffolding, and catwalks

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

• Using muscles repeatedly or over time without tiring
• Bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching
• Seeing clearly at a distance
• Seeing clearly up close
• Lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying objects
• Using abdominal and lower back muscles repeatedly or over time without tiring

Work Hours and Travel

• Weekend work